NFL Draft OT breakdown: Alabama's Jedrick Wills grades highest at deep position

The 2020 NFL Draft is April 23-25. Each day leading up to the first round, the Tribune-Review is compiling a positional preview of the top draft prospects.

1. Jedrick Wills Jr.

Alabama, 6-4, 312

The NFL comparison assigned to Wills in his draft profile is Jason Peters, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro. Such are the expectations for Wills, who was on the field for all three of his seasons at Alabama. Wills replaced an injured Matt Womack at right tackle in 2018 and he continued to impress as a junior when he was named a second-team All-American and first-team all-SEC at right tackle.

2. Tristan Wirfs

Iowa, 6-5, 320

Wirfs has started from the time he set foot on campus, becoming the first true freshman to start on the line under coach Kirk Ferentz. Wirfs started again at right tackle as a sophomore, then made 10 starts at right tackle and three at left tackle in his junior season when he was named a second-team All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.85 seconds at the NFL Combine, the top time among linemen.

3. Mekhi Becton

Louisville, 6-7, 364

Becton started all three of his seasons at Louisville, including much of the past two at left tackle. His play last season resulted in Becton being named first-team all-conference in the ACC. He made 10 of 12 starts as a sophomore at left tackle and started 10 times at right tackle as a freshman. Despite his large frame, Becton ran the 40-yard dash in 5.10 seconds at the NFL Combine.

4. Andrew Thomas

Georgia, 6-5, 315

Another three-year starter who left school a year early, Thomas started at left tackle for Georgia last season and was named a first-team All-American. He was a second-team pick as a sophomore when he made the switch to left tackle. He started 15 games on the right side as a freshman.

5. Josh Jones

Houston, 6-5, 319

Jones spent five years on campus and started since his redshirt freshman season. He started 45 games in four seasons and was a dominant blindside blocker and protector in Conference USA. He missed four games as a senior because of a knee injury.

6. Austin Jackson

USC, 6-5, 322

Jackson, who won’t turn 21 until May, was one of the top left tackles in the Pac-12 as a junior, starting all 13 games while being named first-team all-conference. He made 12 starts at left tackle as a sophomore and played in 14 games as a freshman. His grandfather, Mel Jackson, played on the offensive line for the Green Bay Packers in the 1970s.

7. Isaiah Wilson

Georgia, 6-6, 350

For the past two seasons, Wilson was the bookend on the right side to Georgia left tackle Andrew Thomas. Wilson left school after his redshirt sophomore season. He started 14 games as a freshman and 10 as a sophomore with an ankle injury keeping him out of a few other games. Wilson showed enough to be named a second-team All-American.

8. Prince Tega Wanogho

Auburn, 6-5, 308

Tega Wanogho grew up in Nigeria and is a late bloomer in football. He earned playing time in all four seasons at Auburn, starting at left tackle as a junior and senior. He also started seven games at left tackle as a sophomore. Swelling in his knee prevented Tega Wanogho from practicing or playing in the Senior Bowl. He underwent surgery and didn’t test at the NFL Combine.

9. Ezra Cleveland

Boise State, 6-6, 311

Cleveland was an all-state defensive lineman who switched to offense upon his arrival in Boise. He started 40 games over three seasons and was a two-time all-conference selection for his play at left tackle. He showed some speed at the NFL Combine by running the 40-yard dash in 4.93 seconds, the third-best time at his position.

10. Lucas Niang

TCU, 6-6, 315

Niang’s senior season at TCU was cut short after seven games because of a hip injury that required surgery. The injury prevented Niang from working out for scouts in the winter. As a junior in 2018, Niang started all 13 games at right tackle and was a second-team all-Big 12 selection. He also made eight starts and appeared in all 12 games as a sophomore.

Best fit for Steelers

Isaiah Wilson, Georgia

It’s time for the Steelers to get younger on the offensive line and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them take a tackle at No. 49, although it’s more likely they will address the position later in the draft. Wilson would be allowed to develop while Zach Banner and Chuks Okorafor compete on the right side in 2020.