New York Jets: Chances of drafting OL in 1st round have dramatically increased

The New York Jets received huge news on Tuesday night that’ll affect their 2020 NFL Draft plans. Here are all the details and what it means.

New York Jets fans have been begging the team to draft an offensive lineman in the first round forever. On Tuesday night the chances of that finally happening increased dramatically.

Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs finally announced that he was entering his name into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Tristan announced the decision on his official Instagram account:

“Dear Hawkeye Nation,

These past 3 years have been the ride of a lifetime, getting to compete with my brothers and represent the state of Iowa is something I will hold with me forever.

With that being said, after a lot of discussion with my mom and family, I have decided to forgo my senior season and declare for the 2020 NFL Draft.

There are so many people that have helped turn me into the person I am today, thank you to the coaching staff for supporting me through the highs and lows.

Thank you to Coach Ferentz for believing in a kid from Mt. Vernon and for giving me the opportunity to live out my dream.

I want to thank my mom because without her I wouldn’t be in the position. All of the love, support, and guidance you have shown me, I will be forever grateful.

I couldn’t have asked for better teammates throughout my time here, they have become my best friends and my brothers and I will cherish the memories we have made for the rest of my life.

And to the fans, thank you for the endless love and support week after week over the years, and for helping a small-town kid from Iowa love every second of Saturdays in Kinnick.

My time at Iowa has been amazing and I couldn’t be more proud to represent my home state of Iowa and to wear the black and gold and swarm out in front of 70,000 fans in Kinnick Stadium. These memories will last a lifetime. Thank you!”

Why is that such a big deal to the New York Jets?

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report put it perfectly on Twitter, with Wirfs declaring it now provides the 2020 NFL Draft with “three legitimate top-10 picks at tackle.”

Andrew Thomas of Georgia, Jedrick Wills Jr of Alabama, and the aforementioned Iowa tackle.

With the Jets owning the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft there’s no guarantee that any of those players will still be on the board, but one more tackle being available increases the chances of that happening that much more.

Heading into this offseason both of the team’s offensive tackles are pending free agents in Kelvin Beachum and Brandon Shell. Even if they bring one or both back they’re still in dire need of more talent upfront. The NFL draft gods have bestowed a gift upon the green and white, hopefully it manifests itself on draft day.