2020 NFL Draft: 5 players Cardinals could take in Round 1

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 26: Tristan Wirfs #74 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in action in the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 26, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

2. Tristan Wirfs

Wirfs has quality size for any spot on the offensive line and his athletic testing gives him a great chance to be a quality player at the next level. He may not be quite nasty enough to blossom into a Pro Bowler, but his ability to play either tackle or guard effectively will really appeal to the Cardinals coaching staff.

The real question is where the Arizona coaching staff might deploy the former Iowa star. Plugging him in at right tackle is the easy answer, but it’s possible he’d be even better if they allowed him to take over for JR Sweezy at right guard. Playing him inside as a rookie wouldn’t preclude them from kicking him out to tackle at a later date, but it could ease his transition to life in the NFL.

It wasn’t that long ago when the idea of selecting a guard at No. 8 would have been a ridiculous notion to NFL personnel. Times have changed. Getting a quality inside starter like Wirfs represents good value in the modern NFL.

Wirfs isn’t the best case scenario for the Cardinals at eighth-overall but he’s definitely worth a top-10 selection. He’ll draw really strong consideration from Kliff Kingsbury and his coaching staff when they get the chance to make their first round selection.

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