BR: Dallas Cowboys Draft: Should the 'Boys Select an Offensive Tackle?

[CCBoy]

Dallas Cowboys Draft: Should the 'Boys Select an Offensive Tackle?
by Jonathan Bales





A few days ago, we had an article published in the Dallas Observer which argued why Doug Free should be moved to guard. In addition to his contract being a sunk cost and rookie right tackle Tyron Smith being ready to make the switch to the left side, there will also (likely) be a top tier offensive tackle available for Dallas with the 14th overall selection. While the team needs all the help it can get on defense, selecting an OT in the first round would instantly upgrade two positions.


Matt Kalil (USC)
- sole reason Tyron Smith played right tackle for USC
-incredible footwork and very nimble for a 6’7” guy. . .has the size to dominate in the power running game but the quickness to get out on counters, tosses and screens
- very comparable to Joe Thomas and Jake Long. . .has tools to be All-Pro
- unless Dallas moves up, he will be out of reach (likely No. 2 overall)
- Note from Jonathan: When I began studying Tyron Smith last year, I just assumed he was a left tackle. After a couple plays, I realized the player I was reviewing was white, so I had a pretty good idea I wasn’t watching Smith. I kept watching, though, because that player (Kalil) was absolutely dominant. I can say I wholeheartedly believe Kalil is the top offensive tackle prospect I have seen. . .ever. He’s superior to Thomas and Long, in my opinions, and he will be an All-Pro for a decade.


Jonathan Martin (Stanford)
- has protected Andrew Luck, but may have looked better than reality due to Luck’s quick release (in much the same way Peyton Manning has made his average line look elite)
- surprisingly better in run blocking than pass protection
- versatile enough to play RT or LT; can set the edge, but still has agility to get to second level
- can play aggressively and with an attitude at times, but then becomes defensive and gives up too much ground to the pass rusher.
- seems to struggle when matched up on nine-technique players or 3-4 outside linebackers; thrives against “power” seven or five-technique rushers
- still has plenty of room to improve technique; would be instant upgrade over Free, even at right tackle...

Read more here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1011520-dallas-cowboys-draft-should-the-boys-select-an-offensive-tackle#storylink=cpy

[Eddie]

Would Free make a reasonable OG?

I think we take the BPA ... if that player is a OT, then so be it. But don't reach for an OT just for the sake of taking one.

We have needs all over the field. I don't think OG warrants a first round pick. Top tier OG's are found often throughout the draft.

Our top pick needs to be a premium position - QB (no need), WR (no need), OT (small need), CB (tremendous need), OLB/DE/pass rusher (big need).

OG would be saved for the 2nd round and beyond.

OT is not a huge need, but I wouldn't complain if one of the top OT's fell to us.

[Teague31]

I think free will be okay back at RT

[MichaelWinicki]

I think Free would play too-high for a guard.

His problem seems to be hand-strength. Fix that and his issues would decrease.

[Deep_Freeze]

I think Free would play too-high for a guard.

His problem seems to be hand-strength. Fix that and his issues would decrease.

I have no problem with drafting a OT this high, they are a premium position. Drafting a guard would not be a premium position, one that I just don't see Jerry doing.

I'm not confident Free can play RT, Tuck would've killed him just like JPP did.

[MichaelWinicki]

I have no problem with drafting a OT this high, they are a premium position. Drafting a guard would not be a premium position, one that I just don't see Jerry doing.

I'm not confident Free can play RT, Tuck would've killed him just like JPP did.

I think Free can do better. He did well at RT in '09.

You may not see Jerry drafting a guard with a premium pick... Likewise I can't see Jerry drafting another tackle in the first 3 rounds either.

[Deep_Freeze]

I think Free can do better. He did well at RT in '09.

You may not see Jerry drafting a guard with a premium pick... Likewise I can't see Jerry drafting another tackle in the first 3 rounds either.

Well the real question is will we sign a FA like Nicks or Grubbs, if so then drafting a guard this high is saying that we wasted 2 picks on them last year, cause they are now career backups.

If we don't sign a FA guard, then I can see it in the equation, but I would rather move up and get a OT than a guard here cause I do think Free would be better than DeCastro for us at guard next year.

[MichaelWinicki]

I would also keep in mind that Free played exceptionally well at LT in 2010.

One grading service had him rated the 4th best LT for that season.

I don't think Free should be put on the scrap heap for the bad season in 2011.

[craig71]

I think Free would play too-high for a guard.

His problem seems to be hand-strength. Fix that and his issues would decrease.


I think what you see is what you get with Free, unless someone knows of a way to modify his DNA lack of strength will always plague him.


Craig

[MichaelWinicki]

Well the real question is will we sign a FA like Nicks or Grubbs, if so then drafting a guard this high is saying that we wasted 2 picks on them last year, cause they are now career backups.

If we don't sign a FA guard, then I can see it in the equation, but I would rather move up and get a OT than a guard here cause I do think Free would be better than DeCastro for us right there next year.

If the Cowboys sign Nicks or Grubbs, then yeah I would think the need for another guard decreases, but if they don't then DeCastro looks darned good at number 14.

Again Free played well at RT in '09 and at LT in '10... To move him to guard at this point seems to be a bit of an overeaction.

[MichaelWinicki]

I think what you see is what you get with Free, unless someone knows of a way to modify his DNA lack of strength will always plague him.


Craig

The strength problem is with the hands... Not the rest of him.

I'm betting there are exercises out there to improve the strength of one's hands.

And again, you're talking about a guy who was one of the best LT's in '10 and a good RT in '09.

There are far bigger problems with this team than Doug Free at either tackle spot.

[TheSport78]

Free deserves another year. Lucky for him, it'll be at RT. He's too tall and not strong enough to play guard IMO.

[Deep_Freeze]

If the Cowboys sign Nicks or Grubbs, then yeah I would think the need for another guard decreases, but if they don't then DeCastro looks darned good at number 14.

Again Free played well at RT in '09 and at LT in '10... To move him to guard at this point seems to be a bit of an overeaction.

Well we can choose, should we overreact on how bad Free or TNew played....both played terrible last year. The difference is TNew will probably be cut, which leaves us with just 2 CBs worth anything at all.

Teams move linemen all the time, Free has always been a much better run blocker than pass blocker, I think it is just something that should be considered if we decide to get all these OL in the draft or free agency.

I would rather get a FA guard though, the free agents for guards (at least those two) look better than the FAs for CB or pass rusher, plus they are probably cheaper.

[Deep_Freeze]

Free deserves another year. Lucky for him, it'll be at RT. He's too tall and not strong enough to play guard IMO.

Can we hide him at RT after how he played last year???

I know the argument is he played better in previous years, and youth is on his side, but he really did look embarrassing last year.

[craig71]

The strength problem is with the hands... Not the rest of him.

I see a lack of strength in the hands for sure, but I also see a lack of upper body strength. Sometimes bad technique makes him look bad, but at other times IMO he simply gets overpowered.

I'm betting there are exercises out there to improve the strength of one's hands.

There are exercises to improve an individuals hand strength, but some people just are physically limited in an area by their genetics. I think Doug Free falls in that category, if he hasn't been able to improve (hand strength) by now he never will.

And again, you're talking about a guy who was one of the best LT's in '10 and a good RT in '09.

I'm not trying to trash Free as being a total waste, I just don't believe that he is anything other than average. The number of penalties that he has accumulated tells me that he has been struggling more often than not.

There are far bigger problems with this team than Doug Free at either tackle spot.

Free isn't this teams biggest problem, but at the same time I don't see him as part of the long term solution either.


Craig

[TheSport78]

Can we hide him at RT after how he played last year???

I know the argument is he played better in previous years, and youth is on his side, but he really did look embarrassing last year.

That's why Mike Woicik gets paid the big bucks. I think he'll really help Free this offseason...

[Deep_Freeze]

That's why Mike Woicik gets paid the big bucks. I think he'll really help Free this offseason...

Well I don't know if we can use that as a saving grace, guess my only point is we just can't assume in today's NFL that we can just put him at RT and he will be fine. Even on our own team we rush Ware from that side on occasion, if Free is struggling, the opposition will find him and use it to their advantage.

I know people look at NO, GB, NE, and such and just say make the offense as strong as possible in today's NFL. That would be the biggest reason in my mind to go OL in the first round, whether its OT or OG. While I don't see Jerry going OL at all this early again, if we can't get Grubbs or Nicks, then he has to consider it for sure.

We do also have to see that our D had some high picks that failed there for a while, and now is just getting old at some positions.

[Oh_Canada]

Free is a very good RT, they will be fine at tackle.

Draft an OG, maybe a center.

[Deep_Freeze]

Free is a very good RT, they will be fine at tackle.

Draft an OG, maybe a center.

I would totally agree with you if we were a playoff team and weren't picking so high. We do need a real impact player at a premium position, and G or C definitely ain't one of those positions.

[burmafrd]

Free got a lot of help at LT in 2010; and we have tried to do a lot of 3 step drops and the like the last two years. To lessen the load on the O line. SO frankly those claiming he was all that great at LT in 2010 I say not. He was very good most of the time, but also remember that we had Colombo at RT last year and maybe the D's felt they did not need to try and work hard at beating Free with a turnstyle on the other side. Not to mention that if the RT play had been better in 2010 maybe Free would have given up more sacks, since the guys rushing on the right would not have been getting a free lunch there.

This year there is no doubt he was not as good. Now some of that was probably the fact that Kosier was not next to him like he was in 2010. But that should NOT have made as much difference as there was this year.

I think Free played his best while at RT. Send him back there.

[jnday]

I would totally agree with you if we were a playoff team and weren't picking so high. We do need a real impact player at a premium position, and G or C definitely ain't one of those positions.

This line of thinking is the reason the Cowboys are 8-8 .

[Deep_Freeze]

This line of thinking is the reason the Cowboys are 8-8 .

To some extent I can agree with you, but we do have to get value at where we pick. I guess noone really saw how bad Free looked last year, guess I'm the only one.

Let's try to hide him on the right side and see how that works out.

[MichaelWinicki]

This line of thinking is the reason the Cowboys are 8-8 .

The guard play for the Saints certainly looks "impact" doesn't it?

The bottom line is that there are about a dozen other positions on this team that I'm more concerned about than Free's spot.

[TheSport78]

It's VERY rare to see Romo being able to step up in the pocket comfortably. We have poor interior line play, there's no doubt about that. Interior OL should be addressed in free agency IMO.

[Deep_Freeze]

The guard play for the Saints certainly looks "impact" doesn't it?

The bottom line is that there are about a dozen other positions on this team that I'm more concerned about than Free's spot.

Well I guess everyone's favorite scout, couchscout, shouldn't be listened to on this subject:

Doug Free - I think the obvious prediction here is that he gets flipped to the right side, the less obvious prediction would be that he won't start there next season. He's gotta improve, he got worse down the stretch, he simply cannot keep his hands on the defender. He literally does everything else right, but his grip is too weak. Obviously, he'll be back next season, I'm very curious to see if/how much he improves.

Guess I'm going with the less obvious prediction. When it is stated that Holland was our second best OL (who is JAG), over Free, that should say plenty. Would be great to have DeCastro, but if so, I figure we will have to slide protection to Free's side to help him out.

That's how bad Free was.

[TheSport78]

Well I guess everyone's favorite scout, couchscout, shouldn't be listened to on this subject:



Guess I'm going with the less obvious prediction. When it is stated that Holland was our second best OL (who is JAG), over Free, that should say plenty. Would be great to have DeCastro, but if so, I figure we will have to slide protection to Free's side to help him out.

That's how bad Free was.

What would you think about this OL?

Tyron Smith, David Arkin, Kevin Kowalski, Ben Grubbs, Doug Free

[Woods]

What would you think about this OL?

Tyron Smith, David Arkin, Kevin Kowalski, Ben Grubbs, Doug Free

Definitely an improvement vs. this past season.

I'd also try and keep Holland as a cheap veteran for depth purposes.

I like what I've seen from Kowalski, but I have no idea if he can be developed into a top quality Center.

I would seriously consider drafting a Center in Round 3/Round 4, depending on the staff's view on Kowalski.

[Deep_Freeze]

What would you think about this OL?

Tyron Smith, David Arkin, Kevin Kowalski, Ben Grubbs, Doug Free

It would be better, but everything depends on who we actually can get in the draft and free agency. I'm more fine with that if we can get a top CB or a pass rusher who works out well and proves to be worth the pick.

I do wanna upgrade the OL, no question, and figure we will pick one with one of our top 3 picks. We just also need alot of help on D, and shouldn't be ignored.

[TheSport78]

Definitely an improvement vs. this past season.

I'd also try and keep Holland as a cheap veteran for depth purposes.

I like what I've seen from Kowalski, but I have no idea if he can be developed into a top quality Center.

I would seriously consider drafting a Center in Round 3/Round 4, depending on the staff's view on Kowalski.

I would keep Holland as a backup no doubt. Kowalski will do great with Woicik's strength program also. I'd throw Arkin in the mix to improve as well. Nagy, Arkin and Kowalski are three players I'm keeping my eyes on for next year. We can't have Pro Bowlers at every position so we may have to get a FA guard, and then let the other players battle it out for the other guard spot.

It would be better, but everything depends on who we actually can get in the draft and free agency. I'm more fine with that if we can get a top CB or a pass rusher who works out well and proves to be worth the pick.

I do wanna upgrade the OL, no question, and figure we will pick one with one of our top 3 picks. We just also need alot of help on D, and shouldn't be ignored.

If the team doesn't believe Kowalski or Costa is the long-term solution, I'd be down for Ben Jones in the 3rd round.

[Bizwah]

I think the original question of this post is a good one.

If one of the top OTs is available at 14, do we pull the trigger?

Kalil, Reiff, or Martin....if they're available, then take them. We'd have a fine tackle combo.

If we do that....then, it's essential that we sign a FA OG or two.

[Deep_Freeze]

I would keep Holland as a backup no doubt. Kowalski will do great with Woicik's strength program also. I'd throw Arkin in the mix to improve as well. Nagy, Arkin and Kowalski are three players I'm keeping my eyes on for next year. We can't have Pro Bowlers at every position so we may have to get a FA guard, and then let the other players battle it out for the other guard spot.

If the team doesn't believe Kowalski or Costa is the long-term solution, I'd be down for Ben Jones in the 3rd round.

Yeah I'm not against that at all. We have young guys we just drafted, why not develop them instead of give up on them so early. Now if we don't get a FA guard, and Kosier just can't play anymore, of course DeCastro moves wayyy up our list. We just aren't at that point of knowing all that yet.

Plus we haven't drafted any CBs or pass rushers lately anyway that are ready to step in and contribute.

I think the original question of this post is a good one.

If one of the top OTs is available at 14, do we pull the trigger?

Kalil, Reiff, or Martin....if they're available, then take them. We'd have a fine tackle combo.

If we do that....then, it's essential that we sign a FA OG or two.

If one of them are there at 14, I take one of them unless a top CB is sitting there or a pass rusher that works out well. I just don't think anyone of those 3 will be there, we would have to move up. But if we did take one of those 3, we would have to move Free to guard, which would decrease our need at guard.

[TheSport78]

Yeah I'm not against that at all. We have young guys we just drafted, why not develop them instead of give up on them so early. Now if we don't get a FA guard, and Kosier just can't play anymore, of course DeCastro moves wayyy up our list. We just aren't at that point of knowing all that yet.

Exactly. Free agency will determine what we do in the draft...

[Deep_Freeze]

Exactly. Free agency will determine what we do in the draft...

Yeah we agree on that about free agency, if we get Nicks or Grubbs, I'm probably not looking for a guard that high in the draft. But if we don't get one of them, I'm probably going to become more a DeCastro supporter, but even more of a whatever OT drops supporter.

[TheSport78]

Yeah we agree on that about free agency, if we get Nicks or Grubbs, I'm probably not looking for a guard that high in the draft. But if we don't get one of them, I'm probably going to become more a DeCastro supporter, but even more of a whatever OT drops supporter.

If we do sign Grubbs or Nicks, CB or OLB has to be the pick. The value may not be there for OLB, but the CB Kirkpatrick may not be there either.

My dream FA list is: DE/LB Cliff Avril, S Michael Griffin, and OG Carl Nicks

This would allow us to target CB and DL in the draft. Heck, I would try and move up a few spots for Kirkpatrick if he started to slide. We need CB's in the worst way.

[Deep_Freeze]

If we do sign Grubbs or Nicks, CB or OLB has to be the pick. The value may not be there for OLB, but the CB Kirkpatrick may not be there either.

My dream FA list is: DE/LB Cliff Avril, S Michael Griffin, and OG Carl Nicks

This would allow us to target CB and DL in the draft. Heck, I would try and move up a few spots for Kirkpatrick if he started to slide. We need CB's in the worst way.

Yeah everything is in limbo til we get through free agency. Not really loving the CBs in free agency this year, but we really do need to be more active in general in free agency this year. Out of our 5 young guys on the OL, hope we could find 2 that can play if we get some impact players at CB and pass rusher in the draft and get Nicks or Grubbs.

Too bad right now the draft is looking weak on pass rushers, hopefully some work out well lead by either Ingram or Upshaw.

[RS12]

If Martin slides to 14 and DeCastro is also there, it would be a tough call.

[Eskimo]

Wow, talk about an overboard reaction from Free's play last year. He was actually a middle of the pack player at LT last year. He will be a top 10 player at RT next year, probably top 5.

We have gaping holes on this roster and cap issues. We just gave him a huge deal. He's not going anywhere and we aren't going to draft an OT in the first 4 rounds so he can be 3rd string when we have our bookends in place for the next 5 years.

Heck, I really like the growth Parnell showed last year. He actually looked pretty good for such a raw player in preseason. I wouldn't be shocked if he beats Free out for the starting role in 2013 and we trade Free next offseason.

[MichaelWinicki]

Wow, talk about an overboard reaction from Free's play last year. He was actually a middle of the pack player at LT last year. He will be a top 10 player at RT next year, probably top 5.

We have gaping holes on this roster and cap issues. We just gave him a huge deal. He's not going anywhere and we aren't going to draft an OT in the first 4 rounds so he can be 3rd string when we have our bookends in place for the next 5 years.

Heck, I really like the growth Parnell showed last year. He actually looked pretty good for such a raw player in preseason. I wouldn't be shocked if he beats Free out for the starting role in 2013 and we trade Free next offseason.

That's how I see things.

I doubt the Cowboys are considering a tackle anywhere in the first 3 rounds.

[Deep_Freeze]

Wow, talk about an overboard reaction from Free's play last year. He was actually a middle of the pack player at LT last year. He will be a top 10 player at RT next year, probably top 5.

We have gaping holes on this roster and cap issues. We just gave him a huge deal. He's not going anywhere and we aren't going to draft an OT in the first 4 rounds so he can be 3rd string when we have our bookends in place for the next 5 years.

Heck, I really like the growth Parnell showed last year. He actually looked pretty good for such a raw player in preseason. I wouldn't be shocked if he beats Free out for the starting role in 2013 and we trade Free next offseason.

Well I guess you missed what was said about moving Free inside. Noone has proposed or even mentioned moving Free to the bench as a 3rd stringer at OT.

At #14, a difference maker is needed, and although DeCastro is a good prospect, he doesn't play a premium position. Had to hear the noise about taking a RT at 9 last year, and point was he will be a LT which was a good plan. Now at 14, Jerry is going to take a guard with all of our other needs for our horrible D??

Guess we will have to wait and see on that one.

[mmillman]

The strength problem is with the hands... Not the rest of him.

I'm betting there are exercises out there to improve the strength of one's hands.

And again, you're talking about a guy who was one of the best LT's in '10 and a good RT in '09.

There are far bigger problems with this team than Doug Free at either tackle spot.

I disagree. He was constantly off balance with bad foot work.

[Eskimo]

Well I guess you missed what was said about moving Free inside. Noone has proposed or even mentioned moving Free to the bench as a 3rd stringer at OT.

At #14, a difference maker is needed, and although DeCastro is a good prospect, he doesn't play a premium position. Had to hear the noise about taking a RT at 9 last year, and point was he will be a LT which was a good plan. Now at 14, Jerry is going to take a guard with all of our other needs for our horrible D??

Guess we will have to wait and see on that one.

Free is too long to be a good player at OG. He has very good feet, good mobility and long arms - he is a prototypical Tackle. He did have some rough moments this year but was also left on an island against many of the best pass rushers in the league and did a pretty good job. I really think some of his sacks were due to not getting the help he expected occasionally from Holland.

I know CS has said that much of Free's problems were from losing hand battles. Perhaps all that has to be done is an offseason focusing on developing more grip strength.

The issue about premiums also applies to moving Free inside. You are now paying a guy who has never played Guard a premium salary to play a position he may not be very good at.

If the situation arises that DeCastro is gone we probably should either move the pick if there is a good Tackle as BPA or alternatively take BPA at another position - hopefully CB, OLB or DE.

[Oh_Canada]

I would totally agree with you if we were a playoff team and weren't picking so high. We do need a real impact player at a premium position, and G or C definitely ain't one of those positions.

I agree with you...don't think they should burn a first on either position....just saying they should address it somewhere in the draft. I'll stay on the Silatolu bandwagon right up until draft day....if they can snag him in the second I'll do cartwheels...ok maybe not cartwheels....but I'll be really frickin' pleased!

[CCBoy]

Free got a lot of help at LT in 2010; and we have tried to do a lot of 3 step drops and the like the last two years. To lessen the load on the O line. SO frankly those claiming he was all that great at LT in 2010 I say not. He was very good most of the time, but also remember that we had Colombo at RT last year and maybe the D's felt they did not need to try and work hard at beating Free with a turnstyle on the other side. Not to mention that if the RT play had been better in 2010 maybe Free would have given up more sacks, since the guys rushing on the right would not have been getting a free lunch there.

This year there is no doubt he was not as good. Now some of that was probably the fact that Kosier was not next to him like he was in 2010. But that should NOT have made as much difference as there was this year.

I think Free played his best while at RT. Send him back there.

The point on Colombo and how teams attack a weakness are relevant. As is noting that there was a tendency to assist him with a chip block. This season there was a need to keep the extra blocker inside more.

The OP was actually a thought provoker for more reasons.

Best player available on smart teams is used just for that. Not as a last moment move to capture greatness. But consideration would need to be given to offensive tackle as well as other positional strengths.

The Giants kept on throwing in for their defensive line. And it has paid off.
New Orleans has a dominant offensive tackle and a pair of All Pros at guard.

Since much of the Dallas direction is already on the side of offense, it might merit building this to dominance and longer termed in view.

Game day rosters are of major importance throughout an entire season. Replacing Free with a stronger player at tackle, with Free moving inside, would serve in this matter as well. He could serve, while at guard, as the replacement player at tackle as well. A guard with swing tackle resonsibilities.
This would then make change along the Dallas line as stable as was seen this season on the Giant line.

This would still allow a free agent pickup. The favorite here, obviously is Carl Nicks. But an upgrade and actully young enough to project for a valid five years would be worth a move.

But if a player such as Kalil, from USC, could prove worth a move to acquire him. Early indicators are that he should be close if not at the top of offensive linemen in this draft. His pairing with Smith would seal that position for a decade. And at top levels. That would remove the need for top level drafting at the position for some years.

He is a dynamic player. With the early indicators showing that he might start in an 8-10 draft slot, it would be far from foolish to move up and secure the tackles spot for Tony Romo and his future replacement, right now.

Even if this meant that all other sources, to include free agency and draft picks went to the defensive side, it would still be a smart move. And leave ammo to make major dents at improving quality at defensive positions.

If one wants to implant top levels of unit quality and base strengths, this would forge a huge one.

I could live with the return of Kosier at RG, Dockery as a backup, and the rest of the youth inside for a building point.