Cuse LT Pugh will be a part of April's Draft - Dallas Cowboys Forum

RS12 · 01-03-2013

Syracuse senior LT Justin Pugh will be a part of the 2013 NFL Draft after deciding against attempting to gain an extra year of eligibility.
This isn't a real surprise, since Pugh has been listed as a senior all season and treated as such. He possesses an ideal left tackle frame and has the footwork to stick at the position, but Pugh will need to clear his medicals after missing the early parts of the season after shoulder surgery.

Another guy who could be a solid value 2nd-3rd.

tm1119 · 01-03-2013

He's 6'5 and under 300 lbs, I've even seen some sites have him listed as low as 285. He obviously needs to get stronger and may not be the best RT prospect because of that. Could be a good developmental LT for some team, but I don't really think he fits our needs given how early he's probably going to go.

Future · 01-04-2013

Agreed tm, the guy is an athlete, not a grinder, and we already have one of those at LT. If you could get him late as a project/backup then maybe, but this draft has to hit on needs, and I don't think that LT is one for this team.

Risen Star · 01-04-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future

Agreed tm, the guy is an athlete, not a grinder, and we already have one of those at LT. If you could get him late as a project/backup then maybe, but this draft has to hit on needs, and I don't think that LT is one for this team.

No draft has to hit on needs. That mindset should never be welcomed into any NFL war room.

You draft needs and you're constantly chasing needs. You draft talent and the needs go away over time.

**ABQCOWBOY** · 01-04-2013

He does have some skills. If he developed, Smith could easily be moved back to RT. I know everybody says he is prototypical for LT but there is no question that he played better on the right side.

Also, when Smith was at USC, his playing weight was in the area of 285-290. Between the end of USC's season and the draft, he got up to 307. It can be done so I don't think that this should be a determining factor on why you wouldn't consider him.

Risen Star · 01-04-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

He does have some skills. If he developed, Smith could easily be moved back to RT. I know everybody says he is prototypical for LT but there is no question that he played better on the right side.

Also, when Smith was at USC, his playing weight was in the area of 285-290. Between the end of USC's season and the draft, he got up to 307. It can be done so I don't think that this should be a determining factor on why you wouldn't consider him.

I think some talent is an understatement. He's a solid 2nd round value. Probably a top 50 player overall. I understand he's not a typical roadgrader RT but with the state of the league these days I'm not so sure that's a huge issue.

jnday · 01-04-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

He does have some skills. If he developed, Smith could easily be moved back to RT. I know everybody says he is prototypical for LT but there is no question that he played better on the right side.

Also, when Smith was at USC, his playing weight was in the area of 285-290. Between the end of USC's season and the draft, he got up to 307. It can be done so I don't think that this should be a determining factor on why you wouldn't consider him.

Smith still needs to add some weight. I feel much better with the bigger guys that have the weight naturally than hoping the player can gain and maintain the weight once he is in the pros. Tyron could add twenty pounds and stop some of the bull-rushes that gives him problems.

Future · 01-04-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risen Star

No draft has to hit on needs. That mindset should never be welcomed into any NFL war room.

You draft needs and you're constantly chasing needs. You draft talent and the needs go away over time.

Say you have a great QB and awful RB.

Player A in the draft is a great QB. Player B is a slightly less great player, but an RB.

You take the QB?

No chance for me.

Risen Star · 01-04-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future

Say you have a great QB and awful RB.

Player A in the draft is a great QB. Player B is a slightly less great player, but an RB.

You take the QB?

No chance for me.

Slightly less? What does that mean? Is he rated right around the same area of the board as the QB? Are there trade offers? Because if that QB is so great and prime value for that pick, I bet there is.

There just isn't an excuse for going into a draft intent on filling needs. Get that mindset out of your war room or you will be a poor drafting team.