Why It May Be A Good Year For The Cowboys To Draft A Guard

[TheCount]

Originally Posted by jobberone

While I've said for awhile we need to look for competition along the interior we may need an OT more. I don't understand why that doesn't get some more traction.

I'm a little anxious about keeping Free and as much about releasing him as well. Smith didn't tear it up at LT. Parnell is still an unknown although I admit I'm a tad more comfortable with him at least as a swing tackle. I don't know where the depth at that position is.

I also posted about that a while ago, I think the team would feel better about drafting a RT over an OG or C. Not that I agree with that line of thinking.

Originally Posted by DesiredTraits

Has anybody given it any thought about dropping down and grabbing DJ Fluker, would have the versatility to play right tackle but more importantly could slide inside and become a dominant guard.

Why the eye roll? A wee bit dramatic, aren't we?

Fluker scares me. He weighed in like 25 lbs more than he was listed at Alabama. That's never a good thing. Plus there are times when he's got the balance of a drunk Moose, I think you'd have to be absolute positive he won't show up for camp at 375 if you want to draft him.

[Sam I Am]

Originally Posted by Macnalty

Lane Johnson OU LTackle needs to be in the mix no matter what, not sure he is a consolation prize, he is without doubt the most athletic player at the tackle position and will be much sought after once the scouts see the nasty side of his game. You probably know he is a former tight end who got better playing tackle throughout the season so if you watched him early in the year you will be surprised. I think we could benefit from this slow change and end up with a great talent. Much easier to digest a left tackle at 18 than a guard or center with a first round pick. I would think this pick would move Tyron Smith to RT and provide us superior protection from both sides and incentive to fill the middle with above average talent in the later rounds.

Yes on Lane Johnson, no on moving Tyron Smith to RT. I think Tyron Smith will have a damn good shot at the Pro Bowl next year. He started out shaky as a LT last year, but that was to be expected during the transition. He ended the season playing at a very high level. To move him again would be stupid. Besides, he will be a better player than Lane Johnson.

Our interior line is in far worse shape than our tackle position. I suggest we draft a G/C or defensive line.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by TheCount

AKA: Why you can probably chill with the "Copper and Warmack will be gone by 18!" talk.

There a VERY good chance that IF we want a guard at 18, we'll have our pick. If not of the #1 guard, then #2 and #3 almost assuredly.

I think some teams might see Cooper as both an OG an OC (he started 1 game at OC in college). That changes the equation because it is not uncommon for Centers to get drafted before #18.

There are many very good Guards in this draft.

Warford is very similar to Warmack, IMO.

Dallas Thomas is very similar to Cooper, IMO.

After the Senior Bowl weigh-in, it appears that many of the OTs will be projected to OG due to limited arm-length.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by DesiredTraits

Has anybody given it any thought about dropping down and grabbing DJ Fluker, would have the versatility to play right tackle but more importantly could slide inside and become a dominant guard.

He is a Guard only, IMO. He will need to drop about 25 lbs to have a shot a RT in the NFL.

Even at OG, he needs to go to a team that runs a man-blocking scheme.

I see him dropping to the 3rd round.

[Macnalty]

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

Yes on Lane Johnson, no on moving Tyron Smith to RT. I think Tyron Smith will have a damn good shot at the Pro Bowl next year. He started out shaky as a LT last year, but that was to be expected during the transition. He ended the season playing at a very high level. To move him again would be stupid. Besides, he will be a better player than Lane Johnson.

Our interior line is in far worse shape than our tackle position. I suggest we draft a G/C or defensive line.

I did not see the all pro talent leaking out this year, hope you are correct. I do agree we are in worse shape on the inside of the OLine but you take the BPA at that pick. I also agree with moving Smith to RT but it is not the end of the playoffs to have two good tackles and average interior lineman. Free needs to be replaced and I feel Parnell is OK but at some point Tony is not going to get up after eating another sack. That is the end of the playoffs.

[TheCount]

Originally Posted by xwalker

I think some teams might see Cooper as both an OG an OC (he started 1 game at OC in college). That changes the equation because it is not uncommon for Centers to get drafted before #18.

There are many very good Guards in this draft.

Warford is very similar to Warmack, IMO.

Dallas Thomas is very similar to Cooper, IMO.

After the Senior Bowl weigh-in, it appears that many of the OTs will be projected to OG due to limited arm-length.

Well to counter, I'd say that to begin, 1 start at OC does not make you an OC prospect worthy of a Top 15 selection.

Secondly, it absolutely IS rare for centers to get drafted before #18. Mike Pouncey is the only OC to go Top 15 since who knows when.

I'm not saying it's impossible that Warmack and Cooper go before #18, I'm just saying it flies completely in the face of history and it's incredibly unlikely.

[dez_for_prez]

Originally Posted by TheCount

I'm not saying it's impossible that Warmack and Cooper go before #18, I'm just saying it flies completely in the face of history and it's incredibly unlikely.

This is how I feel.

[BrAinPaiNt]

That Quesenberry (sp?) kid looked nice when doing drills as an OG... Anyone know anything about him?

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by TheCount

Well to counter, I'd say that to begin, 1 start at OC does not make you an OC prospect worthy of a Top 15 selection.

I said: "I think some teams might see Cooper as both an OG an OC."

I was providing the 1-start as info, not proof.

Secondly, it absolutely IS rare for centers to get drafted before #18. Mike Pouncey is the only OC to go Top 15 since who knows when.

Since the previous year when Maurkice Pouncey was drafted at #15.

I'm not saying it's impossible that Warmack and Cooper go before #18, I'm just saying it flies completely in the face of history and it's incredibly unlikely.

I agree that OGs tend to drop below projections like DeCastro and that an OG in the top-10 would highly unlikely; however, they have been drafted before or around #18 (Mike Iupati, 17th).

The other issue is that this seems to be a draft void of spectacular talent at the very top. There is not an Andrew Luck in this draft. There's not even a Cam Newton or Sam Bradshaw to push other prospects down.