Can the Draft fix the OLine?

[neosapien23]

[quote=Risen Star;4818962]One draft can't fix this OL, just like one draft didn't ruin it.

I disagree with that statement. As much as I am dissappointed in this team, we were in a 3 year rebuilding project. Next year they could take a passrusher in the first, the best available center in the 2nd, and the best guard in the 3rd. I have a feeling that a really good center like Jones will be there in the 2nd and there always seems to be a good quality guard in the 3rd. I could see the draft realistically shaking out like this: Brandon Jenkins in the first. His Lisfranc injury will drop him, but not out of the first. He was a top 5 pick before injury. He will check out medically and the Boys will pull the trigger. Barret Jones will go in the 2nd, I know alot of posters have him going in the first, but I don't think it will happen. Holmes will go in the first and in the lower first round, Jones should be there in the 2nd although Dallas might have to trade their 4th to move up to get him. In the 3rd someone will slip. It might be Warford or it could be Dallas Thomas, but mark my words someone will be there that we don't expect.

[Mr_Bill]

Originally Posted by xwalker

I have not really "scouted" any of the FA OGs except Caldwell. Levitre is reported to be good. Slauson and Moore both played for Callahan.

Caldwell, Slauson and Moore all have experience in the ZBS.

Caldwell looks OK, but he's being phased out by Rookie Ben Jones. Jones was rotating in on some series until Caldwell got hurt. I'm not sure if it's because of performance or just because he a FA. I think Caldwell might have had some injury issues in the past.

I don't think the Cowboys will sign a FA OG unless they're convinced that he's a significant upgrade over Bernadeau. They might look at a guy like Caldwell and think he's a little better, but not that much.

[View Full Quote]If Free can play at least as good as he did against the Giants the remainder of the year, then they can probably get by with him next year. That would make it easier to focus on getting an OG upgrade either in FA and/or the draft with less worry about OT.

I think the following could come in and immediately be an upgrade over Bernadeau:

OG/OC Cooper 1st/2nd (can play center also)
OG/OT Thomas 2nd (might be able to play OT in the NFL)
OC/OG Holmes 2nd/3rd (can play center or guard)

Thank you for your response. Much appreciated.

My only comment would be that to get a player in free agency that would be a 'significant upgrade' over Bernadeau does not seem, to me, to be an unsurmountable task. I believe average would meet that requirement.

[VACowboy]

Depends who's available. My preference would be Hankerson in round one, Cooper in round two and Travis Long in round three, but prolly none of them will be there in those rounds when we pick.

I think Long is gonna be a very good pro pass rusher and I love Cooper's athleticism. Hankerson is just a beast. Reid, the LSU S, wouldn't be a bad pick in the second.

[Mr_Bill]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

One draft can't fix this OL, just like one draft didn't ruin it.

I hate tagging rounds with positions. I'm BPA always, but I would put priority on an OL when the value is similar.

One draft doesn't have to fix this OL, if it is also addressed in free agency.

BPA vs. need is a whole 'nother issue. But, it seems to me that most teams (including the Cowboys) use your philosophy. The real problem comes when a team overreaches for need. Unfortunately, this does happen frequently, and yes, to the Cowboys.

[burmafrd]

One problem with FA is we do not have a lot of cap space to play with especially with that blasted $5 million we still have to pay


And we will re up Tony - that will almost certainly happen.

So it is doubtful we can get a top quality OL.

Just hope we don't go bargain basement like this year

[jnday]

Originally Posted by burmafrd

One problem with FA is we do not have a lot of cap space to play with especially with that blasted $5 million we still have to pay


And we will re up Tony - that will almost certainly happen.

So it is doubtful we can get a top quality OL.

Just hope we don't go bargain basement like this year

Free agency is not the way to go unless the team is wanting to overpay. The teams approach has been not to treat the oline as a priority in the draft and look for bargains in free agency. I don't like the results myself or that approach. One draft could have a major impact on the quality of the line, but it is not going to happen. The team could keep a young, quality line by using a second or third round pick every year to get decent talent. There would be nothing wrong with building the line this way and it would take an area of weakness and make it a strength.

[Manwiththeplan]

Originally Posted by Chris in Arizona

I like Antoine Caldwell as a free agency option. He has shown he can run block in Houston and can play Center or either Guard spot.

I remember wanting him out of Alabama. He took a while to develop so I'm not dissappointed we passed on him (4th or 5th round i think), but if we could get him that would be great.