I think our shortlist is down to 5 names at 24

[StuckMojo]

Raimann's gonna be better than Penning. Penning looked average at the combine.

Penning looked good at Senior bowl and in actual games. At the combine do they even do blocking drills or just get measured and timed?

 

[baltcowboy]

Looks like pass rusher will be on the list now.

 

[ondaedg]

I'm all about Zion Johnson...strong, tough plug n play LG or C who won't get bullied. What's the point of a shiny new WR when the QB is running for his life?

Our pass protection wasn’t that bad actually compared to the rest of the league. It was against the run where we struggled because our Oline lacked explosiveness at the snap. I personally think we are behind the top 6 teams in the league at the skill positions especially WR. Cinci and the Rams proved that elite WRs can make up for less than perfect olines. And I think the front offices in this league are beginning to realize that the resources needed to be successful as a running team is just not worth it. The only teams that have done it within the last two decades have had historically good defenses which is like trying to find a unicorn.

 

[BAT]

Our pass protection wasn’t that bad actually compared to the rest of the league. It was against the run where we struggled because our Oline lacked explosiveness at the snap. I personally think we are behind the top 6 teams in the league at the skill positions especially WR. Cinci and the Rams proved that elite WRs can make up for less than perfect olines. And I think the front offices in this league are beginning to realize that the resources needed to be successful as a running team is just not worth it. The only teams that have done it within the last two decades have had historically good defenses which is like trying to find a unicorn.

Agreed.

Run blocking monsters:

Kenyon Green - 6'4 324 5.24
Tyler Smith - 6'6 332 5.02
Daniel Faalele - 6'8 384 5.66

And potential centers in mid round (convert from OT):

Dylan Parham - 6'3 311 4.93
Zach Tom - 6'5 305 4.94

Uber athletic, amazing technique but bit undersized (like Linderbaum).

 

[Cowboyny]

Looks like pass rusher will be on the list now.

Let's see if they sign a top fa first.

 

[baltcowboy]

Let's see if they sign a top fa first.

I listened to the draft show yesterday. BB is thinking the Cowboys will draft Linderbaum and wing it a guard. I think that would be an absolute disaster unless they draft a guard in the second round as well. Cavanaugh loves him some Zion. Sometimes I think guys on this board understand the Cowboys better then those 4 guys on the show. The show is turning me off because all they talk about in depth are receivers. Posters like Timb2 understands that the Cowboys are looking at other spots besides wide receiver.

 

[Cowboyny]

I listened to the draft show yesterday. BB is thinking the Cowboys will draft Linderbaum and wing it a guard. I think that would be an absolute disaster unless they draft a guard in the second round as well. Cavanaugh loves him some Zion. Sometimes I think guys on this board understand the Cowboys better then those 4 guys on the show. The show is turning me off because all they talk about in depth are receivers. Posters like Timb2 understands that the Cowboys are looking at other spots besides wide receiver.

We are in agreement, a receiver is a need, but more of a #3 receiving option. OL has to be the focus, especially losing Connor and soon Collins. Zion is a good prospect, but still have Green ahead of him. As for Linderbaum, you better surround him with strength or Dak will have no pocket to work with.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I dont think Olave will fall to us but I agree with your list. Olave would be like 88 falling to us and I’d think they’d jump on it

Is he really that good?

 

[cnuball21]

We are in agreement, a receiver is a need, but more of a #3 receiving option. OL has to be the focus, especially losing Connor and soon Collins. Zion is a good prospect, but still have Green ahead of him. As for Linderbaum, you better surround him with strength or Dak will have no pocket to work with.

Im not a big fan of Linderbaum…undersized and short arms is a recipe for disaster.

Id much, much rather take Zion or Green over Linderbaum.

 

[Cowboyny]

Im not a big fan of Linderbaum…undersized and short arms is a recipe for disaster.

Id much, much rather take Zion or Green over Linderbaum.

Jerry mentioned at the Senior Bowl, they are looking for positional flex and the ability to play in any gap scheme. Linderbaum does not fit that description, where Green and even Zion does.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Welp, with no impact DE's left in FA, we're back to looking at a DE in the first round.
I wanted an Inside offensive lineman in 1 and a specific DT in 2. But I think after losing Gregory, and nothing of equal value left right now - Draft priorities are shifting once again ...

 

[Acceptablename]

If we must take a DE in the first then we must take an Interior offensive lineman in the 2nd.
I can see the presser but there is suddenly pressure all around and holes to plug

 

[Dalmations202]

I think our short list might have been down to 5 names, but with the FA market and Gregory gone, and VMiller not coming, and Collins released, and #1 WR Cooper traded, and Schultz tagged but not signed long term, and Kearse not signed and and...............
Will Clays short list just jumped to 50 names and now they are trying to figure out what in the H@#$ Jerry and Stephen are doing.

Oh wait, maybe that isn't Will Clay but ME who is wondering ***..................

 

[xwalker]

I'm all about Zion Johnson...strong, tough plug n play LG or C who won't get bullied. What's the point of a shiny new WR when the QB is running for his life?

Have you seen any footage of him at Center?

I'm much more interested if he is a legit option at OC.

 

[Mr_437]

Have you seen any footage of him at Center?

I'm much more interested if he is a legit option at OC.

Senior Bowl game, he played center a lot.

 

[jnday]

Believe it. That's exactly what I expect them to do.

They really need another WR that can get open and be overlooked in favor of a three yard dumpoff pass.

 

[xwalker]

Senior Bowl game, he played center a lot.

Thanks!

I just reviewed a series of that game with ZJ at OC.

I didn't see any issues with his snaps, shotgun or QB under center.

The QB did bobble a shotgun snap that might have been about 6" lower than he wanted it, but it was still above the waist and dead-center right/left.

ZJ vs Linderbaum
Linderbaum was a terrific college player; however, I would be very concerned about his physical limitations.

I don't want to fall into the measurables-scouting trap like the draft media did with Travis Frederick; however...
- Frederick had prototype size a 6-3, 312 (His college playing weight was over 320).
- Frederick had normal arm length at 33".
- The draft media had him as a 1st rounder and then many dropped him a round or more after he ran a slow forty.
- Forty times for interior OL don't historically correlate with NFL success.
- Lack of size and arm length have historically correlated with OLinemen in the NFL not living up to their college game footage.

Tyler Linderbaum
6-2, 296
Arm Length: 31-1/8"

Zion Johnson
6-3, 312
Arm Length: 34"

Linderbaum does have excellent quickness; whereas, ZJ is limited in that regard.

The draft media reports on ZJ remind me of the post-combine reports on Travis Frederick.
- Speed/quickness limitations but great at everything else.

ZJ played LT in in 2020 and LG in 2021.
- His speed/quickness can't be too much of an issue if he played LT.

From an article about ZJ at the Senior Bowl:

• At the conclusion of workouts, Johnson was named the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl Practice Player of the Week.
• This award was given out to one player on each team for their work during the various practices during the week.
• 
  
• Even when he was struggling, like he was at center at times, Johnson continued to make an impression.
• 
  
• BC Bulletin writer Mitch Wolfe was at the practices and gave a report:
  • "Johnson was one of the first players on the field for every day of practice, every single day.
  • He was working snaps and just doing reps before everyone at practice.
  • Then, he was also always one of the last to leave.
  • He was getting extra snaps with the QBs and at one point he was working technique with another player."

https://www.si.com/college/bostonco...f000278d&pid=johnson-has-incredible-pff-marks

 

[tyke1doe]

They really need another WR that can get open and be overlooked in favor of a three yard dumpoff pass.