Possible Pick: Does Anyone Agree On Linderbaum?

[morasp]

• Name: Tyler Linderbaum
• Position: C
• College: Iowa
• Height/Weight: 6'2/296
• Did You Know: Linderbaum is going to be the first center selected in this year's draft, which makes his history that much more interesting. He committed to Iowa as a three-star defensive tackle and actually played his freshman season at that position. It wasn't until his sophomore season that he switched to the opposite line and began to blossom into one of this draft's best prospects.

Where He's Projected:
This feels like a classic case of talent against positional value. Ask any draft evaluator and they'll tell you Linderbaum has some of the cleanest tape in this class, as he dominated at an All-American level and eventually won the Rimington Award, given to the nation's top center. All of that said, center is a position that teams often think they can afford to address later. Last year's All-Pro centers, Jason Kelce and Corey Linsley, were Day 3 picks, just as an example. This is all a roundabout way of saying that Linderbaum has the potential to go in the Top 20 picks of this draft – but it's also possible he slides out of the first round entirely. It's anyone's guess right now, but the chatter seems to indicate that Linderbaum will be a Top 40 pick, it's just a matter of determining how close to 40 he'll wind up going.

How He Helps The Cowboys:

There's a lot of hand-wringing about Linderbaum's draft stock, and some are concerned about his small size, weighing in just less than 300 pounds. But make no mistake: Linderbaum has the talent to be a Day 1 starter at center if he's drafted here. Part of what makes him such an interesting name for the Cowboys is that picking him would speak volumes on how they feel about Tyler Biadasz. The third-year center from Wisconsin has been solid, if not spectacular, since he was picked in the fourth round in 2020. But adding Linderbaum would send a clear signal that the Cowboys' front office thinks the position can be upgraded. If Linderbaum is the pick, the Cowboys would all of a sudden have some impressive depth at the position.

Kyle Youmans' Report: "Jason Kelce. A little undersized but it doesn't affect his game. Powerful and clean finisher at the point of attack and should anchor an offensive line for years to come."



Possible Pick: Does Anyone Agree On Linderbaum? (dallascowboys.com)

 

[Jbone100]

I would be very happy if we took him at 24. Not a dream scenario but a very safe, solid pick. I think one reason this is so appealing to me is the feeling that we’re going to have our usual dice roll 2nd and/or 3rd round selections. Getting Linderbaum before that would give me a little peace of mind.

 

[Gaede]

I think a good amount people here agree he's the best choice and an easy pick.

But either Dallas doesn't want him, or they've successfully hid their interest for the first time.

 

[morasp]

Peter King has been known to have insights into what the Cowboys might do and he mocked Linderbaum to them.

 

[jazzcat22]

I would have no problem with this.
What are the chances if he is there, there could do a slight trade down and still select him?

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Who's playing LG coz this selection would mean we have no margin left to find a starter with 56.

 

[quickccc]

• Name: Tyler Linderbaum
• Position: C
• College: Iowa
• Height/Weight: 6'2/296
• Did You Know: Linderbaum is going to be the first center selected in this year's draft, which makes his history that much more interesting. He committed to Iowa as a three-star defensive tackle and actually played his freshman season at that position. It wasn't until his sophomore season that he switched to the opposite line and began to blossom into one of this draft's best prospects.

Where He's Projected:
This feels like a classic case of talent against positional value. Ask any draft evaluator and they'll tell you Linderbaum has some of the cleanest tape in this class, as he dominated at an All-American level and eventually won the Rimington Award, given to the nation's top center. All of that said, center is a position that teams often think they can afford to address later. Last year's All-Pro centers, Jason Kelce and Corey Linsley, were Day 3 picks, just as an example. This is all a roundabout way of saying that Linderbaum has the potential to go in the Top 20 picks of this draft – but it's also possible he slides out of the first round entirely. It's anyone's guess right now, but the chatter seems to indicate that Linderbaum will be a Top 40 pick, it's just a matter of determining how close to 40 he'll wind up going.

How He Helps The Cowboys:

There's a lot of hand-wringing about Linderbaum's draft stock, and some are concerned about his small size, weighing in just less than 300 pounds. But make no mistake: Linderbaum has the talent to be a Day 1 starter at center if he's drafted here. Part of what makes him such an interesting name for the Cowboys is that picking him would speak volumes on how they feel about Tyler Biadasz. The third-year center from Wisconsin has been solid, if not spectacular, since he was picked in the fourth round in 2020. But adding Linderbaum would send a clear signal that the Cowboys' front office thinks the position can be upgraded. If Linderbaum is the pick, the Cowboys would all of a sudden have some impressive depth at the position.

Kyle Youmans' Report: "Jason Kelce. A little undersized but it doesn't affect his game. Powerful and clean finisher at the point of attack and should anchor an offensive line for years to come."



Possible Pick: Does Anyone Agree On Linderbaum? (dallascowboys.com)

nah..no thanks coming from Kyle Youmans,... i haven't followed Linderbaum to know how he is - but there's obvious mixed views on Linderbaum. who may end up being Jason Kelcie.

But you don't draft Kelcie in the very first round. If Linderbaum is a B-player, than blue chip A player, but you don't take them that high.
In fact he maybe a guy that teams trading down and really need an upgrade at center go for .

Plus i have to know his skill set is much better than Tyler Biadasz, ..and i'm not getting that notion or feel.
In fairness, some thought Cowboys reached for Travis Fredrick in the 1st round,

 

[RS12]

Peter King is one of Jerry's buddies in the national media. That said I still doubt he is the pick.

 

[UncleOscar]

I want no part of a 6'2" 296 LB center. He will be mauled by the real big DTs in the league. We already have a center like that. Some expert a werk ago said several teams didnt even have a 1st round grade on him. I'd rather have a 6'4" 325 Kenyon Green at LG.

 

[beware_d-ware]

Linderbaum's awesome. Center is a devalued position, but he is the best one to come along in years.

 

[Hardline]

If you want a future pro bowl center for the next 10 years you take him.
He wasn't overmatched in college by anyone .

 

[Flamma]

I have no problem with him at 24. But I think he'll be there later in the first as well.

 

[UncleOscar]

If you want a future pro bowl center for the next 10 years you take him.
He wasn't overmatched in college by anyone .

A 10 year pro bowl center?!!!
If that's the case, he should be a top 10 pick! How many top 10 picks go to the pro bowl for 10 years?

 

[Hardline]

A 10 year pro bowl center?!!!
If that's the case, he should be a top 10 pick! How many top 10 picks go to the pro bowl for 10 years?

Once you are named to a pro Bowl you have that title for the rest of your career.I also would bet he has a 10 year career.

 

[morasp]

Pete Schrager had us taking him also.

 

[tyke1doe]

Wasn't Mark Stepnoski undersized?
If he's Stepnoski-good, take him. We need help on the OL in the worst way.

 

[visionary]

Wasn't Mark Stepnoski undersized?
If he's Stepnoski-good, take him. We need help on the OL in the worst way.

I’m very concerned

Stepnoski was not facing 330 lb DTs
I can just see Davis pushing him into Dak two games every year and don’t forget Jonathan Allen
I’ll take Zion or trade down and take Green later

 

[locked&loaded]

CENTERS
1. TYLER LINDERBAUM, Iowa (6-2, 303, 5.04, 1-2): Compared by scouts to undersized centers like Jason Kelce (6-2 ½, 280, 4.91) and Ryan Kalil (6-2 ½, 297, 4.96). “He’ll start for 10 years,” one scout said. “He’s going to be a top-5 center within a few years. People talk about Linderbaum’s arm length (31 1/8) but he’s got such good foot agility and body balance. He just knows how to cover people up. When Linderbaum walked into our (interview) room you thought he was our offensive line coach.” Started 35 games over the past three years. “He’s athletic enough to pull and reach,” a second scout said. “He repositions himself well to shield away the defender more than moving them on his own. He’s got that wrestling background. He plays with good leverage and can get under guys.” Fourth-year junior scored 21 on the Wonderlic. “He’s a little light in the *** and he’s maxed out,” said a third scout. “Really a good athlete, really smart, really competes. That’s the good news. The problem is when they put a nose on him and bull-rush him. He got pushed around a little bit. I wouldn’t call it an ***-kicking or anything. I’ll tell you what, I think he’s going to have problems at our level because of the size.” One scout said he never saw Linderbaum have a bad snap. “It took a while for him to grow on me,” said a fourth scout. “He just kind of gets it done, man. I just like what’s in his heart.” From Solon, Iowa.

 

[Carson]

 

[tyke1doe]

I’m very concerned

Stepnoski was not facing 330 lb DTs
I can just see Davis pushing him into Dak two games every year and don’t forget Jonathan Allen
I’ll take Zion or trade down and take Green later

If I recall, Stepnoski was considered undersized in his day also. Shrug.