Knotamus
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Preface: I recently posted this in another tread, but thought it worthy of its on post. The question was.. “would you be upset if Dallas drafts a OL at #10?” Below are my thoughts.. feel free to berate or agree.. I’d love to hear other’s opinions.
I’ve been struggling with the question “to draft an OL at 10”. Like most, I recognize the obvious void on defense..specifically on the DL. Yet, we all witnessed how volatile the OL was last season.
A reasonable mind understands that injuries played a big part in the OL decline. But, recent history reveals this is becoming an unwanted trend with TSmith, not to mention nobody knows the severity of Collins hip injury.
The good news is.. I have no worries ab Martin’s return and Biadasz’s development. Conner McGovern showed real improvement by seasons end and CWill held his own as the only remaining starter.
Last seasons silver lining is.. young guys like McKnight and Steel gained valuable play and did show improvement, as backups that means everything. In the NFL the reality is, unless your a 1st Rd OL stud, the learning curve is ab 2-3 years before your ready to man a OL position. That said, Dallas shouldn’t completely ignore the position in the draft, but I think I’m (and so is our defense) ready to see the player talent investment needed on defense.
All reports are that there’s not a DL worthy of a top 10 pick, so that leaves CB as the only choice in my mind. CB’s have always beenone of the more important players on the team, but even more so via the NFLs pass happy trend. Dallas needs another playmaker at corner and add another veteran CB for good measure just to stay relevant on defense. And much like OL, if you want a starting CB from day one, you better draft them early. Shore up DL, LB, S, OL with the rest of the draft.
If all goes well here’s the projected OL (fingers crossed):
Starters
LT- Tyron Smith (his contract gives you no choice)
LG- C. McGovern (he’s better than CWill at G)
C- Biadasz (he’ll have a breakout season)
RG- Zack Martin (future HOF’er)
RT- Collins (just got paid, hopefully he’s healthy)
backups
1st reserve- CWill- obviously can play G, but should have a chance at OT as he played it well in college
Swing OT- resign a vet like Cam Fleming to complete with McKnight & Steel
G- This draft is supposedly deep with OL talent, Draft a 3rd/4th Rd guy to develop bc we can NOT use a 1st Rd pick for every position. Move Mitch Hyatt to G and see if his stone feet will do for a season.
Long story short.. Dallas shouldn’t have to pull the trigger on an OL in the 1st Rd this year. At this point..Dallas has made their bed with their OL contracts, deal with it. The defense has to be better. I don’t care if this is a “Passing” league.. defense still wins championships.
The only caveat is Collins and Smith’s health. If Dallas truely thinks they won’t return to atleast 80-90% healthy, than a 1st rd OL IS THE TOP NEED. Not only to keep Dak upright when he returns from his injury, or to keep open running lanes for our expensive RB, but to also allow our top receiving core to excel. Bottomline.. the OL is the heart of this team. And if Collins and Smith aren’t capable, then Dallas has to draft a OL.
Who Dallas picks at 10 will be telling..
I’ve been struggling with the question “to draft an OL at 10”. Like most, I recognize the obvious void on defense..specifically on the DL. Yet, we all witnessed how volatile the OL was last season.
A reasonable mind understands that injuries played a big part in the OL decline. But, recent history reveals this is becoming an unwanted trend with TSmith, not to mention nobody knows the severity of Collins hip injury.
The good news is.. I have no worries ab Martin’s return and Biadasz’s development. Conner McGovern showed real improvement by seasons end and CWill held his own as the only remaining starter.
Last seasons silver lining is.. young guys like McKnight and Steel gained valuable play and did show improvement, as backups that means everything. In the NFL the reality is, unless your a 1st Rd OL stud, the learning curve is ab 2-3 years before your ready to man a OL position. That said, Dallas shouldn’t completely ignore the position in the draft, but I think I’m (and so is our defense) ready to see the player talent investment needed on defense.
All reports are that there’s not a DL worthy of a top 10 pick, so that leaves CB as the only choice in my mind. CB’s have always beenone of the more important players on the team, but even more so via the NFLs pass happy trend. Dallas needs another playmaker at corner and add another veteran CB for good measure just to stay relevant on defense. And much like OL, if you want a starting CB from day one, you better draft them early. Shore up DL, LB, S, OL with the rest of the draft.
If all goes well here’s the projected OL (fingers crossed):
Starters
LT- Tyron Smith (his contract gives you no choice)
LG- C. McGovern (he’s better than CWill at G)
C- Biadasz (he’ll have a breakout season)
RG- Zack Martin (future HOF’er)
RT- Collins (just got paid, hopefully he’s healthy)
backups
1st reserve- CWill- obviously can play G, but should have a chance at OT as he played it well in college
Swing OT- resign a vet like Cam Fleming to complete with McKnight & Steel
G- This draft is supposedly deep with OL talent, Draft a 3rd/4th Rd guy to develop bc we can NOT use a 1st Rd pick for every position. Move Mitch Hyatt to G and see if his stone feet will do for a season.
Long story short.. Dallas shouldn’t have to pull the trigger on an OL in the 1st Rd this year. At this point..Dallas has made their bed with their OL contracts, deal with it. The defense has to be better. I don’t care if this is a “Passing” league.. defense still wins championships.
The only caveat is Collins and Smith’s health. If Dallas truely thinks they won’t return to atleast 80-90% healthy, than a 1st rd OL IS THE TOP NEED. Not only to keep Dak upright when he returns from his injury, or to keep open running lanes for our expensive RB, but to also allow our top receiving core to excel. Bottomline.. the OL is the heart of this team. And if Collins and Smith aren’t capable, then Dallas has to draft a OL.
Who Dallas picks at 10 will be telling..
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