1st round draft picks

[FVSTONE]

The Cowboys used 3 first round picks in the last 4 years on offensive linemen. And yet, they look like they have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL right now. The theory is taking offensive linemen in the first round ensures a quality offensive line.

So I decided to look at some of the top teams, the Rams, Eagles and Chiefs and how they drafted the last 10 years.

The Eagles have had 10 first round draft picks since 2016. They used 1 on the offensive line. It was Andre Dillard who never played much for the Eagles and is now gone. That was in 2019. The rest of their top rated OL was assembled from other picks and transactions. To be fair, Lane Johnson was a 1st round pick in 2013.

The Chiefs used a 1st round pick on OL this year for the first time since 2013. They have had 6 picks total in the last 10 drafts.

Then I picked another contender that just lost a close game to the Eagles, They have only had 2 1st round picks in the last 10 drafts. Neither was used on offensive line. Given the Rams success in building and rebuilding, are 1st round picks even necessary?

What does this mean. It's not really a large enough sample size, but clearly it shows you don't have to use 1st round picks on the OL to build a good offensive line. This is especially true when finding Centers and Guards, and even then the OTs that succeed are usually taken early in the first round.

Of course if you refuse to play in the free agent market then I supposed you have to use 1st round picks to improve your chances of success.

I think the Cowboys reached for Guyton and Booker. Guyton has looked awful so far. Booker has been a mixed bag. But the question is, could Dallas have used a later pick for a OG and used their 1st round pick for an impact position? Look at all the players in the first round we could have picked, Grant, Walker, Warren, Egbuka, Hampton - all positions of need. I said then that Warren would have made the biggest impact on this offense, but it is possible Egbuka would have made a big impact too and we would not have had to trade for Pickens.

In the meantime, the Dolphins took Jonah Savaiinaea in the 2nd round and he starts at LG and plays pretty well. The Giants picked Marcus Mbow in the 5th round and he is playing a solid LT so far even though he was projected to be a guard coming out of college. The Cowboys didn't need to take Booker so early, but it is decisions like this that have a ripple effect on the rest of the draft and eventually the roster. Good teams are good because they get these decision right.

The Ram's organization is far more superior to the one the Cowboys have.

 

[John813]

IMO the only position I can sort of defend in the first, line wise, is Tackles.
Didn't love the Booker draft pick nor did I like that they kept Smith at guard rather than molding him into a Left tackle.

Unless you are guaranteed a Zach Martin/day 1 legit probowl guard, don't see the value there. Especially when the team is more than a guard away from anything

 

[JustChip]

Do what the OL does best and help protect this sorry defense...shorten the games. Go find another RB to help carry the load with Javonte and run, run, run.

They tried that yesterday. The problem is the defense has to make some stops. Drives with single digit plays that result in TD by the opponents is not a good formula.

 

[Mr_437]

They tried that yesterday. The problem is the defense has to make some stops. Drives with single digit plays that result in TD by the opponents is not a good formula.

I disagree, Javonte had 10 carries. Cowboys should commit more to the run because the play action is very effective so the passing game should be efficient.

We know the defense is trash and that's not changing, but this is about the offensive approach without CeeDee.

 

[noshame]

Just hire a coach, that's the answer.

 

[Forneymike]

Yep, they should operate how Baltimore operated with Dilfer at QB. No really big WR weapons. Shannon Sharpe was their TE and they went run heavy. Minimal work for Dilfer. Lean on the line and batter the defense. This also means that the ball is controlled by the offense putting less emphasis on the defense being left exposed.

You do know that Dilfer team did not let the other team score.....I'm guessing you think we have a Ravens defense?

 

[Johannes44]

You do know that Dilfer team did not let the other team score.....I'm guessing you think we have a Ravens defense?

No I don't think we have the Ravens defense. But given the fact that you can't rely on Prescott to operate with what we have on the team then it helps to have the offense be run heavy and control the clock. Especially given the fact that your defense is weak and your OLine is better at blocking for the run.

 

[My3Sons]

Guyton doesn't look like a starter at this time. Steele is a good run blocker, but struggles against speed rushers which in the NFL is a problem.

The rest of the line is fine imo.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

The Cowboys used 3 first round picks in the last 4 years on offensive linemen. And yet, they look like they have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL right now. The theory is taking offensive linemen in the first round ensures a quality offensive line.

So I decided to look at some of the top teams, the Rams, Eagles and Chiefs and how they drafted the last 10 years.

The Eagles have had 10 first round draft picks since 2016. They used 1 on the offensive line. It was Andre Dillard who never played much for the Eagles and is now gone. That was in 2019. The rest of their top rated OL was assembled from other picks and transactions. To be fair, Lane Johnson was a 1st round pick in 2013.

The Chiefs used a 1st round pick on OL this year for the first time since 2013. They have had 6 picks total in the last 10 drafts.

Then I picked another contender that just lost a close game to the Eagles, They have only had 2 1st round picks in the last 10 drafts. Neither was used on offensive line. Given the Rams success in building and rebuilding, are 1st round picks even necessary?

What does this mean. It's not really a large enough sample size, but clearly it shows you don't have to use 1st round picks on the OL to build a good offensive line. This is especially true when finding Centers and Guards, and even then the OTs that succeed are usually taken early in the first round.

Of course if you refuse to play in the free agent market then I supposed you have to use 1st round picks to improve your chances of success.

I think the Cowboys reached for Guyton and Booker. Guyton has looked awful so far. Booker has been a mixed bag. But the question is, could Dallas have used a later pick for a OG and used their 1st round pick for an impact position? Look at all the players in the first round we could have picked, Grant, Walker, Warren, Egbuka, Hampton - all positions of need. I said then that Warren would have made the biggest impact on this offense, but it is possible Egbuka would have made a big impact too and we would not have had to trade for Pickens.

In the meantime, the Dolphins took Jonah Savaiinaea in the 2nd round and he starts at LG and plays pretty well. The Giants picked Marcus Mbow in the 5th round and he is playing a solid LT so far even though he was projected to be a guard coming out of college. The Cowboys didn't need to take Booker so early, but it is decisions like this that have a ripple effect on the rest of the draft and eventually the roster. Good teams are good because they get these decision right.

I much prefer our Cowboys drafting OL vs DT. Taco and Mazi still give me indigestion and directly contribute to my drinking problems.

 

[JustChip]

I disagree, Javonte had 10 carries. Cowboys should commit more to the run because the play action is very effective so the passing game should be efficient.

We know the defense is trash and that's not changing, but this is about the offensive approach without CeeDee.

I’m not saying they shouldn’t be a run heavy or oriented offense. But run heavy or pass heavy is immaterial if the defense allows TDs on short drives.

Chicago gets a quick strike TD after the Williams strip. Dallas then moves the ball, but only nets a FG. The ensuing Chicago drive is another quick TD.

I think the Williams strip was the pivotal play of the game. Dallas was moving the ball crisply and probably ends with a TD. Chicago would’ve been playing from behind after instead of Dallas. That strip and ensuing TD gave a bad team playing at home tremendous confidence.

 

[Creeper]

Bizzare how people think the OL is the problem.

The OL is not THE problem. It is a problem. My point was you don't have to use your first round picks on OL to have a good offensive line, or a winning team. I do believe if you want a franchise LT you need to get one early in the first.

Booker was a reach pick for a replacement for Zack Martin. As I said, he has been really good at times, and bad at others. He is so far a mixed bag. Did you all miss Booker getting run over by Grady Jarrett yesterday? I think the play was negated by a penalty but the image reminded me of Vita Vea bulldozing Tyler Biadasz into Dak a few years back.

 

[mardwin]

All 4 are wrong. But that's ok.

That's why Jerry loves you. You and him see it see the same way

 

[kskboys]

They draft OL because they don’t trust themselves with drafting other positions. No other team constantly sinks so many high resources into the OL.

And because every draft pick on the OL after the 1st round has failed. (Free wasn't bad).

It's their player evaluations. They are absolutely horrific at evaluating players. That's why we continuously take the Brewsters and Asims and McGoverns and Chazs in the mid rounds and fail.

 

[kskboys]

Besides Tyler Smith, there are question marks everywhere.

Guyton - Wasn't a first-round talent coming out OU. Looks like a backup more than anything.
BeBee - Has been average at center. Maybe he should have moved to RG instead.
Booker - He's a rookie, can't form an opinion based on 3 games but it was a reach at #12.
Steele - I don't know what this guy does well because he's always getting beat.

Guyton was graded as a 1st round talent. Superior skillset, just very raw. He shouldn't have been playing last season.

Bebee has looked very good at C.

Steele blows. No idea why we paid him.