Brandon Thomas suffers torn ACL

[ThreeandOut]

I don't think he'll even fall to the 7th round.

If the Cowboys took him with a 5th round pick would anyone be upset?

Any OL taken in the 5th round most likely won't be on the active game roster his first year. So there's not much difference taking Thomas at the spot and he's got much more upside than your average 5th rounder.

 

[Idgit]

What a lot of people are neglecting is that Thomas could easily be our starting RT next year if drafted. I mean why is he a guard only after playing LT in college? He's 6'3 with 34 1/4" arms and is extremely light on his feet. I see no reason he can't play tackle.

If he's a legitimate pro OT candidate, that's another matter entirely. We do need RT prospects, and that would make a lot of sense.

 

[RS12]

Brandon Thomas | Guard
Team: Clemson Tigers
Age / DOB: (23) / 2/18/1991
Ht / Wt: 6'3' / 315

LATEST NEWS
RECENT NEWS
Clemson OL Brandon Thomas suffered a torn ACL in training last week, according to ESPN's Adam Caplan.
This is just terrible news. Not only was Thomas a site favorite, his play as a versatile tackle or guard had been drawing rave reviews from evaluators. So much, in fact, that he could have squeezed into the first-round. Thomas has an athletic lower half, a powerful punch, and did well out on an island to mirror pass rushers. A team could get a very talented prospect at a reduced price. Apr 7 - 2:01 PM
Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter


This guy isnt falling into 5th-7th round.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

This guy isnt falling into 5th-7th round.

No... I don't either.

Hey, if he was there when he Cowboys pick in the 4th round? Hmm. Interesting.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Since Dallas has the luxurey of 11 picks (6) 7TH ROUND CHOICES taking a highly rated injured prospect to red shirt as a rookie "would be" a risk worth taking in the 5th or 6th round.

 

[waving monkey]

If Dalls took a risk selecting Leary, why not with this kid that has more potential? He could be something special! get him in the 7th!

if his a high value player and teams know this I would take him before the 7th [example] turn two sevenths for a six and take him there

 

[jnday]

I recall Kelvin Garmon who we chose in the seventh round. He was considered a similar prospect, possible 3rd before he had his leg broken in his senior year.

I just think the 4th round is a bit rich. But then again, we chose Matt Johnson in the 4th and appear comfortable redshirting him for two years.

Don't forget Arkin since he was an lineman. They knew he was a couple of years away due to his strength issues. Dallas has not been very productive with their 4th round picks. I would use a 4th in a heartbeat .

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I would take him in the 4th. It would be better for the future of this franchise. You get a 1st round talent in the 4th round who will be able to immediately start at RT in 2015 when we most likely cut Doug Free. I know people don't want to spend a 4th on someone who won't play, but it's the right thing to do if you can get a 1st round talent and a starting RT for the next decade.

 

[Fredd]

you guys are starting to turn me towards "earlier than 7th"....but there is depth in this draft and the 4th will still have starting potential...it comes down to whether the 4th rounder that they plan on picking is a starter in 2014 and beyond vs Thomas who could start in a prime position in 2015

 

[visionary]

What a lot of people are neglecting is that Thomas could easily be our starting RT next year if drafted. I mean why is he a guard only after playing LT in college? He's 6'3 with 34 1/4" arms and is extremely light on his feet. I see no reason he can't play tackle.

This
There will be players available that can compete at OG in rds 3-4 this year

I would still do that

Then take your 5th rd pick and try to trade up into the bottom of rd 4 with 2 7th rd picks to take Thomas in bottom of rd 4

He can start at RT next year once we cut Free

Think of it this way:

Would you rather pay Free a lot of money (if he plays well) in the next off season or spend a rd 1-2 pick in next years draft on a RT

OR

Spend a low 4th this year on Thomas?

 

[Doomsday101]

That is a best case scenario. If he was around where we literally have to burn a choice, it should be an easy decision.

While I would part with a 7th or 6th at best I don't think Cowboys can afford getting damaged goods with the upper part of the draft. In my view we just do not have that luxury with the draft.

 

[Alexander]

While I would part with a 7th or 6th at best I don't think Cowboys can afford getting damaged goods with the upper part of the draft. In my view we just do not have that luxury with the draft.

That is the part that is concerning. This is not a case where this team can do what would actually be in theory fairly smart.

The circumstances with the depth on this team almost force us to do things a certain way.

 

[Doomsday101]

That is the part that is concerning. This is not a case where this team can do what would actually be in theory fairly smart.

The circumstances with the depth on this team almost force us to do things a certain way.

True we need players this year guys who can come in and help. Taking a player coming off injury with a late pick I think is worth the risk but I would not do it with one of our top 5 picks. Honestly I would be a bit leery in any given year of taking a player coming off injury. We did it with Lee and Carter with mixed results we did it with Johnson and have yet to see him on the field

 

[tm1119]

People are way overvaluing 5th round picks in this thread. How many 5th round or later picks (not counting udfa's) have we hit on the past decade? Like 4 or 5 out of nearly 40 choices? Sure, there's a chance you could find a gem like Scandrick or Rat but there is an overwhelming chance that the player is going to amount to nothing. And even less chance the player will contribute from day 1.

 

[TheCount]

People are way overvaluing 5th round picks in this thread. How many 5th round or later picks (not counting udfa's) have we hit on the past decade? Like 4 or 5 out of nearly 40 choices? Sure, there's a chance you could find a gem like Scandrick or Rat but there is an overwhelming chance that the player is going to amount to nothing. And even less chance the player will contribute from day 1.

One thing I've learned by visiting other team boards is that every fan base thinks their 5th round pick is worth another team's 4th.

 

[Alexander]

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider 8m
Clemson offensive lineman Brandon Thomas tore his ACL during a private workout with the New Orleans Saints, according to a league source

 

[Kaiser]

I totally agree with the comments about drafting him in the 4th. His rookie season would be a developmental year anyway and the team has shown with Sean Lee and Carter they aren't afraid to redshirt a player to get a good talent a round or two later.

On top of that I still think we resign Waters at the end of camp if we don't spend a 1st round pick on OL, so I love the idea of getting Thomas in the 4th.

 

[Picksix]

I totally agree with the comments about drafting him in the 4th. His rookie season would be a developmental year anyway and the team has shown with Sean Lee and Carter they aren't afraid to redshirt a player to get a good talent a round or two later.

On top of that I still think we resign Waters at the end of camp if we don't spend a 1st round pick on OL, so I love the idea of getting Thomas in the 4th.

Lee wasn't exactly a redshirt, but yes he did have a significant injury history. Carter was one for the most part, and of course, Johnson has been. The difference is that those guys were all expected to play at least somewhat during the season. Thomas most likely wouldn't be able to play at all this year, and they'd be drafting a guy that would only be a month out of surgery. Could happen late, and he could be a good future pick, but I don't know if we can afford it. Plus, I keep reading about how McClay has a reluctance to want to draft guys with injury histories.

As for Waters, you're likely right. Either that, or a guy like Brisel/Dahl/Clabo - guys who will likely be available into the summer.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

This guy is a 1st round pick in most drafts. You'd be crazy not to spend a 4th on this guy and have your tackles set for the next decade. We could still draft a OG too. I would get 3 DLmen and 2 OLmen with our first 5 picks. Get a starting OG for this year and invest the 4th in Thomas to be our starting RT next year. Even if we drafted a healthy OT, I can't see any OT coming in and making Doug Free a backup.

 

[jubal]

Perhaps there is a scenario where we take him with one of our 7ths, put him on PUP then possibly get him late in the season? That would be a quality pick day 3 in my opinion.

I don't see why not .Dallas does this a lot,take a chance on a injured player and see if they come back O.K.What you said works for me if they can get him.