Bunting draft rumors 3/26/11 more Tyron Smith

[RS12]

• Talked to an NFL scout this week who said his team currently has a free agent grade on Florida safety Ahmad Black. The scout notes that “it’s tough to draft a small, slow guy at any position.”

• I keep hearing from team sources that medical concerns are still very real with Illinois LB Martez Wilson, which could cause him to slide on draft day.

• NFL scouts have told me they have been turned off by Kansas State RB Daniel Thomas and his inability to show up to meetings, as he consistently reschedules. Questionable accountability is the phrase that keeps popping up.

• One name who seems to be building a lot of traction is Illinois DT Corey Liuget. He’s said to be making his way up into the first half of round one and is a guy who the Rams are said to have a lot of interest in.

• Talked to two scouts this week after the Georgia pro day concerning DE Justin Houston. One said he thinks the guy is a lock to go in the top half of the first round because of his size/speed numbers. The other compared his rise to Robert Ayers(notes) a couple years ago and said he doesn’t think he’s anything more than a 2nd/3rd round prospect.

• Southern Cal OT Tyron Smith is said to be at the top of the wish list for the Dallas Cowboys at pick nine. Everyone I have talked with is expecting a massive pro day from him and thinks he could seal his top-10 fate with a strong performance.

• A lot of the 3-4 teams at the end of round one are said to have a lot of interest in Temple DL Muhammad Wilkerson. Hearing there is especially a lot of interest coming from Baltimore.

• Talked to a scout who said the draft stock of Oregon State RB Jacquizz Rodgers took a bit of a hit after running in the 4.6 range at the NFL Combine, all while standing at 5-6. The scout still said he likes him, but again referenced that it’s tough to take a guy high who is small and doesn’t run real well.

• Another undersized prospect whose stock seems to be down is West Virginia’s Jock Sanders, citing that there are off the field concerns and that he doesn’t run real well either.

• From everyone I’ve talked with this week, there seems to be a growing belief that there are actually some legs to the Patriots-Chargers potential first-round trade involving the Pats 28th overall pick.

Follow me on twitter: @WesBunting

 

[burmafrd]

keep up with the good stuff

 

[reddyuta]

Is there a chance that one of the 8 teams ahead of us take Smith if he has a great pro day?.

 

[Staggerlee]

Is there a chance that one of the 8 teams ahead of us take Smith if he has a great pro day?.

If so someone great has to slide to us then.

 

[TNCowboy]

There seem to be a lot of small guys who don't run well in this draft....

 

[Woods]

Is there a chance that one of the 8 teams ahead of us take Smith if he has a great pro day?.

I can't see it really being SF (need QB/CB/pass rusher), Carolina (they aren't taking him with the top pick), Denver (need defense), Buff (need pass rusher/defense/QB), Cards (need QB/defense more), Cinn (too many other needs, including QB).

Tenn also needs a QB more, or I think they go defense, and Cleveland needs a WR/DL more.

Just my best guess at this stage . . . .

 

[28 Joker]

This great news to me. I watched the Stanford game on replay, and Smith looked really, really good. This guy is a physical specimen, too.

I've been tough on the Cowboys in regards to the 2009 draft (rightfully so) and a little worried that they might blow it, when it comes to Tyron Smith.

When I hear about J.J. Watt and Cameron Jordan (inferior players to Smith) or read about about trading down to pick an inferior OT and add an extra inferior player or speculation on trade ups for a CB, it makes me a little chippy.

It's still a long time to draft day, but the Cowboys are headed in the right direction according to Bunting.

I think Dallas would take Smith over many of the pet cats that some fans have, I'm talking about some big names in the "best 8".

 

[28 Joker]

Levi Brown graded out worse than Marc Colombo at LT last year according to Pro Football Focus (Colombo had a -34 rating; so I don't know how that is possible). They need a LT, but I'm hoping a QB or defensive player and the fact that Levi Brown has been a bust as a top 5 pick, will make Wisnenhunt's argument for drafting Smith tough to sell, if he wanted to go in that direction.

Cleveland needs a RT and plays the Steelers and Ravens twice a year.

Buffalo needs a LT, but will have QB and top defensive players to occupy them. Their last LT wasn't even drafted, I think. Now, he plays for the Eagles.

If there is big threat, it would most likely be Arizona, or someone trying to trade up ahead of you. (Eagles, Colts, Giants, Lions, Vikings, and Commanders)

 

[Woods]

Levi Brown graded out worse than Marc Colombo at LT last year according to Pro Football Focus (Colombo had a -34 rating; so I don't know how that is possible). They need a LT, but I'm hoping a QB or defensive player and the fact that Levi Brown has been a bust as a top 5 pick, will make Wisnenhunt's argument for drafting Smith tough to sell, if he wanted to go in that direction.

Cleveland needs a RT and plays the Steelers and Ravens twice a year.

Buffalo needs a LT, but will have QB and top defensive players to occupy them. Their last LT wasn't even drafted, I think. Now, he plays for the Eagles.

If there is big threat, it would most likely be Arizona, or someone trying to trade up ahead of you. (Eagles, Colts, Giants, Lions, Vikings, and Commanders)

I agree that the biggest threat will be the Cards in the top 8.

However, if the CBA isn't sorted by the Draft and there is still a lockout, the Cards would definitely need a QB. Now, they could wait for Round 2 as well.

But I'm also betting that if C Newton is taken by the Bills, then V Miller (for example) could be available for the Cards - and I could see them going that direction too (before T Smith, that is.).

 

[28 Joker]

Cleveland met with Smith at the combine, but they have defensive needs, WR, and they have Jake Long.

I strongly think the Cowboys should anchor at 9 and let Smith fall to them. Again, Smith is a blue chip, cornerstone player in your offensive line. Dallas needs a player like this desperately.

Once he clears Arizona (depending on how the board falls, you could get a little nervous, I think), he should get to 9. If you trade down, you are not going to get him. Washington wouldn't hesitate to pick him if you let someone trade up and take their guy.

The Vikings are having him in for a visit and are not happy with Bryant McKinney on or off the field. The Lions are desperate for a LT. The Eagles most likely will have Smith number one at the OT spot. The Giants are rumored to have him there, too. The Eagles and Colts have been aggressive in trading up, too.

Again, this is great news to me, but I will not be relieved until Rodger Goodell hands this guy his Cowboys jersey.

 

[unionjack8]

good news imo. Not just cos i like his game but because it at long last shows that we are seriously interested in upgrading this OL thorugh the draft.
Now just wait for the hating crew

 

[NeonDeion21]

Cleveland met with Smith at the combine, but they have defensive needs, WR, and they have Jake Long.

I strongly think the Cowboys should anchor at 9 and let Smith fall to them. Again, Smith is a blue chip, cornerstone player in your offensive line. Dallas needs a player like this desperately.

Once he clears Arizona (depending on how the board falls, you could get a little nervous, I think), he should get to 9. If you trade down, you are not going to get him. Washington wouldn't hesitate to pick him if you let someone trade up and take their guy.

The Vikings are having him in for a visit and are not happy with Bryant McKinney on or off the field. The Lions are desperate for a LT. The Eagles most likely will have Smith number one at the OT spot. The Giants are rumored to have him there, too. The Eagles and Colts have been aggressive in
trading up, too.

Again, this is great news to me, but I will not be relieved until Rodger Goodell hands this guy his Cowboys jersey.

Joe Thomas, not Jake Long.

 

[Avery]

It's hard to envision any path of Smith going higher than #9 to a team unless someone trades up.

 

[fishspill]

If neither Newton nor Gabbert make it to 8, I could see Tennessee trading down. Fairley or Bowers being there may stop them. Depends on the trade package. Lotta teams have ammo.

 

[baj1dallas]

When I hear about J.J. Watt and Cameron Jordan (inferior players to Smith) or read about about trading down to pick an inferior OT and add an extra inferior player or speculation on trade ups for a CB, it makes me a little chippy.

yeah that's how I feel when I hear about taking a "finesse" player like Smith.

 

[burmafrd]

Finesse guy who can bench press 29 times with very long arms.

 

[28 Joker]

I just read the comments of Cardinals head coach (K.W.), and he came out and really defended Levi Brown, big time. He still has big time faith in him and still really likes him as a player. Brown has been under the gun for his play, but the organization appears to be firmly behind him.

Joe Thomas....I said Jake Long...I meant the Browns have Thomas.

 

[Chief]

Between Doug Free and Tyron Smith, who plays left tackle and who plays right tackle?

You don't draft a right tackle at No. 9, IMO. That's too high of an investment for that position.

So that puts Doug Free back at right tackle. Dallas needs to pay him accordingly ... they can't give him left tackle money to play there. He and his agent won't like it and that could be a problem.

 

[Plankton]

Between Doug Free and Tyron Smith, who plays left tackle and who plays right tackle?

You don't draft a right tackle at No. 9, IMO. That's too high of an investment for that position.

So that puts Doug Free back at right tackle. Dallas needs to pay him accordingly ... they can't give him left tackle money to play there. He and his agent won't like it and that could be a problem.

That's a good point. While on paper, it would be great to have two mobile bookends, the pay structure would be screwed up. Drafting a Sherrod or an Ijalana in the second round may make more sense.

 

[LatinMind]

So i guess Tyron Smith will be a Cowboy? I can dig it