Cowboys rookie DT, Tommy Akingbesote, 2 Elite Traits that make him a sneaky run stopper

[gimmesix]

Highlight videos can be very convincing but they generally do not give an accurate picture of what a player is. A DT taken late in the 7th round is probably a project at best. It's possible he turns out to be Leon Lett or Jay Ratliff, but more likely he is a Colston Weatherington or John NIx.

Having said that, the traits they claim Akingbesote has are the traits that can turn a 7th round pick into a good player in the NFL. It starts with strength but eye are also important. Sometimes when you watch Mazi you can see he gets caught up in the battle with the offensive line and forgets to locate the ball. Maybe NFL coaching can turn Akingbesote into a Jay Ratliff, but I still see him as a dark horse in the DT battle.

He does seem to be good at locating the ball carrier and extending his arms to separate from the OL in the direction he wants to go. But as you said, it is highlights, so it's not going to show all the times the OL won.

 

[America's Cowboy]

So who is going to poach him off our practice squad?

Place your bets now!

The Eagles or Commanders. They know the Cowboys cut/demote the wrong guys in favor of higher draft picks who end up sucking. Too much pride with this ownership.

Bank on it.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Alphabet has a bettee chance at being a 3 down player than Toia, but even that is a longshot

 

[fivetwos]

Alphabet has a bettee chance at being a 3 down player than Toia, but even that is a longshot

I refuse to learn that name until he makes the 53. I feel as if that’s fair.

 

[Chuck 54]

You never see him driven off the ball.
He extends his arms and gets off blocks.
He’s not as big as Toia, but he is an excellent run player and much more athletic.
I’ll be shocked if he isn’t on the 53 man roster.

New coaches getting players who fit their schemes and desired play are much more likely to let guys like Rodgers go.

 

[AbeBeta]

I'm sorry ... when you post about a 7th round pick, you cannot include phrases like "elite traits" -- if he had elite traits we wouldn't be seeing him in the 7th round.

 

[America's Cowboy]

I'm sorry ... when you post about a 7th round pick, you cannot include phrases like "elite traits" -- if he had elite traits we wouldn't be seeing him in the 7th round.

So Mazi Smith has "elite traits" since he was drafted in the 1st round?

See how your statement sounds?

 

[RonWashington]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I like Akingbesote as a prospect better than I do Toia or Rogers. I'm rooting for him to make the roster as he is probably a guy that gets swiped by another team very quick.

​

I couldn’t agree more . This dude looks like a keeper on this yrs roster forget storing him on the PS and losing him .

 

[RonWashington]

So Mazi Smith has "elite traits" since he was drafted in the 1st round?

See how your statement sounds?

Mazis second contract might be in Wash

 

[KingCorcoran]

So who is going to poach him off our practice squad?

Place your bets now!

The Commanders.

 

[Pass2Run]

Alphabet has a bettee chance at being a 3 down player than Toia, but even that is a longshot

I don't know about that. But I do think he may have as good of a chance. It doesn't have to be Akingbesote or Toia, it can be both. Or neither.

They're just different players. Akingbesote is like a Golston type of guy you can move around for different roles, and he's like a Jack of all Trades whereas Toia is probably more of a 1-tech who they want to give Mazi some help on run downs.

I expect an improved Mazi this year. Not 1st round improvement, but a solid 3rd or 4th pick type improvement. He just needs that this season. I expect he can do it at an average level in 2025. If he's unable, they likely look to upgrade.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

You just never know what lights are gonna come on with any of these dudes. We’ve seen 1st round bust and 7th rounders turn into studs.

true. but its about probability. how many 1st rounders turn into busts? Mazi...for sure....but then there is Carter, Klancey, Davis, etc. that are doing good.

probablity of a 7th rounder turning into a stud is really low.