draft DJ Fluker?

[Reverend Conehead]

Some mock drafts have us taking Alabama OT, DJ Fluker. I haven't seen him play. Does anyone here have a sense of whether he would be a good fit? Lord knows we need O-line help bad.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

There are divergent opinions about Fluker. I personally really like him as a prospect, especially in a trade-down scenario. Many believe his feet are too slow for an NFL tackle, but I think his feet are adequate. He rated out very highly in college and went against premier pass-rushers. Most agree, however, that if he doesn't work at tackle, he could potentially make a killer guard.

 

[supercowboy8]

No to slow foot Fluker. Not a fit in Dallas, can not block speed rushers. Bans was a run heavy offense. See the WKU, A&M, LSU, and Georgia games. Bama tried to pass the ball early and got behind, then they went back to power run behind Warmack. Fluker was terrible in those games.

He would be a good fit in Cleveland, Minnesota, and Seattle, heavy run first power teams, not in Dallas where Romo passes the ball 40 plus a game

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Just a note for those that have said that he could be an OG since I have seen that from different people.

Although some do think he could be an OG if he were not working out at OT. Broaddus has said a few times that when he was at the Alabama Pro Day and talked to some of the Alabama Coaches he asked about possible moving him to OG. He said that the coaches told him it was better off keeping him at OT.

Not sure if that is just coaches trying to get him a better pay day at OT vs OG but it is something to consider.

 

[xwalker]

Just a note for those that have said that he could be an OG since I have seen that from different people.

Although some do think he could be an OG if he were not working out at OT. Broaddus has said a few times that when he was at the Alabama Pro Day and talked to some of the Alabama Coaches he asked about possible moving him to OG. He said that the coaches told him it was better off keeping him at OT.

Not sure if that is just coaches trying to get him a better pay day at OT vs OG but it is something to consider.

I believe that the Alabama coaches were trying to say that his best shot of playing as a rookie was at OT. There a many ways that their statements could be interpreted. They could be saying that he is a slow learner and would need more time to learn a new position.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I believe that the Alabama coaches were trying to say that his best shot of playing as a rookie was at OT. There a many ways that their statements could be interpreted. They could be saying that he is a slow learner and would need more time to learn a new position.

Could be...I really don't know.

That might be a good question to tweet Broaddus about as they have their draft show on later today.

He also talked about a D linemen at that pro day. I did not catch the name but could only assume it was Jesse Williams. Broaddus said he was talking to the cowboys scouts there (and I think said Tom C) and he said they could see Williams (if that was the player) playing the 1 tech and possibly the 3 tech.

 

[DFWJC]

The idea of having Fluker in Dallas has grown on me a ton.

I kept going back to the tape and looking at various comments and trying to get confirmation. He kept looking better to me. Not great , but better.

Then Broaddus' reveiw of him was glowing in all aspects.
He reviewed a lot of film, then got to see him up close, and came away a believer. So that helped too.

He's unspectacular. But I'd say his floor is higher but ceiling may be lower than a guy like Menelik Watson. So the risk is fairly low of him contributing long term but the debate would be is his limited upside worth the 18th pick?

Tough call, imo. Dallas could certainly do worse.


Oh, btw, here are Kiper's comments

" A massive player with incredibly long arms, he's going to be best staying at right tackle. A dominant run-blocker, his arms act like hydraulics and he just dominates the edge, allowing running lanes to form. Has to stay on the right side, though, because he's too susceptible to good pass-rushers. Has decent bend for his size. "

 

[Sasquatch]

I'm a bit perplexed by all this talk about Fluker. Doug Free was awesome in replacing an injured Marc Colombo. Remember that amazing downfield block against the Eagles on Felix's touchdown run?

I just don't get it.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I'm a bit perplexed by all this talk about Fluker. Doug Free was awesome in replacing an injured Marc Colombo. Remember that amazing downfield block against the Eagles on Felix's touchdown run?

I just don't get it.

LOL, the $32 million block.

 

[Idgit]

The idea of having Fluker in Dallas has grown on me a ton.

I kept going back to the tape and looking at various comments and trying to get confirmation. He kept looking better to me. Not great , but better.

Then Broaddus' reveiw of him was glowing in all aspects.
He reviewed a lot of film, then got to see him up close, and came away a believer. So that helped too.

He's unspectacular. But I'd say his floor is higher but ceiling may be lower than a guy like Menelik Watson. So the risk is fairly low of him contributing long term but the debate would be is his limited upside worth the 18th pick?

Tough call, imo. Dallas could certainly do worse.


Oh, btw, here are Kiper's comments

" A massive player with incredibly long arms, he's going to be best staying at right tackle. A dominant run-blocker, his arms act like hydraulics and he just dominates the edge, allowing running lanes to form. Has to stay on the right side, though, because he's too susceptible to good pass-rushers. Has decent bend for his size. "

I could live with the player, too, where before I wasn't too warm on the idea of taking the 4th OT in this class at 18.

The problem I have is that, if we think we've developed a young player into a starter at that position, I hate to then spend a first rounder on RT and make one of those guys a swing OT. It's a better fit to make the young guy beat out a veteran and have an experienced swing player there if you need one.

Then spend the high pick on interior OL where you can again have your rookie hopefully beat out your experienced vet and end up with three quality young starters and two experienced veteran backups. And hope your C can hold up.

 

[Avery]

I think he's strictly RT but I'm not sold on drafting him in the first round and definitely not at #18. I'm also not sold on him kicking inside as he's not really used to playing there either.

 

[Gaede]

I like Fluker a lot. And I think he can play RT--I think he's perfect for the position.

That being said, there are about 4 other players I like more than him.

Warmack, Cooper, Richardson, Austin

 

[supercowboy8]

People who think Fluker is a NFL ready RT is still stuck in the NFL past. This is a passing NFL now and the RTs of today need to be like LTs of 10 years ago.

 

[xwalker]

People who think Fluker is a NFL ready RT is still stuck in the NFL past. This is a passing NFL now and the RTs of today need to be like LTs of 10 years ago.

Agree. Alabama ran the ball a majority of the time. When they did pass, it was normally on very quick throws by the QB. Fluker rarely had to pass-protect in a manner similar to what is required with an NFL team.

I'm not saying that he absolutely can't do it, but I don't think he can pass-protect at a level worthy of a 1st round pick.

 

[supercowboy8]

Agree. Alabama ran the ball a majority of the time. When they did pass, it was normally on very quick throws by the QB. Fluker rarely had to pass-protect in a manner similar to what is required with an NFL team.

I'm not saying that he absolutely can't do it, but I don't think he can pass-protect at a level worthy of a 1st round pick.

You are correct sir. I wouldn't Fluker if I was Minnesota, Seattle, or Cleveland. A run first power team much like Bama, but not for Dallas who has Romo passing almost 40 times a game.

 

[Sasquatch]

I would hope that taking Fluker would indicate a more balanced attack that DOES NOT have Romo throwing ball 40+ times a game.

 

[supercowboy8]

I would hope that taking Fluker would indicate a more balanced attack that DOES NOT have Romo throwing ball 40+ times a game.

A more balanced attack for garret still means 30-35 times which is more than Fluker can handle IMO.
Also you still can't run the ball unless you have the interior that can run block as well.

 

[DFWJC]

A more balanced attack for garret still means 30-35 times which is more than Fluker can handle IMO.
Also you still can't run the ball unless you have the interior that can run block as well.

I glad you put "IMO". lol

Both his current pass-blocking ability and the potential to get better at it are fairly unknown.
I'm a bit cautious as well.
But he has surpsied in workouts with better agilty and footwork than previously expected. So we''l see.

I'm still very wary to take him at 18. I'd rather that player be a sure-fire starter who also has upside.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

I would hope that taking Fluker would indicate a more balanced attack that DOES NOT have Romo throwing ball 40+ times a game.

If Romo has to throw 40+ times it indicates some kind of breakdown. Despite this being a pass-happy league, we have a QB who's at his best when he has help from a good running game.