Jumbo075
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Pugh was a 1st round pick selected ahead of Travis Frederick in the 2013 draft. The Giants kept trying to play short-armed Pugh out of position at right tackle, but he's also played Guard where he is a much better player. Poaching Pugh would also hurt a rival.
If the Cowboys could sign Pugh to a moderate free agent contract, and also resign fellow 2013 1st round pick Jonathan Cooper, the Cowboys would solve their interior offensive line issues. Cooper can back up Pugh, Martin and Frederick.
Pugh and Cooper would give the Cowboys 6 first round players (if you include Collins) on the team. Also, with his experience at tackle, Pugh could move outside to tackle in an emergency situation.
The Cowboys still need a good swing tackle candidate to replace Chaz Green, who played really poorly in 2017, after doing well in 2016. I suggest spending a 4th round pick on OT Geron Christian. If Christian develops, he could give the Cowboys flexibility to move on from either Smith or Collins if the price of the Oline gets too high.
Geron Christian, 6'5", 298 lbs., 35" arms
OVERVIEW
Christian focused on basketball in high school (he attended three of them) except for his freshman and junior years, where he flashed potential on the gridiron. He decommitted from Miami to head to Louisville, where his brother, Gerald, was a tight end in 2013-2014. In his first season with the Cardinals, Christian started every game at left tackle, receiving honorable mention All-ACC recognition. He followed that effort with a third-team All-ACC season at left tackle as a sophomore, where he started to get stronger in order to use the excellent length and athleticism that helped him as a basketball player. Christian started all 13 games at left tackle in 2017, receiving honorable mention all-conference notice from ACC coaches.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Flipped in-game between left and right tackle so he's experienced at both. Extremely long arms. Rolls hips for movement on down blocks. Has athletic ability to become capable move blocker on next level. Former standout basketball player with leftover footwork to prove it. Sets with desired posture and smoothness in his slides. Upper body stays quiet throughout. Can transition feet back inside to catch spin moves and inside counters. Maintains balance when punch gets swiped away. Uses inside/out approach in pass sets to prevent rushers from accessing his inside edge. Athleticism to run edge rushers up and around the pocket. Doesn't give away his hands early to counter-punching rushers.
WEAKNESSES
Needs to do a much better job of utilizing his length. Fails to get create adequate arm extension to keep defenders at the end of his length. Catches rather than punches. Tape reveals significant concerns regarding functional power. Recovery strength when beaten is below average. Unable to press defenders off his edge when challenged. Lacks initial pass pro anchor. Bounced deep into pocket by surging ends. May take time to get comfortable working from three-point stance if asked to. Needs to get into his block fit more quickly on down blocks to improve timing of his work-up blocks. Inconsistent on aiming points and too content to use outside hands.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Rounds 3-4
SOURCES TELL US
"This is one of the most interesting tackles because he has potential. Some of these tackles like the UCLA kid (Kolton Miller) they aren't going to get much better. This kid just needs more experience and coaching and I think he will be a starter down the road." -- NFC team offensive line coach
NFL COMPARISON
Jordan Mills
BOTTOM LINE
Three-year starter with experience taking snaps at both tackle spots, Christian possesses good overall athleticism and foot quickness with the arm length NFL evaluators covet. He needs to improve his upper body strength in order make better use of his length in pass protection and to help with redirect blocks. If Christian can improve his anchor and functional power, he could become an average starter, but if not, he will be a swing tackle trying to hold off competition for his job.
If the Cowboys could sign Pugh to a moderate free agent contract, and also resign fellow 2013 1st round pick Jonathan Cooper, the Cowboys would solve their interior offensive line issues. Cooper can back up Pugh, Martin and Frederick.
Pugh and Cooper would give the Cowboys 6 first round players (if you include Collins) on the team. Also, with his experience at tackle, Pugh could move outside to tackle in an emergency situation.
The Cowboys still need a good swing tackle candidate to replace Chaz Green, who played really poorly in 2017, after doing well in 2016. I suggest spending a 4th round pick on OT Geron Christian. If Christian develops, he could give the Cowboys flexibility to move on from either Smith or Collins if the price of the Oline gets too high.
Geron Christian, 6'5", 298 lbs., 35" arms
OVERVIEW
Christian focused on basketball in high school (he attended three of them) except for his freshman and junior years, where he flashed potential on the gridiron. He decommitted from Miami to head to Louisville, where his brother, Gerald, was a tight end in 2013-2014. In his first season with the Cardinals, Christian started every game at left tackle, receiving honorable mention All-ACC recognition. He followed that effort with a third-team All-ACC season at left tackle as a sophomore, where he started to get stronger in order to use the excellent length and athleticism that helped him as a basketball player. Christian started all 13 games at left tackle in 2017, receiving honorable mention all-conference notice from ACC coaches.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Flipped in-game between left and right tackle so he's experienced at both. Extremely long arms. Rolls hips for movement on down blocks. Has athletic ability to become capable move blocker on next level. Former standout basketball player with leftover footwork to prove it. Sets with desired posture and smoothness in his slides. Upper body stays quiet throughout. Can transition feet back inside to catch spin moves and inside counters. Maintains balance when punch gets swiped away. Uses inside/out approach in pass sets to prevent rushers from accessing his inside edge. Athleticism to run edge rushers up and around the pocket. Doesn't give away his hands early to counter-punching rushers.
WEAKNESSES
Needs to do a much better job of utilizing his length. Fails to get create adequate arm extension to keep defenders at the end of his length. Catches rather than punches. Tape reveals significant concerns regarding functional power. Recovery strength when beaten is below average. Unable to press defenders off his edge when challenged. Lacks initial pass pro anchor. Bounced deep into pocket by surging ends. May take time to get comfortable working from three-point stance if asked to. Needs to get into his block fit more quickly on down blocks to improve timing of his work-up blocks. Inconsistent on aiming points and too content to use outside hands.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Rounds 3-4
SOURCES TELL US
"This is one of the most interesting tackles because he has potential. Some of these tackles like the UCLA kid (Kolton Miller) they aren't going to get much better. This kid just needs more experience and coaching and I think he will be a starter down the road." -- NFC team offensive line coach
NFL COMPARISON
Jordan Mills
BOTTOM LINE
Three-year starter with experience taking snaps at both tackle spots, Christian possesses good overall athleticism and foot quickness with the arm length NFL evaluators covet. He needs to improve his upper body strength in order make better use of his length in pass protection and to help with redirect blocks. If Christian can improve his anchor and functional power, he could become an average starter, but if not, he will be a swing tackle trying to hold off competition for his job.
