OG/OT Amini Silatolu

[Aliencowboy]

This small school guy really dominated and looks very athletic. Would be a nice 3rd round pick

6'3 311

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y1vMglvFlE

 

[Eskimo]

SDogo put up a post recently that we are very interested in trading down in the first and drafting Brandon Brooks - an OG from a smallish school - Miami of Ohio.

Someone here also posted some Pro Day workout numbers that basically trounced just about everyone invited to the combine:

6-5 346 pounds
bench: 36 reps
40-yd: 4.98
Short shuttle: 4.52
broad jump: 8-9
vertical: 32 inches

So he had the size of Cordy Glenn but the movement skills of DeCastro and good explosion.

I guess the only question is whether he will ever amount to a good football player as he has elite size and athleticism for an OG in the NFL. He apparently was very impressive in the East-West game but I understand there are concerns about his temperament. According to some scouting reports he is not good at blocking in space and this would seem to make him a poor fit for Garrett's new offense but maybe that is all a matter of coaching as the raw athletic ability is there.


The unfortunate part about him is that he probably won't be ready to start next year if we draft him due to his small school background (see Arkin).

 

[SDogo]

This small school guy really dominated and looks very athletic. Would be a nice 3rd round pick

6'3 311

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y1vMglvFlE

I like this kid a lot. I think he has the potential to be one of the best from this class in 2 or 3 years.

 

[funkytown]

I like this kid a lot. I think he has the potential to be one of the best from this class in 2 or 3 years.

I could see him being an option in round 2, if we dont go Guard in round 1.

 

[honyock]

I like this kid a lot. I think he has the potential to be one of the best from this class in 2 or 3 years.

I like him too, but I'm really biased. Born and raised in Wichita Falls, so having a Cowboy from our tiny little college would give me hometown kicks.

 

[Eskimo]

I wasn't aware Miami of Ohio was considered a small school. Not the SEC but decent competition in that conference. Can the guy block? How's his feet?

I think the big concern is his feet and movement in space.

I still think it is a big step up from Miami (OH) to NFL type competition. I know they aren't Division II or anything but it isn't like they regularly go up against Texas, Alabama or USC either. I would think it would take a bit of time to adjust to the superior competition as a rookie and a year on the bench is very likely.

All I'm saying if he is the draft pick we can't plan on him being ready to start next year. It is a completely different story for the big school guys who will go in the first couple of rounds (DeCastro, Glenn, Osmele, Zeitler) - they will be penciled in as starters next year.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Well, you guys know that this is the Guard Option I have liked, for us, from the start.

I completely understand the small school concerns some have but I would say that the best Guard I ever saw was a D2 Grad from Sonoma State. In fact, I am not even sure Sonoma State still has a Football Program.

 

[Marktui]

I think the big concern is his feet and movement in space.

I still think it is a big step up from Miami (OH) to NFL type competition. I know they aren't Division II or anything but it isn't like they regularly go up against Texas, Alabama or USC either. I would think it would take a bit of time to adjust to the superior competition as a rookie and a year on the bench is very likely.

All I'm saying if he is the draft pick we can't plan on him being ready to start next year. It is a completely different story for the big school guys who will go in the first couple of rounds (DeCastro, Glenn, Osmele, Zeitler) - they will be penciled in as starters next year.

I think that if you have the talent you can play in the NFL no matter what school you come from. Big Ben came from Miami of Ohio.

 

[TheCount]

I like him but if we take a guard, he needs to be ready to start from Day 1. If he checks out in that sense, then I'm all aboard.

 

[fortdick]

I like this kid a lot. I think he has the potential to be one of the best from this class in 2 or 3 years.

'Cept we need a guard that can play now. We have draft a lot of Oline in rounds 3-7 and have had a lot of success. We need to take one that is going to help right away, that is why DeCastro is a *MUST*!

If we don't improve our running game, we are going to fail again next year. If you are thinking that we are building for three years from now, write off Romo and start looking for a QB.

 

[cowboy_ron]

I like him but if we take a guard, he needs to be ready to start from Day 1. If he checks out in that sense, then I'm all aboard.

Good way to look at it

 

[xwalker]

I like him but if we take a guard, he needs to be ready to start from Day 1. If he checks out in that sense, then I'm all aboard.

Agree. That is a big issue this year at the OG/OC positions due the the number of developmental players already on the roster at those positions.

 

[Eskimo]

I think that if you have the talent you can play in the NFL no matter what school you come from. Big Ben came from Miami of Ohio.

Sure but it often takes the small school guys a bit longer to adjust because of the big jump in the sophistication of the game and strength of the competition. I'm just arguing that if you draft a guy from a small school it is a big leap of faith to expect them to start that year. Even Larry Allen wasn't ready to start right out of the gate and he came from a small school, too.

 

[BAT]

I have like both Silatolu and Brooks from the start. I think Silatolu could be the best OG of this class, yes even better than DeCastro.

He just anchors better in pass pro and is just as devastating in the running game. And Brooks is very agile for his size.

I would love to have either wear the the star. Starting day one should not be the criteria b/c Cowboys are far from done in FA.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Silatolu would be an incredible third rd pick, but I don't think he lasts that long....so it will have to be second rd or nothing for the Cowboys. I agree-kid can be devasting with good coaching and a little more experience.

 

[TheCount]

Silatolu would be an incredible third rd pick, but I don't think he lasts that long....so it will have to be second rd or nothing for the Cowboys. I agree-kid can be devasting with good coaching and a little more experience.

Just read something saying he'd cemented himself as a Top 45 pick... we have pick 45.

I want Harrison Smith in the 2nd but if we pass on OG in the first, then that goes out the window. That's part of the benefit of addressing SS prior to the draft, I suppose.

 

[trickblue]

This small school guy really dominated and looks very athletic. Would be a nice 3rd round pick

6'3 311

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y1vMglvFlE

Would be a nice third round pick... the problem is that he may not even make it to us in the 2nd...

 

[Aven8]

I have us picking him in the 3rd. Hope is there.

 

[RS12]

Midwestern State offensive lineman Amini Silatolu worked out in front of position coaches in Wichita Falls, Texas this morning. He stood on most of his numbers from Indianapolis, though his 32-inch vertical jump and 9-foot, 3-inch broad jump represented slight improvements. Coaches on hand then put Silatolu through 40 minutes of position work and came away impressed the way the 314-blocker moved around the field. The feeling from most is that the offensive lineman has locked himself in as a top 45 pick.

For those who thought you might get him in third, doesnt look good.

 

[bpfred]

I have like both Silatolu and Brooks from the start. I think Silatolu could be the best OG of this class, yes even better than DeCastro.

He just anchors better in pass pro and is just as devastating in the running game. And Brooks is very agile for his size.

I would love to have either wear the the star. Starting day one should not be the criteria b/c Cowboys are far from done in FA.

I agree that Silatolu could wind up being the best guard in the draft in a couple years. He moves really well. There are some really good guards this year. Unlike many people on this forum, I don't think DeCastro is a lock to be the best. I like DeCastro a lot, but like Glenn just about as much, and Silatolu just about as much (maybe not the first year, but after that), and I like Zeitler a lot--just not quite as much as the other three.

I don't know where Silatolu will get drafted, but could see it anywhere from late 1st to late 2nd. I'd be surprised if he lasts until the third, but lots of things surprise me.