Possible Indirect Approaches to Address DT or Guard

[T-RO]

For those who can think out of the box for a moment...consider two possible creative approaches.

1. Indirect Path to an Elite DT
Only a few NFL DTs are real difference makers. Those that are can really move, penetrate and sack the QB. Suppose Kukas Van Ness fell to 15th. Suppose he could be secured via reasonable trade-up. He's generally viewed as edge, but consider what a monster DT he could become. He's already 272 at just age 21. He has the frame and projection at carry 280+. Van Ness clocked 4.58 40 time. Was very productive. His 3-cone and 20-yard shuttle were elite for an edge--at DT, that would be insane.

FYI...PFF's lead scout said he could foresee Van Ness at defense tackle. He played there some for Iowa. Plays with good leverage and pad level.

IMPACT: Add An elite athlete - pass rusher in the middle to our superior Edge players and the pass rush could go from super to other-worldly. A position of perpetual weakness suddenly is a big plus.

2. Guard for Today, Center for tomorrow (2nd round)
John Michael Schmitz is viewed as a high floor center who's strong and fundamentally sound. I'm curious about a plan where the Cowboys draft him to play serviceable guard for a year, and then view him as a long term replacement for Biadasz. FYI, Schmitz is perhaps their class's best center, but he also played at guard effectively at Senior Bowl.

FYI: Schmitz grades out higher than Avila on the Consensus Big Board

I'm probably more sold on option 2. Van Ness might end up a tweener who's acquisition cost might be prohibitive.

 

[cnuball21]

Lukas Van Ness is a top 20 prospect at DE, he’s not going to want to move to DT and with it being a premium position teams aren’t going to want him to either.

He’s a legit Edge prospect. You try that move with late flyers.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I am skeptical about taking a player and putting him in the NFL at a new position. Especially when you trade up to get him.

 

[beware_d-ware]

Van Ness is just a wild athlete in general. He's a 270 lb power rusher who also runs the same 40 time as Roschon Johnson and Tank Bigsby.

He probably could kick inside and give you some fun diesel package snaps. But edge rusher is probably the single most athleticism dependent position in football, and you don't take a premier athlete out of that spot. If anything, you try to move other elite front-seven athletes to edge (eg Micah).

 

[xwalker]

For those who can think out of the box for a moment...consider two possible creative approaches.

1. Indirect Path to an Elite DT
Only a few NFL DTs are real difference makers. Those that are can really move, penetrate and sack the QB. Suppose Kukas Van Ness fell to 15th. Suppose he could be secured via reasonable trade-up. He's generally viewed as edge, but consider what a monster DT he could become. He's already 272 at just age 21. He has the frame and projection at carry 280+. Van Ness clocked 4.58 40 time. Was very productive. His 3-cone and 20-yard shuttle were elite for an edge--at DT, that would be insane.

FYI...PFF's lead scout said he could foresee Van Ness at defense tackle. He played there some for Iowa. Plays with good leverage and pad level.

IMPACT: Add An elite athlete - pass rusher in the middle to our superior Edge players and the pass rush could go from super to other-worldly. A position of perpetual weakness suddenly is a big plus.

2. Guard for Today, Center for tomorrow (2nd round)
John Michael Schmitz is viewed as a high floor center who's strong and fundamentally sound. I'm curious about a plan where the Cowboys draft him to play serviceable guard for a year, and then view him as a long term replacement for Biadasz. FYI, Schmitz is perhaps their class's best center, but he also played at guard effectively at Senior Bowl.

FYI: Schmitz grades out higher than Avila on the Consensus Big Board

I'm probably more sold on option 2. Van Ness might end up a tweener who's acquisition cost might be prohibitive.

Schmitz is probably OC only.

Schmitz 305 pounds

Avila 332 pounds

 

[visionary]

For those who can think out of the box for a moment...consider two possible creative approaches.

1. Indirect Path to an Elite DT
Only a few NFL DTs are real difference makers. Those that are can really move, penetrate and sack the QB. Suppose Kukas Van Ness fell to 15th. Suppose he could be secured via reasonable trade-up. He's generally viewed as edge, but consider what a monster DT he could become. He's already 272 at just age 21. He has the frame and projection at carry 280+. Van Ness clocked 4.58 40 time. Was very productive. His 3-cone and 20-yard shuttle were elite for an edge--at DT, that would be insane.

FYI...PFF's lead scout said he could foresee Van Ness at defense tackle. He played there some for Iowa. Plays with good leverage and pad level.

IMPACT: Add An elite athlete - pass rusher in the middle to our superior Edge players and the pass rush could go from super to other-worldly. A position of perpetual weakness suddenly is a big plus.

2. Guard for Today, Center for tomorrow (2nd round)
John Michael Schmitz is viewed as a high floor center who's strong and fundamentally sound. I'm curious about a plan where the Cowboys draft him to play serviceable guard for a year, and then view him as a long term replacement for Biadasz. FYI, Schmitz is perhaps their class's best center, but he also played at guard effectively at Senior Bowl.

FYI: Schmitz grades out higher than Avila on the Consensus Big Board

I'm probably more sold on option 2. Van Ness might end up a tweener who's acquisition cost might be prohibitive.

Where do you come up with these?

 

[T-RO]

Schmitz is probably OC only.

Schmitz 305 pounds

Avila 332 pounds

Not saying Schmitz is THE option. Some scouts prefer one, some the other. I've not detailed their play.

I am saying he's a good option that can move to center, as we'll likely need to replace Biadasz due to contract.

I am skeptical about taking a player and putting him in the NFL at a new position. Especially when you trade up to get him.

Van Ness played both DT and Edge in college. Iowa used him all over the line in his career there I'm just exploring ideas. Wouldn't trade up...guy who need to fall.

 

[tm1119]

Keion White and Adetomiwa Adebawore would be the guys you are looking for as high potential 3 tech conversations. Van Ness is a premium talent at DE, you don’t move him inside.

 

[cnuball21]

Keion White and Adetomiwa Adebawore would be the guys you are looking for as high potential 3 tech conversations. Van Ness is a premium talent at DE, you don’t move him inside.

I’m not even sure I’d move them inside full time. Hybrid players for sure…maybe Tyrone Crawford like?

Base DE and nickel / dime 3T.

 

[T-RO]

Keion White and Adetomiwa Adebawore would be the guys you are looking for as high potential 3 tech conversations. Van Ness is a premium talent at DE, you don’t move him inside.

Keion White would interesting as DE-DT conversion, esp. if he falls with all the numerous good edge players.

285 lbs now at 6'5.

 

[Nemesis4u]

I wouldnt even draft Van Ness with our 26th pick. He is gonna need a ton of help developing pass rush skills.

 

[Beast_from_East]

I am skeptical about taking a player and putting him in the NFL at a new position. Especially when you trade up to get him.

Yeah, I'm all for thinking outside the box, but I'm not really a fan of this move.