Should The Cowboys Draft Taylor Lewan If He Falls?

[NeonDeion21]

Last week, I wrote an article on UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr and how he would fit with the Dallas Cowboys if he would happen to fall into their laps. This week, we are going to look at a tackle who should go in the top 10 just based off ability, but might fall due to an outstanding draft class and a few off the field issues. And let me be clear about something before I go on talking about addressing the offensive line early in the draft. I know the Cowboys have bigger needs with their roster and almost all of them come on the defensive side of the ball. But the Cowboys aren't good enough as a team to be passing on better players because they believe that they need to fill a need on defense. If the best player on the board is a tackle, take him. Too often this team gets into trouble when they feel like they are only one or two pieces away (See: Morris Claiborne). There is no position on this team the Cowboys can't get better at. They need to draft the best player available.

Having said that, let's take a look at Michigan's All-American tackle Taylor Lewan. Lewan has been the "Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman Of The Year" for the past two seasons, along with being an All-American in both years. But Lewan was arrested in March of 2013 for an assault charge and that may have damaged his draft stock some. Because I don't know the facts of the situation and have no inside information on Lewan, I will not discuss his off the field issues. All I can speak (or write) about is what I see on the field. With that being said, let's take a look at how Lewan physically measures up to the other elite offensive line prospects in the 2014 NFL Draft:




Read the rest of the article and how he fits with the Dallas Cowboys at: http://cover32.com/cowboys/2014/04/03/what-if-taylor-lewan-falls-to-the-dallas-cowboys/

 

[Manster74]

Really depends on who else was available but I wouldn't hate it if they took him.

 

[DBOY3141]

yes, unless Donald is still on the board.

 

[NeonDeion21]

yes, unless Donald is still on the board.

Question for you, who do you believe is the better player. Donald or Lewan?

 

[DBOY3141]

Question for you, who do you believe is the better player. Donald or Lewan?

Donald

 

[NeonDeion21]

Donald

I respect your answer. For me, I like Lewan as a top 10 player in this draft. If he falls to #16, there is no chance I'm taking Donald over him.

 

[DBOY3141]

I respect your answer. For me, I like Lewan as a top 10 player in this draft. If he falls to #16, there is no chance I'm taking Donald over him.

I just like Donald's non-stop motor and he always seem to be around the ball. Looks to be extremely passionate about the game. Have only seen a few of each of their games, so I'm no expert by any means. Lewan is a great player as well, so we can't go wrong with either.

 

[Sydla]

Lewan is likely the more talented player. But Lewan is also a massive ****** in the mold of Richie Incognito. If you don't think character is a big deal, Lewan is the guy. If you believe in placing value in a guy's character, then Donald should be the pick.

 

[reddyuta]

If they bring him in for an interview then they are serious about drafting him,they wont draft him unless they do a full psych evaluation.

 

[DBOY3141]

If they bring him in for an interview then they are serious about drafting him,they wont draft him unless they do a full psych evaluation.

Are you saying that they won't draft him without doing a psych eval because of his past off the field issues or that they don't draft players without doing psych evals? If the latter, that's not true because they didn't bring Mo in for a visit or ever even talk to him once yet still drafted him.

 

[AKATheRake]

I respect your answer. For me, I like Lewan as a top 10 player in this draft. If he falls to #16, there is no chance I'm taking Donald over him.

I like both Lewan and Donald but I'll take Lewan before Donald also.

Melton is our 3 technique and DT isn't as large an issue with the rotation that will be playing beside Melton as people think. If anything it would need to be a DE to push the need issue if it was a pick between Lewan and a defensive player at 16.

That player would probably be Anthony Barr who is either going to be a LB or nickel DE in our scheme.

If either Lewan or Barr are there I take them.

If neither of the 2 are their and Donald is, then I take Donald.

Great write up with visuals by the way.

 

[reddyuta]

Are you saying that they won't draft him without doing a psych eval because of his past off the field issues or that they don't draft players without doing psych evals? If the latter, that's not true because they didn't bring Mo in for a visit or ever even talk to him once yet still drafted him.

Lewan is a special case,he seems crazy on and off the field,i would be very worried about drafting him in the first without extensive vetting.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Lewan......... This is a guy ABQJr. and myself have talked about a lot. Look, I know there are red flags on him and I know that we have needs elsewhere but if he is there, he's a guy we need to seriously consider, no matter who else is on the board IMO. He won't be the LT, he'll likely be the RT so he's not going to get stupid huge money. He will get decent money. He's got a mean streak and he plays like it. Really excellent feet and quickness for his size. Had some holding calls against Clowney but honestly, if you watch that matchup, he was able to check Clowney's speed and strength pretty well. His game needed technique work but the physical ability was clearly there and as we all know, we throw the ball. We need somebody who can pass block on both ends.

If we were to take a guy like Lewan, we could probably trade Free and get something for him. That might not be the worst thing ever.

Michigan St.


Alabama


Analysis:

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Question for you, who do you believe is the better player. Donald or Lewan?

Lewan. He's a top 10 talent in a draft that has three LTs that are top 10 talents. If he gets to 16, it's only because the talent in this draft, particularly at LT, is artificially pushing him down.

Donald, who I also really like, is a guy who only fits a certain scheme or style. If Chicago were picking 20th and we were picking 23rd, then that's where he would likely be drafted. He's only being considered as high as he is, IMO, because he is a scheme fit for what Chicago has played in the past and what we are playing now.

 

[Fredd]

tough, tough question...I believe Lewan to be the better player overall and is a secondary need for the team...Donald is not quite as good as lewan but plays one of the primary need positions for Dallas....I still have hope for 2014 and 2015 so if the team has any chance of getting to the playoffs, the DL has to be in the backfield pressuring the QB...so, based on that, I go with Donald, but begrudgingly...I would wet myself with either of them....I would like pass out with excitement if Mack somehow made it to the team, he is the guy that I believe is the best player in the draft at any position

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I would be happy with him as I think he is a good player although his off the field issues are a serious concern.

I would probably take Donald over him if both were there however would be happy with either player as I think both will bolster the lines and be a productive player for this team.

 

[NeonDeion21]

I would be happy with him as I think he is a good player although his off the field issues are a serious concern.

I would probably take Donald over him if both were there however would be happy with either player as I think both will bolster the lines and be a productive player for this team.

I'm not going to speculate or anything like that, but I do have a few scouting friends that don't seem to be too worried about his incident off the field.

 

[rags747]

I take Lewan no worries at all, we need someone that will stir it up in training camp and start some fights. Exactly what this team needs is some bully's IMO. Would be surprised if he gets passed the Giants though.

 

[MonsterD]

I take Lewan no worries at all, we need someone that will stir it up in training camp and start some fights. Exactly what this team needs is some bully's IMO. Would be surprised if he gets passed the Giants though.

After what happened to the Dolphins? Seriously they lost 3 or whatever lineman and their line coach. Let's just try to keep it professional.

 

[rags747]

Not for anything this team needs more Incognitos, not Martins...we already have too many of them.