Chocolate Lab;3910064 said:
FWIW, Gimmesix, a bunch of us -- or at least some of us -- aren't totally sold on Smith, either.
Mosley talked to 3 AFC scouts and 1 NFC scout in order to seek out the safest players in the draft. Tyron Smith made the list of 6 players. He rated him fourth.
People have heard how there was "no offensive tackle worth a top 10 pick" for months. That has been drilled into everyone's head. However, I've been advocating drafting Smith at 9 since Wes Bunting came out and stated that he could be a top 10 pick. (December) ? I first learned about him then. That was a long, long, long time ago. I have argued for drafting Smith at 9 for months and received significant resistance, and now the experts have aligned with what I have been arguing for, drafting Tyron Smith at 9.
If Smith is only a RT, and the NFL doesn't see his future at RT, he is the best RT in the draft and has all the tools to dominate at RT in the NFL. Plus, he has the film at RT to strengthen his case to be drafted by Dallas, because they need a RT bad.
There is a reason why Smith was able to just weigh in and lift at the combine and shoot up draft boards. Smith has the film and very high ceiling to back up his elite measureables according to an AFC scout, via Mosley. Erik Williams...Rayfield Wright... Didn't Dallas lose a game at RT last year? Mark Colombo is the worst OT in the entire NFL, and he is holding the offense hostage.
Tony Romo can't keep taking the beat downs that he has received in 2008 and 2010 and last much longer. Tyron Smith is a perfect fit for Felix Jones and the perfect fit for Garrett's vertical passing game. Smith is exceptional in pass protection, and we have not seen him at his very best, yet.
Gabe Carimi- projects to RT only and may be a guard due to his lack of foot quickness; doesn't excel in space; played in a heavy run based offense. Did Wisconsin ever throw the football? He has bust written all over him, imo. His strength comes as an inline run blocker. Teams will not just rush him down the middle. They will exploit his lack of foot quickness on the edge and set him up for bull rushes and inside and outside moves. NFL edge rushers will wear him out after they make him edge conscious. He will need that TE a bunch, and he is best suited for a run heavy team like the Chiefs. Plus, he was listed at 327 at Wisconsin and is listed at 314 now. Is he going to lose his pop as an inline run blocker, because that is his calling card. He's one of the most over rated players that I've ever seen, and he called himself the "best offensive linemen in the draft". In his dreams...Carimi will play at 23 this year.
Derek Sherrod-Played LT and is a natural LT. Will he need to be broken in at RT or OG? If so, he doesn't have Tyron Smith's film or experience at RT. He isn't very physical at the point of attack. He doesn't finish his blocks and lacks a mean streak on the field. He is a finesse player who will be best used on the left side by a team like the Colts. He will play at 22 this year. I like him behind Tyron.
Nate Solder-Big upside as a LT, but he has bust potential. He lacks power and needs to get stronger in order to anchor better. He plays with a narrow base and struggles to get a push in the running game. Solder is prone to getting beat inside. I wonder if he even has a first round grade for the Cowboys. He seems like a player that will struggle at RT until he gets stronger. Solder may not be ready to play his first year, much less start. Plus, he will play at 23 this year. This is the over hyped player. ESPN...
You may not even want an offensive tackle in round one, but the value has aligned with the Cowboys huge need, and time will tell if Dallas will cash in a B.J. Raiji type of value.
If Smith was coming out as a senior, he would be a top 5 pick next year. He didn't play at Mississippi State, Wisconsin, or Colorado. He plays on a stacked USC team.
