Draft Scout Darren
Boyd
Twitter @DarrenBoyd13
Entry #2 Guards
Despite the Cowboys’ hiring of Monte
Kiffin that may redirect some of their off-season resources toward the defense,
this draft scout will continue to detail draft positions in the order of need
as set down in our Cowboys Autopsy after the end of the regular season. This year’s
guard stock in the NFL Draft is strong to quite strong and warrants some
serious consideration in the first 3 rounds. While Nate Livings proved to be
somewhere between serviceable and adequate, Mackenzy Bernadeau was a drastic
disappointment and needs to be sent to the bench (or the street). Much like the
Mavs regretting the Tyson Chandler decision, the Cowboys may come to rue the Claiborne
trade-up over taking DeCastro and Peter Konz for years to come (as I humbly predicted
on Draft Day). However, all that could be relieved with a rededication to the
O-Line. So let’s see what is available:
1.
Chance
Warmack 6'2 322 Alabama - Dominate!!! It is
very rare that a Guard is considered in the top 10 Range. How rare, the last
Top 5 Guard was John Hanna, also from Alabama, at the 4th pick in 1973 by the
Patriots. You don't have to have a high football IQ to appreciate what Warmack
did to Manti Te'o in the championship game. He has been doing this for 3 years
at Bama. The man is an elite talent. He is a mauler at the point of attack
during the running game. He moves very well in blocking for the pass game. The
only knock I can find is arm length for pass blocking. I'm interested to see
how he will measure at the Combine. Warmack is the best pure Guard prospect I’ve
ever evaluated in my over 20 years of following the Draft. Cowboys would have
to trade up to get him as I’d be shocked if he is not a top 15 pick.
2.
Jonathan
Cooper 6'3 295 UNC - This left guard
caught my eye while watching film on RB Giovani Bernard. He looks very athletic
but sets a good base also. I was impressed with his quickness when pulling. He
gets to the 2nd level in a hurry and has a high football IQ on film. Cowboys
fans would be very happy with his blocking out in space during Demarco Murray
screens. Solidly rated as a 1st round talent
3.
Larry
Warford 6'3 340 Kentucky - He is the
biggest guard of the top tier draft prospects at the position. He is a road
grader at right guard. For a large man, as one would expect, looks very slow on
film when pulling. Of course he looks very strong on tape. I can’t wait to see
his bench and power numbers at the combine. My concern is additional weight
gain at the pro level, can he keep it off and not become an Aaron Gibson.
Playing at a high level in the SEC warrants a mid to late 2nd Round grade for
me.
4.
Alvin
Bailey 6'5 315 Arkansas - He is an early
entry player. Play Right Guard but could see him at Left in the NFL. He is a
large man but moves pretty well for his size. In the NFL, he will need to rely
on his technique more than he does now. He appears to overpower people at the
college level but the pros is a different story. I view him as a late 2 or
early 3 prospect
Here are a few mid to late round
prospects. I take the Bill Parcells approach. He looked for guys from big
programs that were healthy and played a lot. They may not have elite traits but
they were durable and consistent.
Travis Bond 6'6 340 UNC - He is a beast as far as size. He played since
he was a true freshman. Of course with his size, the word plodder comes to
mind. On film he does use his size as an advantage but is slow, thus warrants a
4-5 round pick at right guard.
Omoregie Uzzi 6'3 305 Georgia Tech - Another right guard. He has been
dinged up which goes against my theory but no major injuries. He was first team
all-ACC for whatever that is worth. On film, he has a good base and is a solid
run blocker but pass protection skills need improvement. He is a 4-5 round
grade range
Coming up in our next post will be Offensive Tackles, as the
fate of Doug Free this off-season is in doubt. Until then, send me your draft
questions on twitter and give me a follow! @DarrenBoyd13
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