Draft Nuggets 2013:
Entry #8
Twitter:
@sportsnarrative
Addressing the
Cowboys Needs:
To quote Norm: “What play do you call when you can’t block
for the run and you can’t block for the pass?” All the talk about who will call
the offensive plays next year may be irrelevant if the questions at offensive
line aren’t addressed this offseason. As we have already examined the need at
the guard position (see the post on 2/6), it is time to look at the right
tackle spot and the fate of Doug Free on this roster.
The Need at Right
Tackle:
Just 2 short seasons ago, the Cowboys gave Doug Free a 4 yr $32
million to be the starting left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys. A hand full of
starts and an impressive hustle play in week 17 two years prior (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKIoj5qazDM)
earned him his first full season as a starter and the former 4th
round pick took advantage. With more hustle than skill, it looked as if Jerry
might have finally hit on a middle-round lineman. But after just 16 games at LT
in 2011, Doug Free had allowed 10 sacks, 33 QB pressures and committed 10
penalties. So Doug Free was sent back to the right tackle spot and second year
tackle Tyron Smith was flipped to left tackle last offseason. But Free fared no
better back on the right side. Last season, Free was the most penalized lineman
in all of football with a whopping 14 penalties and led all linemen in false
starts with 8. Add to that 6 sacks and 42 QB pressures allowed and it’s a
wonder Romo managed to stay upright for all 16 games. And now Free carries a 10
million dollar cap number this year and would cost only 3 million against the
cap this year and next if Dallas waits until June 1st to release. If
Doug Free’s days as a Cowboy are numbered, he must be replaced. Late last
season, Free fell into a rotation with 2nd year player Jeremy
Parnell at right tackle, and the swing tackle held his own. With nice
athleticism, Parnell’s upside makes him a possible contender to start for next
season. But his role as versatile backup would then need to be addressed.
Regardless, the Cowboys must upgrade the talent at the tackle spot this
offseason, either in free agency or the draft.
Free Agency:
The offensive tackle crop in free agency as it currently
stands looks quite promising. A number of quality starters under the age of 30
are available. But as the actual date of free agency approaches on March 12th,
many of these players may be retained by their current squad and thus driving
up the price for the ones left standing. Here’s a look at the top talent on the
board right now:
1.
Jake
Long, Miami Dolphins, Age 28 – Long has regressed the past 2
seasons due to the many injuries he has battled through. Once a premier left
tackle, now the Dolphins may just let him walk but he will certainly find work
and a hefty paycheck.
2.
Sebastian
Vollmer, New England Patriots, Age 29 – One of the best right
tackles in football, I would be shocked if the Patriots let him go. But if the
stingy and prudent Bellichick continues his recent ways, the line forms to the
left for Vollmer.
3.
Andre
Smith, Cincinnati Bengals, Age 26 – Once thought to be a bust,
this former #6 pick overall has developed into one of the best right tackles in
football and is almost certainly going to get slapped with the franchise tag
from Cincinnati.
4.
Ryan
Clady, Denver Broncos, Age 26 – Clady did a phenomenal job
protecting Peyton Manning’s blind side, surrendering only 1 sack all season.
Not much of a run blocker, Clady is still likely to be resigned by the Broncos.
5.
Will
Beatty, New York Giants, Age 28 – Beatty did well at left tackle
for the G-Men last year except for one area: penalties. Lord knows Dallas
doesn’t need any more help in that area!
6.
Phil
Loadholt, Minnesota Vikings, Age 27 – Loadholt was a road grader
for Adrian Peterson this year, but his propensity for penalties is also troubling.
7.
Sam
Baker, Atlanta Falcons, Age 28 – Baker looked like a bust after
back issues derailed his 2011 campaign, but Baker rebounded pretty well last
season. The back is always and tricky thing and could resurface anytime. Pass.
8.
Branden
Albert, Kansas City Chiefs, Age 28 – Albert has been very solid
at both right and left tackle for the Chiefs in his career, when available.
Back issues have plagued his time in the NFL and it’s hard to imagine counting
of him for a full 16 games. Pass.
Analysis:
With most of the top talent likely to re-sign with their
current teams, the competition for the remaining players might get a little too
steep for the Cowboys and their limited salary cap space. Free agency might not
be the way to answer the question at right tackle this offseason, unless you
just get flat lucky.
The Draft:
The offensive tackle class in this year’s draft features
some pretty wide plateaus of talent. As a result, look for a number of players
to get drafted above their talent level based on team’s reaching for need. The
first round could feature as many as 4 tackles taken, with most of the top
talent gone by round 3. Here’s a look at a few of the top prospects:
1.
Luke
Joeckel, Texas A&M, 6’6” 310lbs – It is easily conceivable
the Joeckel becomes the very first name called in the 2013 draft. Joeckel has
all the elements of a franchise left tackle for the next 10 years. There is no
way he gets out of the top 5.
2.
Eric
Fisher, Central Michigan, 6’7” 305lbs – Perhaps no one player
has benefitted more from the post season draft process as Fisher. With two of
the other top prospects returning to school and a dominating performance at the
Senior Bowl, Fisher has vaulted from a late 1st round pick into the
top 10 of this draft.
3.
Lane
Johnson, Oklahoma, 6’6” 302lbs – The second best blocker at the
Senior Bowl, Johnson turned a lot of heads with his agility and skill in pass
protection. In a pass happy league, Johnson should be highly sought after in
the mid 1st round.
4.
DJ
Fluker, Alabama, 6’4” 355lbs – The Alabama right tackle was a
force for that Tide running attack, but deficiencies in his pass blocking have
him a somewhat boom or bust pick. Fluker could go in the late 1st
round or may fall to the late second depending on his workouts at the Combine
this week.
5.
Kyle
Long, Oregon, 6’6” 311lbs – Another from the lineage of HOF
Howie Long, Kyle joins his brother Chris in the NFL after being denied another
year of eligibility in college. A former defensive tackle, Long only played on
offense 1 year at Oregon and is a bit raw. But his athleticism and blood lines
should entice some team in the 2nd round.
6.
Menelik
Watson, Florida St, 6’6” 320lbs – Watson is another exceptional
athlete in need of a bit more coaching. Born in Manchester England, Watson is a
former basketball player at FSU and anchored the Seminole running attack at RT
last year. With quick feet and good strength, Watson looks like a solid swing
tackle prospect that eventually could eventually start at LT.
7.
Brennan
Williams, UNC, 6’7” 315lbs – Williams was having an impressive
senior season blocking for Giovanni Bernard until a torn labrum ended his
college career early. Looks like a great starter at RT in the pros, but medical
issues will probably drive him into the late 2nd to early 3rd
round range.
8.
Chris
Faulk, LSU, 6’6” 325lbs – After suffering a season ending ACL
tear in practice 1 game into this year, Faulk was one of the more surprising
juniors to declare himself eligible for the draft. Faulk acquitted himself well
at LT for the Tigers prior to the injury, but the medical issues could push
Faulk’s stock into the 3rd round of the draft.
Analysis:
Joeckel and Fisher are certainly out of the range of the
Cowboys at 18, and it is possible Johnson is already off the board as well.
Fluker is intriguing, but too many question marks make him a reach at 18. The 2nd
round is full of athletic prospects in need of either coaching or medical
clearance. Given the Cowboys success with drafting injured players in the 2nd
round (Sean Lee and Bruce Carter) Dallas could attempt to duplicate that with
either Williams or Faulk, especially if they slip to them in the 3rd
round. After this plateau of talent, the pickings at tackle get pretty slim and
it seems unlikely to find immediate help beyond that point.
Norm’s Take:
Dallas may be reluctant to admit that the Free contract
looks like a bust. But this team cannot afford the kind of shoddy work he’s
turned in the last two seasons. They might, however, talk themselves into believing
they can resurrect him and use their money on their many other holes. This is a
huge decision and if they are wrong Romo pays for it again.
No comments:
Post a Comment