Cowboys Draft: Let's Get Big In The Middle
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DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - In my efforts to find a good pick in each round, and solve what I see to be a number of problems, I'm basing my second round pick off the idea that Jared Goff went to the Browns at No. 2, the Cowboys decided Carson Wentz at 4 was too high and we got the best linebacker in the draft, Myles Jack. But I want to continue getting better up the middle of this defense. I'm a true believer in the idea that you can't be strong enough physically at DT, MLB and the two safety positions.
I need to put somebody next to Tyrone Crawford that can be a beast to handle, stuff the run and can add pressure in the backfield on any QB. Problem is I'm told the Cowboys do not value the 1-technique as much as some feel they should, which is why Nick Hayden (who plays really hard) has been in the middle. There are some options at free agent, but I still think the Cowboys spend little in free agency and try to build a strong foundation in the draft. The trenches are the best foundation of a football team.
In no particular order, here are some of the players you might like to see the Cowboys linked to at the DT position.
Andrew Billings – Baylor – 6-1 310
I would trade back into the first round for this guy. And if the Alabama DL go early enough he might just might drop to the 20's in the first round. But most likely, he's gone somewhere in the mid to late teens. I'd trade a second and next year's third for him. What's weird is he is listed at 6-1 310. He plays like he's 7-foot 450. The guy spends most of his time in the backfield reeking havoc. He sheds opposing linemen with ease, and has the agility, presence of mind and quick eyes to make stops on running backs trying to find a lane. On one play he forced his way to the quarterback and noticed the running back had the ball, reached back and grabbed him with one arm at the goal line for his second goal-line stop. I like this guy, but if the Cowboys get him in the second round I'm freaking out.
Austin Johnson – Penn State -- 6-4 325
I'm not as high on this guy as others are. He's got the prototype size you want playing this position, and room to grow physically when he gets in an NFL strength program. In watching him play against Ohio State, I very scarcely saw him shed the center or guard who was lined up across from him. He has great initial burst, and draws a number of double teams, but overall power and moves after the burst was lacking. I liked his ability to stand his ground, but sometimes he was washed out of a play and a hole opened up for Ezekiel Elliot to get big gains. Now, this being said, he is playing for the Cowboys coaches during the Senior Bowl, so there may be a little more intimate knowledge here. I still need to see more from him, but maybe he is a good solid pick at 34.
Jarran Reed – Alabama – 6-4 313
I think he has more initial burst than Billings. The way he fires off the line is great, but what he does after is not as dominant. I want to see a guy really control the line, and while he does a good job of that, there really isn't anywhere to run away from anybody against the Alabama defense. Any time you hand the ball off, four guys in the front and one of the top linebackers in the country are waiting as blue chip talent. A lot of times he hits the lineman in front of him and then stands his ground, in this Cowboys defense you want to see a little more chaos in the backfield, while he can slip past a defender from time to time I'd like to see that more frequently. In the two games I watched of his, he was double teamed a lot and when he had one on one he typically won and when a running back tried to chip him it was pretty useless. The deeper they got into the game against Tennessee the more plays he made, which has to do with his strength and size. I like him probably in the first round, but if he was able to slip at 34, scoop him up.
Adolphus Washington – Ohio State – 6-4 290
I seriously think somebody mistyped when they said he weighed 290 lbs. If that is true he might be light in the midsection and arms. Washington has agility, but lacks body control at times. There are times when he gets spun around and ends up laying on the ground, then times when he runs past a running back and is flailing to try to drop back into the line of scrimmage to get him. I saw a Michigan State offensive lineman stop him with one hand on one play and then blast past him on the next play for a sack. One thing I love about him is his long arms, he loves to get his hands up in the air and reminds me of Leon Lett a little with his build and arm length. He's got good vision in the backfield. He has a lot of one on one situations, which seems right because they have Joey Bosa on the line with him. I would like to see him dominate a little more when he only has one man in front of him. Maybe low second or third round, but there are still a ton of players to watch that could push him lower.
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