Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The problems along the Dallas Cowboys offensive line have been well documented this offseason. You can’t turn on the computer and go a day without seeing how the Cowboys can improve their offensive line play. I’m just as guilty as the next person but it’s only because the need for improvement is so dang gone obvious (that’s my inner Jerry Jones talking).
When looking at ways to upgrade the offensive line for the Cowboys, the draft is a big way for them to improve the talent. Early in the draft process Dallas appeared to have gotten lucky in the 2013 NFL Draft because there are plenty of elite prospects along the offensive line, especially at the guard position. However, now that we’re only a week away from the draft, it appears that while the 2013 Draft is long on depth, it’s short on elite prospects and that is likely to hurt the Cowboys.
The consensus is that there are eight elite prospects and unfortunately for the Cowboys, five of them are offensive linemen. Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher, Lane Johnson, Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper are thought to be among the best players in the 2013 NFL Draft class. That’s the problem according to Dallascowboys.com scout Bryan Broaddus, who says the Cowboys will be out in the cold when it comes to drafting any of them.
“I just don’t see enough quarterbacks and wide receivers and running backs, enough skill guys to go early enough on the board to drive some of those skill guys down. I think when we’re talking about these offensive linemen, Lane Johnson being the third tackle. He very well could go in the top 8, maybe even to San Diego at 11. To me, there’s too many teams that covet these types of guys.”
The types he was referring to were offensive linemen. The bottom line for Cowboys fans is there just isn’t enough talent at other positions to have teams bypassing the stud offensive linemen. Even the guard position, usually ignored in the first round, will likely see its top two prospects be drafted before the Cowboys pick at 18.
Dallas has plenty of other needs and the NFL Draft is filled with other quality offensive linemen but it looks like they are out of the mix for one of the elite prospects.
Ben is a Cowboys write for www.Rantsports.com and you can chat with or follow him on twitter @BenGrimaldi
