Cowboys 2011 Draft RD1

Cowboys 2011 Draft Round 1

Cowboys fans can stop holding their breath. The first round has come and gone  and I think it’s safe to say that at least Jerry Jones didn’t fuck this up. With the # 9 pick the Cowboys took USC tackle Tyron Smith. Jerry Jones is never to be fully trusted with drafts ( in 2009 he drafted back up players who no longer are on the roster) He likes to make sexy picks and often doesn’t address team needs. I was dreading the idea that Jerry would trade the Cowboys #9 pick when they need ready to play talent so desperately.

The Cowboys have a glaring need at O-Line and they did the prudent thing by addressing it. Smith is the top rated offensive lineman in the draft. He is a physical presence with tremendous athleticism who, hypothetically, should be an instant upgrade over the aging and injury-riddled Marc Colombo. He is, however, a risky pick. I thought that Costanzo from BC would have been a safer pick but not quite as sexy or promising. Smith might have a bit of a learning curve that he will have to hurdle at a greater speed than is probably suited for him. He needs to bulk up and keep his athleticism and I think he is a bit of a “project” pick. He could either be a great pick or a great bust.

Many of the experts (i.e. Kiper & McShay) project Smith to eventually be a left tackle. When you are the # 1 O-Lineman in the draft that would seem to hold water, so my concern is the fact that he was a right tackle in college. The best offensive lineman should be on the left side. However, this actually works into the Cowboys favor. Doug Free was excellent at left tackle last season and will be solid there again. This will give time for Smith to adjust to the NFL at the “easier” right tackle position. Free is a natural right tackle so once Smith has adjusted to the NFL after a season or two, one could potentially foresee the Cowboys having the two switch sides and have two of the best outside protectors in the league.

Tony Romo has to be excited because the offensive line was the Achilles heel of an otherwise extremely talented offense. The running game will benefit from this because Smith will be able to get to the second level much quicker than Colombo and the passing game will open up because Romo should have more time to sit in the pocket and pick apart defenses. With the biggest hole on the O-Line now addressed, the Cowboys must now turn their attention to a defense in need of a mini overhaul starting with the secondary. It will be interesting to see where they go with their 2^nd round pick .