Where should Dallas draft a NT?

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 18, 2008 3:15 PM CDT Comment 20 comments

I know the Tank will be back blowing things up, but will Jay Ratliff split time at end? He needs to be on the field as much as possible. This leads me to believe that Dallas will draft a nose tackle somewhere between the 3rd and 5th rounds.

NFLDraftCountdown.com mocks the first three rounds and has the Cowboys picking this guy:

Defensive Tackle | Senior | Iowa St. Ahtyba Rubin
Height: 6-23/4 | Weight: 315 | 40-Time: 5.22

Official Bio

Strengths:
Real strong and powerful...Has excellent bulk..Is stout at the point of attack...Can occupy multiple blockers...Has a terrific motor...Decent mobility and range...Does a fantastic job against the run...Really knows how to use his hands...Still improving.

Weaknesses:Offers very little as a pass rusher...Not very quick or explosive...Needs to improve his technique and play with better leverage...Lacks stamina...Short...Was not very productive and didn't make a lot of plays...Only two years of Division I experience.

Notes:
First name is pronounced "ah-TAH-ba"...Spent two years at a JUCO (Trinity Valley C.C.) where he played both defensive and offensive line...An underrated prospect who doesn't get a lot of attention but will most likely be chosen much higher than people think...One-dimensional run-stuffer...May be a prototypical 3-4 nose tackle.

Career Statistics
Year GP TKL TFL SACK
2004 JUCO - - -
2005 JUCO - - -
2006 12 34 4.0 1.0
2007 12 42 4.0 1.5
Totals 24 76 8.0 2.5

What do you think? Anybody else a good deal in the 3rd?

Poll

Where will the Cowboys draft a NT?

2nd Round

1 votes

3rd Round

22 votes

4th Round

16 votes

5th Round

13 votes

6th Round

1 votes

7th Round

1 votes

They won't draft one.

3 votes

57 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I like Red Bryant in the 3rd rd

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 18, 2008 3:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fitting in

He may be a good fit in Wade's scheme.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 18, 2008 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto

Bryant would be a great pick in the 3rd, even if Dallas has to move up a few spots to do it.

Rubin would be my 2nd choice.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003.

by APerfectStar on Apr 18, 2008 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

how can you

have a "terrific motor" yet "lack stamina"

by sublimezg on Apr 18, 2008 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that's

oxymoronic. Guess he's like that kid on Malcolm in the Middle?

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 18, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

To me it means

Won't quit or give up, but doesn't have the ability to keep up his game at the beginning through the end.

I would like Okam if he was in the 5th or Lokey in the seventh.

by Romo9 on Apr 18, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I think it's a comment on his conditioning, which is fixable, rather than his "want to" which usually isn't.

by dunkman on Apr 18, 2008 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like this guy...

2 years division 1 and he's already considered a prospective 3rd rounder? This is the type of guy that can develop into a stud. If he has the terrific motor, he can develop the stamina.

I'm buying.

Tar Heels football will surprise this year.

by DalaiLuke on Apr 18, 2008 4:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I love Frank Okam

He's the biggest defensive player in this entire draft (6'4, 345 at last check). He's explosive, strong, and has no off-the-field problems. He is, however, slow and does not always give maximum effort. Which is why a job backing up Tank at the Nose would be perfect; limited snaps filled with intensity from a player who is a perfect fit for the position.
Plus, he may slide as low as the 5th round.

So busy with this blog that he has no time to update his own. Props to Grizz and co. (i.e. everyone here) :) Embrace Adam Jones! PacMan is history!

by BudLight on Apr 18, 2008 4:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

That guy sounds like a mammoth. I don't remember when Dallas had a guy on the line that big. Is he athletic for his size?

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 18, 2008 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Athletic, yes

Fast, no. Then again, nobody's fast at 345. It's a flaw you accept with that weight. He's more mobile than most of the other sumo wrestler types, though; if things really,really pan out for him he could be Kris Jenkins. Really, really, really effing big- plenty agile.
Or he could be another notable giant Texas NT, Shaun Rogers, whose body of work looks nearly identical.

So busy with this blog that he has no time to update his own. Props to Grizz and co. (i.e. everyone here) :) Embrace Adam Jones! PacMan is history!

by BudLight on Apr 18, 2008 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okam video available on

NFLDraftcountdown.com. It seems that this guy has all the tools necessary to be a dominating tackle, except perhaps the drive.

He can be a big BOOM! or a bust. I'd definitely take my chances on him in the 4th.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 18, 2008 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I would really like...

..is if they drafted a center in the 3rd round.

Centers are rarely taken the first, and not too many go in the 2nd. The Cowboys could very easily take the 5th best center with their 3rd round pick. Whereas the 5th best CB will probably go 1st round, 5th WR in the 2nd, 5th RB in the second, 5th DE in the 2nd, etc.

So, it's seems like a great place for good value. We wouldn't need a starter. But we do need a backup who is capable of shotgun snapping. Maybe Berger can turn into that, but he seems like more of a guard to me.

"It was a 4-yard run taking the scenic route." -Joe Buck on Romo's Run

by GhettoBear04 on Apr 18, 2008 4:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I see your point

We witnessed a real struggle when Gurode went down last season.

by dunkman on Apr 18, 2008 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe another year under Procter's

belt will help him. I don't think he did too bad backing up Gurode, who's gotta get his shotguns down.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 18, 2008 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No centers are worth a 3rd this year

It's considered a weak group of candidates. I'm not real fond of the depth behind Gurode, but I don't see anyone that would beat out Proctor or Berger this year.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003.

by APerfectStar on Apr 18, 2008 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True that.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 18, 2008 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most votes in the 3rd Round!

So far, the majority of you guys think Dallas will draft a NT in the 3rd round. Personally, I don't think they'll draft one until later (like the 5th), but perhaps they'll get a really good player in the 3rd if they've met their other draft needs in the first two rounds.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 18, 2008 6:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Speaking for myself only

I picked 3rd round for Red Bryant only. I think he is one of a couple "must have" guys in this draft for Dallas. If they miss out on him, I don't think Dallas takes a NT in the 3rd, but like you said later on 4th for Rubin, 5th for Okam, then 2 guys they could sign as FA's Henry Smith 6-2.5 310lbs Texas A&M, or Maurice Murray 6-3 334lbs New Mexico St.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003.

by APerfectStar on Apr 18, 2008 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good call Tom..I have the same list...

If Trevor Laws or Pat Sims somehow make it to the late 2nd round.....don't be suprised if we take one of them...Dallas is high on Laws...I personally don't think Bryant will make it to our 3rd round pick #92 ??....Leaving us to take Rubin (3rd) earlier than anticipated..or Okam in the 4th...

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Apr 19, 2008 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs