Cowboys 2012 Draft Prospects: Georgia OG-OT Cordy Glenn

Our look at the Cowboys' offensive line draft targets continues with Georgia's Cordy Glenn. Glenn has started for the Bulldogs since his freshman year, at a variety of positions on the O-line, including 28 at left guard, 18 at left tackle and four at right guard (there was even talk about trying him on the defensive line). Glenn went on to tie a school record with 50 total starts, and finished up his senior year as the team's left tackle. He played well enough to garner multiple first Team All-SEC honors and was elected one of team's offensive captains.

Glenn is a huge (6'6", 345 pound) man, who obliterates defenders on the run and uses 36-inch arms to engulf rival pass rushers. With his help, Georgia finished third in the SEC with an average of 413 yards of offense per game. Although Glenn appears most natural at guard on tape, the Georgia coaches, liking his size and experience, played him at left tackle last season. Perhaps due to his height--he's tall for a guard--he stayed at tackle in the Senior Bowl, where he acquitted himself very well, in both workouts and the game itself.

Glenn's positive Senior Bowl showing was followed up by a superb Combine, wherein he peeled off a 4.96 40-yard dash, including a 1.76 10-yard split, both ridiculously fast for a man his size. Moreover, he benched 225 pounds 31 times, a phenomenal total given his arm length. Here is some video of Glenn's footwork at the Combine. Want more? Here's a long selection from the LSU game; his work against Boise State; and Michigan State, for good measure.

So, the Georgia man-mountain is an NFL tackle, yes? Not so fast; the downside is that Glenn's lack of an explosive first step (exemplified by a 23.5-inch vertical jump, the third-worst Combine mark), which would cause him to struggle mightily against NFL edge rushers, almost certainly relegates him to guard at the NFL level. Glenn has the feet to succeed at guard; while he's no dancing bear, he exhibits decent footwork, and the mobility to get to the second level to seal off defenders.

See what the top scouts have to say about Glenn's game after the jump...

National Football Post (Wes Bunting): 2nd-rated OG; 13th overall

A thick lineman who isn't a real natural bender sitting into his stance as an OT. Struggles to keep his base down, doubles over at the waist and pops upright initially off the ball in the run game. Struggles to create leverage for himself consistently at the point. However, is so strong, can work his legs through contact and create a push. Is pretty rangy when asked to pull and get out to the second level for his size and exhibits some natural body control and can breakdown on contact. But again, his pad level gets high and he simply just engulfs at the point, doesn't drive his legs or the defender through contact. Displays above-average body control when engaged and despite lacking ideal awareness and routinely getting off the ball late, he has the length and power to get his hands into defenders and seal/turn them from the play in the run game.

Displays good initial quickness in pass protection and is natrual when asked to shuffle and slide. Again, bends at the waist, but keeps his hands up protecting his chest and maximizing his length into contact. Demonstrates the lateral ability to slide his feet cleanly and keep the inside of the pocket clean. But, he does get upright and overextended with his footwork, relying on his length and natural power to anchor. Will struggle with balance through contact and doesn't have elite range in the pass game, but plays well in tight areas and when he gets his hands on you it is tough to disengage from.

Impression: Had had some struggles in space as a tackle prospect, but in tighter areas where he can get his hands on linemen quickly as a guard he showcases the ability to dominate. Looks like a starting caliber OG early in his NFL career.

Draftek (Long Ball): 2nd-rated OG; 29th overall

Cordy Glenn has started 36 games at left guard, right guard and left tackle, but tops that versatility with surprising athleticism for a man his size. However, at his size, he may struggle with the speed rushers of the NFL and may project better as a right tackle or guard.

As a pass-blocker, Glenn is smooth out of his stance and waits for the defender to come to him. He easily controls his college opponents with his long arms and exhibits good balance and lateral agility to mirror the defender. Opponents can rarely get past him and has an excellent anchor so bull rushes are futile. Glenn can get a bit lazy with his hand placement, making him vulnerable to swim moves.

Glenn utilizes his size and strength as a drive blocker in the running game, as long as he stays with his fundamentals and not play too high or being late off the snap. Although he can miss with his initial punch and fail to push back his target, more often then not, he shows good hand placement and the leg drive to clear a hole. Glenn gets to the second level with good quickness, demonstrating ability to adjust his path to locate and attack his target. Exhibits quickness and fluidity when pulling from left guard to lead on the toss and counter.

Compares to (Current NFL Player): Mike Iupati

Pro Football Weekly (Nolan Nawrocki): 2nd-rated OG; 14th overall

Positives: Extremely long arms with a rare combination of size, length and agility—has exceptional movement skill for a near-350-pounder and carries his weight very well. Can shuffle, slide and make the game look easy. Outstanding stopping power—is nearly immovable and seldom inverts. Has a strong punch and can engulf defenders when he gets his hands on them. Is very light on his feet, can pull and trap and erase linebackers. Has the sheer mass to dominate when he wants to.

Negatives: Struggles to unlock hi hips (even more glaring in Combine drills) and adjust to quicker blockers who can get underneath his pads (see Boise State). Tends to play tall and does not use the power and explosion in his body. Lacks lower-body strength. Will coast on his natural talent and play down to his level of competition. Has a soft temperament and does not play with a lot of urgency or breathe fire. Is a naïve follower and lacks great work habits—not a self starter. Weight has tended to fluctuate and balloon (though he was asked to bulk up as a senior).

Summary: Initially struggled adapting to the OLT position during the first half of senior season. But really acclimated when he returned to better playing shape and showed very well in the Senior Bowl. Can survive on the left side in the pros if he sheds some weight and drops to 330 pounds, but at worst, has proven he can be a Pro-Bowl-caliber guard and has the power to play on the right side. Versatility is a big plus that could drive up his value into a top-20 pick. Is both quick and powerful and can mash in the run game and seal the edges. Ability to plug into any type of scheme will enhance his value.

ESPN/ Scouts, Inc. (Gary Horton): 3rd-rated OT; 21st overall

Pass Protection: Tall, wide OL with long arms, a powerful punch and surprisingly good mobility for his size. The only times we saw him get in trouble as an OG in pass pro is when he started to lean and get his helmet out over his feet. But when he stays balanced he rarely loses inside (kept Auburn DT Nick Fairley quiet during their handful of one-on-one's in 2010). Still a work in progress at LOT. Waist-bending and head-dipping led to even more problems on the perimeter. He also gets lazy at times with his first step and needs to show more consistent focus on snap of ball. However, his overall comfort level improved greatly with more game reps in 2011 and he has the tools to succeed in perimeter pass pro. Shows quick feet and can shut off the edge when he gets out of stance on time. He does a nice job of locking out his arms and sustaining. Shows ability to sink his hips and re-set if pads get too high after initial contact. Has little trouble anchoring versus bull rushers.

Run Blocking: Massive wide-body OL with natural strength to dominate in tight quarters. Shows very good initial pop. Does a nice job with his first step and almost always is in solid initial positioning. Play a bit high at times and will fail to keep his feet moving occasionally after initial contact. But he is country strong and can finish a defender if he wants to. Has strong hands and upper body to steer defenders once locked on, and he keeps his legs driving while engaged. Works hard to get out on pulls and second-level blocks. Lacks great body control in space but typically reaches second-level on time and has the wingspan to at least make solid contact. Dominant run blocker at OG but with more space to worry about on the perimeter he was more hesitant and fell off more blocks in 2011."

Awareness: Displays above average overall awareness. Keeps his head on a swivel in pass pro. Know his assignments. Works inside-out when uncovered and shows good discipline. Gives his OC and OT a lot of help in pass pro. Does a nice job handing off defenders before peeling off to his next assignment. Shows good natural instincts when dealing with delayed action (blitzes, stunts, twists, etc). "

Toughness: Flashed more of a mean streak in 2010 than he did in 2011. Won't lose many phone booth battles but would like to see more 'nasty' from him. Frustrating to watch him flip the switch on and off.

Intangibles: Has shown versatility playing both guard positions and left tackle during his career. Puts in time in the weight room and has improved his strength each year. No off the field issues to our knowledge. However, there are concerns expressed by NFL teams regarding his motivation level and inconsistent effort. Will he stay motivated once he's cashing a big paycheck?

This selection of scouting reports is unanimous concerning Glenn: he's the second best guard in the draft, behind only Stanford's David DeCastro. Moreover, they concur that he's a solid first-round talent, with a range between the thirteenth and 29th best player. The wild card, then, is whether (and what) teams might consider him a tackle. Given that, after Matt Kalil, this year's tackle class is a bit tepid, some organization with a need at tackle might take an early flier on Glenn--a possibility that probably serves to push his stock up a bit.

Had the Cowboys, led by Jason Garrett, not updated their offensive line profiles last offseason, with wide-bodied, comparatively ponderous types giving way to guys more adept and pulling and getting to the second level, I might have more faith that the top-heavy, bandy-legged Glenn could be a viable first-round choice for the Cowboys. But Glenn seems built for the old O-line profile. Furthermore, he doesn't seem to adhere overly closely to Garrett's definition of an RKG; while he's certainly not a thug or a knucklehead, he's not been the most tireless of workers.

Given all of these factors, I'm not looking at him as a candidate at # 14; instead, I'll slot him as a candidate later in the round, should Dallas trade back, or in the second, if he's still on the board then.

Next up: Midwestern State OG Amini Silatolu