Dallas Cowboys 2011 Mock Draft: Breaking Down The Offensive Linemen

Last week we took a look at cornerbacks that will be available at the #9 spot for the Cowboys. This week we'll take a look at offensive linemen who always seem to creep the draft board as the draft approaches,and just like the past few drafts, there could be a lot of linemen going in the first round. 

The Cowboys offensive line had their ups and downs last season, but with four of the five lineman over the age of 30, the Cowboys will need to insert some new blood before it gets too late. 

I'd like to thank Aaron Aloysius of DraftBreakdown.com for the video clips.

Anthony Castonzo

Strengths: 

Castonzo has good size and athletic ability at 6'7 300 lbs. His quick feet allow him to wait until the defender is done faking and commits to a side. He gets out of his stance quick to get on the defender when run blocking. Castanzo also has a long wingspan making it hard for defenders to run around him once he gets set, and he has a great football IQ. He can get downfield and has the hips to change direction to make a block in the open field.

Weaknesses: 

Castonzo needs to improve his lower body strength as he is vulnerable to the bull rush at times. He also doesn't stay low enough consistently which allows fast defenders to use the speed rush on him. Castonzo could use some more flexibility. He probably can't play left tackle at the next level. 

Outlook:

People are saying different things about Castonzo. NFL.com has him at the highest rated lineman and a top ten pick, however other sites say he won't play left tackle at the next level and would be a better fit with a zone blocking scheme. The combine will give us a better look at what Castonzo can do, but for now he would be a quality pick if the Cowboys picked him to play the right side. 

Tape: 

Here's some tape of his game against Robert Quinn of UNC, a high DE pick in this year's draft. 

Nate Solder

Strengths: 

Solder has long arms and great footwork which not only allows him to get his hand on defensive lineman faster, but he can also wait until his opponent is ready to commit before getting his hands on him and moving him away from the play. Solder has excellent quickness which allows him to get off the ball fast and get into the defender in run protection. 

He also does a great job of holding on to defenders once he gets his hands on them. Solder also has great hips so change direction when blocking downfield. He's very durable (played 2,540 out of a possible 2,542 snaps from his sophomore to his senior season according to the Buffaloes website) and has yet to reach his potential.  

Weaknesses: 

His stock slipped during the senior bowl as he was beat in one-on-one drills often in pass protection. Solder will need to add more muscle and weight once he gets into the NFL which could mean he'll have to spend a year on the bench. If he plays, Solder will have trouble against bigger defenders until he adds that weight. Solder also needs to use his hands better in pass protection, he tends to lunge at the defender sometimes and that gets him into trouble. 

Outlook: 

Solder, who spent his 2007 season as a tight end, is a bit raw but the talent and potential is there and everyone knows it. He moves well for a 6'8 guy and his skills will allow him to play either tackle position. If he can overcome a bad senior bowl and have a great combine, he could move himself up the draft board into the top ten, which would make him a great pick for Dallas. Solder and Free could be the bookends of youth movement on the offensive line. 

Tape: 

Here's some action of his game against Missouri this season. 

Gabe Carimi

Strengths: 

At 6'6 and over 300 lbs Carimi has the size to play at the next level and has great strength to add to his frame. He also has good short range speed and a great punch at the point of attack. Carimi was a four year starter at Wisconsin, which is saying a lot and because of his time in the physical Big Ten, he has a mean streak to add to his play. He also has a great work ethic and a ton of heart. 

Weaknesses:

Despite all that's mentioned above Carimi lacks the athleticism needed to play the left tackle at the next level. He also lacks the agility and quick feet to handle speed rushers, which could be an issue in the NFL. He also tends to play with his pads too high sometimes and doesn't have the long arms needed to keep rushes at bay at the point of attack. He's also tends to lunge a bit too often.

Outlook:

Don't let the weaknesses discourage you, Carimi will be a starter at the next level, just not right away. he's a guy who'll be drafted in the late-first round or early-second and will need a year or two to adjust to the NFL game. However when he comes around you will remember why he was picked high in this draft despite what was said about him on draft day. The Cowboys could get him at steal in the late second round if they trade down early in the draft.

Tape:

Here's tape of his game against Cameron Heyward, a potential first round pick.  

Derek Sherrod

Strengths: 

At 6'6, 305lbs, Sherrod has the size to play left tackle. He has great feet, gets off the line well and maintains knee bend and balance throughout a play. He's shown the ability to handle speed rushers and is good at sealing off running lanes.

Sherrod also can be pulled out and moves well in the open field, gets to the second level and consistenly finishes blocks.

Weaknesses:

He lacks strength and tends to lunge at his man at times. He also needs to improve his hand placement as he's been blown out of plays at times because of it. Needs to add lower body strength to drive defenders in the run game. 

Outlook:

Sherrod is a bit underrated because of his lack of strength, but this is a guy who can anchor the left side of a line for the next ten years. Scouts recognize his ability and his potential. He has elite athleticism for a guy as big as he is, he also had the longest arms of anyone (35 1/2 inches) at the senior bowl, two things that will go far in his case. 

Sherrod may lack overall strength, but that can be fixed. A lack of athleticism, agility and speed can't in most cases. Expect Sherrod to go higher than most mock drafts indicate. If the Cowboys took him at nine, people will say that they reached and five years later they'll say it was one of the best moves in the draft. 

Tape:

Here is some tape of a light practice during the senior bowl

Stefan Wisniewski

Strengths: 

Wisniewski has football in his blood as his dad and uncle both played in the NFL. Because of his heritage, he does almost everything right; quick feet, good leverage and bending of the knees.He also shows great strength and can move in space and in the open field. He can play center and guard in a pinch. Has great technique. 

Weaknesses: 

Will need to put on weight and a lot of it. Weighing 305 at the start of the season Wisniewski will have problems inside facing 320+ lbs defensive linemen. Will most likely play center at the next level if he plays guard expect him to spend a couple years on the bench or playing center if someone gets hurt.

Outlook: 

Wisniewski right now is the best interior lineman, but as everyone knows, the tackle is the prom queen of the draft, so he'll have to wait around to the late-first to the late-second round. If he's still around in the third because lineman in general drop to the mid-first round, he'll be a steal if the Cowboys can land him. 

Tape: There is no tape on Wisniewski. 

Tyron Smith

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 11: Tyron Smith #77 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on August 11, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Strengths: 

Smith is an athletic lineman with a long frame, quick feet and superior agility. He has the ability to handle speed rushers and has long arms and quick hands to keep his man at bay. Smith also gets off the ball quickly and keeps his pad level low throughout the play. Smith can also be pulled out into open space and consistently get to  the second level.

Weaknesses: 

At 6'4, 285 Smith needs to add weight and strength at the next level. He's been a starter for just two years and because of his size tends to have a problem with bigger lineman. Struggles to get a push in the run game. Smith's biggest technical flaw is his hand placement, he lets his opponent get into his frame too often. Spent the bulk of his college career playing the right side.

Outlook:

Smith has spent the bulk of his career playing the right side, but will be able to handle the left, especially speed rushers. He played in a zone blocking scheme in college, so if the Cowboys draft him, he'll have to get used to a lot more man-to-man. However they'll have to hope he lasts until the second round which depends on him. 

Right now he's a second round pick, but a solid combine could move him up into the first round. If he is drafted in the first round, expect him to spend a year or two to add weight and to refine his technique a bit more, but once he does watch out cause it'll be hard to get pass him. 

Tape: 

Here's some tape of his game against the University of California this season. 

The End

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 11: Adam Weber #2 of the Denver Broncos at Cowboys Stadium on August 11, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Be sure to comment on how you feel about these guys and if you want me to talk about another lineman leave his name in the comment box and i'll be sure to add him to this article. Next week we'll take a look at the defensive lineman in the draft.