Dallas Cowboys Potential Draft Pick in 2011: Ben Ijalana, OT/OG, Villanova
Everybody and their brother knows the Cowboys need a new starting right tackle. ย The 63 percent overall grade I gave Marc Colombo in myย 2010 Offensive Line Gradesย was the worst I ever gave a player. ย Colombo yielded a ridiculous nine sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and 40 pressures in 2010.
What I havenโt discussed much this offseason is the Cowboysโ need for a guard (or two) of the future. ย Although I gave Kyle Kosier the highest grade of any offensive lineman (86.2 percent) and Iโm not as low on Leonard Davis as most, both players are aging. ย There are rumors that Davis could get released this offseason. ย That would be a mistake, in my opinion, but it isnโt like Davis is a Pro Bowl-type player anymore either.
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In myย Combine Previewย article, I suggested you watch Villanova OT/OG Ben Ijalanaโs position drills this weekend. ย Ijalana was a left tackle at Villanova, but some view him as a potential guard in the NFL. ย A player with such versatility would be quite a luxury for the โBoys.
Scouting Report
You arenโt going to find bad tape on Ijalana. ย He simply dominated everyone he faced while at โNova. ย That is to be expected from a potential first-round pick from a Division 1-AA school, but Ijalanaย reallyย dominated people.
In the running game, Ijalana is powerful enough to drive people off of the ball, but quick enough to get to the second level. ย He excels on all types of runs, from powers to counters. ย His balance and explosion off of the ball are both superb, andย Ijalana never stops moving his feet upon contact.
In pass protection, Ijalana utilizes his above-average quickness and excellent footwork to protect the quarterback. ย His overall technique isnโt perfect due to lack of elite competition (he could get away with some things that wonโt fly in the NFL). ย He sometimes stands too upright and doesnโt always use proper hand placement, but it isnโt as if his technique is completely sloppy either.
Some people believe Ijalana is โtoo smallโ to stay at tackle, which I think is a joke. ย Heโs 6โ4โ, 320 pounds. ย If Tyron Smith is moving up into top-10 consideration (which I believe is warranted) at 307 pounds (his Combine weight today), Ijalana has plenty of size.
In my view, Ijalana can play every offensive line position except center. ย He could immediately start at right tackle in Dallas because heโs an incredible drive blocker. ย The concerns about his pass protection would be minimized on the right side (as compared to left tackle).
Projection
As we all know, Ijalana didnโt face elite competition at Villanova. ย I see that as a positive for whichever team scoops him up. ย On my current Big Board (which I hope to publish soon), I have Ijalana as a top-15 prospect. ย Heโs my second-rated offensive lineman behind Tyron Smith.
The fact that Ijalanaโs level of competition was suspect simply creates a situation in which great value can be gained from his selection. ย If Ijalana went to, say, USC, heโd be a top-15 pick.
As it stands now, I think Ijalana will still get selected in the first-round. ย Heโs too talented and versatile to slip much further, so I donโt envision the Cowboys being able to grab him in round two. ย Heโs in that โgray areaโ where a trade down from the teamโs first pick and a trade up from their second pick both seem too far to maneuver.
Still, I would be thrilled if the Cowboys could move back even a few spots in the first round and select Ijalana. ย Even though I have Tryon Smith rated slightly higher, Iโd prefer Ijalana and an extra mid-round selection over Smith alone.
Other Potential Dallas Cowboys Draft Picks in 2011
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