Jeremy Brevard – USA TODAY Sports
In the Rant Sports 2013 NFL Mock Draft, the Dallas Cowboys have selected guard Jonathan Cooper with the 18th pick overall. Cooper is a 6’2, 311 pound guard of of the University of North Carolina.
He is a very athletic guard who can pull and get to the next level and block linebackers and even defensive backs if needed. He is one of the top offensive linemen in strength. He benched 35 reps at the combine, tied for second most among offensive linemen.
He is ranked by many as a top 10 talent even though it is not often that an offensive guard goes in the top 10 of the NFL draft. If the Cowboys get a chance at Cooper at pick 18 then they would be foolish to not grab him quickly.
Many people will tell you that the Cowboys’ struggles are mostly because of QB Tony Romo’s struggles in big games, but the truth of the matter is that the offensive line allows to much pressure on the quarterback.
Eight of Romo’s 19 interceptions last year came while under pressure, which was the highest number in the league. The run blocking also slacked by only allowing 2.1 yards per carry before first contact and in 2012 was the fifth lowest figure in the league. These two stats are major problems that the Cowboys need to correct as quick as possible if they want Romo to excel the way that the team wants him too and in the way that he can.
Cooper would give the offensive line an extreme immediate boost and would right away become the best lineman on the team. The Cowboys have to get better on the line or we will be singing this same song come next April.
I believe the Cowboys must find a starting offensive lineman in the first round, and maybe in the second or third round as well. Cooper would sure be a great start in round one.
At No. 19, the New York Giants select…
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