Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Plain and simple, the Dallas Cowboys reached for center Travis Frederick in the first round. They could have waited until the second round to snag the Wisconsin alumnus, but instead decided to spend the No. 31 pick on their center of the future.
While Frederick was a reach, there’s no denying that he can bring the nasty demeanor to a Cowboys’ offensive line that has become one of the weakest positional groups in the NFL.
Frederick is the typical Wisconsin offensive lineman: tough, aggressiveness and nasty. Using his tenacity and brute strength, Frederick does an outstanding job of blowing defenders off the line and not letting up until the whistle blows. Using his smarts and stout blocking, Frederick consistently finds ways to neutralize defenders and anchor against the pass rush.
Apart from his technique and strength, the aspect of Frederick’s game that allows him to be successful on the football field is his nastiness.
Throughout college, Frederick played with a mean streak that consistently shows up on film. He takes every opportunity to finish his blocks aggressively and often ends plays by planting defenders in the turf. Especially for an interior offensive lineman, Frederick plays with a dirty demeanor that makes opponents questionable about lining up across from him.
“Unfortunately, he has an extreme nastiness,” former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema said on ESPN Radio 103.3. “I had to get on him a few of times. He broke a couple guys’ arms and wrists by throwing them down on the ground and whacking them a little bit after the play, on our own team.”
Assuming he can figure out how to harness that aggressiveness, Frederick will be a huge asset for the Cowboys. His tenacity and ferocious style of play is contagious and should help the Dallas offensive line assert themselves as a force to reckoned with moving forward.
Regardless of the fact that it was a reach, the Cowboys’ offensive line got better with the selection of Frederick. Dallas needed an injection of nastiness to get them out of this slump, and they found it.
It’s one small step in the right direction for Jerry Jones and Co.
Gil Alcaraz IV is a Content Planner/NFL Featured Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GilAlcarazIV, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
