Tyron Smith, OT, USC. [Full profile]
Smith, considered by most to be the offensive tackle who will come off the board first in the 2011 NFL Draft, has been the consensus choice for the Dallas Cowboys by most draft analysts for several weeks now.
As the draft approaches and the rumor mill swirls there is talk that the Cowboys might try to sign a veteran tackle in free agency. There is also talk that Dallas is willing to trade out of this pick and move down. Trading down is a possibility, but in our mock scenario we are not allowing trades. Thus, Dallas stays at No. 9 and we stay with the chalk pick, USC’s Smith.
Smith is a raw 20-year-old who played on the right side at USC, but is considered to have left tackle skills and athleticism, and though to have the most upside of any tackle in the draft. Dallas, or any team that takes him, might not reap immediate dividends. Smith, though, could well be worth waiting for.