Do Not Draft Prospect: Justin Pugh, Syracuse

As the Draft season gets fully underway with the combine going on this week, I'll be talking about prospects I want Dallas to target.  Along the same lines, there will be prospects I want nothing to do with it for numerous reasons, character, motor, don't fit in the scheme or just players I don't think are good players.

First edition of this segment brings up offensive lineman Justin Pugh from Syracuse.  He has experience having started 4 years after redshirting but the best this guy could be is a backup or practice squad guy in Dallas.

He has the second worst combination for any offensive lineman prospect, very short arms and not very strong. He measured in at the combine with just 32" arm length and he plays like a guy who struggles to keep rushers off his body as well. Then factor in the fact he's not a mauler by any means nor has the leg drive to get a push in the running game.

He does move very well, get the second level often but at best, Pugh projects as a left guard in a zone blocking scheme only. With that said, guards have to play with power throughout the course of a game and Pugh will struggle at the NFL level handling tackles with strength.

As a hardcore Cowboys fan, I can see two reasons why Dallas would have interest in Pugh. One, they like guys with lots of starting experience just like any organization, more experience presents more evidence so scouts can feel better about their analysis of what a player can/can't do. Second, Dallas has had a awful run of developing offensive lineman not named Tyron Smith. They have drafted guys who had obvious flaws in college, never improved at Valley Ranch and then gone.

Their track record at picking offensive lineman is about as bad as it gets so I don't have much faith in them being able to sort out the bad from the good prospects. But I am confident to say that Justin Pugh is one to pass on by on draft day, if he works out with someone else, great and good for him.

Dallas Cowboys Draft Target: Cornellius "Tank" Carradine, Florida State

Cornellius Carradine
Florida State

2013 Combine Measurables:
Height:  6'4"
Weight:  276 lbs
Arm Length: 34 3/4"
Hand Size: 10 1/4"

I've spent most of the day studying Florida State DE Cornellius Carradine, extremely talented but inexperienced pass rusher. He only started one year at Florida State after transferring from a junior college.

He did not start as a junior simply due to the fact that Florida State had two first round prospects ahead of him on the depth chart. He's got the frame, arm length and hand size needed to be a very good NFL rusher. He tore his ACL against Florida during his senior year and will need to be checked medically this week at the combine. That will greatly decide his draft stock but based upon potential and the limited but positive production puts him as a early 2nd round prospect. However teams in the top of round 2 won't want a player who most likely won't be able to help them in year 1 so that could bump him into the middle of round two. Cowboy fans may frown on the pick for the same reason but Bruce Carter worked out pretty well didn't he under similar circumstances?

I think he will be on the Cowboys radar as Carradine has the non stop motor every cowboy drafted under Jason Garrett has to have. Second, obviously he's a need position and a sure fire first round pick had he not gotten hurt. He wore 91 at Florida State and draws favorable comparisons to former Notre Dame player Justin Tuck.

I watched five of his games, best effort was easily vs Duke. Florida State destroyed Duke and Carradine was just a terror all day. The LT for Duke had no business being on the field with him. That game film is not a accurate reflection of Carradine but it show you what he is capable of.


The worst film is probably vs Florida or South Florida. The competition was better vs Florida and USF ran the ball far more right at him. I was surprised how well Carradine holds his own at the POA but he struggles to shed blocks. I was also surprised how well he can get inside a tackle on the rush, shoots the gap and draws a lot of holding calls or inside penetration to force the QB to move out of the pocket.

I noticed he struggles with counter moves, too be expected considering the lack of experience and when he gets tired, he will let blockers get into his body and he is easily contained. He takes poor angles which again I am not surprised about, the effort and athleticism is there. The more football this kid plays, the less of an issue I think that will be and he makes a lot of tackles anyway, that will go up once he reads those angles better.

He is not polished by any means nor is he as talented as Werner at FSU but confident with the effort and tools Carradine has to work with. He may not be a premier pass rusher but profiles to me as a 6-8 sack/yr guy while also being a equally strong defender vs the run on the strongisde in a 4-3.