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.