Header Ads

cowboys

Brandon Coleman compares favorably to Tyler Smith, could be Cowboys next versatile OT/G

April 15, 2024
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 02 Colorado at TCU
Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Brandon Coleman is a name to know.

A couple years ago the Dallas Cowboys selected Tyler Smith with the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The selection at the time was highly criticized, but now the opposite rings true. In two short years Smith has proven without a shadow of a doubt he can play left tackle or guard at a high level.

Tyler Smith's versatility has prompted many to question where his future lies, guard or tackle? After performing at a Pro Bowl level in 2023, the Cowboys brass seem reluctant to move him back to left tackle to replace Tyron Smith, however, that door hasn't been shut either.

With the 2024 NFL Draft now just a little over a week away, the answer as to where Tyler Smith will end up playing will likely depend on how things turn out for the Cowboys. Will they draft an interior offensive lineman and kick Smith back outside or select a tackle allowing him to remain at guard?

What if the Dallas Cowboys were able to kill two birds with one stone? What if they could come away with another player eerily similar to Tyler Smith in just about every way? The same kind of size, length, agility, and position flex. Would you be on board with that?

Well, there just so happens to be such a player in this year's draft class. Let me introduce you to former TCU OT/G Brandon Coleman, a local product the Dallas Cowboys should be pretty familiar with. He compares favorably to Tyler Smith according to both players relative athletic scores (RAS) and as described by The Athletic's draft analyst Dane Brugler.

Tyler Smith

Per Dane Brugler:

Smith is incredibly raw, but he has the play strength and physical traits to get significantly better with technical and mental development. There is a sizable gap between where he is now and his ceiling as a potential NFL starter and will require a patient coaching staff ready for a project.

Tyler Smith was Dane Brugler's sixth-ranked offensive tackle prospect back in 2022 and came in 50th overall in his Top 100 rankings. He gave him a second-round grade at the time, and as we know now, Smith ended up getting selected 24th overall in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys.

Brandon Coleman

Per Dane Brugler:

Coleman needs to improve his technical consistency, but his ease of movement, spatial awareness and length are building blocks that offensive line coaches covet. He has the traits to stay outside at tackle while also offering position flexibility at guard.

Brandon Coleman comes in as the 66th ranked overall player in Dane Brugler's draft guide this year and is projected to be selected in the second-third round range. Coleman is also his ninth overall tackle prospect in the 2024 draft class.

Brandon Coleman compares favorably to Tyler Smith. From their height/weight, hand size, length, and testing numbers they look to be pretty close to a mirror image of one another. Considering that, he could be someone to keep an eye on for the Cowboys in the second round with the 56th overall pick.

Now, that doesn't necessarily mean Coleman will end up having the same type of success Smith has had in his first two years in the league, but it doesn't really rule it out either. If anything, it hints to the type of player Coleman could become if he's willing to put in the work with better coaching at the next level.

As far as the Cowboys are concerned, a player with Coleman's position flex and athleticism seems to fit what they are looking for to help upgrade their offensive line. If drafted, with him and Smith both in the fold, they'd have two versatile players capable of playing LG or LT. That could prove to be invaluable at some point down the road.


Post a Comment

No comments

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )