COWBOYS PICK POLARIZING PROSPECT IN FINAL ESPN MOCK DRAFT

Few nicknames across the football world are as fitting as the Dallas Cowboys and “America’s Team.”

The Cowboys aren’t just America’s Team because of their string of Super Bowls or their place in American culture. They are as polarized as we are. The most loved, the most hated, and perpetually the leading story across the national media.

It only makes sense for Dallas to operate in such a polarizing manner. From larger-than-life stars to criminal records to messes of their own making, the Cowboys have never shied away from the spotlight. This offseason was no different, even without a star signing to show for it.

After deciding not to make a splash signing – just two minor contracts handed out to external free agents – Dallas seemed content with letting contributors like left tackle Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz walk. The noise has only grown louder as America’s Team sat on its hand as potential signings passed it by.

Thursday’s NFL Draft will give the Cowboys a chance to rectify those mistakes.

Making the most out of a lost offseason means finding blue-chip talent in Round 1. At No. 24, that isn’t the easiest task imaginable. However, in a class stocked to the brim with offensive line and receiver talent – two of Dallas’ biggest needs – the chance to land an impact player is legitimate.

In ESPN’s recent first-round mock draft, the Cowboys roll the dice on a prospect almost as polarizing as they are: Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims.

“Trying to ascertain what the Cowboys will do in Round 1 has been impossible this year thanks to their sheer number of needs,” Matt Miller wrote. “But Dallas has always been built through the offensive line, dating back to the glory days of the 1990s. I expect that same priority to show up on Thursday night, especially since Tyron Smith is now with the Jets.

“Mims started just eight games in college, but his length, power and movement ability are high-end traits. He played right tackle in college, but I see the agility to play on either side of the line.”

Mims’ inexperience has earned him the “raw” label, but his fans will counter that he didn’t look inexperienced at all, regardless of how many snaps he played. The film is legitimately good, and those traits Miller mentioned are strong reasons to buy in.

Further, Mims ran a 5.07-second 40-yard dash at 6-7, 340 pounds – an unquestionably encouraging mark. Mims is a mammoth of a man and an exceptional mover for his size, without the technical woes of linemen with similar experience.

However, Mims played eight games for several reasons, one of which is a questionable bill of health. He battled ankle injuries in college and a hamstring ailment at the NFL Combine.

This combines to the risk Mims likely faces by switching to left tackle. It’s both a safer proposition than skeptics claim and far from a guarantee of success.

Ultimately, Mims is a swing for the fences at a high-value position that just lost a future Hall of Famer. Fans can justifiably be concerned with his risk factors, but with good film, size, and athleticism, it’s hard to find a better bet this late in Round 1.

2024-04-24T21:17:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd