Dallas Cowboys should not fear Orlando Brown

The Dallas Cowboys should stay interested in Orlando Brown as a future offensive lineman despite a terrible performance at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Dallas Cowboys were as busy as anybody at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, but I’m sure they noticed what everyone else did regarding Oklahoma Sooners offensive tackle Orlando Brown.

Okay, you’ve likely heard about the numbers and I’m not going to recount those numbers here, but you can fish through this to learn more if you’re out of the loop on this.

Now, I’m not sure exactly what anybody expects to see from a massive offensive lineman like Brown at the ‘Underwear Olympics.’ Standing 6’8” and weighing in at 360 pounds, Brown isn’t exactly the guy who’s going to turn in anything resembling an impressive 40-yard dash – or any other stat which involves quickness or speed.

Having said that, I’ll agree that Brown should have been able to do more than 14 paltry reps on the bench press. By comparison, Stanford defensive tackle Harrison Phillips pushed an astounding 42 reps of 225 pounds – Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea was right behind him with 41.

All things considered, let me point out that I’m not campaigning for Orlando Brown with the 19th-overall selection or above. In fact, I don’t love the idea of Brown as the first player selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2018 NFL Draft next month.

But what about in the second round?

That’s likely where Brown has fallen to as a result of his combine numbers, which might work out just fine.

In Dallas, Orlando Brown would obviously never play left tackle ahead of Tyron Smith. In fact, he wouldn’t even succeed Smith in the event that the Cowboys part ways with their Pro Bowl blocker sooner than later.

But as a right tackle, Brown might be just right.

Or, what if the Cowboys left La’el Collins at right tackle, which is the expected outcome at this point, and simply moved the massive Sooners star inside to left guard. This would give the Cowboys three offensive tackles who can play, something the team failed to acquire last season.

You telling me that having what will probably end up being 340 pounds of blocking mass between Smith and center Travis Frederick doesn’t sound interesting?

Sometimes the film tells the story when it comes to evaluating talent at the college level. Brown did too much at Oklahoma, which includes helping to launch 2017 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield into the first round of the coming draft. The Sooners led the nation in passing with 5065 yards and Brown’s pass protection was a part of that.

Next: Cowboys 2018 Post-Combine 7 Round Mock Draft 2.0

It’s rare having a guy the size of Brown lining up in your offense. I’m aware that physique isn’t everything in the NFL – but low combine numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt as well.