Breaking down 5 mock drafts to see who the Cowboys may get
Cowboys Wire (USA Today)
Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa
In this mock draft, the Cowboys traded their 24th overall pick and 56th overall pick (2nd round) to the Ravens for the 14th overall pick.
In recent drafts, the Cowboys have not been afraid to make trades, whether that means to move up or down in the draft. They have done both as recently as last year. In this draft, moving up for a player like Tyler Linderbaum would be a slam dunk.
The last time the Cowboys selected a center in the first round was in 2013 when they took Travis Frederick. Frederick turned into a three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro-Bowler in his six seasons before retiring. The Cowboys have been looking for their next Frederick ever since.
Linderbaum is a can’t miss prospect and by far the best interior lineman in the draft. He would be a day one starter in Dallas, and immediately upgrade the running game and pass blocking.
#Iowa stud center Tyler Linderbaum (#65) not being very nice to the ISU linebacker.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 13, 2021
He’s got that nasty, competitive edge you want. pic.twitter.com/McJcq9NDXI
He is a great athlete, and he is a mauler. There is a nasty streak to his game that all great offensive linemen need. According to Pro Football Focus, his 96.6 run-blocking grade is the best seasonal grade from a Power Five offensive lineman since 2016.
Adding Linderbaum in the first round would be a great pick by the Cowboys, but they more than likely will have to trade up in the draft to acquire him.