The Christian Parker honeymoon is still chugging along. For the first time in years, Dallas Cowboys fans feel they have a defensive coordinator who can build a sustainable foundation.
No honeymoon lasts forever, though. At some point, Parker will be worthy of criticism, and that may come as soon as the NFL Draft.
Despite being a first-time DC, Parker will reportedly have a major say in what the Cowboys do at picks No. 12 and 20 on Thursday night. It's exciting to finally have a teacher and talent evaluator leading the defense, but that doesn’t mean fans will agree with all of his convictions.
During a podcast with Jeff Cavanaugh of All-City DLLS, former Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus unearthed some prospects that Dallas has "eliminated" from its draft board. The list included Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (4:20 mark of the video).
"When you talk to people in the organization, there’s an understanding of – and Cashius Howell has the same problem – and it’s the physical limitations of the arms. I do not think they want to bet against history.Â
... I think they've eliminated [Jermod] McCoy, I think they've eliminated Bain because of the arms. I think they've eliminated Howell for his arms. And I think they've eliminated [Akheem] Mesidor due to his age."
Dallas Cowboys fans will not be happy if the team passes on Rueben Bain Jr.
Bain's 30 7/8-inch arms are a historic outlier for an edge rusher. For better or worse, many teams simply won’t bet against history, and they have a leg to stand on. There aren’t many players with Bain’s measurables who’ve consistently posted double-digit sacks in the pros.
It's a valid concern, but Bain is an outlier worth betting on. His short arms haven't deterred him to this point, and while the NFL will be a leg up in competition, he's got the build and physicality to combat his limitations.
Defensive ends with shorter arms have to be dense and compact in both weight and frame. At 6-2 and 260 pounds, Bain fits that mold, and he has the requisite power to win even when opposing tackles land first contact with their longer reach.
And despite his dense build, the former Hurricane is as bendy as any edge rusher in the class. He can win in a variety of ways, as evidenced by his 67 pressures, 9.5 sacks, and 22.9 percent pass-rush win rate, per PFF.
The Cowboys would be lucky if Bain fell to them at 12. They need more juice off the edge, and Bain has as high a floor as any defender who'll hear their name called on Thursday. Broaddus’ reporting suggests they’d pass on him, though, and that could blow up if Bain becomes the stud many expect.
If Parker has the final say -- or is driving the anti-Bain bus -- and Dallas passes on Bain, the honeymoon will end in real time.
Add us as a preferred source on Google