Cowboys leave two key first-round prospects off 30 visitors list
Under a month away from the 2022 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys' "30 visits" are already known. Well, not really. In fact, it's only 28 visits that have been scheduled, as the team is likely saving a couple of slots "just in case." The list, as reported by The Athletic's Jon Machota, includes several first-round prospects at […]
Under a month away from the 2022 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys' "30 visits" are already known. Well, not really. In fact, it's only 28 visits that have been scheduled, as the team is likely saving a couple of slots "just in case."
The list, as reported by The Athletic's Jon Machota, includes several first-round prospects at positions of need the Cowboys could address with the 24th overall pick. But just as it's interesting to see who's on the list, looking at who's off of it can be just as insightful.
Sure, not being on the list doesn't necessarily mean a team won't draft a prospect. Nevertheless, since 2012 all of the Cowboys' first-round draft picks but two (Morris Claiborne and CeeDee Lamb) have been on the 30 visits list.
Without further ado, let's look at the two biggest "snubs" from this year's invitees and the common factor between them.
OL Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
It's no secret that the Cowboys must seek offensive line help early in the Draft. Both the pre-draft visitors and the front office's transparent comments reflect that. Top-ranked offensive guards Zion Johnson (Boston College) and Kenyon Green (Texas A&M) are set to visit Dallas.
A couple of offensive tackles that could be drafted in the first round are also on the list in Charles Cross (Mississippi State) and Bernhard Raimann (Central Michigan). Even with Tyron Smith and Terence Steele expected to start, the Cowboys could solve depth and long-term concerns by drafting an OT early.
And yet, Tyler Linderbaum, the consensus top center in the class is absent from the list.
Although this could mean a lot, the lack of the Iowa prospect on the list certainly jumps out (or doesn't) of the page. An elite run-blocker and highly athletic offensive lineman, some are concerned about Linderbaum's measurements.
The Cowboys' front office has always put a lot of weight on a player's measurements. It's only fair to wonder if Linderbaum's unimpressive numbers are enough for them to pass on one at #24.
LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia
Last week, Mike McCarthy indicated Micah Parsons would remain a chess piece for Dan Quinn's defense instead of moving to edge rusher full-time. Although unsurprising, that essentially confirms that one of the biggest needs for the Cowboys lies at linebacker.
Among the linebackers that will be checking The Star out are several players that Dallas could look at early. Devin Lloyd (Utah) and Quay Walker (Georgia) could be there at #24. But it's the other Georgia LB that was left off the list.
It's no secret that Quinn likes tall linebackers, a box that Dean will not be able to check. At 5'11, Dean's height ranks in the 5th percentile of linebackers, per MockDraftable. Lloyd and Walker rank in the 71st and 91st percentiles respectively.
Now granted, there's no rule that says that just because you're not one of the team's 30 visits you can't be drafted in the first round. There are exceptions. There could be a lot of reasons why the Cowboys decided not to include them.
But recent team history suggests pre-draft visitors are the norm for first-rounders in Dallas. And I'd be surprised if, provided they're still on the board, either's name is announced by Roger Goodell when the Cowboys are on the clock on April 28th.
For more takeaways on the Cowboys' pre-draft 30 visits, check out Sunday's episode of my nightly show A to Z Sports Dallas Primetime!
Featured image via Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
