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Persons of Interest

November 10, 2008

Two guys to watch, as I’m sure Dallas is watching them:

B.J. Raji and Ron Brace, defensive tackles, Boston College

The Eagles have the two biggest DTs in this year’s crop.  They’re the only two who top 310 lbs.  Both list at 323 lbs. and either could be a needed fireplug to play on the nose and draw double teams.

The Eagles alternate an over and undershifting 4-3 with a 3-3 package.  Raji is the squattier of the two, at 6′1″, 323, but he always plays the under in the 4-3.  He’s got a massive lower body, with great power and a nifty spin move on his rushes.  He’s rated in the top half of the 2nd round right now and while a wave of early-entry juniors could push him down, defensive tackles rise.  He may be too good for Dallas’ reach.

Brace plays the nose in both B.C. schemes and he “passes the eyeball test,” as the late draft guru Joel Buchsbaum used to say.  Like Raji, he’s got a thick lower body and a low center of gravity.  He’s quick, has a strong punchout and can walk guards back to the quarterback when he’s one-on-one.  He plays in a one-gap scheme but he holds his ground very well when double-teamed.  B.C. calls a lot of zone blitzes and Brace drops into shallow coverage a lot.  Against Notre Dame, he shadowed running backs a couple of times and didn’t look lost in space.

That said, he’s a space eater, and that’s one type of player the Cowboys need.   He’s rated in the 3rd to 4th round in the early mocks I’ve seen.

Watch both of these guys if you get the chance.

Written by Rafael Vela · Filed Under Draft | 11 Comments 

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