Front Center: Is Memphis’ Dylan Parham actually the best draft fit for Cowboys?

We’ve already talked about the top target at center in Tyler Linderbaum, but how about some alternate mid-round options in case he is off the board. Memphis offensive lineman Dylan Parham. He is labeled as an offensive lineman, rather than center, because of the number of positions he played in his time at Memphis. In his 5 year career at Memphis Parham played 28 games at left guard, 11 games at right tackle, and 11 at right guard. He never actually started a game as a center though that’s where most analysts project his future position.

He is an exceptional mover in space, has some power to his game and of course offers great positional flexibility. We all know the Dallas Cowboys love positional versatility among their offensive lineman, so does he fit with the Cowboys?

Measurables and Stats

Listed Height: 6-foot-2

Listed Weight: 311 pounds

Jersey Number: 56

Stats (2021): 11 games started

Film Study Information:

Games Watched: Houston (2019), Cincinnati (2020), UCF (2020)

Best Game: Houston (2019)

Worst Game: Cincinnati (2020)

Physical Skills Evaluation:

Balance: Has occasional lapses of lunging when he goes for his initial hand strike, making it easy to counter with a swim, or up and over and get past him. Stays balanced well in his pass sets.

Hand Placement: Doesn’t have the most consistent hand placement, but it’s not erratic like others in this class. He is usually hitting his intended target and locking on to them, just with wider placement than desired. Tends to be more of a catcher than an attacker when at tackle.

Power: Attacks with good power, it is not great but it certainly isn’t bad. Has moments of finishing his blocks in the dirt.

Movement Skills: Explosive out of his stance, gets to top speed quickly in space. Able to chip the first-level defensive lineman and reach the second level with no problem. Looks very comfortable when he is asked to pull and be a lead block.

Footwork/Foot Speed: Keeps a good wide base, and mirrors pass rushers at a high level. Controlled mover in his pass sets. Gains proper depth with his kick-slide. Can get driven back by bull rushes, but generally is able to re-anchor before it affects the QB.

Performance Evaluation:

Pass Protection: Measured with 33 percentile arm length for all offensive lineman, but puts him in the 66rh percentile for interior offensive lineman. Has lapses of allowing defenders to get their hands inside him and pull him off balance.

Football IQ: Keeps his head on a swivel, when he is left uncovered. Plays with good vision and is consistently aware of what is going on around him.

Anchor: Drops his hips and is able to cement his feet into the ground, making it very difficult to get through him. Anchor help up even at tackle.

Flexibility: Brings positional flexibility as he has played and started 28 games at left guard, 11 at right tackle, and 11 at right guard.

Run Blocking: Best suited for a zone blocking scheme, where he can get out in space and move. Drive his feet through contact. Has low pad level and has very good hip flexibility to seal off blocks.

Strengths:

Very good mover in space and plays with good pad level. Able to gain leverage quickly, and has impressive anchoring ability. Keeps a wide base in his pass sets and has the ability to mirror pass rushers at a high level. Has a high football IQ, and offers a lot of positional flexibility.

Weaknesses:

Has lapses of lurching forward and can get pulled off balance. Has less than ideal arm length, but it’s not as bad if you move him into the interior. Has flashes of power but doesn’t play with it on a consistent basis. Can get bullied by power, but has the ability to re-anchor before it affects the QB. If he is tried out at tackle, he will need to be masked against rushers who convert speed to power well.

Fit with the Cowboys:

Parham is the definition of a Cowboys prototype. He brings numerous games of starting experience at multiple positions at a variety of positions. He has adequate play strength and has flashes of playing with it at a high level. Has shown the ability to drop his hips, anchor in and become very difficult to get around. He plays with a wide base, and is an exceptional mover in space. Parham could push for a starting job right away, but is best suited as an immediate backup. He needs time to develop his play strength and hone his technique as his initial hand punch doesn’t always land cleanly.

Dallas has an adequate center in Tyler Biadasz, but he can be pushed for playing time. In the meantime, the hole at left guard will be filled, but Dallas will need an adequate backup for all interior positions.

Prospect Grade:

1

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