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Is LSU’s Ed Ingram worth the risk for Cowboys to add to their OL?

We have talked about some interior offensive line options for the Dallas Cowboys previously. Some being in Round 1 others as late as Round 4. What happens if the Cowboys ignore the offensive line in the first round? Who are some options they can look to add later on? LSU interior offensive lineman Ed Ingram is an experienced player, playing in 45 games and starting in 34 of them for LSU. He has Texas roots as he was helped lead Desoto to a Texas State Championship in 2016.

However Ingram comes with some off-field baggage. He was suspended for all of 2018 after being arrested for sexual assault. The charges were dismissed in 2019, leaving NFL teams to investigate what exactly happened and determine whether or not Ingram is deserving of hearing his name called on draft weekend. As for the on-field stuff, the only thing outsiders are equipped to evaluate, here’s what his film and measurables show.

Measurables and Stats

Listed Height: 6-foot-3

Listed Weight: 307 pounds

Jersey Number: 70

Stats (2021): 12 games played

Film Study Information:

Games Watched: UCLA (2021), Kentucky (2021), Alabama (2021)

Best Game: Alabama (2021)

Worst Game: UCLA (2021)

Physical Skills Evaluation:

Balance: Does a good job of staying on his feet, has lapses of being on his heels but it is not on a consistent basis.

Hand Placement: Establishes leverage effectively and quickly. Has very good hand placement, places one low and one high to control their movement.

Power: Attacks with good power, has a stirdy base which I’ ’m sure translates to his upper body. Will engage a defender and wash them down field, out of the play. Not uncommon to see him finish his block in the dirt.

Movement Skills: Very explosive off the snap, can move laterally well and is good in situations where he is asked to be a pulling lead blocker.

Footwork/Foot Speed: Gains good depth in his kick slide, plays with a good wide base.

Performance Evaluation:

Pass Protection: Stays square in his pass sets, not to get caught off balance. Has very good spatial awareness.

Football IQ: Keeps his head on a swivel when he is left uncovered. Recognized delayed blitzes and picks them up well, identifies stunts and twist effectively.

Anchor: Has a strong, stout base. You can see him drop his hips and anchor in.

Flexibility: Has the ability to swing his hips open or close them in a hurry. Very flexible for a 300 pounder. Can swing his hips and seal off the edge on a block where he is asked to pull and be the lead blocker.

Run Blocking: Opens his chest up to defenders on occasion, making him susceptible to a stab that can knock him out of the play. Generally very good run blocking moves in space well and uses his strength to overwhelm defenders.

 

Strengths:

Gains leverage with ease, and has good hand placement on his pass sets. Good mover in space, and is very effective as a pulling lead blocker. Plays with a sturdy, wide base. Has very flexible hips and is able to open or close them in a hurry. Attacks with good power, and it’s not uncommon to see him finish his block in the dirt.

Weaknesses:

He had a year suspension from LSU after two charges of sexual assault was brought against him. Ultimately nothing came from the charges and he was reinstated, but this will require teams to do their homework on him. Opens his chest up, leaving him susceptible to being stricken with a hand chest that can stagger him. Doesn’t play with elite explosiveness.

Fit with the Cowboys:

With the departure of Connor Williams to Miami, the Cowboys could very well be looking for a new starter along the interior of the offensive line. They have Connor McGovern who showed some flashes last year, but also showed moments of why he still needs time to develop.

Ingram if drafted, by the Cowboys could push for a starting job right away. He has flashes of power, has good hand placement, and establishes leverage well. He has lapses of over extending and opening his chest up in the run game. He isn’t the most explosive coming out of his stance. and teams will need to do their homework on his background.

Prospect Grade:

Pass Protection (15)

12.5

Anchor (10)

8

Balance (10)

7.8

Flexibility (10)

8

Hand Placement (10)

8.75

Run Blocking (10)

8.5

Power (10)

8.7

Movement Skills (10)

8.2

Football IQ (5)

4.2

Footwork/Foot Speed (10)

8.4

Final Grade:

83.05, 2nd round grade

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