jterrell
02-01-2005, 07:25 AM
Not on the site yet so you get it first literally.
The Senior Bowl has now passed and it is time to start formulating a draft plan. We are still about 2 to 3 weeks shy of the combine that will firm up the rankings but the rough estimates now are fairly trustworthy. Below I’ll break down some potential targets and their draft value in my own opinion.
Dallas hasn’t publicly committed to the 3-4 defense for next season but you can bet BP has committed mentally. He saw what San Diego did in the first year of their move and what NE has done the past 4 years with the defensive scheme he taught Belichek and Crennel. That makes the type of players who can fill in there high on the radar.
Derrick Johnson, OLB, Texas (6-3, 233) Range 7-12
DJ is a physical freak who struggled at times to play up to his athleticism. If he had he would be the clear overall number 1. As it is he reminds of Lavar Arrington for his game changing big play ability. He should be better as a pro than he was in college.
DJ has added about 30 pounds of muscle over 3 years so he will get more agile in his new frame as time passes.
Troy Williamson (jr.), WR, South Carolina (6-1˝, 200) Range 15-25
Troy is likely the fastest true WR in this draft class and also offers good size. Didn’t make a lot of catches but South Carolina didn’t feature the passing game. His average per catch was just less than 20 yards showing big play ability. If he competes for the ball he could be a great player, if he doesn’t he could be a Joey Galloway type game breaker who suffers some inconsistency.
Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin (6-4, 260) Range 17-23
James is probably the best pure pass rusher in this class. He is the quintessential 4-3 DE when he is healthy. But there’s the rub. He is seldom healthy. James is in that 6-2 to 6-5 and 255 to 270 size range Dallas wants to see in its outside linebackers for the 3-4. A bit of an injury risk, James could be the defensive rookie of the year and have a similar pro career to Dwight Freeney or hobble off the field every few plays and never make an impact.
Shawne Merriman (jr.), OLB, Maryland (6-3, 255) Range 11-20
Merriman is the prototype OLB in a 3-4 with effective play, great measurables and pass rush skill. There’s little doubt Dallas will add him if given an opportunity at 20 and perhaps at 11.
Marcus Spears, DE, LSU (6-4, 295) Range 15-20
Spears moved up the rankings after owning the OL at the Senior Bowl practices. Then again the Senior Bowl only offered a handful of day 1 OL to compete against. I like Spears but he may a tad overrated for the next 2 months. He took at least a few plays off at LSU.
Matt Roth, DE, Iowa (6-3˝, 266) Range 20-28
Roth is another guy in the size range Dallas will target. He plays with intensity and his measurables are more than adequate. Matt played with a good DL in college that could have allowed him to face more single blocks than most pass rushers on this list.
Shaun Cody, DT, USC (6-4, 289) Range 26-35
Cody obviously played for a dominant program and offers tweener DE/DT size. A good fit in a 3-4 as a DE. He is strong and quick for his size but offers only solid pass rush skill. A little bigger than Greg Ellis but could be a similar pro if he maxes out.
Brodney Pool (jr.), S, Oklahoma (6-2˝, 200) Range 30-40
Pool is a boom or bust player that likes to hit and can cover but did get out of position and flat burned by the USC WR’s. He would look good in Dallas playing aside college mentor Roy Williams.
Anttaj Hawthorne, DT, Wisconsin (6-2˝, 315) Range 15-20
Hawthorne is the best big bodied run stopper. He could rise a lot as team needs dictate a lot more than one of these big boys. Hawthorne could be the Boys top target as a 3-4 NT if they are unable to land one in free agency.
Roddy White, WR, UAB (6-1, 205) Range 25-40
I wish I could tell you I have seen White a lot but I haven’t. His size speed ratio is incredible and he could be a match up nightmare or he could prove he can’t catch and end up as a Randal Williams. If he catches the ball well at the combine he should be near the top of the range here and a target in late round 1 for Dallas who needs a WR to develop behind Keyshawn and Terry.
Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma (5-10, 189) Range 22-32
Probably the quickest WR in this draft Clayton lacks size. He is a great hands guy who reminds many observers of Steve Smith for his slippery ways and good hands. A deep WR draft may push him down a bit which would be nice for Dallas.
Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn (6-0, 194) Range 15-25
The CBs will all have to run well to move up as there are simply too many good ones this year to overlook raw speed. Rogers played well against top flight competition and will likely end up a steal wherever he is drafted.
Channing Crowder (so.), MLB, Florida (6-2, 245) Range 26-34
Crowder is a true MLB candidate. He will hit anything that moves and he moves well enough himself to shed blocks and get to the sidelines in pursuit. Probably only a Dallas candidate if they trade down and add extra second round selections he could start next to Dat in the 3-4 as an ILB.
Thomas Davis (jr.), LB, Georgia (6-3, 233) Range 18-28
Davis reminds me a great deal of Roy Williams. He played safety in college but more a rover linebacker than true safety type. He is an excellent hitter who can cover college WRs. The challenge will be can he keep his weight down and play safety in the pros or does he have to gain another 10 pounds and play linebacker full time. A dynamic player who is similarly athletic to Derrick Johnson might need a year to get playing LB full time.
David Pollack, DE, Georgia (6-2˝, 265) Range 29-38
If you appreciate effort and heart Pollack is your guy. Not sure he is athletic enough at the next level to do more than compete every play but he will give you every ounce of ability he has and he will make the other team work to keep him off their QB and RBs. He does have the size Dallas covets but may lack the top end speed. Actually played some DT in college and is very strong for his size.
I am sure there are even more candidates in the top 2 rounds for Dallas but I think the draftees will come from this list. Obviously someone could drop forcing Dallas to go “off the board” but right now the targets seems to be 3-4 defensive help and a WR to develop. I expect a trade down from 11 unless someone falls unexpectedly like Braylon Edwards or perhaps Antrel Rolle. CB is a deep position and Dallas sworn off of high picks on CBs but Rolle is the big, physical type CB BP loves.
The fandom will be rooting for Derrick Johnson or Mike Williams. I didn’t list Williams here as I fear he will be too big to be a candidate for Dallas. At 6’4” and 240 he may need to be an h-back type in this scheme and Dallas is loaded at that area. If Williams comes into the combine at under 230 and runs 4.5 or under he gets on the list pretty quickly. But I do not expect either to happen. He reminds me an awful lot of a less rebellious Jeremy Shockey.
The Senior Bowl has now passed and it is time to start formulating a draft plan. We are still about 2 to 3 weeks shy of the combine that will firm up the rankings but the rough estimates now are fairly trustworthy. Below I’ll break down some potential targets and their draft value in my own opinion.
Dallas hasn’t publicly committed to the 3-4 defense for next season but you can bet BP has committed mentally. He saw what San Diego did in the first year of their move and what NE has done the past 4 years with the defensive scheme he taught Belichek and Crennel. That makes the type of players who can fill in there high on the radar.
Derrick Johnson, OLB, Texas (6-3, 233) Range 7-12
DJ is a physical freak who struggled at times to play up to his athleticism. If he had he would be the clear overall number 1. As it is he reminds of Lavar Arrington for his game changing big play ability. He should be better as a pro than he was in college.
DJ has added about 30 pounds of muscle over 3 years so he will get more agile in his new frame as time passes.
Troy Williamson (jr.), WR, South Carolina (6-1˝, 200) Range 15-25
Troy is likely the fastest true WR in this draft class and also offers good size. Didn’t make a lot of catches but South Carolina didn’t feature the passing game. His average per catch was just less than 20 yards showing big play ability. If he competes for the ball he could be a great player, if he doesn’t he could be a Joey Galloway type game breaker who suffers some inconsistency.
Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin (6-4, 260) Range 17-23
James is probably the best pure pass rusher in this class. He is the quintessential 4-3 DE when he is healthy. But there’s the rub. He is seldom healthy. James is in that 6-2 to 6-5 and 255 to 270 size range Dallas wants to see in its outside linebackers for the 3-4. A bit of an injury risk, James could be the defensive rookie of the year and have a similar pro career to Dwight Freeney or hobble off the field every few plays and never make an impact.
Shawne Merriman (jr.), OLB, Maryland (6-3, 255) Range 11-20
Merriman is the prototype OLB in a 3-4 with effective play, great measurables and pass rush skill. There’s little doubt Dallas will add him if given an opportunity at 20 and perhaps at 11.
Marcus Spears, DE, LSU (6-4, 295) Range 15-20
Spears moved up the rankings after owning the OL at the Senior Bowl practices. Then again the Senior Bowl only offered a handful of day 1 OL to compete against. I like Spears but he may a tad overrated for the next 2 months. He took at least a few plays off at LSU.
Matt Roth, DE, Iowa (6-3˝, 266) Range 20-28
Roth is another guy in the size range Dallas will target. He plays with intensity and his measurables are more than adequate. Matt played with a good DL in college that could have allowed him to face more single blocks than most pass rushers on this list.
Shaun Cody, DT, USC (6-4, 289) Range 26-35
Cody obviously played for a dominant program and offers tweener DE/DT size. A good fit in a 3-4 as a DE. He is strong and quick for his size but offers only solid pass rush skill. A little bigger than Greg Ellis but could be a similar pro if he maxes out.
Brodney Pool (jr.), S, Oklahoma (6-2˝, 200) Range 30-40
Pool is a boom or bust player that likes to hit and can cover but did get out of position and flat burned by the USC WR’s. He would look good in Dallas playing aside college mentor Roy Williams.
Anttaj Hawthorne, DT, Wisconsin (6-2˝, 315) Range 15-20
Hawthorne is the best big bodied run stopper. He could rise a lot as team needs dictate a lot more than one of these big boys. Hawthorne could be the Boys top target as a 3-4 NT if they are unable to land one in free agency.
Roddy White, WR, UAB (6-1, 205) Range 25-40
I wish I could tell you I have seen White a lot but I haven’t. His size speed ratio is incredible and he could be a match up nightmare or he could prove he can’t catch and end up as a Randal Williams. If he catches the ball well at the combine he should be near the top of the range here and a target in late round 1 for Dallas who needs a WR to develop behind Keyshawn and Terry.
Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma (5-10, 189) Range 22-32
Probably the quickest WR in this draft Clayton lacks size. He is a great hands guy who reminds many observers of Steve Smith for his slippery ways and good hands. A deep WR draft may push him down a bit which would be nice for Dallas.
Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn (6-0, 194) Range 15-25
The CBs will all have to run well to move up as there are simply too many good ones this year to overlook raw speed. Rogers played well against top flight competition and will likely end up a steal wherever he is drafted.
Channing Crowder (so.), MLB, Florida (6-2, 245) Range 26-34
Crowder is a true MLB candidate. He will hit anything that moves and he moves well enough himself to shed blocks and get to the sidelines in pursuit. Probably only a Dallas candidate if they trade down and add extra second round selections he could start next to Dat in the 3-4 as an ILB.
Thomas Davis (jr.), LB, Georgia (6-3, 233) Range 18-28
Davis reminds me a great deal of Roy Williams. He played safety in college but more a rover linebacker than true safety type. He is an excellent hitter who can cover college WRs. The challenge will be can he keep his weight down and play safety in the pros or does he have to gain another 10 pounds and play linebacker full time. A dynamic player who is similarly athletic to Derrick Johnson might need a year to get playing LB full time.
David Pollack, DE, Georgia (6-2˝, 265) Range 29-38
If you appreciate effort and heart Pollack is your guy. Not sure he is athletic enough at the next level to do more than compete every play but he will give you every ounce of ability he has and he will make the other team work to keep him off their QB and RBs. He does have the size Dallas covets but may lack the top end speed. Actually played some DT in college and is very strong for his size.
I am sure there are even more candidates in the top 2 rounds for Dallas but I think the draftees will come from this list. Obviously someone could drop forcing Dallas to go “off the board” but right now the targets seems to be 3-4 defensive help and a WR to develop. I expect a trade down from 11 unless someone falls unexpectedly like Braylon Edwards or perhaps Antrel Rolle. CB is a deep position and Dallas sworn off of high picks on CBs but Rolle is the big, physical type CB BP loves.
The fandom will be rooting for Derrick Johnson or Mike Williams. I didn’t list Williams here as I fear he will be too big to be a candidate for Dallas. At 6’4” and 240 he may need to be an h-back type in this scheme and Dallas is loaded at that area. If Williams comes into the combine at under 230 and runs 4.5 or under he gets on the list pretty quickly. But I do not expect either to happen. He reminds me an awful lot of a less rebellious Jeremy Shockey.