DC.com: Mailbag (taking Fairley at 9)

[CCBoy]

Cowboys Mailbag
I'm starting to think Auburn's Nick Fairley will be there at No. 9. If so, do you take him?


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag.cfm?id=98C6F820-AE1E-5312-678190A2F1657250


JEFF JOHNSON - ALEXANDRIA, VA: I'm starting to think Auburn's Nick Fairley will be there at No. 9. If so, do you take him?

Rob: I agree Fairley could fall out of the top 8 unless his connection to Tracy Rocker, the former Auburn and current Titans defensive coach, gets him taken by Tennessee at 8. Just watching him play all last season, there's no question he's the type of impact defensive lineman the Cowboys need. But I haven't met the guy or interviewed him, so I can't speak to any of the "one-year wonder" or work ethic concerns that some teams seem to have. If it's enough of a red flag for the Cowboys, they should pass.

Josh: I would. And I'm not a scout, but looking at the way he played last year, I see him as one of the four or five best players in this draft, and he has a chance to be the kind of disruptive end the Cowboys haven't had since they switched to the 3-4 defense. Of all the guys who might really have a chance to be there at No. 9, I think Fairley and Tyron Smith are the only ones who might preclude them from trading down....

[hornitosmonster]

Pass...but given Jerry's history of taking players with baggage, I could see him being the pick. Even if fatso is there at 9 I would trade down and pick up a lineman.

[Future]

As totally against taking a 3-4 DE at #9...I'd jump all over Fairley :laugh2:

I recognize the contradiction, but I don't really expect him to fall, and he's a good enough athlete to not only stop the run, but be disruptive as well.

[CCBoy]

Future, I'm with you. I'd at the least roll that thought process around the draft room. I'd say the prospects of a possible Fairley/Williams in the first two picks does perk one's interest on the defensive side of the ball for the Cowboys.

[Eskimo]

Half of our snaps are with a 4-man front and he could be a great contributor there as a 3-technique passrushing DT. For that reason, I would have no objection to taking him at #9.

[CCBoy]

I think that one has to seriously give consideration to a potential Julius Peppers type of player on the defensive front.

It is still possible that Colombo/Young could handle effectively, yet another season...this at least gives us transitional point projections for tomorrow's draft.