ESPN Live Mock

[austintodallas]

They're through 20 picks so far. They have us taking Ware at 11 and Clayton at 20. You can follow along here...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft05/news/story?page=2005mock

[KDWilliams85]

I agree with those picks. Demarcus Ware is better than Merriman because of his size to speed ratio and would make a better linebacker. Mark Clayton is that playmaker we need at WR because of Glenn and Johnson getting up there in age.

I think Mark Clayton is comparable to Terry Glenn is some aspects so it's great that we get him.

[ABQCOWBOY]

I agree with those picks. Demarcus Ware is better than Merriman because of his size to speed ratio and would make a better linebacker. Mark Clayton is that playmaker we need at WR because of Glenn and Johnson getting up there in age.

I think Mark Clayton is comparable to Terry Glenn is some aspects so it's great that we get him.

I don't agree with this. Ware my eventually be a better LB but how can you say this for certain? Ware has never played LB and Merriman has. At this point, I think the best you can say is that Ware may project to LB better then Merriman but even that is debatable.

[Roy Williams]

Give me Merriman and Clayton there instead of Ware and I would be happy. Whenever you I see two players that are pretty equal in talent always go with the guy who plays at the bigger school who plays better competition.

[KDWilliams85]

I don't agree with this. Ware my eventually be a better LB but how can you say this for certain? Ware has never played LB and Merriman has. At this point, I think the best you can say is that Ware may project to LB better then Merriman but even that is debatable.


Senior Season
Demarcus Ware - 18TFL, 10Sacks,

Shawne Merriman - 17TFL, 8 1/2 Sacks


Stats alone don't tell the story but experience does. Ware spent four years in college while Merriman didn't. If they both had, Merriman would have been the pick hands down but Ware has experience on his side and that's what Parcells wants.

Write it down.

[Cowboy from New York]

Grabbing Marcus Spears as well could be the key to this, Merriman seems to me as the type of player who plays with his hand on the ground thats not a knock at all but just stating he would be a rush end. If Spears or Darren Howard for that matter come aboard than I think Merrimans value to us is slightly diminished and Ware seems more capable of playing at a true linebacker spot whiel still being our key rusher. JMO....

[speedkilz88]

Grabbing Marcus Spears as well could be the key to this, Merriman seems to me as the type of player who plays with his hand on the ground thats not a knock at all but just stating he would be a rush end. If Spears or Darren Howard for that matter come aboard than I think Merrimans value to us is slightly diminished and Ware seems more capable of playing at a true linebacker spot whiel still being our key rusher. JMO....No, Merriman actually played as a true LB, Ware played nothing but DE! Though many believe Ware could move play a 3-4 LB. Merriman only put his hand down in pass situations. He was used similar to how Charles Haley was used as the 49ers elephant man.

[Cowboy from New York]

I was referring to where I thought they would be at the pro level, Merriman weighs in at 272 lbs, thats not a linebacker. Ware projects to OLB.

[speedkilz88]

I was referring to where I thought they would be at the pro level, Merriman weighs in at 272 lbs, thats not a linebacker. Ware projects to OLB.Are you kidding me? If Merriman is drafted by a team that wants him to play LB, guess what, he drops down to 260. If the team wants him to play strictly DE, then he stays in the 270 range. Merriman has already talked to the Cowboys about playing strong side LB.

[Sarge]

Senior Season
Demarcus Ware - 18TFL, 10Sacks,

Shawne Merriman - 17TFL, 8 1/2 Sacks


Stats alone don't tell the story but experience does. Ware spent four years in college while Merriman didn't. If they both had, Merriman would have been the pick hands down but Ware has experience on his side and that's what Parcells wants.

Write it down.

Disagree - it is Merriman who has experience against real talent, not Ware.

Ware at 11 is a far greater gamble than Merriman and in my eyes, it's not even debatable.

[conner01]

it won't matter who is a better choice if only one is there and when we pick,only one will be there cause if both are there at 11 we will trade down a few spots and still get one of them and an extra pick too

[Cowboy from New York]

Are you kidding me? If Merriman is drafted by a team that wants him to play LB, guess what, he drops down to 260. If the team wants him to play strictly DE, then he stays in the 270 range. Merriman has already talked to the Cowboys about playing strong side LB.


Got this analysis on Merriman from draft showcase, obviously I concede your point.



Merriman is a tweener who could be a defensive end or an outside linebacker at the next level. As an end, he has great speed around the edge. He is explosive off the snap of the ball and beats offensive tackles with his speed. He does a good job of using his hands to fight blocks and has a good variety of moves to get the quarterback. He will sometimes come too far upfield and takes himself out of those plays. In pursuit, Merriman shines. He has a great motor and has the speed to chase down plays from behind and is capable of tracking ballcarriers down the field. Merriman has added a lot of bulk, but must improve technically against the run. He tends to take too much of an outside edge and sometimes does not play with enough leverage. Merriman has some experience in space and dropping into coverage which would benefit him should he transition to linebacker. He has the speed to stay with backs and tight ends but is a tad stiff in changing directions and must improve his ability to read routes. He does have the pure speed to run with smaller players though.

Merriman has great physical skills and top notch athletic tools. He has some refinement to do as a football player and he must also find a position. But there is no doubt that he has the physical gifts and the aggressive nature to play in the pros. He should be a top 10 pick.