On Draft Day

[Hostile]

Which do you think happens?

1. Dallas trades up from #18. Please share why you think so if you are so inclined.

2. Dallas stays at 18 and selects a player. Please share who if you are so inclined.

3. Dallas trades down. Please share why if you are so inclined.

[BigDFan5]

Stay at 18 and draft Carpenter

[big dog cowboy]

Trade down for 2 reasons. One - we can get the same player a few picks later. Two - Recoup the 4th rounder we are without this year.

[JonJon]

The Cowboys haft positioned themselves in the offseason to go after a SOLB. The signing of Ayodele and his instant move to ILB suggest that there will be another addition for the SOLB position. The better prospects, Lawson, Carpenter, and Wimbley, will likely go in the first round. At least one of these studs should be available at pick #18, thus no need to move up. Trading down could mean losing out on all three, which would be a disaster. A starting FS can be addressed in Round 2.

[DragonCowboy]

Stay and get Carpenter/Lawson/Wimbley (whoever is there)

We can trade down later in the draft and pick up a 4th. Hopefully we can get some takers...

[Hostile]

Trade down for 2 reasons. One - we can get the same player a few picks later. Two - Recoup the 4th rounder we are without this year.I really like the sig line. Says it all.

[big dog cowboy]

I really like the sig line. Says it all.
Thanks. :D

[AsthmaField]

Stay at 18 and take BPA.

If we really like a player, I wouldn't be upset if we traded up to get him. I'm not as big on trading back as most. To me, the object of the draft is to pick as highly as possible. The higher the pick the higher the talent available. Oversimplification, I know, but picking at 18 is better than picking at 25. There are 7 people there who would be gone at 25.

Thinking back in the history of the cowboys drafts... I can't hardly remember a time when trading back worked out and was clearly the best choice. Getting Julius and having buffalo's #1 last year was ok I guess... but for the most part, the later round picks that you acquire don't amount to much. We got TE Ryan with buffalo's pick. Meh... big deal.

On the other hand, moving up a few spots to nab Emmitt Smith paid huge dividends. Anyone worried about the 3rd round pick we missed that year?

Moving up to get Russell Maryland worked out fine too. Actually, the trade was made for us to get Rocket Ismail before he decided to go to the CFL. Jimmy Johnson would've done wonders with that guy. Again, anyone worried about the late round picks we had to give up?

I know the vast majority will be against me, but I hardly ever want to trade back, and trading up always seems much better to me... as long as there is a player that we really like there. I actually wouldn't be too upset if we traded a LOT away and went up and got Hawk. I just think blue chip talent is what it's all about and I'd rather have one blue chipper than two solid players any time.

Like I said, I know I'm pretty much alone in that, but it's how I feel. It's how I'd draft if I was a GM. I know, I know... you're all glad I don't run the Cowboys...

[BigDFan5]

Stay at 18 and take BPA.

If we really like a player, I wouldn't be upset if we traded up to get him. I'm not as big on trading back as most. To me, the object of the draft is to pick as highly as possible. The higher the pick the higher the talent available. Oversimplification, I know, but picking at 18 is better than picking at 25. There are 7 people there who would be gone at 25.

Thinking back in the history of the cowboys drafts... I can't hardly remember a time when trading back worked out and was clearly the best choice. Getting Julius and having buffalo's #1 last year was ok I guess... but for the most part, the later round picks that you acquire don't amount to much. We got TE Ryan with buffalo's pick. Meh... big deal.

On the other hand, moving up a few spots to nab Emmitt Smith paid huge dividends. Anyone worried about the 3rd round pick we missed that year?

Moving up to get Russell Maryland worked out fine too. Actually, the trade was made for us to get Rocket Ismail before he decided to go to the CFL. Jimmy Johnson would've done wonders with that guy. Again, anyone worried about the late round picks we had to give up?

I know the vast majority will be against me, but I hardly ever want to trade back, and trading up always seems much better to me... as long as there is a player that we really like there. I actually wouldn't be too upset if we traded a LOT away and went up and got Hawk. I just think blue chip talent is what it's all about and I'd rather have one blue chipper than two solid players any time.

Like I said, I know I'm pretty much alone in that, but it's how I feel. It's how I'd draft if I was a GM. I know, I know... you're all glad I don't run the Cowboys...


We traded down for Roy, but I see what you are saying :)

[Silverstar]

JJ signed a record 8 FA's this offseason, so I think he wants to stay and take BPA now.

[baj1dallas]

I think they'll go for value by trading down and taking a FS/OT/LB in the 20-30s.

[JonJon]

Stay at 18 and take BPA.

If we really like a player, I wouldn't be upset if we traded up to get him. I'm not as big on trading back as most. To me, the object of the draft is to pick as highly as possible. The higher the pick the higher the talent available. Oversimplification, I know, but picking at 18 is better than picking at 25. There are 7 people there who would be gone at 25.

Thinking back in the history of the cowboys drafts... I can't hardly remember a time when trading back worked out and was clearly the best choice. Getting Julius and having buffalo's #1 last year was ok I guess... but for the most part, the later round picks that you acquire don't amount to much. We got TE Ryan with buffalo's pick. Meh... big deal.

On the other hand, moving up a few spots to nab Emmitt Smith paid huge dividends. Anyone worried about the 3rd round pick we missed that year?

:hammer:

Exactly. Trading down in my opinion is an even bigger risk, as you are actually decreasing your chances of landing an impact player. Every now and then, a player drafted below round 3 turns out to be a super steal and becomes a career starter and even pro-bowl caliber player. On average, most players in that range are either career backups or short-term league participants at best. The majority of true impact players are drafted in rounds 1 and 2. So why not take the best chance of landing a great player?

I don't know about you guys, but I am getting pretty tired of singing the "what if" song.

[AsthmaField]

We traded down for Roy, but I see what you are saying :)

Good point. I forgot about that.

Moving two spots isn't really what I was talking about though.

I frikkin' go crazy when its our pick in the first and they come and say all of the sudden that we pick in the middle of round 2. :banghead: I HATE that... and it's usually fruitless. we've missed so many good guys that way.

I'm off my soapbox... I'll stop.

[big dog cowboy]

Thinking back in the history of the cowboys drafts... I can't hardly remember a time when trading back worked out and was clearly the best choice.
Roy Williams.

[big dog cowboy]

I frikkin' go crazy when its our pick in the first and they come and say all of the sudden that we pick in the middle of round 2. :banghead: I HATE that... and it's usually fruitless. we've missed so many good guys that way.

Until a couple of years ago, we missed out an a lot of good guys staying put.

[2much2soon]

Somebody Dallas wants, like Lawson or Carpenter, will fall out of favor in the general consensus of the league in the days leading up to the draft. Dallas moves back, picks up a pick (4th) and gets who they wanted all along.
Every year some formerly high ranked guy falls on draft day. It will happen again this year.

[Qwickdraw]

I am so inclined...:p:

trade down.

But someone has to trade up.
I think Dallas attempts to trade down with sights on Carpenter or Wimbley, possibly an OT. Whether or not there is a suitor remains to be seen.

[billknows]

The Cowboys haft positioned themselves in the offseason to go after a SOLB. The signing of Ayodele and his instant move to ILB suggest that there will be another addition for the SOLB position. The better prospects, Lawson, Carpenter, and Wimbley, will likely go in the first round. At least one of these studs should be available at pick #18, thus no need to move up. Trading down could mean losing out on all three, which would be a disaster. A starting FS can be addressed in Round 2.

Exactly right , Stay at 18 and grab the LB, two of the three teams drafting behind us are likely to grab a lb...

[Chrissyboy]

Stay at 18 and take BPA.

If we really like a player, I wouldn't be upset if we traded up to get him. I'm not as big on trading back as most. To me, the object of the draft is to pick as highly as possible. The higher the pick the higher the talent available. Oversimplification, I know, but picking at 18 is better than picking at 25. There are 7 people there who would be gone at 25.

Thinking back in the history of the cowboys drafts... I can't hardly remember a time when trading back worked out and was clearly the best choice. Getting Julius and having buffalo's #1 last year was ok I guess... but for the most part, the later round picks that you acquire don't amount to much. We got TE Ryan with buffalo's pick. Meh... big deal.

On the other hand, moving up a few spots to nab Emmitt Smith paid huge dividends. Anyone worried about the 3rd round pick we missed that year?

Moving up to get Russell Maryland worked out fine too. Actually, the trade was made for us to get Rocket Ismail before he decided to go to the CFL. Jimmy Johnson would've done wonders with that guy. Again, anyone worried about the late round picks we had to give up?

I know the vast majority will be against me, but I hardly ever want to trade back, and trading up always seems much better to me... as long as there is a player that we really like there. I actually wouldn't be too upset if we traded a LOT away and went up and got Hawk. I just think blue chip talent is what it's all about and I'd rather have one blue chipper than two solid players any time.

Like I said, I know I'm pretty much alone in that, but it's how I feel. It's how I'd draft if I was a GM. I know, I know... you're all glad I don't run the Cowboys...

I agree in principle with your comments but Roy springs to mind(as mentioned elsewhere) and don't forget Spears came as part of that Buffalo deal that eventually gave us Julius (seemed to work pretty well - I'd take Julius and Spears instead S Jackson).

I just hope Jerry doesn't pull one of his ego fueled reaches. BPA is fine with me, but greed gets to me! I would love to drop 4/5 spots for an extra 3rd or 4th - and still get one of the OLB candidates.

[Scotman]

I voted for a move up. Not out of logic mind you, just a hunch. That and a quarter and you can make a phone call.

I think they are going for it all this year. I think they'll look to add a player of real impact, not a QB of other developmental player. I don't know enough about college ball to speculate who it might be. I depend on y'all for that. But I think they'll watch the board for a small handful of players. If one of those players falls a few spots, I think the WarRoom will be making phone calls trying to get up there to get them.

We'll see.

[blindzebra]

I think with NE and SF picking behind us we will stay put and take our choice at OLB, trading back might be too risky if Lawson or Carpenter is our target.

[Canadian BoyzFan]

Option 4..... Will try to trade down. Not sure they will find a taker.

[hipfake08]

I think they'll go for value by trading down and taking a FS/OT/LB in the 20-30s.


Yes. If they are in a position to get a player they like by trading down a few slots - they will do it.
I would not see us going past say 24 or 25.

[Woods]

I think we'll try to trade down and at the minimum recoup the 4th rounder.

That said, it's easier said than done given the spot we're picking (see Goss's earlier column for reference).

[Clove]

I don't have a problem staying put if, 2 out of the 3 OLBrs are gone. But if all three are there, then why not pick up something extra. And their's a difference in picking talent in the 2nd and 3rd round, when you have someone great at picking in those rounds.

[BulletBob]

Somebody Dallas wants, like Lawson or Carpenter, will fall out of favor in the general consensus of the league in the days leading up to the draft. Dallas moves back, picks up a pick (4th) and gets who they wanted all along.
Every year some formerly high ranked guy falls on draft day. It will happen again this year.

The good news this year is that we really do not have any GLARING needs going into the draft. We have several positions which are ripe for talent upgrade, and several positions which need a youth infusion for our long-term health, but Jerruh and Purcells can walk into the war room without a specific must-have.

The bottom line is that if ANY of the projected Top-10 players slide (as 2much postulates), they will be able to scoop that player up without a twinge of guilt to their collective conscience.

With all that said, if a primo pick does slide, JJ & BP may still be tempted to let another team jump in and take the pick so they can stock-pile picks for later.

Personally, I'd rather jump all over a top-10 pick this year (if he slides), regardless of position (Hawk, Ngata, Cutler, Huff, Davis).

Now, you may think that none of those guys will be there at 18, but as stated by 2much, someone notable always slides. Last year, it was Aaaon Rogers. This year, you can be sure that the camera will be focused on some poor "mamaluke" whose agony is drawn more prominently across his brow with each passing pick.

Hopefully, he will fall right into our lap.

[ConcordCowboy]

I don't want them to but I think they will trade down.

To me just stay where you are and take a good player...If someone you like starts to slide then trade up if possible.

[RealCowboyfan]

I say trade up... Like a 1st and 2nd Round for the 10th pick in the draft... and select Vince Young...

[canters]

Stay at 18 and draft Carpenter

Seems a little high for Carpenter. We can get him later in rd. 1 if we can find a trading partner.

[silver]

trades down to add more volume and pick up an extra guy in either the 3rd or 4th.

[StanleySpadowski]

I think they'll try to trade down.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if they went for a deal similar to the Jones deal -- A second and a later pick and a first next year (sights set on Quinn, Posluzny or Thomas).

Realistically looking at the depth chart, a blocking TE, a NT for rotation and a FB are the three spots most likely to see significant playing time this year.

A SOLB may seem to be a need but Singleton is solid if unspectacular and will probably see a majority of snaps this year regardless of if Dallas goes that position with their first pick.

[Killersanta]

trade down

[Cajuncowboy]

I voted to trade up because I think they may be falling in love with Michael Huff. Not sure but it's a gut feeling and if he falls to the 12-15 range I bet we move up to get him.

If we do not trade up for him, there is no one we would trade up for unless something crazy happens and the likes of D'Brickashaw Ferguson falls, I think we stand pat and take the BPA. The one guy I would love to see slip would be Jay Cutler. I know it won't happen but I would be doing hand springs if he were to slip to 18.

That said, if we stay where we are and Manny Lawson is there then I hope they take him and I will be pleased as can be.

The one stipulation is that unless Cutler isn't there or for some strange reason Chad Jackson isn't there then I would take Lawson.

[The30YardSlant]

I think you people are forgetting something: Who will want to trade up with us? To trade up, teams call YOU because they want someone they think will be taken before their pick.

You cant just trade down because you want to, and there is no player or pick that I can see being valuable enough to trade up for unless someone like Huff or one of the QBs fall (unlikely).

For that reason I think we stay put.

[yrades]

ok, first post. BTW I havn't missed a single Cowboy game since 1977. Here's my take on this. So far, the Cowboys have signed more FA's than we ever have, with JJ stating that we will more than likely sign more after the draft. They have attempted to fill every need. IMHO it doesn't sound like they are going in a direction where they want to stock pile draft picks, they're just going to end up getting cut during TC. If I were a betting man, I would lay money down, that they are going to move up, and not down in the draft. This is the year. No warm bodies, get us a stud to get us to the promised land. 'N(H)uff said? JMHO.

[blindzebra]

I think they'll try to trade down.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if they went for a deal similar to the Jones deal -- A second and a later pick and a first next year (sights set on Quinn, Posluzny or Thomas).

Realistically looking at the depth chart, a blocking TE, a NT for rotation and a FB are the three spots most likely to see significant playing time this year.

A SOLB may seem to be a need but Singleton is solid if unspectacular and will probably see a majority of snaps this year regardless of if Dallas goes that position with their first pick.

We have Hannam, Pierce, Curtis and Ryan TE is not a need.

If we draft Lawson or Carpenter, Singleton does not start beyond game 8 and both will see at least half the snaps before that.

[StanleySpadowski]

We have Hannam, Pierce, Curtis and Ryan TE is not a need.

If we draft Lawson or Carpenter, Singleton does not start beyond game 8 and both will see at least half the snaps before that.


Hannam is a mediocre blocker, Pierce, Curtis and Ryan have shown nothing and are bottom of the roster cut one week signed two weeks later type of players. Witten was one of the worst blocking TEs in the NFL last year and is also a FA in the near future. Don't be surprised if TE is an earlier pick than you think.


As far as Singleton goes, Parcells has a preference for "experience". Singleton will see a majority of the snaps simply because the other LBs are either relatively young (Ware, James, Burnett...) or new to the the team.

[The30YardSlant]

ok, first post. BTW I havn't missed a single Cowboy game since 1977. Here's my take on this. So far, the Cowboys have signed more FA's than we ever have, with JJ stating that we will more than likely sign more after the draft. They have attempted to fill every need. IMHO it doesn't sound like they are going in a direction where they want to stock pile draft picks, they're just going to end up getting cut during TC. If I were a betting man, I would lay money down, that they are going to move up, and not down in the draft. This is the year. No warm bodies, get us a stud to get us to the promised land. 'N(H)uff said? JMHO.

:welcome: