Draft to the strengths of the draft class .

[jnday]

Since the offseason is here and the draft is quickly becoming a popular topic of discussion , I thought that I would give everybody a few things to think about . I am no draft expert by no means , but I do enjoy the process and I enjoy some of the discussions that this draft forum contains . I kept my mouth shut this year about the 2011 team except for a few post here and there . In my heart , I knew that this was an average team and that a couple of drafts was needed . It was no need to argue about it . I started keeping up with scouting reports and prospects , like many of you , and taking notes on the positions that the Cowboys need and the prospects that could fill these needs . This is what I found out .

This is a deep cornerback class but with the exception of Kirkpatrick and Claiborne there is not any elite cornerbacks . After these two , there are several that have late first round and second round grades . They may fit different teams in different ways but not the first one of them would be good value at 14 . You can have the same player in the second .

This is a good class for guards . DeCastro is the only value pick at 14 , but there are 3 or 4 more that could be late first round and second picks . I don't think there are any third rounders that you could say would be a first day starter .

Konz seems to be the top center even with his medical issues .

This is a weak safety class . Barron may go late first round , but I'm really concerned about his coverage skills . This is the second year straight for a weak safety class where the best are actually second round talent or worse .

The defensive line class is weak . There are a couple with first round grades , but not the first one of them is a legit pass rushing terror that some of us would like .

The linebacker class is kind of confusing to be honest . I will say that with the exception of Upshaw and Ingram , there are some major questions on the outside LB group . There seems to be a couple of college defensive ends that may convert ( Curry is one ) , depending on the combine . I have only took note of the OLB position due to Spencer's free agency . I did not take ILB as a need position due to Carter .

I guess the whole point of this post was to let some of you know what I have found on the different sites that is kinda accepted fact . I think it leaves Dallas with a choice of Kirkpatrick ( if he falls ) , DeCastro and Ingram at 14 with a hard look at value at the CB position . This is just some thoughts that I wanted to pass on for those who have not kept up with it . For the real draft experts on here , please correct me if the opinions that I gathered are wrong . I think this post will shed light on the strengths of this draft and IMO the Cowboys should draft where needs neet these strengths .

There will be be some heated discussion as to picking offense or defense first , and all that comes with that . I think it would be wise to remember that this draft will not fill all the holes . Some areas of need will have to be addressed next year . Maybe those areas will be a strength next year .

[cbow44]

Keep in mind, at this same time last year there was not a offensive tackle worthy of a #1 pick much less the 9th over all.

[jnday]

This was just to catch everybody up on the current projections . The combine will certainly change a few things .

[cbow44]

oh, I know what you are saying. We have been trying to draft a saftey for a while now and things just dont seem to go our way.

[arglebargle]

Thanks for this. I don't follow the farm leagues until the NFL season ends, so I often have to make up a lot of distance on draft info. This sort of broad overview helps set the field for me.

Will be keeping eyes open for the senior bowl and combine results, as players yo yo up and down the boards.

[jnday]

Originally Posted by arglebargle

Thanks for this. I don't follow the farm leagues until the NFL season ends, so I often have to make up a lot of distance on draft info. This sort of broad overview helps set the field for me.

Will be keeping eyes open for the senior bowl and combine results, as players yo yo up and down the boards.

Like I said , I'm no expert . I have noticed that there have been several posters that this may help . I'm glad you got something out of it .

[Future]

The teams who have the most success in this draft will be the ones who hit in rounds 2-4. I don't think there are very many real gamebreakers in the first round, but similar players can be found in later rounds.

[honyock]

Thanks for the overview, jnday. I'm very slowly getting up to speed on the draft and it's nice to get a summary of the early picture.

[visionary]

good post

our early picks are obviously dependent on what we do in FA but

option #1: if DeCastro is there, i think you take him unless we have signed a starting OG in FA and really believe that there is a clear favorite for OLB (like ingram)

option #2: depends on how we value OLBs in the draft because that might be the other glaring need if we dont re-sign spencer

if we have signed a starting OG in FA (nicks, grubbs) and we think ingram is the best by far, take him at 14 and dont look back

if we think there is a bunch at OLB between ingram, upshaw, hightower, then trade down to 20-25 for an extra 2 and take the remaining OLB in 1

this would give us 2 #2's for a CB/NT, CB/OC, OC/NT combo which would be great because there will be very good value at all those positions in rd 2

[jnday]

Your welcome guys . I have a certain way that I would like to see this draft go , but I tried to stay away from that . As I stated , this was kind of a wrap up of what I was able to get out of several sources . The combine may add a couple of players to the list of possible picks and a couple may drop down . I really didn't look at the positions that the Cowboys are set at . The positions that I listed are need positions . If there is anything I missed , please post .

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by Future

The teams who have the most success in this draft will be the ones who hit in rounds 2-4. I don't think there are very many real gamebreakers in the first round, but similar players can be found in later rounds.

Yes, probably a good year to trade down if the option arises.

If DeCastro is off the board I really hope that is the path we take. We have lots of needs and a couple of extra picks would be helpful.

We actually have plenty of top-end talent. The problem with our roster is too many well below average players that start (Costa, Kosier, Coleman, Bradie James, TNew, OScan, Elam).

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by visionary

good post

our early picks are obviously dependent on what we do in FA but

option #1: if DeCastro is there, i think you take him unless we have signed a starting OG in FA and really believe that there is a clear favorite for OLB (like ingram)

option #2: depends on how we value OLBs in the draft because that might be the other glaring need if we dont re-sign spencer

if we have signed a starting OG in FA (nicks, grubbs) and we think ingram is the best by far, take him at 14 and dont look back

if we think there is a bunch at OLB between ingram, upshaw, hightower, then trade down to 20-25 for an extra 2 and take the remaining OLB in 1

this would give us 2 #2's for a CB/NT, CB/OC, OC/NT combo which would be great because there will be very good value at all those positions in rd 2

Yes, I am in complete agreement with this strategy. We desperately need to fill some gaping holes and should be looking to trade down in this draft should the opportunity arise. DeCastro is too good to pass up if he falls to us, though. You have to take the surefire Pro Bowler when you get the opportunity. From what I understand the surest things in this draft are Luck, Kalil, DeCastro and Clairborne.