Post-Combine Draft Thoughts-- 3-4 DE prospects...

[silverbear]

Just finished updating my spreadsheets in the wake of the Combine, and I'm looking at my sheet that breaks down players by position... I thought I'd take a little different approach to the draft, and working off of this spreadsheet, give you an idea of the 3-4 DEs in this class that I think fit what the Cowboys do, and what round they might be available in... I'll also include some likely undrafted prospects...

This will be the first in a series of position breakdowns...

I'm not real impressed with the group of 3-4 DE prospects as a whole, with the following exceptions:

Fletcher Cox, Mississippi... likely first rounder...

Billy Winn, Boise State... would be terrific value if he slips to the Boys in the 3rd round, but I don't know how likely that is...

Kheeston Randall, Texas... gotta get some Longhorns on these lists, LOL... Randall is a likely 3rd rounder, and in all seriousness, the Horns' defense was pretty stout this year...

Akiem Hicks, Regina... some project this big Canadian prospect to DT, I think he'll make a nice DE in the Cullen Jenkins mold... looks like a 5th rounder...
Jaye Howard, Florida... grab him in the 6th or 7th round, 300 pounders who run a 4.8 40 don't grow on trees... is similar to Sean Lissemore, IMO...

Matt Conrath, Virginia... might be better suited to play 4-3 DE, but if he goes undrafted he'd be worth a look...

I really don't see the Boys drafting a DE too early, I think they'll be targeting other positions with those picks, so I'd focus on Hicks, Howard and Conrath...
Next up, the defensive tackles/nose tackles...

[28 Joker]

I'd add Malik Jackson (6-5, 284) to your list. He played out of position at Tennessee after transferring from USC. NFLDS says 4-5 round.

[ejthedj]

What about Kendall Reyes? If he slipped to round 2, he would be a great pick

[ejthedj]

And I think its gonna come down to 2 possibilities at 14, with one being a DE (assuming we sign a CB in FA)

those two?

Decastro or Cox.

[Hoofbite]

Billy Winn is an interesting player.

I've seen some say he has a good motor and other say he may not have the endurance to be an every down player......which is kind of interesting because usually guys who go all out are the same type of guys who are in great condition, allowing them to go all out.

NFL.com think he could be a 2nd rounder, possibly high.

[BAT]

The two best 3-4 DEs are Quinton Coples and Fletcher Cox, and not necessarily in that order. I think they are also the best 4-3 DTs as well. And Coples is the best 4-3 DE as well.

If either are available at 14, then there are not many at any other position who would be better.

If neither are available there are a few other sleepers that could be options on the 2nd day.

Fresno State Logan Harrell 6'2 280 4.8
North Carolina State Markus Kuhn 6'5 300 4.8
Gannon Randy Colling 6'4 315 5.1
Texas A&M Eddie Brown Jr. 6'0 310 4.7

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by 41gy#

I'd add Malik Jackson (6-5, 284) to your list. He played out of position at Tennessee after transferring from USC. NFLDS says 4-5 round.

Don't really know about him, I'll do some research...

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by ejthedj

What about Kendall Reyes? If he slipped to round 2, he would be a great pick

He's on my spreadsheet, but I'm not as sure as you are that he's a good fit for the Boys...

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by BAT

The two best 3-4 DEs are Quinton Coples and Fletcher Cox, and not necessarily in that order. I think they are also the best 4-3 DTs as well. And Coples is the best 4-3 DE as well.

If either are available at 14, then there are not many at any other position who would be better.

If neither are available there are a few other sleepers that could be options on the 2nd day.

Fresno State Logan Harrell 6'2 280 4.8
North Carolina State Markus Kuhn 6'5 300 4.8
Gannon Randy Colling 6'4 315 5.1
Texas A&M Eddie Brown Jr. 6'0 310 4.7

The last 3 are on my spreadsheet... I'm leary about how short Brown is, but any 310 pounder who can run a 4.7 ought to merit a look...

All four are likely to go undrafted, if NFLDS is to be trusted... the highest rating any of the 4 of them carries is the 396th best player available... so these would be good players to target after the draft is over...

[CCBoy]

Based upon expectation of being there at 14, my list of 'hopefuls' is: Ingram, DeCastro, Cox, and Kuechly. Any of those four, and this fan is happy.

[RoyTheHammer]

Any analysis on Jared Crick? Some people were saying he'd make a good 34 DE and was kind of being overlooked.

[Gaede]

One of my pet cats this year is Tyrone Crawford.

I think he's just scratching the surface of his ability. He's big, strong, fast and really developing as a pass rusher. I like this kid a lot. Kind of a project, but I think by year 2 he'd be a starter.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by RoyTheHammer

Any analysis on Jared Crick? Some people were saying he'd make a good 34 DE and was kind of being overlooked.

I've got him on my spreadsheet... wouldn't be upset at all if the Cowboys drafted him, though I don't see them going DE that early in the draft...

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by Gaede

One of my pet cats this year is Tyrone Crawford.

I think he's just scratching the surface of his ability. He's big, strong, fast and really developing as a pass rusher. I like this kid a lot. Kind of a project, but I think by year 2 he'd be a starter.

He's on my spreadsheet, too... might be a nice pick later in the draft... he's been kind of overshadowed by Billy Winn in college...

[Pottsville Maroons]

Bear, I look forward to your Draft info each year. If reports are to be believed that Dallas is considering a switch back to the 4-3, does that further narrow down the list of our potential DL targets to those versatile enough to succeed in either front? Do you believe they are seriously considering that switch and did it affect your rankings above? I appreciate your input.