ND's Post Combine Mock - Dallas Cowboys Forum

NeonDeion21 · 02-25-2013

#18 - Kenny Vaccarro S, Texas

Claiborne, Carr, Church and Vacarro. If Monte Kiffin really wants us to resemble the Seattle Seahawks defense, we need play-makers at safety. According to NFLN's Daniel Jeremiah, most NFL scouts have Vacarro rated higher than Seattle's Earl Thomas, who Dallas was rumored to like. Vacarro can make plays on the ball and can even cover slot WR's. A very versatile player.

#47 - Manti Te'o LB, Notre Dame

The first "what?" pick of the draft. Jerry Jones has been rumored to be interested in him and according to scouts, he was projected to be a late 1st or early 2nd. The bad National Championship Game, GF story, and slow 40 allows him to slip to Dallas in the middle of round 2. Jerry and Co. know that SLB isn't a huge need, but they can't resist Te'o this late in the draft. Lee, Carter, and Te'o are one heckuva LB group.

#81 - Barrett Jones OC, Alabama

Productive. Leader. Champion. Need I say more? I don't care what people say about his strength, he gets the job done. Centers aren't valued in the draft as high as they should be, but luckily for us, he is there. Starter Day 1. Brian Schewenkie from Cal is also an option here.

#111 - Devin Taylor DE, South Carolina

A project to replace Anthony Spencer, Taylor stood out at the East-West Shrine Game. He is long and athletic, who plays with a motor that always runs hot. He potentially could start in 2014 with a little help from DL coach Rod Marinelli. A pet cat of mine.

#144 - Aaron Mellette WR, Elon

Not a well known kid, but has good size at 6'3. I thought he played well at the Senior Bowl and we could be in the market for a WR if Austin and Ogletree both leave.

#175 - Michael Williams TE, Alabama

Williams is an excellent blocker who can make the team as the 3rd TE. He can play on ST and is a goal line option because of his big frame. Hard worker.

newlander · 02-25-2013

except for T'eo...bama PUNISHED him. The kid ran a 4.8 forty.....he's a 4th round backup ILB that can play special teams: that is TRULY what he is

NeonDeion21 · 02-25-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by newlander

except for T'eo...bama PUNISHED him. The kid ran a 4.8 forty.....he's a 4th round backup ILB that can play special teams: that is TRULY what he is

To be fair, I am not a big fan of Te'o but BAMA made all ILBs look bad. Minter and Ogletree both struggled vs BAMA.

newlander · 02-25-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeonDeion21

To be fair, I am not a big fan of Te'o but BAMA made all ILBs look bad. Minter and Ogletree both struggled vs BAMA.

....I saw them play LSU and UGA and you're right....BUT I just can't get past T'eo's 40....4.8? He is slow....I'll stick by what I said: 4th rounder IMO

tm1119 · 02-25-2013

I like the Jones and Taylor picks....not much else. Te'o is extremely overrated. Take away the 3 or 4 right place right time INT's off of tips and his season was very mediocre. He's a very soft LB, plays well in space but can't take on blockers and disengage. In other words, I don't want him.

Future · 02-25-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by tm1119

I like the Jones and Taylor picks....not much else. Te'o is extremely overrated. Take away the 3 or 4 right place right time INT's off of tips and his season was very mediocre. He's a very soft LB, plays well in space but can't take on blockers and disengage. In other words, I don't want him.

The vast majority of INTs are right place, right time.

Even if he doesn't have great speed, his instincts and tackling ability allow him to make plays. Plus, a his fire for the game could go a long way on this defense.

I don't think he'll be a gamebreaker, but people all of a sudden are acting like he's a scrub. Not saying we should take him, b/c I think a more athletic guy would be a better fit, but I think end of round 1/round 2 is about where he should be.

NeonDeion21 · 02-25-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future

The vast majority of INTs are right place, right time.

Even if he doesn't have great speed, his instincts and tackling ability allow him to make plays. Plus, a his fire for the game could go a long way on this defense.

I don't think he'll be a gamebreaker, but people all of a sudden are acting like he's a scrub. Not saying we should take him, b/c I think a more athletic guy would be a better fit, but I think end of round 1/round 2 is about where he should be.

Agreed. He isn't Patrick Willis or even Luke Kuechly. But he can be productive like James Laurnaitis is STL. Very safe and solid 2nd round pick.

Future · 02-25-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeonDeion21

Agreed. He isn't Patrick Willis or even Luke Kuechly. But he can be productive like James Laurnaitis is STL. Very safe and solid 2nd round pick.

It will be interesting to see how he performs at his pro day. With all the crap that has gone on, it might have interrupted his training and preparation, and certainly having to wait the extra month or whatever getting ready for Bama gives him (and all the other guys in that gaem) a disadvantage for the combine b/c they lose all the time to train for those specific events. With another month or so, he could shave some time.

Deep_Freeze · 02-25-2013

Decent mock, although this really isn't post combine and drafting Vaccarro without knowing his performance tomorrow is a bit much. His stock could change drastically tomorrow, I would rather wait.

I don't mind Te'o in the second, he has been very productive and will complete our starting LBs, although I do think this draft assumes that Spencer will be back....something that is very up in the air right now.

A guard/center in the 3rd has a high chance of happening if we don't go with one earlier cause he could probably come in and contribute immediately.

ceerrece · 02-25-2013

I agree, this is a very decent mock... but honestly, i don't see Te'o falling to the second, even with his poor performance at the combine and the rumours about his sexuality.

robert70x7 · 02-25-2013

Manti Te'o is Vontaze Burfict without the craziness. Sure he has baggage that has been perpetuated and exploited by the media, but someone is going to get a good ILB for a long time regardless of where he is taken.

IAmLegend · 02-25-2013

Te'o isn't falling to 47 and Barrett Jones isn't falling to 81.

Picksix · 02-26-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAmLegend

Te'o isn't falling to 47 and Barrett Jones isn't falling to 81.

Reading a lot about Jones getting more of a 3rd round grade than a 2nd, especially w/ the foot injury. Maybe not to 81, but don't be surprised if he lasts till the 3rd.

UncFelix28 · 02-26-2013

I really hope Vaccaro has a mediocre day tomorrow..I don't want his stock to continue to rise, would be a good fallback if Warmack/Cooper/Richardson are off the board.

UncFelix28 · 02-26-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by newlander

....BUT I just can't get past T'eo's 40....4.8? He is slow....I'll stick by what I said: 4th rounder IMO

Bowman ran a 4.72 a few years ago man, how many combines do you have to witness to realize the 40 isn't everything..Laurinaitis 4.82.. Maualuga 4.86..Curtis Lofton 4.79...Briggs 4.75 seconds...Stephen Tulloch 4.84..