Dallas Cowboys
1/11 Demarcus Ware (Sr), OLB, Troy, 6-4 251
1/20 Marcus Spears (Sr), DE/DT, LSU, 6-4 307
2/42 Kevin Burnett (Sr), OLB, Tennessee, 6-3 239
The word for the day is
versatility. The other word for the day is
bigmuthas. Coach Parcells definitely does like to have his options. The three draftees collectively allow us to show virtually any defensive front we want. Should be very confusing for opponents. We have 5 picks on Sunday.
Ware concerns me, but I'll trust in Bill. Hearing Jerry speak of Ware getting only 20-25 plays per game is kind of dissappointing for the 11th pick. Maybe he's just saying that for early in the season. My hope is Parcells knows exactly what he has and what to do with him. Imagine he has a lot to learn, but he has the things you can't teach. Sounds like he has the right work ethic and attitude. Definitely has the athleticism. Simeon Rice with a team-first attitude would be awesome.
Spears is the perfect guy for what we're trying to do. I don't get the concerns about his effort. He had 120 tackles and 9 sacks in the SEC from LDE. What the heck was he supposed to do? His reported negatives sound a lot like the reports on Richard Seymour, Marcus Stroud, Kevin Williams, and John Henderson. I see a guy whose game translates extremely well to the NFL anywhere on the DL, not to mention a guy who will come in on goal line sets on offense at TE and FB. Great leader and top football smarts.
Burnett has all the athletic ability and yet wasn't much rushing the QB or in coverage. Due to scheme or talent? I think he's a guy who will be a ton better than he was in college and he was pretty damn good in college. Can step in a play strongside OLB in a 4-3 or inside in a 3-4. Nice size and can probably grow into a 245/250 lb guy with his frame. Smart and hard worker.
New York Giants
2/43 Corey Webster (Sr), CB, LSU, 6-1 199
3/74 Justin Tuck (Sr), DE, Notre Dame, 6-5 268
Both picks represent good value for where they were picking. They each underachieved though, and they're kind of soft in my opinion. Don't think they improve the Giants much. They only have two more picks on Sunday.
Wanted Webster for Dallas - convert him to a FS. I don't feel he'll translate well at CB. Not quick in the feet or hips. Plays best when he can make the play in front of him, which is why I thought he could make the transition to FS. Thought they had really good CBs already in Peterson and Allen. Maybe they're playing him a FS.
Tuck - probably the best value among the NFC East teams. More of a RDE, and they seem to have found a good one Umenyiora, also from Troy coincidentally. Tuck's not a power end that's going to replace Strahan in a few years.
Philadelphia Eagles
1/31 Mike Patterson (Sr), DT, Southern Cal, 5-11.5 292
2/35 Reggie Brown (Sr), WR, Georgia, 6-1.5 196
2/63 Matthew McCoy (Jr), OLB, San Diego St., 6-0/230
3/77 Ryan Moats (Jr), HB, La. Tech, 5-8.5 210
Some interesting role players, and they have 10 MORE FRICKIN PICKS on Sunday (ugh)! They should be very deep this year.
Patterson is a nice rotational guy at the very least, and maybe he defies his size limitations and becomes more. Sounds like a high-character, maximum effort guy and a very safe pick at the end of round 1. Philly was already very deep at DT so I don't really fear him. Probably frees them up to trade Simon for a day 1 pick next year unfortunately.
Reggie Brown - really high on him. Physical, maximum effort guy. Tough intermediate catches and will block downfield. Will at least give them something serviceable across from T.O.
OLBers are fairly bland in their scheme. McCoy can fit, but I thought he was a reach. Moats, eh. Wasn't a fan. Nice balance and a good all around back. Maybe they're preparing for Westbrook's departure next year. Fills the same role.
Washington Redskins
1/9 Carlos Rogers (Sr), CB, Auburn, 6-0.5 196
1/25 Jason Campbell (Sr), QB, Auburn, 6-4.5 230
Pretty sad (not really
). They only have 3 more picks on Sunday.
Rogers - very good total corner, and might develop into the best corner in this draft. Mostly just replaces Smoot and doesn't especially improve the Skins the next couple of years. He's just filling a hole (capably, most likely) left by Smoot.
Campbell has some nice tools, but I just see a player with a very long, slow release similar to Randall Cunningham or Aaron Brooks. I can't slam him as a prospect, but was he worth 3 picks, including a 1st in a very strong 2006 draft? Was Patrick Ramsey that bad? I have to say no on both accounts. He does not improve the team for at least 3 to 4 years, if at all. 2006 is going to fun watching Skins fans look longingly at a top 10 draft pick that should have been theirs.