Mel Kiper's Big Board Updated 3/22

[JPM]

Originally Posted by LatinMind

lol wow branch out of the top 25? lol what a joke kiper has turned out to be. if branch was there at 22 i dont think dallas would last 10 seconds on the clock

Originally Posted by wayne_motley

apparently everyone has Branch slipping....it seems he showed up at the Combine and his workouts out of shape and with an attitude that his interviewers didn't take to at all.

I could very easily see a player like him dropping....how many teams are so desperate for a DT of his ilk?

Everything I have read is saying he is falling. He came to his pro day out of shape.

[burmafrd]

I think after the problems at his workouts a lot of people are thinking he is now the second coming of Gabe Watson- NOT a good thing!!!

[dfense]

Only 1 safety in the top 25?

[burmafrd]

For latin and the other Branch cool aid drinkers:

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84292

ESPN scouts flat out say he is dogging it and looking bad.

[fanfromvirginia]

This is an unexciting run-up to the draft because we really don't have any must needs. WR, CB, NT. Those are our realistic first round options. Now that Branch is lazing his way out of the 1st round, we're likely down to WR or CB. We're not likely to get our future #1 WR at 22 in this draft and we don't need another #4-for-now prospect, which we have a few of. At CB, we need a #2 and I suppose at 22 that's about what we can expect, at least for the short term.

We've got 10 picks; way the hell more than we need but nothing worth trading up for except CJ, who is way the hell too expensive to make the move.

Anybody else feeling the draft blahs, like me?

On edit: Don't get me wrong. This is a good problem to have and a function of our improvement over the last few years and this offseason.

[Chuck 54]

Originally Posted by fanfromvirginia

This is an unexciting run-up to the draft because we really don't have any must needs. WR, CB, NT. Those are our realistic first round options. Now that Branch is lazing his way out of the 1st round, we're likely down to WR or CB. We're not likely to get our future #1 WR at 22 in this draft and we don't need another #4-for-now prospect, which we have a few of. At CB, we need a #2 and I suppose at 22 that's about what we can expect, at least for the short term.

We've got 10 picks; way the hell more than we need but nothing worth trading up for except CJ, who is way the hell too expensive to make the move.

Anybody else feeling the draft blahs, like me?

On edit: Don't get me wrong. This is a good problem to have and a function of our improvement over the last few years and this offseason.

I can live with a CB selection in round 1, but if we manage to get a WR like Jarrett or Meacham, I don't think either will be a number 4 for long. Both are infinitely more talented than Crayton, imo.

[fanfromvirginia]

Originally Posted by wayne_motley

I can live with a CB selection in round 1, but if we manage to get a WR like Jarrett or Meacham, I don't think either will be a number 4 for long. Both are infinitely more talented than Crayton, imo.

Eh, #3, #4, what's the difference. I know there's a difference and that our number 1 pick could turn into a future starter and all that. I'm just not excited about it.

In past drafts we've had multiple holes in our starting lineup that needed plugging. We just don't have that this year. Which is a good thing, I repeat to avoid getting flamed.

[dffl11]

Originally Posted by fanfromvirginia

Eh, #3, #4, what's the difference. I know there's a difference and that our number 1 pick could turn into a future starter and all that. I'm just not excited about it.

In past drafts we've had multiple holes in our starting lineup that needed plugging. We just don't have that this year. Which is a good thing, I repeat to avoid getting flamed.

I agree so much with this statement!

I would love to see Dallas get the best OL available at 22 or

one of three WR (Jarrett, Bowe, Meachem)

but most of all just address BPA by back up nneds : Center, OLB, ILB, DE, and OL. And most of all a solid 300 plus DT/NT

With Hamlin on board (i hope) we do not need to address SS or FS in any of our 1st day picks. (Roy, Davis, Hamlin, Watkins)

[fanfromvirginia]

Originally Posted by dffl31

I agree so much with this statement!

I would love to see Dallas get the best OL available at 22 or

one of three WR (Jarrett, Bowe, Meachem)

but most of all just address BPA by back up nneds : Center, OLB, ILB, DE, and OL. And most of all a solid 300 plus DT/NT

With Hamlin on board (i hope) we do not need to address SS or FS in any of our 1st day picks. (Roy, Davis, Hamlin, Watkins)

A reasonable, practical list. Just gawdawful boring. This would be a great year for trading up given our extra picks and reduced needs but there's just not that much extra value there in the affordable 10-21 range at positions we need. Oh, my kingdom for a Ngata in '07.

[dffl11]

Originally Posted by fanfromvirginia

A reasonable, practical list. Just gawdawful boring. This would be a great year for trading up given our extra picks and reduced needs but there's just not that much extra value there in the affordable 10-21 range at positions we need. Oh, my kingdom for a Ngata in '07.

no doubt about it, this is a boring year for us in the draft...unless Dallas starts trading away like crazy...i hope not, but you never know.

Your point was well taken by me on not being in a position of Need....We could start next season without one draft pick being a major contributor...we have the starting 22 on the roster right now along with most of our key back ups (of course that is IF we sign Hamlin)

[InmanRoshi]

Originally Posted by fanfromvirginia

This is an unexciting run-up to the draft because we really don't have any must needs. WR, CB, NT. Those are our realistic first round options. Now that Branch is lazing his way out of the 1st round, we're likely down to WR or CB. We're not likely to get our future #1 WR at 22 in this draft and we don't need another #4-for-now prospect, which we have a few of. At CB, we need a #2 and I suppose at 22 that's about what we can expect, at least for the short term.

At this point, I would prefer it if the Cowboys traded back into the 2nd round and pick up another first rounder next year. Outside of Nelson, I really don't like any of the players in the #15-25 range.

[dallasfaniac]

I have mentioned it before, Branch himself had been told when he declared that he was valued as a solid first round pick, mid to late first. It's all these mock sites that have pushed him so high. However, I still think someone pulls the trigger top 10 despite the concerns.

[dffl11]

Originally Posted by dallasfaniac

I have mentioned it before, Branch himself had been told when he declared that he was valued as a solid first round pick, mid to late first. It's all these mock sites that have pushed him so high. However, I still think someone pulls the trigger top 10 despite the concerns.

well speaking from experience, I know for a fact the day Shawne Merriman said he declared for the draft he was told he would be a late 1st rd to early 2nd round pick by both NFL scouts and NFL experts (kiper and company) Kiper actually helped hype up Shawne cause he has ties to the Maryland area.........BUT it was after the Maryland pro day, and all the NFL scouts seeing him workout...thats when he jumped right up to the top 10-15

between the decaring of the draft and the draft itself, players jump around like crazy...depending on thier skill set.....they fall the other way too, like Aron Rogers did.

Branch is solid and will not go past the 15th pick in the draft...too much potential for success.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by dffl31

well speaking from experience, I know for a fact the day Shawne Merriman said he declared for the draft he was told he would be a late 1st rd to early 2nd round pick by both NFL scouts and NFL experts (kiper and company) Kiper actually helped hype up Shawne cause he has ties to the Maryland area.........BUT it was after the Maryland pro day, and all the NFL scouts seeing him workout...thats when he jumped right up to the top 10-15

between the decaring of the draft and the draft itself, players jump around like crazy...depending on thier skill set.....they fall the other way too, like Aron Rogers did.

Branch is solid and will not go past the 15th pick in the draft...too much potential for success.

Pretty sure Ware was supposed to be a 2-3 rounder before the combine/prodays.

[burmafrd]

His piling on of the fat between the combine and his pro day has turned off some; then apparently his interviews rang some more alarm bells. He could not find himself barely in the first rd.