CF31's Early Mock Draft - Dallas Cowboys Forum

cowboysfan31 · 09-16-2009

1. Terrence Cody NT Alabama 6'5" 365lbs This pick is not meant to replace Ratliff, but with the depth of the DT position in the draft this year I think we would be fools to pass him up if he's still there. I know he will probably get the Ron Brace treatment here, but you can't teach his size.

2. Thomas Austin OG/C Clemson 6'3" 315lbs Versatility to play either C or G and has been able to stay healthy throughout his career. He is very strong and aggressive on the interior and should bring the depth that we need.

3. Myron Lewis DB Vanderbilt 6'3" 205lbs Big physical DB that has started in 27 straight games. Excellent ball skills, but he is not afraid of contact and is pretty good when rushing the QB too.

4. Jason Fox OT Miami 6'7" 310lbs The Fort Worth native graded out at 97% last year and 96% the year before. He has mainly played LT for Miami but he has experience on both sides.

5. Traded to Denver for Montrae Holland

6. Jeffrey Fitzgerald DL Kansas St 6'4" 280lbs Sat out the 2008 year after transferring from Virginia. In his 2 years at Virginia (which runs the 3-4) he totaled 12 sacks, 24 TFL, 4 INTs, 3 FF, and 7 PBU. Could be another late round gem.

7. Brandon James Return Specialist Florida 5'7" 185lbs He has scored 4 punt return TDs in his career and added a KR for a TD in the first game this year. He is a RB by trade which would make it harder for him to make the roster, but his return skills are definitely of interest at this point.

Chris in Arizona · 09-16-2009

I like it. Cody would definitely improve our run defense. Overall this draft addresses the o line and the d line, very nice.

UnoDallas · 09-16-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboysfan31

1. Terrence Cody NT Alabama 6'5" 365lbs This pick is not meant to replace Ratliff, but with the depth of the DT position in the draft this year I think we would be fools to pass him up if he's still there. I know he will probably get the Ron Brace treatment here, but you can't teach his size.

an you can teach laziness - IMO - he is lazy
I rather have Boo Robertson in the second

2. Thomas Austin OG/C Clemson 6'3" 315lbs Versatility to play either C or G and has been able to stay healthy throughout his career. He is very strong and aggressive on the interior and should bring the depth that we need.

I would rather have a true center

Josh McNeil, Tennessee
Height: 6-4. Weight: 289.
Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
Projected Round (2010): 2-3.
[View Full Quote]2/11/09: Despite playing for one of the worst offenses in Tennessee history, Josh McNeil remains near the top of this list.

5/26/08: Josh McNeil suffered a minor knee injury this offseason, but he'll be fine for the season opener.

2007: Josh McNeil started as a freshman center in the SEC in nine games. The top-ranked center in the 2010 class, McNeil looks completely comfortable in the middle of Tennessee's offensive front.

3. Myron Lewis DB Vanderbilt 6'3" 205lbs Big physical DB that has started in 27 straight games. Excellent ball skills, but he is not afraid of contact and is pretty good when rushing the QB too.

like this pick

4. Jason Fox OT Miami 6'7" 310lbs The Fort Worth native graded out at 97% last year and 96% the year before. He has mainly played LT for Miami but he has experience on both sides.

this pick

5. Traded to Denver for Montrae Holland

6. Jeffrey Fitzgerald DL Kansas St 6'4" 280lbs Sat out the 2008 year after transferring from Virginia. In his 2 years at Virginia (which runs the 3-4) he totaled 12 sacks, 24 TFL, 4 INTs, 3 FF, and 7 PBU. Could be another late round gem.

nice find

7. Brandon James Return Specialist Florida 5'7" 185lbs He has scored 4 punt return TDs in his career and added a KR for a TD in the first game this year. He is a RB by trade which would make it harder for him to make the roster, but his return skills are definitely of interest at this point.

OL please

MarionBarberThe4th · 09-16-2009

OK, but Cody shouldnt be there

And dont you think wed re-sign our top DE's? So w/ us drafting 2, and moving Rat around thats a logjam at DE when we still could use an ILB and WR.

I like Lewis, Fox, and James

cowboysfan31 · 09-16-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarionBarberThe4th

OK, but Cody shouldnt be there

And dont you think wed re-sign our top DE's? So w/ us drafting 2, and moving Rat around thats a logjam at DE when we still could use an ILB and WR.

I like Lewis, Fox, and James

I think that with the DT class being so deep, there is a good shot at this point for us to pick Cody. Ndamukong Suh and Arthur Jones will both probably go before him, and there are a few strong underclassmen that might come out as well.

I said with the very first sentence that he wasn't drafted to replace Ratliff, but rather to help him out in the middle. Yes, I drafted a backup in the first. Cody is out on a mission to prove that he can be an every down player this year, but I think rotating him and Ratliff would keep both players fresh and add a huge boost to the D. I still want Rat on the nose, I would just rather see him get out on the edge some too while somebody else plugs the middle up. Hatcher and Bowen have both shown flashes, but neither impresses me right now. Olshansky just signed his deal, but Spears will be a FA and there's no telling if we'll resign him or not.

I'm not too worried about ILB with James and Brooking as our starters, and we just drafted Jason Williams and Steven Hodge last year. The newly signed Curtis Johnson is also slated to play ILB.

Our offense has so many weapons that another WR isn't really at the top of my list. In the 7th round if there was a WR there with return ability, I've got no problem taking him but James was the best RS that I saw around that area.

MarionBarberThe4th · 09-16-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboysfan31

I think that with the DT class being so deep, there is a good shot at this point for us to pick Cody. Ndamukong Suh and Arthur Jones will both probably go before him, and there are a few strong underclassmen that might come out as well.

I said with the very first sentence that he wasn't drafted to replace Ratliff, but rather to help him out in the middle. Yes, I drafted a backup in the first. Cody is out on a mission to prove that he can be an every down player this year, but I think rotating him and Ratliff would keep both players fresh and add a huge boost to the D. I still want Rat on the nose, I would just rather see him get out on the edge some too while somebody else plugs the middle up. Hatcher and Bowen have both shown flashes, but neither impresses me right now. Olshansky just signed his deal, but Spears will be a FA and there's no telling if we'll resign him or not.

[View Full Quote]

Most mocks have Cody top 16, so maybe Im nitpicking.

I dont love drafting a backup in the 1st, but I guess you can do worse than a 350 backup. I just feel that at worst Spears will be re-signed and we have bigger needs.

As for ILB. Brooking could be one and done and I have no idea what Hodge is. Im loving JWill but I think 1 midrounder at ILB is needed.

I think its time to get a fresh WR prospect in there as well. I rank the needs something like LT, WR=NT, ILB, S/CB

UnoDallas · 09-16-2009

I think its time to get a fresh WR prospect in there as well. I rank the needs something like LT, WR=NT, ILB, S/CB

I got LT/OG - NT - WR - S/CB - OL - OL - OL - OL LOL

cowboysfan31 · 09-17-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarionBarberThe4th

Most mocks have Cody top 16, so maybe Im nitpicking.

I dont love drafting a backup in the 1st, but I guess you can do worse than a 350 backup. I just feel that at worst Spears will be re-signed and we have bigger needs.

As for ILB. Brooking could be one and done and I have no idea what Hodge is. Im loving JWill but I think 1 midrounder at ILB is needed.

I think its time to get a fresh WR prospect in there as well. I rank the needs something like LT, WR=NT, ILB, S/CB

I know he's a backup, but without going back and watching the Tampa game in detail it seemed to me like Siavii was in there quite a bit. I think if Cody played the same way he and Rat could form a dominant duo in the middle to help anchor our defense for years to come. The problem with most big men is that they are extremely lazy and really don't love to play football, but I think Cody is the opposite. He could have come out last year and been picked pretty high, but he chose to return. Coming out of junior college he promised Coach Miles if he gave him a chance, the would give him all of his eligibility. May sound like a stupid reason to some people, but in his second season at Alabama I think he's going to prove he's got good character and work ethic. Not only does he clog the line and free up the players around him, he provides a little push of his own and has good ball awareness. He didn't start playing until his junior year of HS so he is still fairly raw and only has room to improve.

I don't really see WR as a position of need at this point. RW11 is the #1 here, and Crayton really looks to have stepped his game up as well. At worst Crayton is a solid 3rd receiver. Austin showed that when the real games are here, he can perform. Now he just needs to prove that he can stay healthy and consistent. We wouldn't let the Jets have him, and if he blossoms this season you can bet Jerry won't let anybody touch him. That still leaves you with Hurd and Ogletree (and Manuel Johnson, if you want to count PS. I like what I saw from him towards the end of preseason and wouldn't mind a second look.) All of our receivers and backs are able to make the short catches, and I think Sunday proved we've got plenty of speed there. It was a huge question mark going into Sunday, but I left that game feeling alot better about the position. It was only 1 game, but I get the feeling that this was only the tip of the iceberg. Just wait until our offense is hitting on cylinders.

At ILB Brooking signed a 3-year deal and he still looks like he's got some gas left in the tank. James isn't going anywhere. Carpenter will most likely be gone, but Jason Williams will hopefully step up and take his spot. Hodge's injury issues were minor and I view this as a RS season for him as he transitions from SS in college to ILB in a 3-4. I think he will make the roster next year on ST ability alone. There is also Curtin Johnson who made the roster and is now listed behind Brooking even though he first practised with the team yesterday. I don't feel like a mid-round LB would be able to come in and provide anything that we don't already have on the roster.

cowboysfan31 · 09-17-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnoDallas

1. Terrence Cody NT Alabama 6'5" 365lbs This pick is not meant to replace Ratliff, but with the depth of the DT position in the draft this year I think we would be fools to pass him up if he's still there. I know he will probably get the Ron Brace treatment here, but you can't teach his size.

an you can teach laziness - IMO - he is lazy
I rather have Boo Robertson in the second

I think he'll prove this season that he's not a typical big, fat, lazy DT. He is going to tire and get sluggish at the end of the game when he's trying to play every snap, but if he's kept fresh in a rotation I think you would be surprised.
I think you mean Boo Robinson, who could probably be had in the 3rd-4th area. Only problem is he's listed around 6'1" 295 which is on the small side for a NT, and he's also coming off of shoulder surgery and has yet to prove that he's healthy.

Quote:

2. Thomas Austin OG/C Clemson 6'3" 315lbs Versatility to play either C or G and has been able to stay healthy throughout his career. He is very strong and aggressive on the interior and should bring the depth that we need.

I would rather have a true center

Josh McNeil, Tennessee
Height: 6-4. Weight: 289.
Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
Projected Round (2010): 2-3.
2/11/09: Despite playing for one of the worst offenses in Tennessee history, Josh McNeil remains near the top of this list.

5/26/08: Josh McNeil suffered a minor knee injury this offseason, but he'll be fine for the season opener.

2007: Josh McNeil started as a freshman center in the SEC in nine games. The top-ranked center in the 2010 class, McNeil looks completely comfortable in the middle of Tennessee's offensive front.

I did a little looking around for McNeil and found several articles about problems with alcohol, underage drinking, DWI, and also a long history of knee injuries (including one that his own coach said was career-ending this year, though he's trying to work back). He's also listed at only 280lbs which is much to small to fit with our OL.

While I typically don't look at his rating much, I believe Mel Kiper rated Austin as one of the best centers both last year as a junior and this year. In this day and age versatility is key, having a player that can only play 1 spot on the line is kind of limiting.

Quote:

7. Brandon James Return Specialist Florida 5'7" 185lbs He has scored 4 punt return TDs in his career and added a KR for a TD in the first game this year. He is a RB by trade which would make it harder for him to make the roster, but his return skills are definitely of interest at this point.

OL please

The Cowboys have already shown that they can't develp OL, this part of the draft is a gamble and I'd rather put my money on a potential difference maker.

MarionBarberThe4th · 09-17-2009

All indications are that Bradie and Brooking were more at fault than the D-Line. As well as bad tackling overall. It was just one (humid) game and it got tightened up pretty well in the 2nd half so we can rethink all this mid-season or so.

I wouldnt bring both Hurd and Austin back. Odds are only one(Miles) can have a break out year based on oppurtunities barring injury. I just think thats too many years w/ the same group of guys at the bottom. At some point you got to cut the cord & get some fresh young speedy prospects in there. Thats not a knock on any guy.

I like Tate b/c the speed, return ability and potential to blossom in the pros.

UnoDallas · 09-17-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboysfan31

I think he'll prove this season that he's not a typical big, fat, lazy DT. He is going to tire and get sluggish at the end of the game when he's trying to play every snap, but if he's kept fresh in a rotation I think you would be surprised.
I think you mean Boo Robinson, who could probably be had in the 3rd-4th area. Only problem is he's listed around 6'1" 295 which is on the small side for a NT, and he's also coming off of shoulder surgery and has yet to prove that he's healthy.

The Cowboys have already shown that they can't develp OL, this part of the draft is a gamble and I'd rather put my money on a potential difference maker.

Boo Robinson, Wake Forest
Height: 6-2. Weight: 326.

oh well I really want boo in the 2 could care less about Mcneil but nice find on the info

thats with out H Houck there - my gawd its not that hard hel get the Iowa coach or the USC line coach here then

Bob Sacamano · 09-17-2009

I like it a lot, Jason Fox has been intriguing me

think the Cody pick is unrealistic though, and he's ions better than Ron Brace

UnoDallas · 09-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Sacamano

I like it a lot, Jason Fox has been intriguing me

think the Cody pick is unrealistic though, and he's ions better than Ron Brace

I think Fox played pretty good tonite of what I saw

Jason Fox, Miami
Height: 6-6. Weight: 302.
Projected 40 Time: 5.03.
Projected Round (2010): 3-4

add another 30 lbs he would be

Biggems · 09-18-2009

I am really liking that 3rd round pick.

dbair1967 · 09-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Sacamano

I like it a lot, Jason Fox has been intriguing me

think the Cody pick is unrealistic though, and he's ions better than Ron Brace

non sense...only the Buehler is better than Ron Brace