Available prospects and Cowboys draft strategy... - Dallas Cowboys Forum

noletime1995 · 03-30-2005

The more I look at this draft, the more I think Dallas is in a bit of a tough spot with the available talent pool. Seems like some of the best defensive front 7 prospects are more geared towards the 3-4 defense, while Dallas currently has 4-3 personnel. We'll know a lot more about the direction of the team after the draft obviously. The best depth in the draft is at CB and RB and Dallas needs neither. There are some decent QB prospects out there, but Dallas has Henson to groom. The front 7 lacks any elite prospects IMO, but plenty of good ones. So what does Dallas do? Here's my take...

If Dallas is going 3-4 this draft is a nice opportunity to make that happen. Trade down at 11, take Merriman at around 15-16 if possible. Trade down at 20 and take Ware late 1st or early 2nd. Dallas should accumulate an additional 2 1st day picks by making these moves IMO. Use an early 2nd rounder on whichever of the big DE's falls (Spears maybe) to provide a nice rotation at DL. I have concerns of sliding Glover outside, but he's big enough to do it. The secondary is pretty much set, but Dallas desperately needs a big MLB to anchor a 3-4 defense and play alongside the edge rushers and Dat. Not sure where they find that. Pick up a young WR on day one also.

If Dallas stays 4-3, I think we need Howard. James is the only plausible 4-3 edge rusher I see and he hasn't stayed healthy. Somehow, Dallas must pressure the QB and adding Howard would certanily help here. Hopefully, this years 2nd and a future pick gets it done. This allows Dallas the flexibility to find the best player available for depth in the front 7, a young WR and hopefully FS on day one after trading down at least once. The only reason to veer from this strategy IMO (if Dallas stays 4-3) is if Barron is availabe at #11.

Woods · 03-30-2005

I have been thinking that trading down a few spots (depending who's there, of course) may be the best course of action.

At 15 we could either land Pollack, Spears, Merriman, Travis Johnson, DJ (though he's not a favorite of mine), etc.

I guess it depends if there is a "special" player at 11 that BP wants.

My gut feel is that we won't spend an early pick on offense - neither WR or OL.

I think that pick will be spent on the front 7.

As a layman, I just can't decide between Pollack and Merriman, for example. I think both could make very good OLBs. Similarly, I think Spears has a ton of upside and versatility as well.