Draft Rant- 4/3

[CowboysLaw87]

So it's 23 days until the Draft. Here we are with an 8-8 club that has every reason to believe greener pastures are well within reach. I'm the type that stays very much in the loop on all things NFL Draft, so here are my thoughts on where we stand on 4/3, and my opinions on some players...

-Mark Barron: we could really use the type of physical presence he can provide, as well as his leadership skills. He also doesn't get enough credit as a pass defender. 12 career INT's and 20 PD's. For purely an "in the box" SS, he sure got his hands on a lot of balls (32) in a run-oriented conference. Add his extensive playing experience under Saban and on the big stage (2-time NC), and there are very few holes in this guy as a prospect. A plug and play mainstay in our secondary for years to come. I also get the feeling he's a very safe pick.

-Dre Kirkpatrick: while I don't think he's as long (30 5/8" arms) or explosive as some think/thought, he seems like a reasonable pick at 14. Great height, and I've heard he's the best tackling corner in the draft. My concern- because of his somewhat tight hips and lack of true quick twitch athleticism, he seems to fit better as a zone CB. We want to play more man. And though people are saying he'd make a great FS... he's very thin and has never played there. Who knows what kind of transition he'd make. Still, he was a standout at the highest level and has rare size/speed ratio for the position.

-Fletcher Cox: looks like the type of rusher that is a rare find for the 5-tech. Problem is, I do see him as a better 3-tech fit. He likes to shoot gaps and get upfield, not necessarily take on double teams. Not that I don't think he's capable of doing it if asked, but just an observation. We really lack any threat at the DE spot, so he would represent one of the bigger upgrades available over our current personel. I've read great things about his work ethic, and he scored very well in the speed drills at the Combine.

-David DeCastro: Mean SOB who puts together a terrific blend of power and technique. Make no mistake about it... his ceiling is lower than Glenn's and probably Silatolu's too. But he has prototype size and short area quickness, along with impeccable ability to find the 2nd level defender or stunter. I could care less who we signed in FA... this is the type of field-ready guy who excites me because he's ALREADY at a near Pro Bowl level. His ceiling may not be as high as Glenn's, but his floor is darn close to his ceiling.

-Dontari Poe: ewww. Sorry, I just want nothing to do with him. I'm not saying I wouldn't take him at any point in the draft, but I have an impossible time believing he'll go as high as mockers are suggesting, for all the reasons already mentioned on this board 10000 times. Sure, he can be the most dominant force in this draft. But it's far more likely IMO that he turns out to be just an enormous, athletic, average DL who busts miserably.

-Melvin Ingram: this is a guy who's right at the top of my wish list for a few reasons: versatility, explosiveness, and highly valued position. I'm not sure if he's ever a full time starting SOLB in our scheme, but I do know that between bringing him off the edge, blitzing him from an ILB spot, or putting his hand down as either a DE or DT... the guy can be on the field a ton and be disruptive. He adds an element that we need, and I'm a huge proponent of pass rush being chiefly important on defense.

-Courtney Upshaw: don't want much to do with this guy, although I wouldn't be nearly as upset as if Poe is the pick. I know people say "watch the tape," and don't want to focus on measurables... but the measurables are atrocious and I blatantly could've predicted it based on the tape. Another poster put it well when he said that the bullying game works in college but not in the NFL. He will be productive based on his strength, versatility, and relentlessness... but his ceiling is very low, and I see him as just a slight upgrade over Spencer.

-Peter Konz: really don't want him at 14, but would be happy with him in a trade down. The OL is so important, and Konz would pretty much solidify it (that would be the hope, at least). I just don't see him as a Pouncey or Mangold-like elite C. I see him as more of just a very solid, field-ready, powerful anchor C who would be a great upgrade for us, but isn't at the same level athletically as prospects at other positions. Would make for a comforting pick, but not necessarily a fist pumper.

-Cordy Glenn: I'm very high on him. I actually like him almost as much as DeCastro because of his size and versatility. It can't be understated how important it MIGHT be that he can play RT; presumably at a pretty high level. Potential to dominate at OG, and at a minimum would still be an upgrade over what we have there currently. Lots of experience at different OL spots in the SEC. Dominated at the Senior Bowl... want a bold prediction? He's off the board when we pick.

My order of preference (including Brockers and Gilmore)...

1. Melvin Ingram
2. David DeCastro
3. Cordy Glenn
4. Mark Barron
5. Dre Kirkpatrick
6. Fletcher Cox
7. Peter Konz
8. Michael Brockers
9. Stephon Gilmore
10. Courtney Upshaw
11. Dontari Poe

[Sasquatch]

I agree with most of your thoughts, particularly that DeCastro should still be option #1, but I don't think that Brockers is off our board just because he didn't receive an invite to visit.

[Woods]

Great post.

I like your top 4 choices.

I would prefer to draft Cox before Kirkpatrick and Gilmore before Brockers.

But in terms of your first four picks, I would be happy with any one of them.

They all have very good production in college and don't see to have any red flags or motivational issues either.

[btcutter]

Where's Coples in this list? He's far better than Upshaw, Poe.

He can play DE or OLB. Much higher ceiling than Spencer and better than any DE we have now.

[CowboysLaw87]

Originally Posted by btcutter

Where's Coples in this list? He's far better than Upshaw, Poe.

He can play DE or OLB. Much higher ceiling than Spencer and better than any DE we have now.

Hard to see Coples falling to 14, so I didn't include him. It's a possibility he's there but I don't see him as a good fit with our defense anyway. He's the prototype as a 4-3 end, but don't think he's quite got the size/style for DE or athleticism in space for OLB in our scheme. Reminds me of Fairley in that regard... just not a fit... so pass.

[cowboysooner]

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

I agree with most of your thoughts, particularly that DeCastro should still be option #1, but I don't think that Brockers is off our board just because he didn't receive an invite to visit.

If this is a DeCastro troll then well done. And, if not, well done anyway.

[CowboyHawg2012]

I know im in the minority, out of everybody out in the draft community, but i dont want Ingram at all. Ya he's extremely athletic and versatile. But he is not going to be a pro bowl caliber player unless teams use him the correct way and I dont see us as a fit for him. I dont think he is a bust by any means. but I believe he is average and their are pro bowl caliber players available where people are talking/mocking ingram to go.
-He does get lost in run support.
-its not brought up alot, but i question his motor in-game, specifically during plays. he has a tendency to "let up" once OLine get hands on him and if he is rushing upfield and the play goes the other way, he tends to stop and watch.

just my thoughts. we'll know for sure in a few years right?

[CowboysLaw87]

Originally Posted by CowboyHawg2012

I know im in the minority, out of everybody out in the draft community, but i dont want Ingram at all. Ya he's extremely athletic and versatile. But he is not going to be a pro bowl caliber player unless teams use him the correct way and I dont see us as a fit for him. I dont think he is a bust by any means. but I believe he is average and their are pro bowl caliber players available where people are talking/mocking ingram to go.
-He does get lost in run support.
-its not brought up alot, but i question his motor in-game, specifically during plays. he has a tendency to "let up" once OLine get hands on him and if he is rushing upfield and the play goes the other way, he tends to stop and watch.

just my thoughts. we'll know for sure in a few years right?

Solid points. I think if there's a concern, it's his lack of overall length. The arm length in particular is a big concern because rushers need to be able to maintain separation from OL. I think it can be overcome though, and is likely the only reason why he may be available at 14.

[cowboysooner]

Originally Posted by CowboyHawg2012

I know im in the minority, out of everybody out in the draft community, but i dont want Ingram at all. Ya he's extremely athletic and versatile. But he is not going to be a pro bowl caliber player unless teams use him the correct way and I dont see us as a fit for him. I dont think he is a bust by any means. but I believe he is average and their are pro bowl caliber players available where people are talking/mocking ingram to go.
-He does get lost in run support.
-its not brought up alot, but i question his motor in-game, specifically during plays. he has a tendency to "let up" once OLine get hands on him and if he is rushing upfield and the play goes the other way, he tends to stop and watch.

just my thoughts. we'll know for sure in a few years right?

I think he is a great player in certain defenses. I think we are one of those defenses because we could use him as a jack of all trades like Adalius Thomas in Baltimore.

[Sasquatch]

Originally Posted by cowboysooner

If this is a DeCastro troll then well done. And, if not, well done anyway.

Um, thanks???

Was just voicing an opinion, not intending to troll anyone.

[cowboysooner]

Sorry, he did not list DeCastro as #1, but you read it that way probably b/c that's the prevailing opinion. I agree 100% with your Brockers hypothesis.

I apologize for my snarkiness.

[btcutter]

Originally Posted by CowboysLaw87

Hard to see Coples falling to 14, so I didn't include him. It's a possibility he's there but I don't see him as a good fit with our defense anyway. He's the prototype as a 4-3 end, but don't think he's quite got the size/style for DE or athleticism in space for OLB in our scheme. Reminds me of Fairley in that regard... just not a fit... so pass.

He probably won't fall to us but I disagree with you about his ability to play 3-4 end. His best year in college was when he played DT so I see him as Seymour type DE. At the minimum he'll have a higher ceiling at OLB than Spencer.

[Sasquatch]

Originally Posted by cowboysooner

Sorry, he did not list DeCastro as #1, but you read it that way probably b/c that's the prevailing opinion. I agree 100% with your Brockers hypothesis.

I apologize for my snarkiness.

I've been reading so many of these posts lately it's possible I confused this one with another. i could have sworn it said something along the lines "we have a winner" under Decastro. Oh well, perhaps it's time for my annual checkup.

[CowboysLaw87]

Fellas, I just can't see Brockers being the guy when he got no visit invite. Not that it's impossible that he could be the pick without an invite, but you would think we'd take every opportunity to speak with him if we think he's in the running.

It's been since DeMarcus in 2005 that the top pick wasn't a part of these visits. Sure it's possible Brockers can break the streak, but as a general rule, you never bet on the exception. Brockers would be the exception at this point.

[CowboysLaw87]

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

I've been reading so many of these posts lately it's possible I confused this one with another. i could have sworn it said something along the lines "we have a winner" under Decastro. Oh well, perhaps it's time for my annual checkup.

My bad Sasquatch, I originally did write "we have a winner" under DeCastro. I edited it quickly after posting when I realized it was misleading.