Draft Class Analysis

[rambo2]

I think that they had a solid draft and will hit on a lot of these picks. I think that they are now better at left guard and at tight end. They got a solid receiver that they needed. I think they will be better at edge rusher with losing Gregory and adding Williams and the free agent that was added earlier. I think that Ridgeway will make them better in the middle.

 

[youngjerryjones]

Cole Strange was my #1 rated center in this draft. I hoped (so did Rams) that he would fall to the 3rd.

Pat's just cut out the mock draft rankings crap and took the player they valued the most with 1st pick.

Yep like another poster mentioned Pats like versatility on their Oline to potentially dress less - we are headed in this direction

 

[tyke1doe]

Baltimore will make a run this year if healthy even if they don't make it far in the playoffs it will still be a close game because they can dictate how the game is played with their philosophy; that I like.

Oh, they will be dangerous. But something happens to them in the playoffs, and it seems easy to take Lamar out of the game.
This is where coaching plays a significant role.
During the playoffs, the better coaches know how to neutralize your strengths. This is why I predicted the Niners to beat the Cowboys.
We simply get outcoached. I could tell what we were going to do and what the Niners were going to do to us.
And sho nuff - early exit for the Cowboys.
That said, I like Baltimore's draft. But the Ravens can't rely heavily on Lamar's legs.
They're going to have to find ways to supplement him so he's not carrying the load and running for his life.
He's just not going to be able to sustain that pace. And it doesn't lead them to victory in the playoffs.

 

[Carter]

Day 1 was a bit meh and risky
Day 2 was very good
Day 3 was insane and we also picked up Safety Marquise Bell who i wanted to draft in the 5th oder 6th

 

[Cowboyny]

yep solid B form me with an A- if LSU linebacker can be a 2nd round steal going into next season.

Looks like they swung for the fences this yr and targeted upside over floor. Taking the linebacker offers some risk, but also high reward if he fully returns. We are talking about a top 50-75 prospect, Kiper said if healthy could of been even a late 1st rd selection.

 

[cnuball21]

1-Tyler Smith

First off he wasn't a reach by any means, I know that the Titans wanted to trade up for him and the Bucs moved out of the 1st rd due to the Cowboys taking him. Yes, he is raw, needs a lot of work from a technical standpoint, but he isn't a prospect that needs to add weight or strength. He is a true mauler that is excellent in the run game, needs to get better against the pass. The added bonus, he has legitimate Tackle upside. We must be patient, but he has pro bowl upside.

2-Sam Williams

Really was disappointed that the team decided to pass on Travis Jones at this spot, but I do like Williams as a player. He is another upside, potential player. Reportedly, Dan Quinn absolutely loved this player. This will be Quinn's pet project to develop him, has all the athletic traits to become a high level, edge player. His off the field concerns are worrisome, but the talent is there.

3-Jalen Tolbert

His game really reminds me of Michael Gallup, whom also was a former 3rd rd selection. An older prospect, who has the ability to play all the receiver positions. Once again, the Cowboys followed their prototype of a big, long receiver. He should make an instant impact yr 1.

4-Jake Ferguson

He was probably the last balanced TE remaining. His game is similar to Dalton Shultz, but a better inline blocker at this stage. He won't threaten teams up the field, he is more of a chain mover in the passing game, but will be an asset in those 2 TE sets. Solid player.

5a-Matt Waletzko-his athletic profile is amazing, testing very well and has tremendous length. What I heard is that he needs some development on and off the field as he needs to get stronger. Heard the team will start him on the left side either at Guard or Tackle. His comparison is Josh Ball who needed to get bigger last yr. With the loss of Collins, the team had to start restocking the Tackle position.

5b-Daron Bland

A 30 visitor who fits the profile that Dan Quinn covets. Big, long and fast. Probably more of a special teamer to start as they will start his development as a corner.

5c-Damone Clark

If not for an injury, he probably would of came off the board within the top 50. If everything checks out and he is able to return to full health, this could be the team's best value pick, just like last yr with Jabril Cox. Better player moving forward, but has 3 down abilities. He would be an ideal replacement for Lve in 2023.

5d-John Ridgeway

A true, 2 down run NT that offers little to nothing as a pass rusher. Early in the process many media scouts, said they would rather have Ridgeway in the 3rd then Davis in the first. He will battle Bohanna for the roster spot.

6-Devin Harper

More depth at the linebacker position. Was a 30 visit prospect who will be more of a special teams standout.

I would give this draft an initial grade of a solid B with the potential to be higher in 3 seasons as they drafted several upside players, who need some development. I really liked the attention to the trenches, outside of the corner/receiver the whole class emphasis was in that area. I also think they have changed their culture somewhat with physical players who want to dominate.

Great write up. I just did my own version without seeing yours and we have a lot of similarities.

I know we disagree on the first 2 picks, as i saw them both as reaches where we could’ve added better players that still fit need, but i think we agree on everything else.

Smith being a plug and play year 1 LG will make me feel a lot better. Until then just a mediocre draft IMO that had to be focused on needs bc we didn’t do enough in FA.

 

[ghst187]

Good OP.

 

[Cowboyny]

Great write up. I just did my own version without seeing yours and we have a lot of similarities.

I know we disagree on the first 2 picks, as i saw them both as reaches where we could’ve added better players that still fit need, but i think we agree on everything else.

Smith being a plug and play year 1 LG will make me feel a lot better. Until then just a mediocre draft IMO that had to be focused on needs bc we didn’t do enough in FA.

Many of us wanted either edge player, but the majority of teams also passed on them. Remember Broaddus saying a few months ago, media scouts were much higher on Johnson then the actual scouts.

We did have a ton of discussions about Tyler Smith leading up to the draft. I really liked him, but wanted him more in a trade back. So happens, that wouldn't be possible. Heard that the pick would of been LLoyd or Cine if Smith was off the board, like Smith better then those 2.

As for Sam Williams, he was handpicked by Dan Quinn, who earned trust with the Jones family after last year's turnaround. When you see your DC personally workout a player at his pro day, you know they are interested. I wanted Travis Jones, but we have to trust Quinn here. What I have heard, they love his attitude and wants to be great.

What I heard throughout the process from multiple media guys was that the Cowboys wanted to change their culture of being too soft. They wanted physical dog type of players who want to dominate their opponent. When you look at the entire class, I think they accomplished that. Their focus was within the trenches and I do think they got better. Time will tell if these top 2 picks were the right picks.

 

[cnuball21]

Many of us wanted either edge player, but the majority of teams also passed on them. Remember Broaddus saying a few months ago, media scouts were much higher on Johnson then the actual scouts.

We did have a ton of discussions about Tyler Smith leading up to the draft. I really liked him, but wanted him more in a trade back. So happens, that wouldn't be possible. Heard that the pick would of been LLoyd or Cine if Smith was off the board, like Smith better then those 2.

As for Sam Williams, he was handpicked by Dan Quinn, who earned trust with the Jones family after last year's turnaround. When you see your DC personally workout a player at his pro day, you know they are interested. I wanted Travis Jones, but we have to trust Quinn here. What I have heard, they love his attitude and wants to be great.

What I heard throughout the process from multiple media guys was that the Cowboys wanted to change their culture of being too soft. They wanted physical dog type of players who want to dominate their opponent. When you look at the entire class, I think they accomplished that. Their focus was within the trenches and I do think they got better. Time will tell if these top 2 picks were the right picks.

All fair points and I agree with everything you're saying. It just doesn't change the fact that they were both reaches for need which kills me in the 1st 2 rounds.

 

[Cowboyny]

All fair points and I agree with everything you're saying. It just doesn't change the fact that they were both reaches for need which kills me in the 1st 2 rounds.

I agree Sam Williams was a reach, but not Tyler Smith as the actual NFL Scouts seemed higher on him then the media ones. Both the Titans/Bucs wanted him. No matter, we will see after 3 seasons if they were the right picks or not.

 

[Malhavoc]

I like the draft probably more than most. When you ignore FA you have to have a draft like this. I think they nailed the 1st 3 picks. Ferguson is a Schultz clone. I like the Ridgeway selection and what can I say about Clark. He was my 3rd rated LB in this class. If he makes it back he’s a heck of a player. As is the case with all drafts, give it a few years and see how it plays out.

 

[AsthmaField]

 

[Malhavoc]

I would have taken Colorado TE over wr in the third round.

He went in round 2 right before we took Williams.

 

[BAT]

 

[Acceptablename]

1-Tyler Smith

First off he wasn't a reach by any means, I know that the Titans wanted to trade up for him and the Bucs moved out of the 1st rd due to the Cowboys taking him. Yes, he is raw, needs a lot of work from a technical standpoint, but he isn't a prospect that needs to add weight or strength. He is a true mauler that is excellent in the run game, needs to get better against the pass. The added bonus, he has legitimate Tackle upside. We must be patient, but he has pro bowl upside.

2-Sam Williams

Really was disappointed that the team decided to pass on Travis Jones at this spot, but I do like Williams as a player. He is another upside, potential player. Reportedly, Dan Quinn absolutely loved this player. This will be Quinn's pet project to develop him, has all the athletic traits to become a high level, edge player. His off the field concerns are worrisome, but the talent is there.

3-Jalen Tolbert

His game really reminds me of Michael Gallup, whom also was a former 3rd rd selection. An older prospect, who has the ability to play all the receiver positions. Once again, the Cowboys followed their prototype of a big, long receiver. He should make an instant impact yr 1.

4-Jake Ferguson

He was probably the last balanced TE remaining. His game is similar to Dalton Shultz, but a better inline blocker at this stage. He won't threaten teams up the field, he is more of a chain mover in the passing game, but will be an asset in those 2 TE sets. Solid player.

5a-Matt Waletzko-his athletic profile is amazing, testing very well and has tremendous length. What I heard is that he needs some development on and off the field as he needs to get stronger. Heard the team will start him on the left side either at Guard or Tackle. His comparison is Josh Ball who needed to get bigger last yr. With the loss of Collins, the team had to start restocking the Tackle position.

5b-Daron Bland

A 30 visitor who fits the profile that Dan Quinn covets. Big, long and fast. Probably more of a special teamer to start as they will start his development as a corner.

5c-Damone Clark

If not for an injury, he probably would of came off the board within the top 50. If everything checks out and he is able to return to full health, this could be the team's best value pick, just like last yr with Jabril Cox. Better player moving forward, but has 3 down abilities. He would be an ideal replacement for Lve in 2023.

5d-John Ridgeway

A true, 2 down run NT that offers little to nothing as a pass rusher. Early in the process many media scouts, said they would rather have Ridgeway in the 3rd then Davis in the first. He will battle Bohanna for the roster spot.

6-Devin Harper

More depth at the linebacker position. Was a 30 visit prospect who will be more of a special teams standout.

I would give this draft an initial grade of a solid B with the potential to be higher in 3 seasons as they drafted several upside players, who need some development. I really liked the attention to the trenches, outside of the corner/receiver the whole class emphasis was in that area. I also think they have changed their culture somewhat with physical players who want to dominate.

B is good for me/ 5c Clark; if he works out thats a solid get
Ridgeway is a surprise get in the 5th
We have competition now in the east

 

[CouchCoach]

The interesting thing about the round 1 pick is that the direct comparisons are there to follow with Linderbaum, Johnson, Lloyd and Wyatt, all positions of need that they did eventually address. And a direct comparison with Williams vs Johnson and some had Johnson as the 2nd best pass rusher in the draft and without an off field concern.

However, Williams seems to have confronted that and answered concerns people might have with his devotion to his one year old son. Sometimes, a young one can make an immature man grow up quickly. He says all the right things.

 

[quickccc]

arkansas dt john ridgeway was a state champ in wrestling.
osa odighizuwa also had a extensive background in wrestling.
this looks to be a trend w/dan quinn when it comes to def tackles in the draft.
makes sense.
anyway...thought it interesting.
dan quinn loves arm length...we know that.
and dt's with a wrestling background.

yep, length, anchor strength and leverage.
not only do i want to see guys that hold their ground but also be able to quickly shed and get off blocks to make plays.

That's even more key and important than a guy weighing 320+ pounds
Bohanna is a 320+ pounder.. and i constantly saw him on the ground,.. back first,

 

[quickccc]

I hope Ridgeway can at least be a contributor in rotation spots this year, but I'm very conservative to expect a late round rookie to immediately transform our run defense,
with such a learning curve.
It's gonna take more than him. Than one player.

- Imo, it's still gonna count very heavily upon the other vet DL unit of Osa, Gallimore and Watkins, to lead the charge,
while we still have the incumbents of Parsons, LVE, while the inexperienced 2nd year Cox has to be more implemented in the LB rotation.

- Something, someone, some people, some coach-schemes... is gonna have to happen to change how we physically play the run.

 

[Cowboyny]

B is good for me/ 5c Clark; if he works out thats a solid get
Ridgeway is a surprise get in the 5th
We have competition now in the east

I disagree, none of the teams have a QB that scares anybody.

 

[Acceptablename]

I disagree, none of the teams have a QB that scares anybody.

Their all improving maybe not a threat this year