Cowboys draft after completion of round 4 impressions?

[Hawkeye0202]

Dane Brugler had Shelton as a 5th

Shelton is an interesting developmental prospect, because of his impressive big-man athleticism. He will struggle to win at the NFL level, though, unless he improves his functional strength and finishing toughness. He projects as an NFL swing tackle with starting potential.

• Adequate height and length, with solid bulk in lower half
• Natural athlete with light feet and body fluidity
• Quick out of his stance in both run and pass games
• Reacts well on the fly to recover when caught out of position
• Comfortable with any type of pull blocks; stays ahead of second-level blocks
• Flagged just once in 2025 (holding in Week 1)
• Caught two-point conversion against Florida International in 2025 (it was negated by a holding penalty)
• Not an alpha personality but respected by teammates and described as “super mature” by coaches (NFL scout: “He’s a low-key leader who does everything right. … He’ll fit in whatever locker room he goes to.”)
• Durable — started 34 games at left tackle, including 29 straight

Type of player, as Jimmy Johnson would say........nothing flashy or sexy but you know he's coming to play every Sunday.

 

[Whiskey Cowboy]

I wonder what the plan is with Overton? Is he a very light DE in the 3-4 on passing downs? Is he used only as a 4-3 DE?

I don’t really see him being used as a 3-4 OLB. Hes not athletic enough for that. Possibly used as a specialty player on short yardage/goal line situations?

I don’t hate the player, be has some traits, but what will his usage be? CP must have a specific plan to use him. Otherwise the pick doesn’t make sense.

The clips I've seen scream 3-4 DE that can flex inside in NASCAR packages, possible DE in heavy nickel. Doesn't look like a pure edge rusher. More like a space eater with some pass rush ability. He looks strong and violent at the point of attack, which seems to be the theme of the draft. Another guy they can move around the formation based on down and distance.

 

[CWR]

First off, we have a really good track record with round 4 picks.

Secondly its always the same. Every year day three comes and I look at "best available" and my draft magazine and we go the complete opposite direction.

I dont get all worked up anymore because half the time those round 4 picks end up doing fairly well, and the more popular bigger names bust. It would be fun to scoop up the names one draft, but it never seems to go that way.

 

[Frosty]

I am curious about how you guys are feeling after round 4. What are your impressions of the Cowboys strategy for the draft?

I’ve got a few thoughts I am pondering.

1. Downs was a no brainer based on projection and is a natural selection.

2. The Cowboys obviously focused on defense and I’m ok with that.

3. I said that the Cowboys would prioritize edge high and they did. Did they get the BPA at edge in round 1?

4. Is it just me or does it appear that the Cowboys seemed to have forced an OT pick with the first pick in RD 4?

5. The corner pick in round 4 looks like it might be a great VALUE pick there.

6. I’m really surprised that the Cowboys didn’t take a pure linebacker pick with any pick in RD 4.

7. It’s obvious that CP had a great deal of influence over this draft. The Cowboys seemed to accommodate CP.

8. IF CP turns has a great eye for talent and a plan to use them, and get this defense to gel we might be building something special. On the other hand if not, this thing could really go sideways in a hurry.

9. Voch Lombardi has a video out from pre draft work saying that he did not expect he OT we drafted in RD 4 to be drafted at all.

I think you have to view the draft as just one piece of the overall puzzle. IMO you have to take all the Free Agent moves inconjunction with the Draft to get a better look at what this defense and team will look like next year. Individually both Free Agency and the Draft left a lot to be desired,,but when you look at the overall sum of all parts...it looks much improved and like they have a plan.....especially on defense.. CP has been given the opportunity to pick his type players and now it's time to coachem up and get them to play.....cant be worse that last year, so the needle is pointing up at this point. I view this years draft as work in progress....there are some WTH moments and some I really like...most 4th round picks are special teams players at most. So I dont put to much stock in rounds 4-7 players

 

[Rockport]

I agree we needed an OT. After taking the player we may be no closer to having solved that issue. I’m not saying that is the case. But I’m concerned it might be the case.

You don’t solve the issue unless you try. You may not like it, but what do we know about these players? We know nothing about the most important aspect of a player and that is character. Is he willing to work hard. Does he display leadership abilities. Will he be a locker room problem. Teams know much more than we do about this but even they make mistakes from time to time. The only loser is one that doesn’t try.

 

[MarJac41]

Shocked we did not grab Scott but he was their for the taking and they passed so something they had to like with Moore. In CP we trust!!! I hope

 

[zrinkill]

I loved the first 3 picks ........ then they got cute as usual.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

I feel good about how the secondary and defensive line have been re-tooled.

I think another veteran ILB needs to be signed. Wagner or Okereke will be signed hopefully. I think projecting Barham as an ILB is speculative at best.

I’m not thrilled that we ignored WR and TE completely this off-season. Not much depth at either position.

My main concern is OT. Steele and Guyton are sub-par starters and if they stink next season it could derail the offense completely.

 

[gimmesix]

I am curious about how you guys are feeling after round 4. What are your impressions of the Cowboys strategy for the draft?

I’ve got a few thoughts I am pondering.

1. Downs was a no brainer based on projection and is a natural selection.

Agreed. We obviously wanted him badly, but didn't think we had a shot at him.

2. The Cowboys obviously focused on defense and I’m ok with that.

3. I said that the Cowboys would prioritize edge high and they did. Did they get the BPA at edge in round 1?

I thought that they should, but thought inside linebacker might be the priority. It's funny that we drafted three edge players, but only one of them (Lawrence) will likely end up playing on the edge. Barham will be an ILB and Overton will be a 3-4 DE and 4-3 3-tech.

4. Is it just me or does it appear that the Cowboys seemed to have forced an OT pick with the first pick in RD 4?

I don't know much about the OT yet, but I was hoping we'd go RB as our only offensive selection.

5. The corner pick in round 4 looks like it might be a great VALUE pick there.

6. I’m really surprised that the Cowboys didn’t take a pure linebacker pick with any pick in RD 4.

I believe the trade for Winters and drafting Braham lessened our desire to find another linebacker.

7. It’s obvious that CP had a great deal of influence over this draft. The Cowboys seemed to accommodate CP.

They've done this for each new defensive coordinator. Probably accomplished it best under Quinn. Hopefully, Parker and his coaches fresh out of the college ranks did a good job of identifying players who turn out well.

8. IF CP turns has a great eye for talent and a plan to use them, and get this defense to gel we might be building something special. On the other hand if not, this thing could really go sideways in a hurry.

9. Voch Lombardi has a video out from pre draft work saying that he did not expect he OT we drafted in RD 4 to be drafted at all.

From what I've read, it seems like he has great movement skills but needs to gain strength and just hasn't played a lot.

 

[gimmesix]

I loved the first 3 picks ........ then they got cute as usual.

I think Overton was good value. I don't know on the CB or OT.

 

[TwentyOne]

I am curious about how you guys are feeling after round 4. What are your impressions of the Cowboys strategy for the draft?

I’ve got a few thoughts I am pondering.

1. Downs was a no brainer based on projection and is a natural selection.

2. The Cowboys obviously focused on defense and I’m ok with that.

3. I said that the Cowboys would prioritize edge high and they did. Did they get the BPA at edge in round 1?

4. Is it just me or does it appear that the Cowboys seemed to have forced an OT pick with the first pick in RD 4?

5. The corner pick in round 4 looks like it might be a great VALUE pick there.

6. I’m really surprised that the Cowboys didn’t take a pure linebacker pick with any pick in RD 4.

7. It’s obvious that CP had a great deal of influence over this draft. The Cowboys seemed to accommodate CP.

8. IF CP turns has a great eye for talent and a plan to use them, and get this defense to gel we might be building something special. On the other hand if not, this thing could really go sideways in a hurry.

9. Voch Lombardi has a video out from pre draft work saying that he did not expect he OT we drafted in RD 4 to be drafted at all.

This draft reminds me a lot of the draft where we needed 1 CB and drafted 3. All three were busts. Thats like 18 years ago.

Why did we do that? Well because we suck at drafting, scouting and we dont trust our decission making because of that.

Now we draft like 15 edge players. After we signed 1 in FA and drafted #41 last year. Have also Sam i-can-give-you-a-15-yard-penalty-allday Williams and other standout premium elite idiots.

I like our defensive approach though.

 

[DuncanIso]

They did get a LB in the trade for Winter for a 5th round pick.
I think they did decent in round 4. What do fans expect at that point.

In the draft day 3 thread many are upset. I guess because they did not take the player they wanted.

They need OL depth, I was ok with an OL but it could have waited. But they would have picked the guys they did pick that much earlier. So does it really matter.
They ended up with the 3 players they feel helps the,best.

Taking a CB in the 1st would have added much needed help.

The trade with SF for the LB saved them with the terrible 3rd round pick.

4th round picks are ok. Projects and depth.

at least Downs will be a starter.

 

[deerhunter11]

Day 1 … Perfection
Day 2 … I liked it.
Day 3 … questionable for me and my board. But have to trust the scouts here

This was a Christian Parker led draft I trust in that he got what he wanted. After watching film on all these drafted players, I will have to stay they all look very good on film.

 

[zrinkill]

I think Overton was good value. I don't know on the CB or OT.

As a players yes ......... but to me he is a less talented Osa, who this team claimed was not a good fit in this defense.

 

[Carson]

This was a Christian Parker led draft I trust in that he got what he wanted. After watching film on all these drafted players, I will have to stay they all look very good on film.

100%

Have to trust in them and hope for the best

 

[ChronicCowboy]

This draft reminds me a lot of the draft where we needed 1 CB and drafted 3. All three were busts. Thats like 18 years ago.

Why did we do that? Well because we suck at drafting, scouting and we dont trust our decission making because of that.

Now we draft like 15 edge players. After we signed 1 in FA and drafted #41 last year. Have also Sam i-can-give-you-a-15-yard-penalty-allday Williams and other standout premium elite idiots.

I like our defensive approach though.

Are you talking about the Goodrich, Larrimore and Mario Edwards draft? That was 2000. Mario Edwards was the last guy we took (round 5 or 6 I think) and he ended up being the best one.

 

[rambo2]

Scott should have been the pick in the 4th rd. He was there for the taking at 114 and Tampa got him at 116! I can still see Scott snatching that Ohio St pass and racing 72 yards for a pick 6!

They drafted Downs which eliminated Scott.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

For the first time in a very, very long time it feels like the front office is finally serious. I love this draft.

This, no problems with the way it went at all for me.

 

[gimmesix]

As a players yes ......... but to me he is a less talented Osa, who this team claimed was not a good fit in this defense.

I think he's a better run defender, which is why I don't think Parker wanted Odighizuwa. We brought in a couple of DTs that are primarily run defenders in Ogbonnia and Bullard while Overton has a little more pass rush potential to his game.

 

[zrinkill]

I think he's a better run defender, which is why I don't think Parker wanted Odighizuwa. We brought in a couple of DTs that are primarily run defenders in Ogbonnia and Bullard while Overton has a little more pass rush potential to his game.

I hope you are right