Devin Smith Thread

gmoney112 said:

I'd be surprised if they released Wilson. I think he's pretty much a lock unless he just sucks it up the last 2 games. We still have 4 years of control basically.

Devin Smith is at the top of the bubble list for me now though. I don't think Austin could have caught that ball in the endzone. I'm not sure what we do, I think it might come down to Smith and Austin since we seem to like Brown.

I wouldn't really have a problem with going Smith over Austin, even considering we have somehow managed to have absolutely horrendous punt returners. But, I'd say Austin is probably favored at this point. Next two games will probably be big. I'd try and get Smith some reps with the 1s in the dress rehearsal game.

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I think Wilson and Smith make the team.

America's Cowboy said:

No way is Cedrick Wilson cut. He definitely makes the team. It will be between Devin Smith and Austin.

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And, in that, I think Smith is the one getting the spot.

Altestic said:

You don't make decisions on WR because of fluke plays like drops. You absolutely don't. You look at the whole package... route running, speed, size, acceleration, leaping ability, ability to win routes early, contested catch ability, field awareness, heck even willingness to block before you get to drop rate. It's way down the totem pole.

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Right, what was I thinking. Catching the ball is after all a nice to have when evaluating a WR.

Shame that they had Mike White (badly) underthrowing that deep ball to Johnson when he was breaking away.......................

I'd keep Smith over Cobb. He's our best WR after Cooper and Gallup.

America's Cowboy said:

Jon'Vea Johnson has sealed his doom with his severe case of the dropsies. He won't make the team. Bank on it.

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Move him to corner.....seriously he should be on the PS though

I think it's down to Devin Smith and Austin for the 6th receiver spot. The top 3 are locked in, Cedrick Wilson is 23 and offers legit 3 level receiver potential down the road, and Noah Brown offers skills as a blocker and gunner that the speed guys don't. Austin and Smith are looking to play the same role.

As far as Johnson - there are a million 4.3 sprinters on the fringes of the NFL. Speed is overrated for WRs IMO; obviously you have to be able to be able to run with 4.4 CBs to threaten them deep, but you also have to release cleanly off the line to take advantage of that speed, and then be able to track the ball in the air, and then be able to adjust your throttle to get to an overthrown or underthrown ball, and then be able to fight off a DB for what are usually contested catch situations 40 yards downfield. Deep passes are low percentage plays, and they take a heck of a lot more nuance on the WR's end than simply running fast.

From what I've seen, tracking the ball in the air is usually what separates the deep WRs who make it from the deep WRs who don't. Tavon Austin, for example, is probably a sub-4.4 player right now with instant acceleration and joystick agility, but he's never really made plays as a deep threat unless the defense leaves him wide open, because there's nothing more to his receiving game than running fast. I love his ability with the ball in his hands, but he has always sucked before the catch.

Devin Smith, OTOH, was a guy who could both blow the top off the defense and adjust to errant passes at Ohio State, so he offers a lot of potential if his knees are OK. My only question is does he have enough juice left to threaten starting CBs - it seems like the plays he has been making both in camp and in preseason games have all come against deep-stringers.

The Quest for Six said:

not even close, Johnson is pracrice squad material, Devin Smith has shown why he was an early second round pick, the guy has talent, loved the signing, hope he's finally turned the corner coming off two serious ACL injuries, I believe it comes down to Austin and Smith making the cut and I'd go with Smith.....
These are my top six to make the roster..
Cooper
Gallup
Cobb
Wilson
Smith
Brown( Cowboys like him, regardless what the fan base thinks)

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Smith and Austin both make the team. The Cowboys are keeping 7 WRs this season.

1) Cooper
2) Gallup
3) Cobb
4) Wilson
5) Brown
6) Austin
7) Smith

In that order!

JoeKing said:

Smith and Austin both make the team. The Cowboys are keeping 7 WRs this season.

1) Cooper
2) Gallup
3) Cobb
4) Wilson
5) Brown
6)Austin
7)Smith

In that order!

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I just find it hard to keep that luxury of 7 receivers on this team...usually 5 is the number but I extended it to 6 but 7, that's a huge difference if it happens

Altestic said:

Drops are flukes. Like I said, if he makes a play and gets his hands on the ball, that's good enough for me. Doesn't matter if it sticks or lands on the turf. That's irrelevant.

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What? Drops are flukes? Not when you drop more than you catch. So if every player that the ball hits their hands but drops it, it is as good as a catch it basically what you are saying?
What kind of flawed logic is that?
This is one of the most insane things I read in a long time.

JoeKing said:

Smith and Austin both make the team. The Cowboys are keeping 7 WRs this season.

1) Cooper
2) Gallup
3) Cobb
4) Wilson
5) Brown
6)Austin
7)Smith

In that order!

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The Quest for Six said:

I just find it hard to keep that luxury of 7 receivers on this team...usually 5 is the number but I extended it to 6 but 7, that's a huge difference if it happens

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They kept 7 last year and for a while I believe the year before.
It will come down to is a 7th WR going to offer more than a 9th OL or a 10th DL or a 10th DB. But for sure they need to only go 2 QB's and 3 TE's and keep that extra WR and extras DL or DB.

I agree with the 7 WR's listed above.
If they do only keep 6, then it depends on Brown's health. Or maybe they keep 7 because of it to, then see how things shake out. But who would be out. Smith, Austin, Wilson?
Wilson looked good in what, 5 plays from one game. Everything else has been hype.
Austin, does he offer more than Smith or Wilson. It's is just each fans opinion for now.

jazzcat22 said:

They kept 7 last year and for a while I believe the year before.
It will come down to is a 7th WR going to offer more than a 9th OL or a 10th DL or a 10th DB. But for sure they need to only go 2 QB's and 3 TE's and keep that extra WR and extras DL or DB.

I agree with the 7 WR's listed above.
If they do only keep 6, then it depends on Brown's health. Or maybe they keep 7 because of it to, then see how things shake out. But who would be out. Smith, Austin, Wilson?
Wilson looked good in what, 5 plays from one game. Everything else has been hype.
Austin, does he offer more than Smith or Wilson. It's is just each fans opinion for now.

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Exactly right, no argument here.

Cooper
Gallup
Cobb
Austin
Brown
Wilson
Smith

Keep 7. It works with 2 QB’s and 3 TE’s. Johnson and Guyton can go to the PS. Cobb and Austin are only on one year deals so makes sense to go long at the position

Depth chart will look like:

Cooper
Gallup
Cobb
Austin
Wilson
Smith OR Brown

There’s a chance Austin gets cut which I don’t think he’s done anything to get cut but part of me thinks the 3 guys below him are more valuable. Is it too much to keep all 7? Probably. I’d suggest counting Brown as a TE but we have 3 TE’s who are a lock to make the team so I don’t see it. Tough call, I think if you put a gun to my head I’d cut Tavon, but idk if I feel great about it. Maybe keep 7

Altestic said:

You don't make decisions on WR because of fluke plays like drops. You absolutely don't. You look at the whole package... route running, speed, size, acceleration, leaping ability, ability to win routes early, contested catch ability, field awareness, heck even willingness to block before you get to drop rate. It's way down the totem pole.

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Dropped passes are the number one reason you cut a WR. That's your main job at the position

Altestic said:

For me execution is about whether or not the guy can actually run the routes and demonstrate high field, play and ball awareness.

Whether or not he actually comes down with the catch or the ball finds the turf after he makes a play on it with his hands, is irrelevant. Drops are flukes, like make-or-miss in basketball. Would you cut Steph Curry if he missed a couple open 3's or free throws in a row? I didn't think so.

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I have read a few of your responses on keeping Johnson and you are totally leaving of one major issue when you are trying to understate his drops, QB confidence. When the QB doesn’t trust you especially on third downs they tend not to even look your way, hence making easier to defend and also messes up the QB read progression.

Altestic said:

Then what about Jon Vea Johnson? I think he's a stud and a great route runner with SPEED

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He’s dropped multiple passes in his hands the first two preseason games. Speed doesn’t matter if you can’t catch.

Altestic said:

Can you name me anything about Johnson that isn't above average other than the drops? Because if the "dropsies" are his only problem, he's a lock to make my team if I'm the GM.

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Lol - and all these years so many of us mistakenly thought catching the ball was an important part of what WRs are supposed to do.

Altestic said:

You don't make decisions on WR because of fluke plays like drops. You absolutely don't. You look at the whole package... route running, speed, size, acceleration, leaping ability, ability to win routes early, contested catch ability, field awareness, heck even willingness to block before you get to drop rate. It's way down the totem pole.

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One drop would be a fluke. Maybe 2. Over 2 games Johnson has I believe 5 drops. And they aren’t on poorly thrown balls. They are mostly routine passes directly to him.

JVJ is a great prospect but that’s the point. He’s a prospect. A year on the PS is what he needs to try to develop. Nothing wrong with that for a guy that was undrafted