2 First Round Picks & 3 Positions of Need...

[MichaelWinicki]

CB
WR
RB

I think most agree that those are the three most critical needs on this team... The question that has been and will continue to be debated until the actual draft is what positions do the Cowboys target in the first round?

CB & WR?
CB & RB?
RB & WR?

We keep hearing that the CB position is deep in this draft...

We keep hearing that the RB position is deep in this draft...

It appears that the WR class isn't as deep as the other two positions. But does that mean we should take a WR in the first round just because the position isn't as deep as the other two?

I'm sure different people will have different opinions on what positions we focus on in the first round-- and will have their own rationale for doing so.

Here's mine...

A first round corner is likely to become the #3 corner on this team, without much effort.

A first round running back is likely to become the #2 running back on this team without much effort.

A first round wide receiver? I'm not sure where this player would rank in comparison to the other wide receivers. #2? Maybe. But Crayton has a new contract and put up decent numbers last year. Plus wide receivers seem to have a much longer learning curve than other positions. #3 WR is probably more likey-- but even that isn't a "lock". From all indications, the Cowboy's brain trust is high on last year's 4th round pick.

The fact is that while it's very easy to project where a 1st round corner would contribute to this team in year #1, along with what a 1st round running back would contribute. It gets a little more dicey figuring the contributions of a 1st round wideout.

Another way I'm looking at it is if we needed to "buy" a quality 3rd corner in free agency or a quality 2nd running back or let's go for broke and say we are going to invest in a #2 WR during the free agency period? Which position would be the most expensive to fill?

I think a 3rd corner hand's down.

Up to this point it appears that receivers especially do worse in free agency (in other words make less money) as compared to just about any other position.

All in all, even though the wide receiver class doesn't appear to be as deep as the running back or corner class in this draft, I think it makes more sense to select a corner and a back in the first round and the wide receiver later.

The wide receiver/back debate I think is pretty clear cut in that it's easy to project a #2 running back getting to touch the ball 10-12 times a game, where even a #2 wide receiver is going to only going to get 4-5 touches per game in this offense.

What two positions do you think the Cowboys target in the first round and why?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Owen Schmitt

 

[batman36]

Running back and corner because the need is greater at these two spots. We could argue a young receiver is a definite need area as well, and it is, but consider this: If the season started in March, would the Cowboys be better off the with the existing group at receiver, RB or corner? I vote receiver. The Felix Jones pick gives the team the 'juice' JJones has alluded to adding to next year's squad, and a first round CB...or second..or maybe third, beats anyone but Newman already on the team. I'm not sold on Anthony Henry anymore.

 

[Jaxonsdaddd]

I say RB and CB with the first round picks also..

And the way they can get around the lack of a drafted wideout contributing in year one, would be to trade that #2 pick for a veteran wideout. Wont mention names as I know thats not the intention of this thread.

 

[lspain1]

I'll weigh in on this one. The RB position has been consistently stated as one of the easiest for a rookie player to make an impact. CB's are more problematic, particularly after you get past the consensus favorites at the top of the draft. However, my impression is that, by far, the hardest position to make an impact as a rookie is at the WR (not return man) position.

Because of this, I support the position that finding a solid WR as an FA is highly desirable for a team that wants to win now and Dallas clearly fits in this category. The other two positions seem to offer a better chance to pick players in the draft that can help us to win now. By the same token, RB and CB offer better odds in the first round to get an impact player and therefore should be the preferred selections if the value is there when the cowboys pick. The WR position is iffy and should be postponed until the Cowboys get to a lesser value draft choice.

Just my "two cents."

 

[Goldenrichards83]

That was very well said. I agree with it 110%.

 

[tyke1doe]

If it's need, it should be WR & CB.
Reasons for WR: a rookie WR needs at least a year to fully understand the position. And no rookie is going to beat out T.O., Crayton or any other experienced receiver we have on our roster. Add to that, this is a weak year for WR so we may need to take one as soon as possible before the pickings get slim.

Reason for CB: same principle. a corner needs a year to develop too, and I don't see a corner beating out Newman or Henry.

Reason to omit the RB: running backs are a dime a dozen. You can draft a good one in any draft class. Besides, with the depth at the running back position, one is bound to be there with our second round pick.

If it's draft to the strength of the draft, it should be RB & CB.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

in an ideal world, the 1st 2 picks will represent the best value that fits a need

but the draft doesn't always play out that way, I know

any combo of CB, WR or RB would do it for me

 

[Hong2221]

I think our team is very solid so far in most positions. What we need to do early in this draft is to find drafts which will contribute fast. I think we're better off picking a RB such as Ray Rice which we know isn't a risk. As for the other early picks it all depends on who is avialable. But if it's me, I much rather pick up a WR from FA instead of the draft.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

we will fill one of the 3 needs in FA

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Owen Schmitt

I hate you.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

we will fill one of the 3 needs in FA

Actually we fill all three. That is one thing that Jones has done over the lst few years. He brings in vets at these positions of need and we go into the draft not desperate for anything.

I could see us bringing in a Duckett or a Cartwright and a Florence and a Johnson and then well have a vet at each position.

After that just draft BPA with a lean towards those positions. guys like Cason, Mendenahll, Doucet, Kelly, Jenkins, DRC, or Stewart will be there and just pick whoever you have at the top of the board. And yes i know that not all of them will be there but more than likely one of the 7 i just listed will.

 

[tomson75]

Owen Schmitt

I knew you'd come around.

 

[Doomsday101]

CB
WR
RB

I think most agree that those are the three most critical needs on this team... The question that has been and will continue to be debated until the actual draft is what positions do the Cowboys target in the first round?

CB & WR?
CB & RB?
RB & WR?

We keep hearing that the CB position is deep in this draft...

We keep hearing that the RB position is deep in this draft...

It appears that the WR class isn't as deep as the other two positions. But does that mean we should take a WR in the first round just because the position isn't as deep as the other two?

I'm sure different people will have different opinions on what positions we focus on in the first round-- and will have their own rationale for doing so.

Here's mine...

A first round corner is likely to become the #3 corner on this team, without much effort.

A first round running back is likely to become the #2 running back on this team without much effort.

A first round wide receiver? I'm not sure where this player would rank in comparison to the other wide receivers. #2? Maybe. But Crayton has a new contract and put up decent numbers last year. Plus wide receivers seem to have a much longer learning curve than other positions. #3 WR is probably more likey-- but even that isn't a "lock". From all indications, the Cowboy's brain trust is high on last year's 4th round pick.

The fact is that while it's very easy to project where a 1st round corner would contribute to this team in year #1, along with what a 1st round running back would contribute. It gets a little more dicey figuring the contributions of a 1st round wideout.

Another way I'm looking at it is if we needed to "buy" a quality 3rd corner in free agency or a quality 2nd running back or let's go for broke and say we are going to invest in a #2 WR during the free agency period? Which position would be the most expensive to fill?

I think a 3rd corner hand's down.

Up to this point it appears that receivers especially do worse in free agency (in other words make less money) as compared to just about any other position.

All in all, even though the wide receiver class doesn't appear to be as deep as the running back or corner class in this draft, I think it makes more sense to select a corner and a back in the first round and the wide receiver later.

The wide receiver/back debate I think is pretty clear cut in that it's easy to project a #2 running back getting to touch the ball 10-12 times a game, where even a #2 wide receiver is going to only going to get 4-5 touches per game in this offense.

What two positions do you think the Cowboys target in the first round and why?

I agree that the areas I would like to see addressed in day 1 are CB, WR and RB. As for who well I think in the end you are better off if you look at BPA that fills a need. If with the 1st pick you have a particular player at each of those position available to you then go with the player you rated the highest on your board if that is RB then great same with the CB or WR because in the end you filled a need area with the best player.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I agree with you 100%.

It should be CB/RB and my third choice would be the offensive line. The only caveat is if the Boys are not successful in trading for or signing a wr in free agency. To me this would become the second most important need if that were to occur because frankly I don't think any other current WR outside of T.O scares anyone.

 

[THUMPER]

Interesting take Michael but I disagree.

A WR taken will be expected to be a starter within a year or so. To say he is a #2 means that he will be STARTING opposite our #1 WR, not a backup. WRs take time to adjust to the NFL game so taking one in the first round is imperative this year.

A RB is the next highest area of need as again he is likely to see a lot of playing time along with Barber but he will not be expected to start anytime soon. RBs are also easy to find in the 2nd or later rounds so taking one in the 1st is not as much of a need.

CB is a definite need but for depth and to play nickel rather than as a starter in the near future. Solid CBs can be had late in the first or into the 2nd round.

I'd like to see us take a WR and CB in the first round and a RB in the 2nd. But it will depend on who is available when we select. No reaches and no project players.

 

[BlueStar II]

I would like to see us bring in a WR via FA who will be able to contribute early, and perhaps getting a WR fairly early in the draft will be a good idea as well. That being said, I hope we target both CB & RB with our early picks and whichever is believed to be the better of the two when we pick, then take one of them first, and the other position with our second pick.

 

[speedkilz88]

I hope they have the opportunity to trade down into the early mid second and get a #1 next year. I would do that every year if possible.

 

[cowboyfan4life_mark]

If Barber is going to be the guy at RB, then why all the talk about a RB in the first?

Although the draft is a long way off, I would rather see in order:
WR with the first 1st round pick, due to lack of quality in this draft.
CB with the second 1st pick, because I believe a good one will still be there.
And a RB in the second, due to depth in this draft.

I am not saying to "reach" on a player or to pass on BPA, so this could change depending on who is available when we pick. What we do in FA could change this scenerio also.

Posted this in another thread.

 

[Yeagermeister]

2 Linebackers