2009 Draft Has Me Thinking About 2008

[Hostile]

As it stands right now it is likely we will have 12 picks in the 2009 Draft.

Our Original Picks...

1st round
2nd round
3rd round
4th round
5th round
6th round
7th round

Miami's 6th round pick from Jason Ferguson trade.

Four Compensatory picks for losing Jacques Reeves, Julius Jones, Keith Davis, and Nate Jones.

8 of those 12 picks can be traded this year or next. The 4 Compensatory picks cannot be.

With the Cowboys not likely to have 12 roster openings in 2009 it makes me wonder if Jerry Jones won't roll the dice a little this year. If so, what would he be looking for? IMO to stockpile day 1 picks in 2008 or maybe a high 3rd round pick or two this year.

The way I see it we need at least 2 CBs and that is if we think Oglesby and Ball have what it takes. We need 2 RBs. We probably need a WR because I think Glenn is gone. Okay, those are our most noted needs at CB, RB, and WR. Where else might we look to add?

If I had to guess...OL and DL. Jerry and Company could roll the dice on a player who is falling like a Calais Campbell or on someone who is rising like Branden Albert. I think OL is the forgotten piece of the puzzle in all of this because Columbo is likely going to want to be paid and we will need a RT. If Free, Marten or McQuistan are not the answer there the Draft is the logical place to find what we need.

This might also be what Jerry could use to acquire the #2 WR opposite TO. We might prepare for SS in case Roy continues his slide.

What it all boils down to is this, as the Draft gets closer I think this off season becomes one we all look back on as one we enjoyed because it was fast and furious.

 

[DBoys]

Nice post Hos.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

yabba dabba doo!

 

[cowboyjoe]

I agree Hos, remember Jerry Jones said last year in the draft that he could be tempted to package his top 3 picks to get an impact player, which i think that is what he will do, or trade some of those high picks for 2009 and trade them for someone like deangelo hall, or roy williams wr from detroit.

And i think he realizes that he is real close to having a super bowl team, with just a few players here and there. Now, at the same time, Jerry Jones said, when he does have that super bowl team, then to trade up from like in the low 23rd to 32nd picks in first round, to trade back up to get a higher impact players.

Thats what Jerry Jones said, this team needs impact players.
CB, WR, RB with our top 3 picks,
OL and DL , which we need a solid NT backup, solid OG and backup OT with columbo probably leaving next year.
solid special teams player, since keith davis is gone remember when he got hurt, our special teams suffered,
finally a solid fullback, dont get me wrong, i like deion anderson, but we need a backup for him, and i like schmidt.

 

[iceberg]

As it stands right now it is likely we will have 12 picks in the 2009 Draft.

Our Original Picks...

1st round
2nd round
3rd round
4th round
5th round
6th round
7th round

Miami's 6th round pick from Jason Ferguson trade.

Four Compensatory picks for losing Jacques Reeves, Julius Jones, Keith Davis, and Nate Jones.

8 of those 12 picks can be traded this year or next. The 4 Compensatory picks cannot be.

With the Cowboys not likely to have 12 roster openings in 2009 it makes me wonder if Jerry Jones won't roll the dice a little this year. If so, what would he be looking for? IMO to stockpile day 1 picks in 2008 or maybe a high 3rd round pick or two this year.

The way I see it we need at least 2 CBs and that is if we think Oglesby and Ball have what it takes. We need 2 RBs. We probably need a WR because I think Glenn is gone. Okay, those are our most noted needs at CB, RB, and WR. Where else might we look to add?

If I had to guess...OL and DL. Jerry and Company could roll the dice on a player who is falling like a Calais Campbell or on someone who is rising like Branden Albert. I think OL is the forgotten piece of the puzzle in all of this because Columbo is likely going to want to be paid and we will need a RT. If Free, Marten or McQuistan are not the answer there the Draft is the logical place to find what we need.

This might also be what Jerry could use to acquire the #2 WR opposite TO. We might prepare for SS in case Roy continues his slide.

What it all boils down to is this, as the Draft gets closer I think this off season becomes one we all look back on as one we enjoyed because it was fast and furious.

i think we're close but we're not "elite" just yet. we get mcfadden we can't stop manning.

it's balance, people, not flash.

it's patience, not immediate.

we've got 2 1st here this year. let's take advantage of that and fill what we can w/o reaching. let's fix our coverage cause we know it's a problem. we go CB as a top pick who can argue?

BPA works on paper but you still got needs to fill so fill BPA based on need, not overall concept.

get a CB, get a RB and get a WR on day 1. we're on our way. trade, trade down, work to balance, we're ok. sell the farm for todays shiney mcfadden, we hurt ourselves in the end.

we're on our way up in an everchanging environment. stay patient. we're set for long term strength let's not sell out for today's headline.

 

[Hostile]

i think we're close but we're not "elite" just yet. we get mcfadden we can't stop manning.

it's balance, people, not flash.

it's patience, not immediate.

we've got 2 1st here this year. let's take advantage of that and fill what we can w/o reaching. let's fix our coverage cause we know it's a problem. we go CB as a top pick who can argue?

BPA works on paper but you still got needs to fill so fill BPA based on need, not overall concept.

get a CB, get a RB and get a WR on day 1. we're on our way. trade, trade down, work to balance, we're ok. sell the farm for todays shiney mcfadden, we hurt ourselves in the end.

we're on our way up in an everchanging environment. stay patient. we're set for long term strength let's not sell out for today's headline.

It wasn't a get McFadden idea. I'm not among that bandwagon any more and haven't been in a real long time.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

Again, another great post. I really see the Cowboys going after another rusher like a Quentin Groves to replace Ellis in the future. Then we would have a rotation with Spence Ware and Groves to deal with or I see him taking a lber like a Phillip Wheeler or Curtis Lofton to learn under Zach. Or Jerry could just make my day and take Talib and Cason in the 1st. Either way its gonna be interesting to say the least.

 

[iceberg]

It wasn't a get McFadden idea. I'm not among that bandwagon any more and haven't been in a real long time.

nah - not saying that. i'm saying you're looking ahead and that's great. most people just look to instant gratification and that's mcfadden.

some people think we're a player away and are willing to give up 2 solid picks for a gamble. you're already looking to the balance we're set up for by losing todays "shiney objects" to miami and so forth.

you're looking ahead, hos. you know we need balance and what i got out of what you're saying now is simply we don't have to fix all our problems in next month.

we're already set for a good draft next year as well.

we're in a good position and i don't want to see us rush into a quici fix when we've got room to take our time.

 

[Hostile]

nah - not saying that. i'm saying you're looking ahead and that's great. most people just look to instant gratification and that's mcfadden.

some people think we're a player away and are willing to give up 2 solid picks for a gamble. you're already looking to the balance we're set up for by losing todays "shiney objects" to miami and so forth.

you're looking ahead, hos. you know we need balance and what i got out of what you're saying now is simply we don't have to fix all our problems in next month.

we're already set for a good draft next year as well.

we're in a good position and i don't want to see us rush into a quici fix when we've got room to take our time.

No, we won't fix all our problems in a month, but I can see where we're getting ready to be prepared for a long haul. That could mean that guys who are aging see their eventual replacements here and it could mean guys who are under achieving might see the same thing. That's why I could see OL or DL being a surprise early pick that would upset some folk's applecarts.

 

[iceberg]

No, we won't fix all our problems in a month, but I can see where we're getting ready to be prepared for a long haul. That could mean that guys who are aging see their eventual replacements here and it could mean guys who are under achieving might see the same thing. That's why I could see OL or DL being a surprise early pick that would upset some folk's applecarts.

i can see a lot of things happening. i can see this being a swing year where we don't invest in *this* year but the next 5+ when wade is gone and jason is the man.

which is why we won't trade up to win this year when we're in such a good position to build a great foundation.

i'll give up not winning the superbowl this next year if we instead take the opportunity to setup the next 10.

 

[Hostile]

Again, another great post. I really see the Cowboys going after another rusher like a Quentin Groves to replace Ellis in the future. Then we would have a rotation with Spence Ware and Groves to deal with or I see him taking a lber like a Phillip Wheeler or Curtis Lofton to learn under Zach. Or Jerry could just make my day and take Talib and Cason in the 1st. Either way its gonna be interesting to say the least.

Another name to remember at ILB is Beau Bell. They're bringing him in for a looksee in April.

 

[Big Dakota]

No, we won't fix all our problems in a month, but I can see where we're getting ready to be prepared for a long haul. That could mean that guys who are aging see their eventual replacements here and it could mean guys who are under achieving might see the same thing. That's why I could see OL or DL being a surprise early pick that would upset some folk's applecarts.

If we can get the "best in class" at a possition other than RB,CB or WR i'm all for it. Albert is the best G IMO, Phillips is the best FS IMO, If there is a guy on the board the Cowboys think would be perfect guy to replace Zach in a couple years then heck yes, take the WILB of the future. This draft is very deep at RB, WR, and CB, as we all know. No need to over draft anyone at those possitions.

 

[Hostile]

If we can get the "best in class" at a possition other than RB,CB or WR i'm all for it. Albert is the best G IMO, Phillips is the best FS IMO, If there is a guy on the board the Cowboys think would be perfect guy to replace Zach in a couple years then heck yes, take the WILB of the future. This draft is very deep at RB, WR, and CB, as we all know. No need to over draft anyone at those possitions.

Good post. I go back to something I brought up before about if Atlanta passes on Matt Ryan and wants their QB at 28 before the Dolphins can grab him at the top of the 2nd. That puts Jerry in the driver's seat. he can play Miami and Atlanta for extra picks and might be able to parlay those picks into guys who are depth this year and replacements next year or the year after for guys who become Free Agents.

If a Kenny Phillips falls to the top of round 2 (and he seriously could) you might see Jerry choose him before a RB or WR and grab them with the next 2 picks.

He might stay at 28 and grab an OT like Otah and roll the dice on losing Columbo.

I think the phone will be ringing and Jerry could be dealing. If I had to guess I'd say the Cowboys will focus on finding 7 roster spots between trades and these Draft picks and some of them could surprise us.

 

[IndianaCowboyFan]

i can see a lot of things happening. i can see this being a swing year where we don't invest in *this* year but the next 5+ when wade is gone and jason is the man.

which is why we won't trade up to win this year when we're in such a good position to build a great foundation.

i'll give up not winning the superbowl this next year if we instead take the opportunity to setup the next 10.

The next 2 drafts and offseason pickups are the key to the future. Foundation and depth are essential.

 

[Big Dakota]

Good post. I go back to something I brought up before about if Atlanta passes on Matt Ryan and wants their QB at 28 before the Dolphins can grab him at the top of the 2nd. That puts Jerry in the driver's seat. he can play Miami and Atlanta for extra picks and might be able to parlay those picks into guys who are depth this year and replacements next year or the year after for guys who become Free Agents.

If a Kenny Phillips falls to the top of round 2 (and he seriously could) you might see Jerry choose him before a RB or WR and grab them with the next 2 picks.

He might stay at 28 and grab an OT like Otah and roll the dice on losing Columbo.

I think the phone will be ringing and Jerry could be dealing. If I had to guess I'd say the Cowboys will focus on finding 7 roster spots between trades and these Draft picks and some of them could surprise us.

Considering the talent level @ #28 compared to the 30's and 40's i'd rather trade down. There will be players in that 33-40 something range with every bit the talent of the guy @ #28

Consider this point. Last year Joe Staley was taken #28 an received a 5 year $8 million contract with 5.6 million guaranteed.

Alan Branch was selected with the first pick in the second round. He signed a 4 year deal in the $1.5 million range. Teams can sign several second round draft picks for the price of one late first round player and not sacrifice talent.

 

[sago1]

I'm not sure Jerry is setting this draft up for the draft in 09 and the long haul. He's got his franchise QB and that means the clock is ticking. Each year we fail to address our major needs (CB/WR/RB & also ILB/SS/NT) is another year off Romo's clock. I'd be extremely surprised if we draft another OT this year with McQuistan, Free & Marten on board but certainly could see us drafting an OG to push Kosier unless Cowboys really convinced Proctor can replace Kosier.

IWe all certainly got surprises in last year's draft starting with the first round moves and finally getting Spencer, drafting both Free & Marten, Stanbach was a huge surprise as was Folk. Still don't think we'll draft a 3rd OLB/DE since Spencer is Ellis replacement with other needs so important to be addressed.

 

[Shake_Tiller]

This is an extremely interesting thread! I'm not sure I'm quite on board with the idea that a major move upward for a particular player must wait until a team is "elite." I think such a move generally is made as part of an effort to build toward being "elite" -- a Russell Maryland strategy, maybe a trade for a Charles Haley or a Tony Casillas.

Further, I have never understood the reluctance to trade, say, two draft choices (as an example) for one very early draft choice. I tend to think the reluctance springs from a kind of optimism. We all spend the weeks leading to a draft minutely examining the players most likely to be of interest to us, and we begin to project to them NFL qualities. Having seen heavily publicized "busts" among Top 5 draftees in the past -- there isn't much said, outside a team's home city, about a late first round bust, or especially a second round bust -- we begin to think of such a trade as if we were expected to offer two or three "proven" rookies for one "unproven" rookie. In reality, any trade-up should be done only because the Cowboys, in this case, are utterly sold on the trade-up target -- consider him much more likely to become a star than the players being sacrificed.

While I'm not sure I understand the reluctance to make such a trade, I do share it. I find myself breaking into cold sweats at the thought of the Cowboys dealing picks and players for an opportunity to draft McFadden, even though I watched him at Arkansas enough to consider him an elite talent and a likely NFL star. It still seems risky to give up a large share of one draft and take a chance on this kind of move.

But Hos, you are on to something in noting how the 2009 draft could shape up. The Cowboys could have close to a double draft, in terms of total choices.

I don't know whether that would or should factor into whether JJ feels more like gambling in 2008, but it maybe does and probably should factor into any decision to trade another 2008 choice for a 2009 choice. In other words, it should be considered before Dallas deals, say, a 2008 #1 for a 2009 #2. At some point, there is a law of diminishing return, and I think that has occurred for the Patriots the past two years, and especially last year. While everyone tends to sugar coat it, because NE used so successfully trades and free agency, 2007 was a horror of a draft for them that has almost chance of being seen differently down the road -- most of the choices were already cut. Justin Rogers, now with Dallas, was one of those choices.

In any event, the more talented the roster (or locked in by salary cap issues) the less value of having multiple choices... at least I suspect that is true. And Dallas, while it has very definite need, does have a great deal of talent.

If all of this reads as an argument for trading up to draft McFadden or someone else, it really isn't. I think I have some thoughts developing on that, and if they don't swirl down the toilet of my mind, I'll attempt to do so. But in general, I'm very wary of surrendering the juice it probably would take.

All I'm saying is that a reasonable person could conclude it is better now for a team like the Cowboys to go "all in" for a player in whom they have great confidence than to attempt to stockpile picks that could well be used on guys that are unable to crack the roster. Of course, a reasonable person should also acknowledge that the Cowboys' current draft positions ought to enable them to get at least three to five players capable of improving the roster.

It's a mistake, though, in my mind, to write, "We could fill three needs. Why waste that opportunity by taking a gamble to trade up for (fill in the blank)?" The truth is, either approach is a gamble, and it could be that in either case, no needs are truly filled.

But the 2009 multipick development is intriguing... it maybe allows Dallas to approach 2008 differently... or maybe there is some other Razorback -- a fleet sophomore -- Jerry is madly accumulating picks to pounce on!

 

[gimmesix]

With the Cowboys not likely to have 12 roster openings in 2009

Going through the list of potential FAs for Dallas next year, I think we might need more of those picks than we'd like.

We've got to decide which of these players to keep next year, and which ones to replace in the draft (that's if we don't get long-term deals worked out this year):

RB Marion Barber
WR Terrell Owens
WR Sam Hurd (restricted)
WR Miles Austin (restricted)
TE Tony Curtis (restricted)
OT Marc Colombo
OG Joe Berger
OL Cory Proctor (restricted)
DE Chris Canty
DE Stephen Bowen (restricted)
NT Tank Johnson
LB Greg Ellis
LB Zach Thomas (if last three years voided)
LB Kevin Burnett (if final year is voided)
CB Terence Newman
CB Evan Oglesby (restricted)
FS Ken Hamlin

IMO, we'll get long-term deals done with Barber, Owens, Canty and Newman, but not with the other UFAs and probably some of our RFAs will get better deals elsewhere. Obviously, there are also a couple of players on this list who might get replaced this year.

 

[Stash]

Four Compensatory picks for losing Jacques Reeves, Julius Jones, Keith Davis, and Nate Jones.

Actually, we have to give the Texans a 4th rounder in 2009 for taking Jacques Reeves off of our hands.




(but it's worth it!)


:

 

[Rampage]

It wasn't a get McFadden idea. I'm not among that bandwagon any more and haven't been in a real long time.

hop back on! c'mon hos, just look at the sig