2015 Draft Watch Cowboys

[KingintheNorth]

This is a very early look at players that I’m looking forward to watching next season. This isn’t a top ten list; it includes players I can see going on all three days of the draft. Last year’s list had two players return to college, one undrafted free agent, one 6th rounder, one 5th rounder, one 4th rounder, one 3rd rounder, one 2nd rounder, and two 1st rounders. Ideally, that’s what I’m shooting for. I wait until after the draft to see which positions we addressed and I also try to consider pending free agents. Since we drafted Demarcus Lawrence, I’m excluding the player who would have been number one on this list, defensive end Shilique Calhoun from Michigan State. I’m a lifelong West Coaster so I apologize for the heavy dose of Pac12 players.

 

[KingintheNorth]

10. Claude Pelon DT USC (6’5”/285)

http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/claude_pelon_889588.html

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2515509/claudeson-pelon

Why would the Cowboys need him? The Cowboys still aren’t solid at the 1-tech. Tyrone Crawford is an unknown and Terrell McClain is on his fourth team in five years. Pelon is big strong kid who moves with violence and power. He has surprising agility for a man his size and has exceptional hand quickness. I could see him playing the 5-tech in a 3-4 or either DT spot in a 4-3 (think Tony McDaniel in Seattle as a big 3-Tech). I got to watch Claude up close this past season and I’m scared of what he will be able to do with the help of the USC training staff and a D1 weight room. I saw him at spring ball a few weeks ago and he already looks bigger and stronger.

College Numbers: This will be first year at USC but after an impressive spring camp, he has already risen to the 1st team on the Trojans’ depth chart. He played at Mesa Community College in 2013 and for Eastern Arizona in 2012.

 

[KingintheNorth]

9. Josh Shaw CB USC (6’1”/195)

http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/josh_shaw_796455.html

Why would the Cowboys need him? If we continue to run the defensive scheme we are using, a big, physical cornerback like Shaw would make a ton of sense. Shaw offers versatility since he has played safety and cornerback in college (also played quarterback in high school). He is an aggressive player and usually matches up with the other team’s #1 WR.

College Numbers: In his 2 years at USC and 1 year at Florida, he has 119 tackles, 6 interceptions, 14 passes defended, and 1 defensive TD.

 

[KingintheNorth]

8. Mario Edwards, Jr. DE Florida State (6’3”/294)

http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mario_edwards_jr_808184.html

Why would the Cowboys need him? Depends on whether or not the Cowboys’ approach with the defensive line works out this year. The plan this year is to hope Anthony Spencer can get healthy and that journeymen Jeremy Mincey and George Selvie can help create a Seahawk-like rotation to get the job done. I have some hope for Ben Gardner but that might be too much to ask of a 7th rounder right away. Edwards is the son of the former Cowboys cornerback Mario Edwards, who Jerry drafted in 2000. He plays right end for the Seminoles but seems built to play strong side end and can slide inside on passing downs.

College Numbers: In two years at Florida State, he has 38 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 defensive TD.

 

[KingintheNorth]

7. Duke Johnson RB Miami (5’9”/206)

http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205558729

Why would the Cowboys need him? This is me thinking that Scott Linehan may be looking for a Reggie Bush-like speed back to compliment the power run game. Duke Johnson can be that homerun threat, assuming he recovers from last year’s season-ending ankle injury. He’s rumored to be a 4.4 40 guy and he plays faster in games, gets to top speeds quickly. Johnson will bring versatility to the team as a RB, slot WR, and as a dangerous return man.

College Numbers: In his two years at the U, he has 1867 yards rushing, 298 yards receiving, and 1288 yards as a return man. 19 total TD’s.

 

[KingintheNorth]

6. Damarious Randall FS Arizona State (6’0”/189)

http://www.thesundevils.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=207911627&DB_OEM_ID=30300

Why would the Cowboys need him? He’s a Free Safety with ball skills. He can play CB and returns punts as well. He has some Ed Reed to him where he really reads quarterbacks well and is always in position to make the tackle. He is by no means a hitter but he won’t avoid contact either. I know Damarious from his days at Mesa and he’s a special athlete with big play ability.

College Numbers: In one year at ASU, he had 71 tackles and 3 INT’s. Missed first few games due to injuries, started last 10 games of the season. In his first start against Notre Dame (at AT&T Stadium) he set a new Sun Devils for tackles in a game with 17. Previously played at Mesa Community College where he was named ACCAC Defensive Player of the Year and was an NJCAA First-Team All-American.

 

[KingintheNorth]

5. Eric Striker OLB Oklahoma (6’0”/220)

http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=208409651

Why would the Cowboys need him? The Cowboys came very close to drafting Ohio State’s Ryan Shazier this past draft. Striker had a coming out party against Cyrus Kouandjio in last year’s Sugar Bowl. He’s more known for his pass-rushing but his size dictates he’ll play 4-3 OLB, most likely Will. He was a highly recruited safety so I’m not all that worried about his coverage skills (he had 3 passes broken up last year). He’s probably the one player I’m most interested in watching this year to see if he will still put up numbers now that he’s a known commodity.

College Numbers: In two years at Oklahoma, he has 56 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. 2013 was his first year as a starter.

 

[KingintheNorth]

4. Tre’ Jackson G Florida State (6’4”/339)

http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jackson_tre00.html

Why would the Cowboys need him? We supposedly came very close to sending our 2015 2nd round pick to draft LSU Guard Trai Turner in the 3rd round. Throw in that Doug Free’s 2015 cap hit is over $11M, the talk that the team has pretty much penciled in Zack Martin as the eventual RT, and maybe we use that same 2nd rounder to draft a day one starter like Jackson.

College Numbers: 28 career starts in his three years at Florida State.

 

[KingintheNorth]

3. Ifo Ekpre-Olumu CB Oregon (5’10”/195)

http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205237521

Why would the Cowboys need him? The 2014 season will be critical years for Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. They both have huge contracts and for the first time the Cowboys are in a position to afford the cap hits of moving on from either or both of them. If we do, the position becomes a huge need. Ekpre-Olumu is projected to be one of the top cornerbacks available. Pronounced ee-fo eck-pray-olo-moo, I’ve heard a few fans fittingly call him “the Osprey” for his ballhawking skills. I’ve been lucky enough to talk to Ducks Secondary coach John Neal a few times and he claims that Ifo is the best defensive back prospect he has had at Oregon. That’s high praise considering what TJ Ward and Jairus Byrd have accomplished in the NFL. Ifo should be a contender for the Jim Thorpe Award next year and is likely a top 20 pick.

College Numbers: In three years at Oregon, he has 181 tackles, 37 passes defended, and 7 interceptions.

 

[KingintheNorth]

2. Todd Gurley RB Georgia (6’1”/232)

http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/todd_gurley_793117.html

Why would the Cowboys need him? DeMarco Murray is in the last year of his contract and neither Lance Dunbar or Joseph Randle has shown enough to be a feature back. A few years ago I would have thought Gurley was a lock to be drafted early but teams are starting to deemphasize the position. Still, he should be drafted in the middle to low first round. Great combination of power and speed, he would look good running behind the now rebuilt Cowboys offensive line.

College Numbers: In two years at Georgia, he has 2374 yards rushing and 27 rushing TD’s. He also has 53 receptions for 558 yards and another 5 TD’s. Started 22 of 24 college games.

 

[KingintheNorth]

1. Shaq Thompson OLB Washington (6’2”/231)

http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=208062105

Why would the Cowboys need him? Same logic as Striker, the Cowboys are looking to upgrade at outside linebacker. Both Bruce Carter and Justin Durant are pending free agents after the season. Thompson may not be as fast as Shazier but he’s just as athletic and has better football instincts. He started out a safety and returned kicks as a freshman. There’s even some talk of him playing both ways this year as a running back. He’s the kind of impact Will linebacker that will play every down and is equally effective versus the run and pass.

College Numbers: In two years at Washington, he has 152 tackles and 4 interceptions.

 

[RS12]

1. Shaq Thompson OLB Washington (6’2”/231)

http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=208062105

Why would the Cowboys need him? Same logic as Striker, the Cowboys are looking to upgrade at outside linebacker. Both Bruce Carter and Justin Durant are pending free agents after the season. Thompson may not be as fast as Shazier but he’s just as athletic and has better football instincts. He started out a safety and returned kicks as a freshman. There’s even some talk of him playing both ways this year as a running back. He’s the kind of impact Will linebacker that will play every down and is equally effective versus the run and pass.

College Numbers: In two years at Washington, he has 152 tackles and 4 interceptions.

Sure isnt a threat to play pro baseball. Went like 0-30 in the rookie leagues.

 

[Zordon]

good stuff. i know about half of these guys. seems like usc has some talent in the ranks.

 

[TheFinisher]

Gurley is an animal. I tend to believe there just haven't been many blue chip RB prospects coming out recently and that has more to do with the "devaluing" of the position. Next years crop has a few great ones with Gurley, Yeldon and Gordon... I'd bet we'll see some RBs drafted day 1 next year.

 

[tideh20heel]

Gurley is an animal. I tend to believe there just haven't been many blue chip RB prospects coming out recently and that has more to do with the "devaluing" of the position. Next years crop has a few great ones with Gurley, Yeldon and Gordon... I'd bet we'll see some RBs drafted day 1 next year.

Gurley with this line would be awesome.

 

[tantrix1969]

No love for Michael Bennett?
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=119361&draftyear=2015&genpos=DT

 

[theSHOW]

9. Josh Shaw CB USC (6’1”/195)

http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/josh_shaw_796455.html

Why would the Cowboys need him? If we continue to run the defensive scheme we are using, a big, physical cornerback like Shaw would make a ton of sense. Shaw offers versatility since he has played safety and cornerback in college (also played quarterback in high school). He is an aggressive player and usually matches up with the other team’s #1 WR.

College Numbers: In his 2 years at USC and 1 year at Florida, he has 119 tackles, 6 interceptions, 14 passes defended, and 1 defensive TD.

I like the taller Corners. Looks like many teams are looking for height now in the draft.

 

[xwalker]

.....

Good post.

 

[jnday]

I like the taller Corners. Looks like many teams are looking for height now in the draft.

I agree . I like the tall CBs as well. I would like to see Dallas start heading this direction.

 

[KingintheNorth]

9. Josh Shaw CB USC (6’1”/195)

http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/josh_shaw_796455.html

Why would the Cowboys need him? If we continue to run the defensive scheme we are using, a big, physical cornerback like Shaw would make a ton of sense. Shaw offers versatility since he has played safety and cornerback in college (also played quarterback in high school). He is an aggressive player and usually matches up with the other team’s #1 WR.

College Numbers: In his 2 years at USC and 1 year at Florida, he has 119 tackles, 6 interceptions, 14 passes defended, and 1 defensive TD.

Josh Shaw commencement speech from a few days ago.