A Draft To Make You Think

[ABQcowboyJR]

I think I would go another direction with that first pick. I don't really hate it though. I think Jessie Williams is gonna be a real steal in this draft. If you could work Duke Williams in I would be pretty happy.

 

[Western]

With the report from Mike Fisher that the Cowboys could pass on Vaccaro if there, I wanted to do a realistic trade down mock to get people to think about other possible scenarios.

Let's assume SF does decide to move up to grab a falling player.

Dallas trades #18 and #47 (1330) to SF for #31, #34, #93, #164 (1314)

#31-TE Tyler Eifert - Notre Dame

Again, this is NOT my ideal draft. It is just a drill to make each of us think outside the box because every year we are surprised by what Dallas does on draft day. There have been some reports out there that Jason Garrett loves Eifert and wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on him. A TE in the first would make fans go crazy, but maybe Garrett is worrying about Witten breaking down.

A base offense with Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Tyler Eifert and DeMarco Murray? You could certainly do worse.

#34- DT Jesse Williams - Alabama

The Garrett-Saban ties help get Williams here. Williams can play the 1 technique and could be rotated with Jason Hatcher on passing downs. Williams plays well against double teams and always plays hard. Williams also allows Dallas to play multiple fronts as Williams could play NT or DE like Red Bryant does in SEA.

#80 - QB Tyler Wilson - Arkansas

The Cowboys have been looking to find a young developmental QB behind Romo for at least two years now. Garrett would have drafted both Andy Dalton or Colin Kaepernick if they were available in the 2nd round. Wilson falls here because of the depth at the QB position. I believe Geno, Nassib, Manuel, and Barkley all go before Wilson.

#93 - OC Brian Schwenke - Cal

With Dallas exploring the RT market in FA, it makes me believe they won't go RT in the draft. Instead, they select the best zone-center in the draft and he starts Day 1.

#114 - RB Stephfan Taylor - Stanford

Taylor can do a little bit of everything. He can protect Tony and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. He isn't flashy, but can produce as a #2 RB in the league.

#151 - S T.J. McDonald - USC

McDonald falls because of a bad senior season and because he is a true in the box safety. Maybe he competes with McCray in camp to be the 4th safety on the team.

#164 - DE Lavar Edwards - LSU

Dallas adds another rotational pass rusher to their front. Edwards has long arms and the potential to develop into a nice edge rusher.

#185 - CB Khalid Wooten - Nevada

Long armed, rangy CB that best fits in a cover-2 defense.


This mock isn't anything we could ever expect, but just something to think about if we get wiped out at #18.

Kudos for the unconventional perspective.
With Jerry 'the Gambler', you never really know what to expect on draft day.

According to the so-called experts, the strength of this draft are rounds 2 - 4. So trading down in the 1st round for additional picks in those rounds could be a smart move.

But as Jimmy once said regarding the Herschel Walker trade ~ "The key is not getting the picks...the key is picking good players with the picks".

 

[xwalker]

With the report from Mike Fisher that the Cowboys could pass on Vaccaro if there, I wanted to do a realistic trade down mock to get people to think about other possible scenarios.

Let's assume SF does decide to move up to grab a falling player.

Dallas trades #18 and #47 (1330) to SF for #31, #34, #93, #164 (1314)

#31-TE Tyler Eifert - Notre Dame
Are you saying that he is by far the BPA here? If true, then they have to consider BPA; however, if he is by far the BPA, then that means that he is probably rated higher than #31 by multiple other teams, one of which would probably trade up to get him.

The problem for the Cowboy with this pick, is that while Eifert is a decent blocker for an elite pass-catching TE, he is not the dominate blocker that you need in the 3rd TE.

In reviewing the All-22 from the 2012 season, many of the Cowboys plays failed due to inadequate blocking by a TE. I believe that Garrett will really want a top notch blocker as the 3rd guy unless they plan to carry 4 TEs.

In theory, they could use an athletic OL as the blocking TE; however, that never seems to work as well as it should. I don't think teams put enough time and effort into coaching OL to play TE. It often appears that the player just received a minimal amount of practice snaps at the position.

Summary: Drafting Eifert would indicate that they don't think much of Hanna or that they plan to carry 4 TEs on the roster.

#34- DT Jesse Williams - Alabama
I'm not a huge fan of Jesse Williams. He had an excellent forty, but his 10-yard time was not that great. I think that Kiffin wants pass-rusher even at the 1-tech. JW was pulled on most passing downs at Alabama.

#80 - QB Tyler Wilson - Arkansas
IMO, drafting at QB is a waste of a draft pick and roster spot. He would be near the end of his rookie contract before any possibility of getting to start. The extra roster spot is valuable to a team trying to win now.

#93 - OC Brian Schwenke - Cal
Excellent pick here. IMO, he is a much better player than guys like Pugh or Long.

#114 - RB Stephfan Taylor - Stanford
Excellent pick here.

#151 - S T.J. McDonald - USC
Reasonable value here; however, the Cowboys really need a Safety with range much more than a "box" Safety.

#164 - DE Lavar Edwards - LSU
OK.

#185 - CB Khalid Wooten - Nevada
OK.

 

[Verdict]

I think your trade down scenario has a lot of merit and San Fran is a logical trade partner. I'm not excited about most of the players you picked, but it is a great exercise to get you thinking about things.

It is just my opinion, but I think if the Cowboys move down that far that it will not be for equal draft chart value. We will give them the business in the trade or it will not happen.

I think if we move down fewer spots then the value of the picks traded will be a lot more equal. But if we give up the chance to draft a difference maker at #18 they are going to pay for it. Too many teams between San Fran and us may be interested in moving up to get their guy to drop down that far without getting disparate value in the trade down. That many teams will drive the price up.