AZ set the tone

[blindzebra]

The second Arizona selected Cooper our draft fate was set in stone.

When nobody besides Buffalo decided to make a huge reach for a skilled player we were forced to trade down.

Think about our pick versus NYG and Chicago's. They drafted mid-second round OL in the first too. Both were tweeners, listed as tackles but will likely move to guard.

We drafted a mid-second round player, that does not have a "set" position yet. But...and this is a big but...Frederick was maybe picked 10-15 picks early based on pre-draft rankings. Pugh and Long are both probably 20-25 picks early. Now the run on big uglies erased a lot of that gap so some reaching is understandable.

Further while Pugh and Long will be changing positions in the NFL, keep in mind that Frederick EXCELLED at both guard and center at Wisconsin.

Slight reach or not, if this pick means a cleaner pocket for Romo to step up into 25% more of the time and a bigger push in the run game for Murray than it was well worth it.

In fact if that happens it will easily translate into 2 or 3 more wins.

 

[Tabascocat]

I don't think many were contesting the trade down, but a lot think we could have gotten a better deal and/or got Fred later. I think we could have got a little better that the 3rd but I don't know what I am talking about. I like the pick BTW at 31.

 

[bayeslife]

Agreed.

Honestly this was just a damned if we do, damned if we don't type of first round. In addition to the fact that the reaching started early, the talent level is so watered down past the first 12 players.

As for the trade, I think we could have gotten a higher third round pick from SF, but it is what it is. For those pointing to the Patriots, they don't pick until 56.

 

[NickZepp]

I don't think many were contesting the trade down, but a lot think we could have gotten a better deal and/or got Fred later. I think we could have got a little better that the 3rd but I don't know what I am talking about. I like the pick BTW at 31.

Or someone at 32 or 33 etc, could have traded in and gotten him cause they needed a center. A trade down isn't a bad idea but it could backfire. For the first round, unless you draft a QB sometimes, you need it to be a guy that will start for your program fairly soon unless you have depth. And Dallas got a guy that should start right away at either center or guard.