Be realistic: who do you want & why

[rickster14]

I want the BPA at either DE or DB. That being said, I would like a DE with good a good SPARQ score, long arms, and big hands. We need DBs, but the draft is pretty deep for them. Also, a better pass rush will make any DBs we draft look even better.

My realistic top choice would be TJ Watt. He has good size for the edge (could gain a few pounds), fairly long arms, big hands, and good agility scores. He can also imagine him eating up anything the coaches want to teach him.

Taco & Harris don't work for me. Too slow. I want more explosion.

I also like Lawson from Auburn (I'm biased as an AU fan). He is strong and fast; but I would rule him out for his lack of height, arm length, and so-so agility. If we took a CB is R1, he might be worth it if still around in R2.

As far as CB, I don't have a favorite. I do hope we get at least one with some size (6' 1" or taller).

My late round pet cat would be another AU player, Jonathan "Rudy" Ford. Ford started at S, CB, and nickel for the Tigers as well as returning kicks. He has great speed (4.34 pro day), and decent size (5'11" 205). He would not be bad if he happened to be there in the last 2 rounds.

 

[baltcowboy]

I want the BPA at either DE or DB. That being said, I would like a DE with good a good SPARQ score, long arms, and big hands. We need DBs, but the draft is pretty deep for them. Also, a better pass rush will make any DBs we draft look even better.

My realistic top choice would be TJ Watt. He has good size for the edge (could gain a few pounds), fairly long arms, big hands, and good agility scores. He can also imagine him eating up anything the coaches want to teach him.

Taco & Harris don't work for me. Too slow. I want more explosion.

I also like Lawson from Auburn (I'm biased as an AU fan). He is strong and fast; but I would rule him out for his lack of height, arm length, and so-so agility. If we took a CB is R1, he might be worth it if still around in R2.

As far as CB, I don't have a favorite. I do hope we get at least one with some size (6' 1" or taller).

My late round pet cat would be another AU player, Jonathan "Rudy" Ford. Ford started at S, CB, and nickel for the Tigers as well as returning kicks. He has great speed (4.34 pro day), and decent size (5'11" 205). He would not be bad if he happened to be there in the last 2 rounds.

1. War daddy McDowell. He is a top 5 talent. I would take a chance at 28 if he is there.

2. Watt, would be awesome to see him moving up and down the line with Jaylon on pass rushing downs.

3. Bowser, reminds me of Gregory without the drug issues.

2nd round and beyond I would pick the best players on the board no matter what position.

 

[Gaede]

I want Derek Barnett. Is it going to happen? It's a weird draft this year and I think it's possible. To me, he's the best pass rusher outside of Garrett and exactly the type of player we need for a championship-level defense.

The rest of the pass rushers are too suspect for my liking.

Outside of Barnett and the first round, I'm pretty dead set on the following players: Desmond King, Tedric Thompson, Josh Jones, JuJu Smith Schuster, Marcus Maye, Jourdan Lewis, George Kittle. I think they're all quality players.

 

[CATCH17]

Is Gareon Conley realistic?

 

[darthseinfeld]

TJ Watt

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I would say at this point I would want TJ Watt (I have the right to change my mind). I'm not sure if he'll be there, but it's close. I like his size and his burst along with his technique. He's excellent with his hands. And he has good bloodlines.

I could see taking Peppers if he's available, but I'll be surprised if he's there. With Peppers you're looking at a dynamic strong safety and we would have the rangiest safety duo in the league. This is still a league where you have to build the defense from back to front. I'm intrigued by Heath and making him a full time starter with Byron, but I think Peppers is a clear upgrade and we still could use another quality safety due to the need for 3-safety packages. And Peppers is a real dynamic special teams player.

What I'm looking for out of a 4-3 DE is almost like a 3-4 OLB. The ball gets out of the QB's hand so quickly in today's schemes that you'll need a DE that can go with the intent of getting upfield and then sprint after the ball as it's released. Also, like his brother TJ is really good at batting down passes which is key in defense these days. His SPARQ score was great (94.0) and he was productive in college.





YR

 

[rickster14]

I want Derek Barnett. Is it going to happen? It's a weird draft this year and I think it's possible. To me, he's the best pass rusher outside of Garrett and exactly the type of player we need for a championship-level defense.

The rest of the pass rushers are too suspect for my liking.

Outside of Barnett and the first round, I'm pretty dead set on the following players: Desmond King, Tedric Thompson, Josh Jones, JuJu Smith Schuster, Marcus Maye, Jourdan Lewis, George Kittle. I think they're all quality players.

I like Barnett. Living just outside of Knoxville, I've seen several of his home games. All he seems to do is produce & he has no off field issue (can't have a DE with that again). I just wish he were a bit faster. I'd take him if he fell to us, but I don't think it will happen. Of course, we've all been wrong before when trying to predict the draft.

 

[Sydla]

I flip flop all the time on this.......... if Watt, Bowser or Willis are there, I think you have to take them.

And CATCH, I think Conley will end up being the best CB in this class. If were to slip to 28 (no chance), I'd run to the podium unless say, Barnett, was there.

 

[Stash]

I'm all in for TJ Watt, if you all didn't know it already! I like his family lines, his fire and competitiveness, his intelligence, his length, his arm length, and his hands (and his ability to use them!)

His SPARQ measurable were outstanding, and I see huge upside, considering he was as productive as he was in his first year starting on defense.

I'll be thankful if he's there for the Cowboys at pick #28.

 

[BAT]

The only guy who hustles harder than Watt, is Takk. Also more explosive and more lead in his pants. As for injury concerns, would take the guy with bum wing (and still racked up 10 sacks vs healthy Watt and his 11.5 sacks) over guy with 2 bad knees.

 

[egn22]

I want Barnett so much that if he slid a little i'd be willing to trade up for him. If not him, i'd like Harris. I know he's not a popular guy on this board but i like him a lot an prefer either of these guys to the CB's that are projected to be available at the end of the 1st.

Don't like Peppers, and don't like Takk (shoulder surgery plus multiple concussions scares me)

 

[waving monkey]

It's realistic for McDowell to fall just haven't worked through the problem associated with drafting him.
Peppers hasn't been officially visited with the Cowboys so i assume his a no go.
The zone CB's ?
I'm at theat point I get every season [ over thought and ready for the draft].

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I'm all in for TJ Watt, if you all didn't know it already! I like his family lines, his fire and competitiveness, his intelligence, his length, his arm length, and his hands (and his ability to use them!)

His SPARQ measurable were outstanding, and I see huge upside, considering he was as productive as he was in his first year starting on defense.

I'll be thankful if he's there for the Cowboys at pick #28.

I'm warming up to this pick as well. I have been late in checking draft stuff this year due to family/work commitments but I see a lot to like about this kid. If he had two years at the position instead of one then we would most likely be talking about a top ten pick.

 

[Stash]

I'm warming up to this pick as well. I have been late in checking draft stuff this year due to family/work commitments but I see a lot to like about this kid. If he had two years at the position instead of one then we would most likely be talking about a top ten pick.

That's certainly my thinking. And I'm not worried about his knees either. They didn't stop him from being ultra productive. For a 5-year rookie contract, it wouldn't affect me signing him.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I want Harris.

He's a true edge rusher. I believe he has the highest ceiling for any edge prospect likely to be available at 28 (outside McDowell) and from his interviews I judge him as a cerebral player that knows what he needs to work on and is open to receiving coaching. He had a bad combine, but a great Pro Day.

 

[locked&loaded]

Takk Dak and and a 30 rack, every sunday!

 

[CooterBrown]

I think the first round should be an impact player. Not sure who that is at this time. Of course we all want "impact" players. So, to me, an impact player is one who makes "impact plays" that have a positive direct bearing on the outcome of the game. These would be drive-stopper kind of plays or even better, turn-over kind of plays. Or on offense, plays that are so amazing that the whole team feeds off the emotional lift.

So, (this is just my opinion), I think that in Marinelli's defense the corners play primarily zone coverage and as such a "shut-down" corner is not valued as much as in a man scheme. That leads me to believe that the position itself is de-valued somewhat in this defense. (in a bigger view, how many corners have the Cowboys ever had that would be "impact players"? Deion, Everson Walls, Mel Renfro? Damned if I can think of any others. Larry Brown had one impact game, but all he did was catch the ball.)

All that to say, "I don't want a corner in the first round."

I am usually a BPA kind of person, but they do need more help on defense. I think DE, LB, S, DT, in that order are the biggest impact positions on this defense.

So, given that there is no telling for sure who will be available, and unless O.J. Howard or some offensive player of his caliber drops that far, I'd go:

1. Mckinnley

2. Harris

3. Reddick

4. Watt

 

[reddyuta]

I am not fixated on a DE,dont wont to force a pick on a lesser player.We should be open to trade down.

 

[Leadbelly]

It's easier to just say I don't want an OL, TE, WR, RB, or (obviously) a QB,

...and I don't want McKinley or Harris,

...and I kinda feel the DE need has been overstated by most zoners and we'll only go DE in RD1 if he's a clear BPA where no CB has a similar grade,

...and I probably don't want a LB either but if it were Jarrad Davis or Zach Cunningham I could get over it quickly.

Long way of saying I think it's a CB or S. What I really want is a trade down where we pick Adoree' Jackson or Josh Jones in the 2nd and add an extra 3rd rounder that becomes Ahkello Witherspoon.

 

[xwalker]

I want Harris.

He's a true edge rusher. I believe he has the highest ceiling for any edge prospect likely to be available at 28 (outside McDowell) and from his interviews I judge him as a cerebral player that knows what he needs to work on and is open to receiving coaching. He had a bad combine, but a great Pro Day.

I like how it puts a player like Taco in the the preferred quadrant. His numbers don't compare straight up to guy like Watt, but when you adjust for the fact that he weighs 25 pounds more, then it's a different story. Basham is similar in that he's about 15 to 20 pounds over several of the others.