silverbear
Semi-Official Loose Cannon
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Is actually coming a little later than it usually does, I only just finished up my preseason draft spreadsheet this past week... call me lazy...
This exercise is intended only to help all of us identify some prospects who might fit the Cowboys' needs this coming April, naturally any draft ratings now will be considerably different come the end of next March... I will also consider only seniors, I simply don't have any clue who might declare early in 09 at this early juncture...
My 3 main draft sources for this exercise are, in order of importance:
NFL Draft Scout
NFL Draft Countdown
Walter's Football Site
It is kind of a synthesis of their ratings that I'll be using to "grade" the prospects here... I do this so as to have an idea of what players I want to watch during the just-started college season:
FIRST ROUND-- TRADE UP??
For the purpose of this exercise, I'm figuring the Boys won't draft any worse than 25th or so in the next draft... thus, I am not looking real close at the top 15 seniors, figuring that even with the annual early entrants, nobody in that bunch is likely to still be on the board when the Boys' first draft pick rolls around...
However, there are a few players likely to go early in this draft that I could justify the Boys trading up for... start with a couple of those underclassmen that I said I wouldn't be considering, both WRs-- Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech, and Jeremy Macklin from Missouri... Crabtree is the next Randy Moss-type talent to hit the NFL, IMO, and will be a multiyear Pro Bowler before it's all said and done... but to tell you the truth, I'd kinda prefer Maclin, who is to my mind a Joey Galloway-type talent, but with the return skills of a Devin Hester... what the Cowboys need in their receiving corps is somebody who can stretch the field, and that's Maclin...
I'd also be happy if the Boys traded up for one of two top defensive players, ILB Jim Laurinaitis from Ohio State, and S William Moore from Missouri... I also like Rey Maualuga at ILB, but consider him to be more of a 4-3 MLB, while Laurinaitis' skillset seems to be more suited to the 3-4... Laurinaitis has unusual range for a linebacker, and should be able to handle the cover duties demanded of a 3-4 ILB... Moore is just a playmaker at safety...
These are the only 4 players that I'd advocate the Cowboys look at trading up for... otherwise, I'm looking for them to pretty much just play the draft board as it comes to them, for the purposes of this projection...
FIRST ROUND-- NO TRADES
Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma... 6-5, 340 pounds, 5.3 sec. 40
Jonathan Luigs, C/OG, Arkansas... 6-4, 316 pounds, 4.95 sec. 40
Nic Harris, SS, Oklahoma... 6-3, 230 pounds, 4.55 sec. 40
Alex Mack, C, California... 6-4, 316 pounds, 5.1 sec. 40
It's kind of doubtful that Robinson would fall into the pick 25 range, but if he did (or if the Boys had a worse season than I anticipate), he'd be my first pick for this choice... failing that, there are two VERY nice centers who will be available; Luigs is higher rated than Mack, and is unusually quick for such a big man... but Mack's quickness is pretty good, and he comes from a more diversified, pro-style attack, while Luigs plays for a team that is heavily run-oriented... Harris is a solid strong safety, I like his size, and the Boys have a need for at least better depth at SS...
My choice-- Mack... he can back up Gurode for a couple-three years, then be ready to step in when Andre is ready to call it quits... in the meantime, Gurode could swing out to guard if there was an injury at that position, and Mack could plug into the pivot... this addition would solidify the interior of the offensive line both in the short term and for the long haul...
ROUND TWO
BJ Raji, DT, Boston College... 6-1, 325 pounds, 5.1 second 40
Pat White, WR/KR, West Virginia... 5-11, 195 pounds, 4.45 second 40
Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU... 6-4, 295 pounds, 4.85 second 40
Marko Mitchell, WR, Nevada... 6-4, 210 pounds, 4.45 second 40
Raji is one of the few pure NTs in this draft, I like his size... White would be another conversion project from QB, but he is one of those very elusive running QBs who might make a terrific WR/KR... Jackson is from a 3-4 scheme, and has been quite effective in more or less the same role he'd play for the Cowboys... Mitchell can stretch the field, his yards per catch average was well over 20 yards last season, and ranked him second in the nation in that category...
My choice-- Jackson... he is very much in the mold of what the Boys are looking for at DE, and there aren't many in this draft that fit that profile...
ROUND THREE (2 picks, one from the Browns):
Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon... 5-11, 210 pounds, 4.5 second 40
Jonathan Casillas, SS/OLB, Wisconsin... 6-1, 225 pounds, 4.45 second 40
Kraig Urbik, OG/OT, Wisconsin... 6-7, 330 pounds, 5.25 second 40
Domonique Johnson, CB, Jackson State... 6-2, 195 pounds, 4.35 second 40
Tupou Fenuki, OT/OG, Oregon... 6-5, 330 pounds, 5.2 second 40
Devin Moore, RB, Wyoming... 5-9, 195 pounds, 4.35 second 40
Referring back to the aformentioned need for a quality strong safety, both Chung and Casillas intrigue me... in fact, what I read about Casillas sounds a little like what I read about Darren Woodson when he came out of college... Urbik and Fenuki are two widebodies who can play more than one offensive line position, always a valuable trait when you're looking for backup offensive linemen... Johnson has a terrific size speed ratio for a cornerback, though I don't see CB as a pressing need for the Boys in the next draft... if Adam Jones was to get in trouble, though, that might change... Moore is a player I want to follow this year, he might be a nice little scatback type... again, I don't see a need for the Boys here, but if he really produces this season for the other Cowboys, he might offer another dimension to our offense...
My choice-- Casillas, then trade down with the second pick... there is some talent I really like that looks to be available in the later rounds...
ROUND FOUR (a pick from Detroit, but our pick is likely going to the Titans for PacMan, if he keeps out of trouble the whole season; with the trade down I proposed in the last round, the Boys would have an extra 4th, and I'm projecting an extra sixth)
Jason Phillips, ILB, TCU... 6-1, 235 pounds, 4.55 second 40
Andy Levitre, OG/C, Oregon State... 6-2, 316 pounds, 5.2 second 40
Chip Vaughn, SS, Wake Forest... 6-2, 216 pounds, 4.5 second 40
Antonio Appleby, ILB, Virginia... 6-3, 250 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Marion Brennan, WR, Tulsa... 5-11, 186 pounds, 4.45 second 40
DeAndre Wright, CB, New Mexico... 5-11, 195 pounds, 4.5 second 40
Cedric Dockery, OG, Texas... 6-4, 325 pounds, 5.25 second 40
Phillips is a speedy ILB who ought to be able to handle the cover chores in a 3-4, I just wish he was a bit bigger... another 10 pounds, and he'd be one of my favorites... Levitre could back up at all the interior line spots, and if the Boys haven't claimed a center at this point, he'd move to the top of my list... likewise, if the Boys haven't gotten themselves a strong safety by this point, Vaughn would be a closer look... Appleby is schooled in the 3-4 defense, and while he's not quite as fast as Phillips is, he has better size, and from what I've seen of him (I'm a Cavs fan), he's adequate in coverage... Brennan led the nation last year with an average of over 34 yards a catch (that's not a typo)... even though he's on the small side, and his 40 times aren't blazing fast, he's obviously the type who can stretch a field... Wright is the kind of corner that the Lobos' opponents stay away from, but he's still had 7 ints and 19 passes broken up the last two seasons... Dockery is the younger brother of Derrick, who has been a starter practically from the start of his NFL career... Cedric doesn't rate quite as high as his big brother did coming out of college, and I'm not quite sure why, because he looks as good to me playing for the Horns as Derrick did...
My choices-- this was tough, I really like 3 players; Marion Brennan, DeAndre Wright and Cedric Dockery... I decided on Dockery for my first pick, because my philosophy in this draft is to acquire quality depth on the OL that can actually step in and play decently if called on... I'm really torn between Brennan and Wright; let's say if the Boys didn't draft Domonique Johnson earlier, I'll go with Wright, otherwise the pick is Brennan... or what the heck, trade their 5th and one of their extra sixths for a third 4th rounder, and add both Brennan and Wright...
ROUND FIVE
Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly... 6-6, 225 pounds, 4.55 second 40
Jaison Williams, WR, Oregon... 6-4, 240 pounds, 4.55 second 40
Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty... 6-1, 230 pounds, 4.5 second 40
Jovorski Lane, FB, Texas A&M... 5-11, 275 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Marlon Lucky, RB, Nebraska... 5-11, 216 pounds, 4.55 second 40
Jose Valdez, OT, Arkansas... 6-5, 316 pounds, 4.95 second 40
Barden and Williams both have plus size for the WR position, but only adequate speed... Jennings is a very intriguing power back who has been clocked at just under 4.5 second in the 40, while Lucky caught 75 passes last season coming out of the backfield... Lane is a load both as a blocker and a ballcarrier, and the Boys might want to upgrade at this position... Valdez has decent size, but for the most part I've been looking for bigger maulers for the OL... however, I can't ignore that 40 time for a man that size...
My choice-- I already traded this to move up into the 4th round... just wanted y'all to have some idea of the kinds of players who might be available at this point...
SIXTH ROUND (two picks, one compensatory, one from the Dolphins; our own pick was packaged in the move up to the 4th round)
Jasper Brinkley, ILB, South Carolina... 6-2, 265 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Jarett Dillard, WR, Rice... 5-11, 186 pounds, 4.5 second 40
Ramon Foster, OT/OG, Tennessee... 6-5, 325 pounds, 5.25 second 40
Jamaal Westerman, OLB/DE, Rutgers... 6-2, 265 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Eric Vandenheuvel, OT, Wisconsin... 6-8, 325 pounds, 5.25 second 40
Rashad Bobino, ILB, Texas... 5-11, 240 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Chase Holbrook, QB, New Mexico State... 6-5, 245 pounds, 5.05 second 40
Brinkley may wind up climbing this draft board, but if he's here at this point, he'd be a terrific value... Dillard is one of those smurf types who can often be effective in the slot... Foster, well, let's just say that Tennessee only gave up 3 sacks as a team all of last year, none of them by Ramon... throw in the ability to play either tackle or guard, and this is a guy I'll be watching closely... Westerman shows some pass rush ability... Vandenheuvel might make a terrific right tackle, with that height and wingspan... Bobino is the type of LB that I think might be even more effective in a Cowboys styled 3-4 than he is for the Horns, I just don't think he's a real good fit for their system, but I think he has the range to handle cover responsibilities... Holbrook is this year's Colt Brennan, only bigger, a real gunslinger who has put up amazing numbers for the traditionally weak Aggies football program...
My choices-- Foster and Holbrook... Ramon will be a player, I just feel it, and if the draft fell the way I'm projecting here, the Boys will have added three very nice, big offensive linemen to their roster, providing quality depth where little currently exists-- Alex Mack, Cedric Dockery and Ramon Foster... Holbrook would make a terrific 3rd, developmental QB, IMO...
SEVENTH ROUND (two picks, one compensatory and our own)
Johnny Knox, WR, Abilene Christian... 5-11, 186 pounds, 4.45 second 40
Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman... 6-4, 325 pounds, 5.1 second 40
Quan Cosby, WR/KR, Texas... 5-11, 206 pounds, 4.45 second 40
Reshard Langford, S, Vanmderbilt... 6-1, 216 pounds, 4.55 second 40
Louis Vasquez, OG/OT, Texas Tech... 6-5, 340 pounds, 5.3 second 40
Brandon Swain, OLB/DE, W. Texas A&M... 6-3, 260 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Daniel Holtzclaw, ILB, Eastern Michigan... 6-1, 245 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Phillip Hunt, OLB/DE, Houston... 6-1, 260 pounds, 4.65 second 40
Knox was a junior college transfer from Tyler who caught 62 passes for 1158 yards last season (18.7 average), with 17 TDs... Hill is a massive run plugger from a tiny school, but his computer numbers project well to the NFL... Cosby is less well-regarded than his teammate Jordan Shipley, but I think his game would translate better to the NFL... Vasquez is another monster offensive lineman, who didn't allow a single sack last year (impressive, considering how often Tech throws the ball)... some draft boards have him rated much higher than this, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he went somewhat earlier than is projected here... Swain and Hunt are both pass rushing DEs whose size projects nicely to OLB in a 3-4... Swain had 14 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries and 24.5 tackles for losses last year, though we must remind ourselves that West Texas A&M isn't exactly BCS football... Hunt was almost as active for Houston, and at a higher level of competition... he's had 30 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries and 10 passes broken up over the last two seasons, the guy makes plays... Holtzclaw has been a tackling machine for Eastern Michigan the last three seasons, racking up a total of 330 tackles...
My choices-- Hill at DT, either Swain or Hunt at OLB/DE...
So, this is how my dream mock draft would look, some 8 months before the real thing:
1) Alex Mack, C, California... 6-4, 316 pounds, 5.25 second 40
2) Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU... 6-4, 295 pounds, 4.85 second 40
3) Jonathan Casillas, SS, Wisconsin... 6-1, 225 pounds, 4.45 second 40
4a) Cedric Dockery, OG, Texas... 6-4, 325 pounds, 5.25 second 40
4b) Marion Brennan, WR, Tulsa... 5-11, 186 pounds, 4.45 second 40
4c) DeAndre Wright, CB, New Mexico... 5-11, 195 pounds, 4.5 second 40
6a) Ramon Foster, OT/OG, Tennessee... 6-5, 325 pounds, 5.25 second 40
6b) Chase Holbrook, QB, New Mexico State... 6-5, 245 pounds, 5.05 second 40
7a) Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman... 6-4, 325 pounds, 5.1 second 40
7b) Brandon Swain, OLB/DE, West Texas A&M... 6-3, 260 pounds, 4.7 second 40
With this draft, I have addressed the offensive line depth question seriously with C Mack, OG Dockery and OT/OG Foster, have added a pair of nice prospect for the DL in DE Jackson and DT Hill... I have helped the SS position with Casillas, added a 3rd, developmental QB with some promise in Holbrook, a late round potential pass rushing addition in Swain, another CB to throw into the mix in Wright, and a stretch the field WR in Brennan... there isn't much emphasis on offensive skill positions, largely because I consider that to currently be a strength on this team...
Anyway, there's 40-odd prospects, from my master list of 95 players, that I thought y'all might like to know a little something about... I find this list helps me find interest in college games that otherwise wouldn't interest me all that much...
This exercise is intended only to help all of us identify some prospects who might fit the Cowboys' needs this coming April, naturally any draft ratings now will be considerably different come the end of next March... I will also consider only seniors, I simply don't have any clue who might declare early in 09 at this early juncture...
My 3 main draft sources for this exercise are, in order of importance:
NFL Draft Scout
NFL Draft Countdown
Walter's Football Site
It is kind of a synthesis of their ratings that I'll be using to "grade" the prospects here... I do this so as to have an idea of what players I want to watch during the just-started college season:
FIRST ROUND-- TRADE UP??
For the purpose of this exercise, I'm figuring the Boys won't draft any worse than 25th or so in the next draft... thus, I am not looking real close at the top 15 seniors, figuring that even with the annual early entrants, nobody in that bunch is likely to still be on the board when the Boys' first draft pick rolls around...
However, there are a few players likely to go early in this draft that I could justify the Boys trading up for... start with a couple of those underclassmen that I said I wouldn't be considering, both WRs-- Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech, and Jeremy Macklin from Missouri... Crabtree is the next Randy Moss-type talent to hit the NFL, IMO, and will be a multiyear Pro Bowler before it's all said and done... but to tell you the truth, I'd kinda prefer Maclin, who is to my mind a Joey Galloway-type talent, but with the return skills of a Devin Hester... what the Cowboys need in their receiving corps is somebody who can stretch the field, and that's Maclin...
I'd also be happy if the Boys traded up for one of two top defensive players, ILB Jim Laurinaitis from Ohio State, and S William Moore from Missouri... I also like Rey Maualuga at ILB, but consider him to be more of a 4-3 MLB, while Laurinaitis' skillset seems to be more suited to the 3-4... Laurinaitis has unusual range for a linebacker, and should be able to handle the cover duties demanded of a 3-4 ILB... Moore is just a playmaker at safety...
These are the only 4 players that I'd advocate the Cowboys look at trading up for... otherwise, I'm looking for them to pretty much just play the draft board as it comes to them, for the purposes of this projection...
FIRST ROUND-- NO TRADES
Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma... 6-5, 340 pounds, 5.3 sec. 40
Jonathan Luigs, C/OG, Arkansas... 6-4, 316 pounds, 4.95 sec. 40
Nic Harris, SS, Oklahoma... 6-3, 230 pounds, 4.55 sec. 40
Alex Mack, C, California... 6-4, 316 pounds, 5.1 sec. 40
It's kind of doubtful that Robinson would fall into the pick 25 range, but if he did (or if the Boys had a worse season than I anticipate), he'd be my first pick for this choice... failing that, there are two VERY nice centers who will be available; Luigs is higher rated than Mack, and is unusually quick for such a big man... but Mack's quickness is pretty good, and he comes from a more diversified, pro-style attack, while Luigs plays for a team that is heavily run-oriented... Harris is a solid strong safety, I like his size, and the Boys have a need for at least better depth at SS...
My choice-- Mack... he can back up Gurode for a couple-three years, then be ready to step in when Andre is ready to call it quits... in the meantime, Gurode could swing out to guard if there was an injury at that position, and Mack could plug into the pivot... this addition would solidify the interior of the offensive line both in the short term and for the long haul...
ROUND TWO
BJ Raji, DT, Boston College... 6-1, 325 pounds, 5.1 second 40
Pat White, WR/KR, West Virginia... 5-11, 195 pounds, 4.45 second 40
Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU... 6-4, 295 pounds, 4.85 second 40
Marko Mitchell, WR, Nevada... 6-4, 210 pounds, 4.45 second 40
Raji is one of the few pure NTs in this draft, I like his size... White would be another conversion project from QB, but he is one of those very elusive running QBs who might make a terrific WR/KR... Jackson is from a 3-4 scheme, and has been quite effective in more or less the same role he'd play for the Cowboys... Mitchell can stretch the field, his yards per catch average was well over 20 yards last season, and ranked him second in the nation in that category...
My choice-- Jackson... he is very much in the mold of what the Boys are looking for at DE, and there aren't many in this draft that fit that profile...
ROUND THREE (2 picks, one from the Browns):
Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon... 5-11, 210 pounds, 4.5 second 40
Jonathan Casillas, SS/OLB, Wisconsin... 6-1, 225 pounds, 4.45 second 40
Kraig Urbik, OG/OT, Wisconsin... 6-7, 330 pounds, 5.25 second 40
Domonique Johnson, CB, Jackson State... 6-2, 195 pounds, 4.35 second 40
Tupou Fenuki, OT/OG, Oregon... 6-5, 330 pounds, 5.2 second 40
Devin Moore, RB, Wyoming... 5-9, 195 pounds, 4.35 second 40
Referring back to the aformentioned need for a quality strong safety, both Chung and Casillas intrigue me... in fact, what I read about Casillas sounds a little like what I read about Darren Woodson when he came out of college... Urbik and Fenuki are two widebodies who can play more than one offensive line position, always a valuable trait when you're looking for backup offensive linemen... Johnson has a terrific size speed ratio for a cornerback, though I don't see CB as a pressing need for the Boys in the next draft... if Adam Jones was to get in trouble, though, that might change... Moore is a player I want to follow this year, he might be a nice little scatback type... again, I don't see a need for the Boys here, but if he really produces this season for the other Cowboys, he might offer another dimension to our offense...
My choice-- Casillas, then trade down with the second pick... there is some talent I really like that looks to be available in the later rounds...
ROUND FOUR (a pick from Detroit, but our pick is likely going to the Titans for PacMan, if he keeps out of trouble the whole season; with the trade down I proposed in the last round, the Boys would have an extra 4th, and I'm projecting an extra sixth)
Jason Phillips, ILB, TCU... 6-1, 235 pounds, 4.55 second 40
Andy Levitre, OG/C, Oregon State... 6-2, 316 pounds, 5.2 second 40
Chip Vaughn, SS, Wake Forest... 6-2, 216 pounds, 4.5 second 40
Antonio Appleby, ILB, Virginia... 6-3, 250 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Marion Brennan, WR, Tulsa... 5-11, 186 pounds, 4.45 second 40
DeAndre Wright, CB, New Mexico... 5-11, 195 pounds, 4.5 second 40
Cedric Dockery, OG, Texas... 6-4, 325 pounds, 5.25 second 40
Phillips is a speedy ILB who ought to be able to handle the cover chores in a 3-4, I just wish he was a bit bigger... another 10 pounds, and he'd be one of my favorites... Levitre could back up at all the interior line spots, and if the Boys haven't claimed a center at this point, he'd move to the top of my list... likewise, if the Boys haven't gotten themselves a strong safety by this point, Vaughn would be a closer look... Appleby is schooled in the 3-4 defense, and while he's not quite as fast as Phillips is, he has better size, and from what I've seen of him (I'm a Cavs fan), he's adequate in coverage... Brennan led the nation last year with an average of over 34 yards a catch (that's not a typo)... even though he's on the small side, and his 40 times aren't blazing fast, he's obviously the type who can stretch a field... Wright is the kind of corner that the Lobos' opponents stay away from, but he's still had 7 ints and 19 passes broken up the last two seasons... Dockery is the younger brother of Derrick, who has been a starter practically from the start of his NFL career... Cedric doesn't rate quite as high as his big brother did coming out of college, and I'm not quite sure why, because he looks as good to me playing for the Horns as Derrick did...
My choices-- this was tough, I really like 3 players; Marion Brennan, DeAndre Wright and Cedric Dockery... I decided on Dockery for my first pick, because my philosophy in this draft is to acquire quality depth on the OL that can actually step in and play decently if called on... I'm really torn between Brennan and Wright; let's say if the Boys didn't draft Domonique Johnson earlier, I'll go with Wright, otherwise the pick is Brennan... or what the heck, trade their 5th and one of their extra sixths for a third 4th rounder, and add both Brennan and Wright...
ROUND FIVE
Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly... 6-6, 225 pounds, 4.55 second 40
Jaison Williams, WR, Oregon... 6-4, 240 pounds, 4.55 second 40
Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty... 6-1, 230 pounds, 4.5 second 40
Jovorski Lane, FB, Texas A&M... 5-11, 275 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Marlon Lucky, RB, Nebraska... 5-11, 216 pounds, 4.55 second 40
Jose Valdez, OT, Arkansas... 6-5, 316 pounds, 4.95 second 40
Barden and Williams both have plus size for the WR position, but only adequate speed... Jennings is a very intriguing power back who has been clocked at just under 4.5 second in the 40, while Lucky caught 75 passes last season coming out of the backfield... Lane is a load both as a blocker and a ballcarrier, and the Boys might want to upgrade at this position... Valdez has decent size, but for the most part I've been looking for bigger maulers for the OL... however, I can't ignore that 40 time for a man that size...
My choice-- I already traded this to move up into the 4th round... just wanted y'all to have some idea of the kinds of players who might be available at this point...
SIXTH ROUND (two picks, one compensatory, one from the Dolphins; our own pick was packaged in the move up to the 4th round)
Jasper Brinkley, ILB, South Carolina... 6-2, 265 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Jarett Dillard, WR, Rice... 5-11, 186 pounds, 4.5 second 40
Ramon Foster, OT/OG, Tennessee... 6-5, 325 pounds, 5.25 second 40
Jamaal Westerman, OLB/DE, Rutgers... 6-2, 265 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Eric Vandenheuvel, OT, Wisconsin... 6-8, 325 pounds, 5.25 second 40
Rashad Bobino, ILB, Texas... 5-11, 240 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Chase Holbrook, QB, New Mexico State... 6-5, 245 pounds, 5.05 second 40
Brinkley may wind up climbing this draft board, but if he's here at this point, he'd be a terrific value... Dillard is one of those smurf types who can often be effective in the slot... Foster, well, let's just say that Tennessee only gave up 3 sacks as a team all of last year, none of them by Ramon... throw in the ability to play either tackle or guard, and this is a guy I'll be watching closely... Westerman shows some pass rush ability... Vandenheuvel might make a terrific right tackle, with that height and wingspan... Bobino is the type of LB that I think might be even more effective in a Cowboys styled 3-4 than he is for the Horns, I just don't think he's a real good fit for their system, but I think he has the range to handle cover responsibilities... Holbrook is this year's Colt Brennan, only bigger, a real gunslinger who has put up amazing numbers for the traditionally weak Aggies football program...
My choices-- Foster and Holbrook... Ramon will be a player, I just feel it, and if the draft fell the way I'm projecting here, the Boys will have added three very nice, big offensive linemen to their roster, providing quality depth where little currently exists-- Alex Mack, Cedric Dockery and Ramon Foster... Holbrook would make a terrific 3rd, developmental QB, IMO...
SEVENTH ROUND (two picks, one compensatory and our own)
Johnny Knox, WR, Abilene Christian... 5-11, 186 pounds, 4.45 second 40
Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman... 6-4, 325 pounds, 5.1 second 40
Quan Cosby, WR/KR, Texas... 5-11, 206 pounds, 4.45 second 40
Reshard Langford, S, Vanmderbilt... 6-1, 216 pounds, 4.55 second 40
Louis Vasquez, OG/OT, Texas Tech... 6-5, 340 pounds, 5.3 second 40
Brandon Swain, OLB/DE, W. Texas A&M... 6-3, 260 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Daniel Holtzclaw, ILB, Eastern Michigan... 6-1, 245 pounds, 4.7 second 40
Phillip Hunt, OLB/DE, Houston... 6-1, 260 pounds, 4.65 second 40
Knox was a junior college transfer from Tyler who caught 62 passes for 1158 yards last season (18.7 average), with 17 TDs... Hill is a massive run plugger from a tiny school, but his computer numbers project well to the NFL... Cosby is less well-regarded than his teammate Jordan Shipley, but I think his game would translate better to the NFL... Vasquez is another monster offensive lineman, who didn't allow a single sack last year (impressive, considering how often Tech throws the ball)... some draft boards have him rated much higher than this, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he went somewhat earlier than is projected here... Swain and Hunt are both pass rushing DEs whose size projects nicely to OLB in a 3-4... Swain had 14 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries and 24.5 tackles for losses last year, though we must remind ourselves that West Texas A&M isn't exactly BCS football... Hunt was almost as active for Houston, and at a higher level of competition... he's had 30 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries and 10 passes broken up over the last two seasons, the guy makes plays... Holtzclaw has been a tackling machine for Eastern Michigan the last three seasons, racking up a total of 330 tackles...
My choices-- Hill at DT, either Swain or Hunt at OLB/DE...
So, this is how my dream mock draft would look, some 8 months before the real thing:
1) Alex Mack, C, California... 6-4, 316 pounds, 5.25 second 40
2) Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU... 6-4, 295 pounds, 4.85 second 40
3) Jonathan Casillas, SS, Wisconsin... 6-1, 225 pounds, 4.45 second 40
4a) Cedric Dockery, OG, Texas... 6-4, 325 pounds, 5.25 second 40
4b) Marion Brennan, WR, Tulsa... 5-11, 186 pounds, 4.45 second 40
4c) DeAndre Wright, CB, New Mexico... 5-11, 195 pounds, 4.5 second 40
6a) Ramon Foster, OT/OG, Tennessee... 6-5, 325 pounds, 5.25 second 40
6b) Chase Holbrook, QB, New Mexico State... 6-5, 245 pounds, 5.05 second 40
7a) Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman... 6-4, 325 pounds, 5.1 second 40
7b) Brandon Swain, OLB/DE, West Texas A&M... 6-3, 260 pounds, 4.7 second 40
With this draft, I have addressed the offensive line depth question seriously with C Mack, OG Dockery and OT/OG Foster, have added a pair of nice prospect for the DL in DE Jackson and DT Hill... I have helped the SS position with Casillas, added a 3rd, developmental QB with some promise in Holbrook, a late round potential pass rushing addition in Swain, another CB to throw into the mix in Wright, and a stretch the field WR in Brennan... there isn't much emphasis on offensive skill positions, largely because I consider that to currently be a strength on this team...
Anyway, there's 40-odd prospects, from my master list of 95 players, that I thought y'all might like to know a little something about... I find this list helps me find interest in college games that otherwise wouldn't interest me all that much...
