Big year for the 2012 Draft

[Galian Beast]

We're really going to need to see some tangible improvements out of the 2012 draft class. It's on the verge of being a complete bust.

Starts out with moving up to draft Morris Claiborne early, and the fact that he has certainly underperformed. I would say the jury is still out on this guy, but it isn't looking good at this point. That being said if he develops and plays like we wanted him to when we drafted him, that would go a long way towards helping this defense.

F

-- No second round draft pick. (see above) Again though, this is why it is so important for Claiborne to prove us all wrong at this point, and prove our initial expectations right. So far this has been one of the worst draft decisions in a while.

Tyrone Crawford, limited playing time his rookie year, injured his 2nd year. Was drafted to play in the 3-4, and has to find a spot in the 4-3. I think really expecting much out of this guy who was raw to begin with is asking a lot. Kid came in raw, had to learn a new system, and has to deal with the injury situation... Has bust written all over it.

D+

Kyle Wilber, somewhat similar situation to Crawford, changed positions three times, and really hasn't shown that much. Probably showed more at the linebacker position in the 4-3 than he did at DE/OLB. Maybe he competes for that start spot against Holloman, or maybe we draft someone there. We may very well have to address linebacker in the draft given Carter's performance and Lee's injury issues.

C-

Matt Johnson, 4th round draft pick, not terribly high, but still someone you would like to see step up. Injured 2 years in a row, and is on his last leg... We'll see whether he can push Wilcox for that FS spot. At this point, it would be nice if he could develop into a quality backup.

D

Danny Coale... Never could stay healthy. Basically out of football.... doubt they ever bring him back in, even with Austin being cut.Had a lot of high hopes for him.

F

James Hanna... I doubt he will be penciled in as the 2nd TE again. I think we'll see him struggle to keep Escobar at bay, but then again, this might be his year, and he might also make Witten expendable... there is a wide range of what this guy could do. He definitely needs to elevate his game if he expects to stay in Dallas. Depending on where he falls in things, he might even be interesting trade bait if he flashes something in Preseason.

B-


Caleb McSurdy. Slow for a 3-4, molasses for a 4-3. Tried him at FB... it was a throw away 7th rounder, but I never understood why he was drafted.

F

Note: That I gave Claiborne an F because we drafted him with the 6th pick in the draft (taking up a 1st and a 2nd), not only has he not become an impact player, but he isn't even a starter anymore, and can't stay healthy. On top of that he had an abysmal year. I thought about being generous and giving him a D or D-, but as of now looking at the whole pick, it is an F.

 

[yentl911]

I think Mo will come back and be a player. Another year to get stronger and hopefully the coaches will let him play to his strengths.
There is a lot of hope that Crawford can be a player and although I have not seen it the coaches seem to be quite happy with him. He needs to step up this year.
Kyle Wilbur was real solid when he got a chance to play last year and was a nice surprise. Should continue to improve.
I was excited about Johnson, and after seeing him play the few plays he did I thought he had some skill but he is made of glass. I have zero hope that he can stay on the field.
Hanna is solid and does the dirty work - he can block, has decent hands and makes some plays even though he is far from being the go to guy.

 

[Hoofbite]

2012 may go down as one of the worst drafts the team has had in a long while.

2009 was awful but at least that draft class sucked.

 

[dirtycallahan]

GB, Danny Coale signed with the Steelers

 

[Hoofbite]

Not sure how Coale and Johnson have different grades.

Neither has done a thing worth grading. Only real difference is that Dallas didn't pray that Coale could start and give him every opportunity in the world.

 

[perrykemp]

Clairborne is the only player here who has a chance to be anything but roster fodder. This has to be his year. If he turns in another year as he did in 2013, yes, the 2012 Cowboys Draft will go down as one of the worst in Cowboys history.

Even if Claiborne becomes a pro-bowler, the draft itself couldn't be considered anything more than a "C". You need to hit on more than 1 starter from a draft class -- especially on a team as bereft as talent as the 24-24 over the past 3 years Cowboys.

 

[dbonham]

Has Hanna's blocking improved? I know we left him in a lot this year

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

ugly!

 

[tm1119]

Ughh that's depressing. Bad picks at the time and look somehow worse now.

 

[Jerryrage]

Big year for the 2009 class! Oh wait.

 

[theSHOW]

I like the breakdown. All these guys can get a chance to turn it around this season. Lots of incomplete grades. I see Morris breaking out this season. Crawford should get reps. Wilbur and Johnson also will get a chance to start. Hanna will have a fight on his hands jst to get on the field. This could be a fantastic draft "if" and it is a big one...these guys avoid injury and step up in year three. This is the year. 3 strikes and you are out.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

It looks bad now.....but its also early. I don't think Claiborne will be a bad player in this league. He may not be a zone corner. He may be brittle. But if he can stay healthy I expect a big year from him. IF not, i'd move on from him.

I think its unfair to grade them because most of those guys have been hurt aside from Wilber and Hanna. And even then I think hose are solid rotational guys.

But this is how the NFL is. If these guys hit their potential we are talking about a whole different looking draft and a whole different team. If Crawford, Claiborne, Matt Johnson and Wilber end up being starters next year? I'll say that's a solid draft.

Its too early to judge the draft but I do feel like with some of these guys we should've seen more by now. Crawford and Matt Johnson specifically.

This is NOTHING like the 2009 draft class. There was no potential at all there. Those guys were drafted to be special teams players. That was silly thinking from jump. It was a terrible draft class in hindsight but it was a terrible way they went about that draft as well.

 

[Galian Beast]

Not sure how Coale and Johnson have different grades.

Neither has done a thing worth grading. Only real difference is that Dallas didn't pray that Coale could start and give him every opportunity in the world.

Johnson has shown flashes in practice and training camp, while Coale never showed any flashes. Johnson is also still on the team. I think that is a pretty solid difference.

 

[Galian Beast]

It looks bad now.....but its also early. I don't think Claiborne will be a bad player in this league. He may not be a zone corner. He may be brittle. But if he can stay healthy I expect a big year from him. IF not, i'd move on from him.

I think its unfair to grade them because most of those guys have been hurt aside from Wilber and Hanna. And even then I think hose are solid rotational guys.

But this is how the NFL is. If these guys hit their potential we are talking about a whole different looking draft and a whole different team. If Crawford, Claiborne, Matt Johnson and Wilber end up being starters next year? I'll say that's a solid draft.

Its too early to judge the draft but I do feel like with some of these guys we should've seen more by now. Crawford and Matt Johnson specifically.

This is NOTHING like the 2009 draft class. There was no potential at all there. Those guys were drafted to be special teams players. That was silly thinking from jump. It was a terrible draft class in hindsight but it was a terrible way they went about that draft as well.

As I said, it's a big year for all of them. I wouldn't say it's early. It's not too late, but two years in, it certainly isn't early.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

As I said, it's a big year for all of them. I wouldn't say it's early. It's not too late, but two years in, it certainly isn't early.

Well I think its early to write guys off is what i'm saying. Not saying you were doing that but I don't feel you get a gist of how good a draft is until the 3rd year.......that's when Sean Lee and Dez took off as well as Demarco....

Especially some of these guys who have been injured. I think by year 3 you know whether or not if a guy will hit his potential or if he's simply just not a very good football player. As of right now I don't have anyone that I think is simply just not a good football player. Even Matt Johnson. I think there's something there. Just has to stay healthy and he may never be able to.

 

[Galian Beast]

Well I think its early to write guys off is what i'm saying. Not saying you were doing that but I don't feel you get a gist of how good a draft is until the 3rd year.......that's when Sean Lee and Dez took off as well as Demarco....

Especially some of these guys who have been injured. I think by year 3 you know whether or not if a guy will hit his potential or if he's simply just not a very good football player. As of right now I don't have anyone that I think is simply just not a good football player. Even Matt Johnson. I think there's something there. Just has to stay healthy and he may never be able to.

We saw glimpses of all of them almost immediately...

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

We saw glimpses of all of them almost immediately...

Some of them yeah. Some of them I don't believe we are using correctly. I think with Hanna's speed we should use him to stretch the field but we don't. Claiborne is a man corner. He should be man at all times. To me that's like dropping Ware in coverage...........I can't speak on Crawford and Johnson because its been so little and in the case of Matt its been NOTHING.

 

[Galian Beast]

Some of them yeah. Some of them I don't believe we are using correctly. I think with Hanna's speed we should use him to stretch the field but we don't. Claiborne is a man corner. He should be man at all times. To me that's like dropping Ware in coverage...........I can't speak on Crawford and Johnson because its been so little and in the case of Matt its been NOTHING.

I was referring to Lee, Dez, and Smith.

As to using these players wrong, many of them simply don't fit our schemes, which still makes them bad draft picks for us.

 

[Floatyworm]

Take away Morris Claiborne from that draft.....And it's complete poop. Claiborne really sugar coats it. but in reality....as soon as the Cowboys reached for Crawford I knew this draft was in trouble. When we drafted Matt Johnson I literally could feel the acid in my stomach turn sour. Kind of a verp feeling. (Vomit + Burp= verp). I said it in 2012 and I'm saying it again.... Morris Claiborne was a nice pick....but the price was way too much.

With all that being said......I'm still holding out hope this could turn around because...

1. Drafting Crawford to play in the 3-4 was a mistake. Crawford was better suited for the 4-3 to begin with. I think he could have a decent career as a run stuffing weak side RE. He's pretty stout against the run. But you need to pair him up w/ a pass rusher. I'm praying Anthony Barr somehow slides....but not counting on it.
Scott Crichton could also be in the mix. I think this is more of what the Cowboys are looking for. Not the pure speed rusher.

2. Kyle Wilber was a reach in the 3-4. But surprisingly....He showed he could play SLB in a 4-3. There is still hope here that maybe he can take his game to another level with a year under his belt.

3. James Hanna...has been a nice surprise. But the Cowboys struggle to get him the ball.

This is all that is left salvaging IMO.

 

[CowboyStar88]

Wait GB you gave Mo and "F" but gave Johnson a "D"??? I'm sorry I have a hard time with Mo getting an "F" the dude was hurt last year and when he played he did improve until he got hurt again. You can clearly see his talent and I think the 3rd year player can rebound and be salvaged. Johnson I don't see how you can even grade a guy who can't get on the field at all. Wilber I would give a solid "C" to because of his transition to OLB and he handled it very well and shows potential.