Carpenter or Lawson?

[cowboysfan31]

With Ayodele signed and Burnett likely to challenge Shanle, Singleton, and James for the other inside spot, I think the logical choice here is Manny Lawson. He is the better pass rusher, and I wouldn't put Carpenter on the 3-4 OLB at only 6-2. Lawson has the better size-speed ratio and would be a beast opposite Ware as a pass rusher.

If LenDale White, Maroney, or even DeAngelo Williams is available at #18, it may be possible to move down to the late 1st round picks if teams in need of a RB want to move up. Teams like the Patriots, Panthers, and Colts might be willing to give up an additional pick to grab that slot. Hopefully, we could gain an additional 3rd or 4th and give us more room to add a safety like Ko Simpson and grab some additional line depth.

Trading down would be a good alternative, but Simpson is shooting up the boards and likely won't make it out of the first round. Right now he's probably the best FS behind Huff unless someone takes an early risk on Jason Allen.

 

[kiheikiwi]

I tend to prefer 6'2" 255 to 6'6" 240. Just seems like Lawson would be easier to push around and block because he is lankier. Carpenter seems like more of a chunk of granite in there.

I mentioned this in another thread yesterday, when you looked at Lawson at the combine, he looked lanky. I'm sure he can put weight on that frame, but I'm just not on that bandwagon.Carpenter OR Wimbely just seem destined for that spot.

 

[ghst187]

I tend to prefer 6'2" 255 to 6'6" 240. Just seems like Lawson would be easier to push around and block because he is lankier. Carpenter seems like more of a chunk of granite in there.

depends on what we want;
do you want a run stopper ILB, then Carpenter is definitely the dude

if you want a freakshow passrushing OLB, then Lawson is the dude.

Carpenter can play the OLB position and would probably still be a good choice but I think Lawson will be a bigger impact player there.
We already know we expect Ayodele to man the ILB next to James so i'm guessing we'll be looking for an OLB.
I think Wimbley is also on our radar. Daryl Tapp could be also and both could be available in the second.
I think we take a day 2 LB also...Parham or Schlegel are steals on day 2.

 

[JonJon]

Trading down would be a good alternative, but Simpson is shooting up the boards and likely won't make it out of the first round. Right now he's probably the best FS behind Huff unless someone takes an early risk on Jason Allen.

I'm starting to think the Cowboys are looking more in the direction of Jason Allen. His injury history has me a little concerned, but I think it is worth the risk. I think he is a great value if we can get him in the 3rd. I would take Lawson at 1:18 though...just too intriguing of a talent to pass up on the guy, but Carpenter wouldn'rt dissapoint either. Depending on what other O-line help we bring in, I expect the Cowboys first day to look like this:

1. Lawson
2. McNeill (if he makes it there)
3. Allen (if he makes it there)

Edit: I smell a Sig change a comin'

 

[MiStar]

Carpenter.

Just take a look at the established 3-4 defenses in the league, Steelers and Pats:

Pat's OLBs - Vrabel, McGinest, Colvin
Steeler's OLBs - Porter, Haggans

The common denominator: Shedding blocks, none of these guys have blazing speed like Ware or Lawson, but they've got more than enough speed to be successful. These aren't pure edge rushers, but rather guys who can create havoc in a multitude of ways.

The best 3-4 teams have guys that can rush inside and outside and stack and shed. Freakish speed is great, but not at the cost of being one-dimensional.

I want a young McGinnest, Vrabel, Haggans, Porter; In escence, I want Carpenter.

 

[Derinyar]

If Lawson is the great pass rusher people here want to credit him with being, its irrelevant to talk about drafting him cause he won't be there. Top pass rushers move up the draft board and fast. Ware had more movement room than Lawson does because he was less of a known factor because he was from a smaller school.

I suspect Lawson will either go up the draft boards or slide a bit further down. Carpenter likely slides also. I'm not sure where the value is at 18, but I suspect its not likely to be either of these guys.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

I say lawson he's faster, more atheletic, and better in coverage...

 

[Rack]

I say lawson he's faster, more atheletic, and better in coverage...

And you know this how?

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Lawson = Pass rusher

Carpenter = Run stopper, tackler

Depends on what style BP and JJ want

That is nonsense! Carpenter had 8-9 sacks last year, & that was with missing the Michigan game. He is a tremendous pass rusher. Besides, you don't want another DWare on the strong side. You want a bigger, more physical player who can take on the TE. That is where Carpenter played his whole college career. As far as who the best athelete is, I would have to say Lawson, but you get the guy who can best play the position, and that would be Carpenter.

 

[dallasfan]

Carpenter.

It's all about production and Carpenter has produced and Lawson didn't.

I'm just know reading the thread so I'm pretty sure that someone has pointed out how untrue this is. Lawson had like 10.5 sacks last year and 6 or 7 the year before. Both of these guys are productive college players, but Lawson is just way more athletic.

Lawson ran a 4.43 at the combine, Carpenter ran a 4.65.
Lawson did 23 reps at 225, Carpenter did 20.
Lawson did a 4.21 20 yard shuttle, Carpenter did a 4.31.
Lawson did his cone drill in 6.9 seconds, Carpenter did his in 6.88.

When examining both of them, I believe that Lawson has way more upside than Carpenter. For starters, Carpentrer is about as big as he'll get. At 6'5 Lawson can easily gain about another 10 Lbs, without sacrificing speed. The only area I believe Carpenter is superior is coverege ability, but this isn't as important to a 3-4 OLB compared to a 4-3 OLB, and Manny Lawson was an OLB his first 2 years at NC State.