Cowboys 2015 Draft Quick Review

[xwalker]

Overview:
27 CB Byron Jones Uconn - Super athletic CB/Safety to battle with big WRs.

60 DE/OLB Randy Gregory Nebraska - Possibly top pass rusher in the draft and very good run defender despite weight.

91 OT Chaz Green Florida - Ready now type swing tackle. Needs to stay healthy.

127 LB Damien Wilson Minnesota - Good player. Did they need more LBs?

163 DE Ryan Russell Purdue - Just needs to be better than George Selvie as SDE in base defense.

236 OLB Mark Nzeocha Wyoming - Injured. Makes more sense if they keep him on IR this season.

243 OT Laurence Gibson Virginia Tech - Excellent physical specimen that needs a lot of development.

246 TE Geoff Swaim Texas - Very effective "move" blocker.


Reviews:
27 CB Byron Jones Uconn
I love this pick. This was the player that I most wanted unless Gurley had fallen to 27. He has the size, arm length and jumping ability to battle with the big WRs in the NFL. He played both Safety and CB which gives him a good perspective of an overall defense. His athletic ability is obviously terrific.

60 DE/OLB Randy Gregory Nebraska
Many had him rated as the top pass rusher in the draft. Size is a concern, but not that much if you really study his power and his excellent ability to play the run. The combination of both size and the weed issue is a concern, but at #60 the risk/reward is really good. I’m not really worried about his ability to play at his weight. It’s more of an issue in terms holding up and avoiding injury game after game while battling with big OLinemen.

91 OT Chaz Green Florida
This was one of my favorite mid/late round guys before the draft. I had him as a 4th rounder and the Cowboy took him 6 picks before the 4th. He is ready to play now, IMO, and has better developed skills than some guys picked before him. He can be the swing Tackle this season which would not be the case with most of the OTs that were available later. He does need to clean up some technique issues and get a little stronger, but even as-is can be the game day backup. Injury history is the biggest concern.

127 LB Damien Wilson Minnesota
A Hitchens clone. Faster in game footage than timed speed. Like Hitchens, should be ready to contribute as a rookie if needed. Can probably play all 3 positions. The question for most people is if the Cowboys really needed another LB, but BPA is always a good way to draft. Might be a tad faster than Hitchen in game footage and has long arms.

(163) DE Ryan Russell Purdue
Looks likes a solid Strong Side DE. The SDE is really a different position in the base defense than the WDE (more 5tech vs 7tech). Many SDEs are not flashy pass rushers. He did flash on occasion, but generally just played basic defense using good leverage and decent strength to battle OLinemen. Appears to have all the tools, but concern is that he didn’t always show great intensity. Changed from 4-3 to 3-4 defense in college and was moved around in the defense. Seemed better with hand on the ground than standing up. Too much thinking may have caused some of the lack of aggressiveness.

236 OLB Mark Nzeocha Wyoming
Was considered his college team’s best defensive player despite coming here from Germany. He is reported to have really good athleticism and speed and that correlates with his game footage. He is currently coming off and injury and didn’t work out at a Pro Day. I would prefer to see him stay on IR for 2015. I really like stashing late round or udfa players on IR. They can’t practice, but they get to attend all meetings and learn the playbook and NFL requirements. They did it last year with Chris Whaley and he will be like having an extra draft pick this year.

243 OT Laurence Gibson Virginia Tech
This was another player I had in mocks. He has terrific size and athletic ability, but is very raw. He won match-ups in college just by being physically superior to opponents, but didn’t really use much technique. His hand usage is a mess, his kick slide needs work and he tends to just catch rushers instead of getting a good punch on them. He’s the perfect late round developmental OT physically.

246 TE Geoff Swaim Texas
He was a very effective blocker. It’s easy to see why the Cowboys like him because they have shown a preference for this style of blocker. While not an overwhelming power blocker, he is strong and very effective with very good technique. The Cowboys have shown to prefer blockers that can execute blocking assignments with precision over just raw power. It’s the reason that Hanna was their blocking TE the past couple of years. They had some guys in training camp that were more powerful on-the-line blockers, but they didn’t make it because they could not execute all the assignments and move blocks that are required. Even back in the MartyB days, John Phillips got a lot of playing time because MartyB could only execute the simple in-line blocks. I think Swaim can also function as a FB to some extent.

 

[waving monkey]

we filled lots of holes I hope with good talent

 

[Corso]

Byron Jones seems like the anti-Claiborne to me.

 

[Szczepanik]

The LB battle in camp is going to be a thing of beauty.

 

[Zordon]

solid B draft.

 

[ThreeandOut]

The Cowboys were considering a couple of LB's very early in the draft (Kendricks, McKinney) so it doesn't surprise me that they took one in the 4th round. We lost a couple of versatile LB's in FA and I don't think the LB's they picked up in free agency were as versatile as the ones they lost. Wilson sounds like he can play multiple positions which I think they really covet.

 

[jazzcat22]

The LB battle in camp is going to be a thing of beauty.

It better be....

We have like 15 on the roster, and if they keep 7, there will be 10 competing for 2 spots. Or if 6, 11 competing for 1 spot.
I believe 5 are pretty well sewn up.

 

[morasp]

The other thing on Jones is his intelligence and instincts. All of the coaches and reviews mentioned it. During his interview he even mentioned that he thought they were impressed when they quizzed him.

 

[Derinyar]

I think I'd go over a B for this one right now, though I know its a pointless exercise. I just feel that Jones is a slight value at 27. Gregory is a huge value, even with his question marks, at 60. I think we have minor reaches after that but value in the first couple of rounds have to count more then reaches in the last rounds.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

This draft was interesting. In my opinion, we got two immediate contributors in the first 2 rounds and we shored up holes for the future in the remaining rounds. I really don't see anyone from rounds 3-7 playing a snap this year. But the interesting thing to me was, although everyone is saying we should be in win-now mode, this draft was very geared toward the future.

1. Byron Jones was needed. He'll have an immediate impact. If he becomes our long-term CB, he'll replace the loss of Carr and Claiborne next year. And he can also become our long-term FS.

2. Gregory is a pure pass rusher. He'll get many snaps this year and may come in handy if we don't retain Hardy next year. Hardy bet on himself instead of taking a long-term contract. I wouldn't be surprised if he demands Suh money if he has another monster year. And even if we do retain Hardy, you can't have enough pass rushers.

3. Chaz is a future move. He also fills the void that Parnell left. If Free goes down again this year, Chaz steps in. But most likely, he'll sit for a year or two and take over for Free (or perhaps Leary). Then you have the 7th round OT who is a pure developmental move. Future starter? Future swing tackle?

4. The LBs may not even see the field. Like xwalker said, the 7th rounder is injured and will probably be stashed. If the 4th rounder sees the field, it'll be because someone got injured, which, in this defense, wouldn't be surprising. But it's also a move for the future. If Lee can't stay healthy again, he'll probably be done. And McClain probably won't even be here next year. We do need LBers. Maybe not now, but for next year.

 

[Sasquatch]

I don't suppose any of these OTs can play left guard? Team seems leery of Leary.

 

[JBell]

One theme I noticed with our early picks is versatility.

Jones can play two positions. Sounds like Chaz can play 4 positions on the OL, if not all 5 (some reports mentioned he could be a fit at Center). Wilson can play all three LB spots. And who knows what plans they have for Gregory.

This versatility is going to make it easier to keep a one dimensional player on the active 46, such as a guy who can only play KR/PR, or a Ryan Williams who isn't a great ST player or 3rd down back.

 

[xwalker]

This draft was interesting. In my opinion, we got two immediate contributors in the first 2 rounds and we shored up holes for the future in the remaining rounds. I really don't see anyone from rounds 3-7 playing a snap this year. But the interesting thing to me was, although everyone is saying we should be in win-now mode, this draft was very geared toward the future.

1. Byron Jones was needed. He'll have an immediate impact. If he becomes our long-term CB, he'll replace the loss of Carr and Claiborne next year. And he can also become our long-term FS.

2. Gregory is a pure pass rusher. He'll get many snaps this year and may come in handy if we don't retain Hardy next year. Hardy bet on himself instead of taking a long-term contract. I wouldn't be surprised if he demands Suh money if he has another monster year. And even if we do retain Hardy, you can't have enough pass rushers.

3. Chaz is a future move. He also fills the void that Parnell left. If Free goes down again this year, Chaz steps in. But most likely, he'll sit for a year or two and take over for Free (or perhaps Leary). Then you have the 7th round OT who is a pure developmental move. Future starter? Future swing tackle?

4. The LBs may not even see the field. Like xwalker said, the 7th rounder is injured and will probably be stashed. If the 4th rounder sees the field, it'll be because someone got injured, which, in this defense, wouldn't be surprising. But it's also a move for the future. If Lee can't stay healthy again, he'll probably be done. And McClain probably won't even be here next year. We do need LBers. Maybe not now, but for next year.

I think Green was more about now than it seems. If they just want a guy for next year to play OT, then Gibson could have been that developmental guy. I think they took Green in the late 3rd because he has the ability to be the immediate backup. Gibson could not be the backup in 2015, IMO.

I think Russell has a chance to play some snaps this season. If Hardy is out to start the season, they'll need somebody to step up as the 4th DE. Even with Hardy, they carried 5 DE in some games last season. It's not a high probably that he plays significant snaps, but it only takes an injury or suspension combination to make it possible; whereas, the LB seems like a very low probability to take a snap on defense. The TE could cause them to carry 4 TEs and no FB if he impresses. If there is an injury I think he could definitely get some snaps.

Now:
27 CB Byron Jones Uconn
60 DE/OLB Randy Gregory Nebraska

Somewhat Now:
91 OT Chaz Green Florida
163 DE Ryan Russell Purdue
246 TE Geoff Swaim Texas

Future:
127 LB Damien Wilson Minnesota (can play special teams now)
236 OLB Mark Nzeocha Wyoming
243 OT Laurence Gibson Virginia Tech

 

[reddyuta]

i wonder if they are thinking of trading hanna,we never used his speed and turned him into a blocker,might as well get our 6th rder back.

 

[Kaiser]

Then you have the 7th round OT who is a pure developmental move. Future starter? Future swing tackle?

I think everyone taken after the 4th round was a guy they want on IR or the Practice Squad to replace someone in 2016. IMO Gibson is Practice Squad this year while Bern makes 2.8MM in the final year of his contract, then Gibson takes that backup OG spot in 2016.

 

[DanTanna]

I read on CZ by a poster that Randy Gregory was "atrocious" in the run game. So what is it?

 

[TheEnigma]

The LB battle in camp is going to be a thing of beauty.

Going to be almost as interesting as the running back battle.

 

[xwalker]

I read on CZ by a poster that Randy Gregory was "atrocious" in the run game. So what is it?

 

[Doc50]

Overview:
27 CB Byron Jones Uconn - Super athletic CB/Safety to battle with big WRs.

60 DE/OLB Randy Gregory Nebraska - Possibly top pass rusher in the draft and very good run defender despite weight.

91 OT Chaz Green Florida - Ready now type swing tackle. Needs to stay healthy.

127 LB Damien Wilson Minnesota - Good player. Did they need more LBs?

163 DE Ryan Russell Purdue - Just needs to be better than George Selvie as SDE in base defense.

236 OLB Mark Nzeocha Wyoming - Injured. Makes more sense if they keep him on IR this season.

243 OT Laurence Gibson Virginia Tech - Excellent physical specimen that needs a lot of development.

246 TE Geoff Swaim Texas - Very effective "move" blocker.

Reviews:
27 CB Byron Jones Uconn
I love this pick. This was the player that I most wanted unless Gurley had fallen to 27. He has the size, arm length and jumping ability to battle with the big WRs in the NFL. He played both Safety and CB which gives him a good perspective of an overall defense. His athletic ability is obviously terrific.

60 DE/OLB Randy Gregory Nebraska
Many had him rated as the top pass rusher in the draft. Size is a concern, but not that much if you really study his power and his excellent ability to play the run. The combination of both size and the weed issue is a concern, but at #60 the risk/reward is really good. I’m not really worried about his ability to play at his weight. It’s more of an issue in terms holding up and avoiding injury game after game while battling with big OLinemen.

91 OT Chaz Green Florida
This was one of my favorite mid/late round guys before the draft. I had him as a 4th rounder and the Cowboy took him 6 picks before the 4th. He is ready to play now, IMO, and has better developed skills than some guys picked before him. He can be the swing Tackle this season which would not be the case with most of the OTs that were available later. He does need to clean up some technique issues and get a little stronger, but even as-is can be the game day backup. Injury history is the biggest concern.

127 LB Damien Wilson Minnesota
A Hitchens clone. Faster in game footage than timed speed. Like Hitchens, should be ready to contribute as a rookie if needed. Can probably play all 3 positions. The question for most people is if the Cowboys really needed another LB, but BPA is always a good way to draft. Might be a tad faster than Hitchen in game footage and has long arms.

(163) DE Ryan Russell Purdue
Looks likes a solid Strong Side DE. The SDE is really a different position in the base defense than the WDE (more 5tech vs 7tech). Many SDEs are not flashy pass rushers. He did flash on occasion, but generally just played basic defense using good leverage and decent strength to battle OLinemen. Appears to have all the tools, but concern is that he didn’t always show great intensity. Changed from 4-3 to 3-4 defense in college and was moved around in the defense. Seemed better with hand on the ground than standing up. Too much thinking may have caused some of the lack of aggressiveness.

236 OLB Mark Nzeocha Wyoming
Was considered his college team’s best defensive player despite coming here from Germany. He is reported to have really good athleticism and speed and that correlates with his game footage. He is currently coming off and injury and didn’t work out at a Pro Day. I would prefer to see him stay on IR for 2015. I really like stashing late round or udfa players on IR. They can’t practice, but they get to attend all meetings and learn the playbook and NFL requirements. They did it last year with Chris Whaley and he will be like having an extra draft pick this year.

243 OT Laurence Gibson Virginia Tech
This was another player I had in mocks. He has terrific size and athletic ability, but is very raw. He won match-ups in college just by being physically superior to opponents, but didn’t really use much technique. His hand usage is a mess, his kick slide needs work and he tends to just catch rushers instead of getting a good punch on them. He’s the perfect late round developmental OT physically.

246 TE Geoff Swaim Texas
He was a very effective blocker. It’s easy to see why the Cowboys like him because they have shown a preference for this style of blocker. While not an overwhelming power blocker, he is strong and very effective with very good technique. The Cowboys have shown to prefer blockers that can execute blocking assignments with precision over just raw power. It’s the reason that Hanna was their blocking TE the past couple of years. They had some guys in training camp that were more powerful on-the-line blockers, but they didn’t make it because they could not execute all the assignments and move blocks that are required. Even back in the MartyB days, John Phillips got a lot of playing time because MartyB could only execute the simple in-line blocks. I think Swaim can also function as a FB to some extent.

Agree with your assessment.

I wish the naysayers that are so adamantly opposed to these choices could have a meeting with the 'Boys scouts and coaches; would be nice if we could all see the big board.

What we would see in that process is that the staff knows exactly what they want, how to match that to needs, and how to properly evaluate the prospects. Then the big board directs their choices.

Just because we might take a guy one round early according to the Mediots, we have to trust our own extensive detailed analysis to make the pick, and we do that for fear that other teams have made the same assessment.

Here's another fact - not all of these picks will make the team; they never do, unless a team is in the cellar. A promising rookie pet cat still has to beat out someone who has experience in the system and the NFL, and his tapes are all against college talent. His best hope may be the PS.

Finally, depth wins championships. You can try to have an all-pro at every position, but the cap won't allow it. And if you approach that level of expenditure, the backups will thereby be cheap and weak. The FO under Garrett has adopted the strategy of signing players that can contribute at least in a minimal role, provide quality depth, and could possibly be coached up to start eventually.

I can't find anything wrong with that approach, especially since I'm not privey to all the info that the coaches and scouts have. If they're happy, I'm happy.

 

[xwalker]

Agree with your assessment.

I wish the naysayers that are so adamantly opposed to these choices could have a meeting with the 'Boys scouts and coaches; would be nice if we could all see the big board.

What we would see in that process is that the staff knows exactly what they want, how to match that to needs, and how to properly evaluate the prospects. Then the big board directs their choices.

Just because we might take a guy one round early according to the Mediots, we have to trust our own extensive detailed analysis to make the pick, and we do that for fear that other teams have made the same assessment.

Here's another fact - not all of these picks will make the team; they never do, unless a team is in the cellar. A promising rookie pet cat still has to beat out someone who has experience in the system and the NFL, and his tapes are all against college talent. His best hope may be the PS.

Finally, depth wins championships. You can try to have an all-pro at every position, but the cap won't allow it. And if you approach that level of expenditure, the backups will thereby be cheap and weak. The FO under Garrett has adopted the strategy of signing players that can contribute at least in a minimal role, provide quality depth, and could possibly be coached up to start eventually.

I can't find anything wrong with that approach, especially since I'm not privey to all the info that the coaches and scouts have. If they're happy, I'm happy.

For months leading up to the draft people scream BPA but when the Cowboys actually draft BPA people don't like it.

I would love to know which players that might have wanted but didn't get.