Cowboys chose between Mazi Smith and Steve Avila in the 1st round

[glimmerman]

I don't get it. You have been screaming for a huge DT to have him sat in the middle of this defensive line to stuff the run and now you are complaining? Mazi solves a problem. In the playoffs... we could not stop the run up the middle. (SFran) Jeeeeeze. This kid is a HUGE upgrade for this run defense. Did you read Micahs's comments?

Parsons knows he can line up behind Mazi and he will take on 2 blockers leaving Parsons a free run up the middle. By moving Parsons around he won’t take the beating of a DE. They are going after Parson knees every game and he is getting dinged up by half season. Not to mention the blatant holding they aren’t calling.

 

[kumizi]

Thank you for posting this! There was quite the debate in here about Buffalo jumping us and "stealing our pick" all weekend.

Some of us were saying that wasn't true at all. Others, well they "knew" the Cowboys screwed the pooch again by letting a team jump in front of them.

https://cowboyszone.com/threads/cow...e-avila-in-the-1st-round.510842/post-12749962

Of course they weren’t discussing TE because the TE was gone.

Based on McClays comments about them not having control over who goes where and it is what it is, I still think Kincaid might have been the apple of their eye.

 

[kumizi]

They mentioned that they had both players in for a 30 visit, and mentioned Guard. Torrence was not a 30 visit, so they had to be talking about Avila.

They could be referring to Bergeron as a “guard” if that’s what he would play in the pros.

Edit never mind already covered.
https://cowboyszone.com/threads/cow...e-avila-in-the-1st-round.510842/post-12750366

 

[fivetwos]

I think the ‘Best 5’ lineup is Tyron-Tyler-Biadasz-Martin-Steele. That seems a no-brainer to me.

But as you said, you’d better have a good backup plan for when Tyron gets hurt again. One that doesn’t include moving Tyler Smith there and a huge drop off at left guard.

I’d like Peters back to be another option with Waletsko.

That’s exactly it. I can’t get on them for missing on a LG if they won’t hesitate to move Tyler inside if need be.

Counting on Tyron isn’t ideal, but he isn’t making backup money and I can’t see having him on the bench if he is fully healthy and ready to play. Even though it’s a safe bet, can’t assume injuries will happen.

Maybe Walezko proves capable of being a backup LT. Then there’s Ball and the new guy in the mix. If these guys don’t show to be ready they better pick up a vet or two.

Wouldn’t surprise me if they have an ‘as needed’ deal with Peters.

 

[AsthmaField]

I watched the same video. They only mentioned the G position. Didn't hear Avila specifically. If Gehlken can be believed it was Syracuse T Matthew Bergeron who they wanted to move inside.

Jane Slater said on the NFL Network today that it came down to 3 guys: LaPorta, who was their TE1, Bergeron and Mazi.

Said they decided Mazi because big, nimble guys are harder to find year to year than OG’s or TE’s.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I am not sure but i thought they were going to keep tyler at LT,Tyron at RT and move steele inside. But hard telling with these folks

That would be colossally dumb

 

[Denim Chicken]

But I would argue against McClay being better. There is no worse opinion to have than a complete stiff like Taco Charlton being better than a DPOY and probable future Hall of Famer in T.J. Watt.

Meh, there were a bunch of team that passed on him for picks that didn't pan out. A few of them currently on our team.

 

[reddyuta]

If you guys are expecting us to be top 10 in run D then you are going to be dissapointed.They didnt just gash us up the middle,they gashed us more on the outside.

 

[ghst187]

Sure hope we can revisit this years from now the same way we did the Tyron vs JJ Watt debate and NOT the Taco vs TJ Watt debate.

 

[stinkface]

They had a hole a DT too. It was just a question of which one was more important and I am happy they concluded that DT was.

I think we have had a weakness in the middle for the last several years. About time Jerry put down the JW Blue and approved a monster in the middle.

 

[conner01]

I'm confused. Most of the mocks I saw had Smith ahead of Avila.

https://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/draft2023_2.php
Example: Smith 32, Avila 51

No board had Avila over smith

 

[lostar2009]

we made the right choice on Smith. but coudl have had Torrence in second round, which would be perfect....I still think Schoonmaker would have been there in the 3rd round

Right Mazi and Torrence would've nailed it for me. The rest of the draft could've been trash, lol.

 

[dargonking999]

Cowboys had many chances in Rounds 2, 3 and 4 to draft a Guard, but they didn't. Tells you they actually felt differently about any hole at Guard.

Or they drafted from there board and not based on need.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Made the right pick. But we know quite clearly now that cowboys realize they have a hole at guard. Those acting like we’re fine are kidding themselves.

Cowboys had many chances in Rounds 2, 3 and 4 to draft a Guard, but they didn't. Tells you they actually felt differently about any hole at Guard.

It tells you that they don't focus on need in the draft. Or at least they try not to. I suspect they couldn't help themselves in the second round, but I could certainly be wrong.

 

[gimmesix]

Would love to see the moderators change the title of this thread from Avila to guard because it's misleading as is. As multiple posters have pointed out, the Cowboys seem to have been considering Bergeron, not Avila.

 

[Malhavoc]

i dont see any pass rush traits but i will give Mcclay the benefit of the doubt.

And everyone missed the pass rush traits on Parsons. Causing many of the experts on this board to hate the pick.

 

[AsthmaField]

It is Bergeron they’re talking about, according to Jane Slater.

 

[AsthmaField]

That really doesn't put the wanting Kincaid rumors to rest because that conversation appears to have taken place after he was no longer available.

Today on the NFL Network, Jane Slater said that Dallas had LaPorta as the TE1 and Kincaid as TE2. When their pick came up the discussion was Mazi, or LaPorta, or Bergeron. It was always going to be one of those 3 guys.

Had Buffalo come up and picked LaPorta, it would have effected the Cowboys. However, by going to get Dallas’ TE2 (Kincaid) and leaving Dallas’ TE1 on the board, it had zero impact on Dallas’ decision.

That, according to Jane Slater. She said that the media that day knew that LaPorta was their TE1.

 

[Malhavoc]

Jane Slater said on the NFL Network today that it came down to 3 guys: LaPorta, who was their TE1, Bergeron and Mazi.

Said they decided Mazi because big, nimble guys are harder to find year to year than OG’s or TE’s.

Our team was the only team in the division without a DL that was drafted in round 1. Heck we didn’t even have a 2nd round DL. Most interested in seeing this dude in training camp.

 

[Cowboys22]

Today on the NFL Network, Jane Slater said that Dallas had LaPorta as the TE1 and Kincaid as TE2. When their pick came up the discussion was Mazi, or LaPorta, or Bergeron. It was always going to be one of those 3 guys.

Had Buffalo come up and picked LaPorta, it would have effected the Cowboys. However, by going to get Dallas’ TE2 (Kincaid) and leaving Dallas’ TE1 on the board, it had zero impact on Dallas’ decision.

That, according to Jane Slater. She said that the media that day knew that LaPorta was their TE1.

Of those three, they probably thought LaPorta had the best chance to be there at 58 and certainly TE was the position that surely would have talent left. Their decision makes sense and seems like it was a good one. They couldn’t have known how fast the TEs would actually go.