Cowboys Draft Grades by Pick

[ConceptCoop]

Here's my 2016 Draft grades for the Cowboys. A few caveats: I don't think I'm a scout; this is for fun; yes, I know initial draft grades aren't worth much. Also, each grade is in relation to the pick range. Lastly, I stopped after the 4th round, as I'm not very familiar with the players we grabbed in the 6th.

1st - (4) - Ezekiel Elliott - RB - OSU
Need: B-
Ceiling: B
Floor: C+
Value: C+

Elliott is a day one starter and has very high pro-bowl potential. The position he plays hurts his ceiling, floor, and value. He's likely to have a shorter, more injury prone career than the players drafted around him.

2nd - (34) - Jaylon Smith - OLB - ND
Need: C+
Ceiling: A+
Floor: F
Value: C+

Smith is a homerun swing, but I'm not sure we were in position to go for bust with such a precious assett. Love the player; question the call.

3rd - (67) - Maliek Collins - DT - NEB
Need: B+
Ceiling: A-
Floor: B
Value: B+

Collins was a solid all around pick and a perfect scheme fit.

4th - (101) - Charles Tapper - DE - OU
Need: A+
Ceiling: A+
Floor: C-
Value: A

Tapper was an upside play at a position of dire need. The floor is a concern, but is more than offset by the upside. My favorite Cowboys pick of the draft.

4th - (135) - Dak Prescott - QB - MSU
Need: B+
Ceiling: B
Floor: C
Value: B

I'm happy the Cowboys waited until 135 to pull the trigger, but it's hard to feel overly excited about it. I don't see starter potential, but he won't need to start to justify the investment. Solid, but boring.

 

[Direwolf63]

I wasn't a fan of the Elliott pick, but his ceiling is definitely an A.

 

[heir]

Here's my 2016 Draft grades for the Cowboys. A few caveats: I don't think I'm a scout; this is for fun; yes, I know initial draft grades aren't worth much. Also, each grade is in relation to the pick range. Lastly, I stopped after the 4th round, as I'm not very familiar with the players we grabbed in the 6th.

1st - (4) - Ezekiel Elliott - RB - OSU
Need: B-
Ceiling: B
Floor: C+
Value: C+

Elliott is a day one starter and has very high pro-bowl potential. The position he plays hurts his ceiling, floor, and value. He's likely to have a shorter, more injury prone career than the players drafted around him.

2nd - (34) - Jaylon Smith - OLB - ND
Need: C+
Ceiling: A+
Floor: F
Value: C+

Smith is a homerun swing, but I'm not sure we were in position to go for bust with such a precious assett. Love the player; question the call.

No offense but how could RB need be B+ and OLB need be C+?

 

[Coachmac87]

My 2 cents on Dallas Cowboys draft

1) Cowboys think they're closer to 12-4 then 4-12. Drafting Zeke #4 a complete back who doesn't come off the field..kinda like Demarco Murray. Get your identity back and not only dominate and control the clock running the ball but also score (McFadden 3TD).

2) Follow the $/Draft Picks. Cowboys have $ tied up in the D-Line(Crawford, Thornton) and high draft picks in (Gregory, Lawrence). You look at LB's they got $ tied to Lee and McClain and are high on Hitchens. DBs they got $ tied to Carr, Scandrick, Mo and Church and Jones was a 1st rd pick. Jerry wants return on investment. Doesn't need those players tied to $ or picks to be back ups and reserves. Where's the least amount $$ at? RB. McFadden or Morris can be cut tomorrow without any ramifications towards the cap.

And also..Two years ago Cowboys had the worst defense in franchise history. What did they do with their first pick? Drafted Zack Martin..who was an All-Pro his rookie year and helped the Cowboys solidify the best rushing attack in franchise history..

If Romo and Dez stay healthy we will compete for the Division.

End of Rant..

 

[ConceptCoop]

I wasn't a fan of the Elliott pick, but his ceiling is definitely an A.

In a vacuum, as a player, absolutely. But not when position is considered. Nothing Elliott can do as a player will make him a franchise QB, LT, DE, or, on a lesser scale, CB. I think that needs to be accounted for.

Elliott's ceiling is All-Pro RB; Ramsey's is All-Pro CB. I think one is more valuable than the other.

 

[ConceptCoop]

No offense but how could RB need be B+ and OLB need be C+?

I put RB need at B-. Which do you think is the bigger need?

 

[heir]

I put RB need at B-. Which do you think is the bigger need?

OLB is a much bigger need than RB was imo

 

[speedkilz88]

In a vacuum, as a player, absolutely. But not when position is considered. Nothing Elliott can do as a player will make him a franchise QB, LT, DE, or, on a lesser scale, CB. I think that needs to be accounted for.

Elliott's ceiling is All-Pro RB; Ramsey's is All-Pro CB. I think one is more valuable than the other.

In a vacuum maybe, but would you really consider an antonio cromartie in his best season more valuable then Emmitt Smith?

 

[SHAMSzy]

1st - (4) - Ezekiel Elliott - RB - OSU
Ceiling: B
Floor: C+

 

[waving monkey]

sometimes its not need its about blue chip opportunity
BPA is a motto around here until it doesn't fit some's liking

 

[jordan4vols]

Everybody wants to be Mel Kiper

 

[pupulehaole]

Here's my 2016 Draft grades for the Cowboys. A few caveats: I don't think I'm a scout; this is for fun; yes, I know initial draft grades aren't worth much. Also, each grade is in relation to the pick range. Lastly, I stopped after the 4th round, as I'm not very familiar with the players we grabbed in the 6th.

1st - (4) - Ezekiel Elliott - RB - OSU
Need: B-
Ceiling: B
Floor: C+
Value: C+

Elliott is a day one starter and has very high pro-bowl potential. The position he plays hurts his ceiling, floor, and value. He's likely to have a shorter, more injury prone career than the players drafted around him.

2nd - (34) - Jaylon Smith - OLB - ND
Need: C+
Ceiling: A+
Floor: F
Value: C+

Smith is a homerun swing, but I'm not sure we were in position to go for bust with such a precious assett. Love the player; question the call.

3rd - (67) - Maliek Collins - DT - NEB
Need: B+
Ceiling: A-
Floor: B
Value: B+

Collins was a solid all around pick and a perfect scheme fit.

4th - (101) - Charles Tapper - DE - OU
Need: A+
Ceiling: A+
Floor: C-
Value: A

Tapper was an upside play at a position of dire need. The floor is a concern, but is more than offset by the upside. My favorite Cowboys pick of the draft.

4th - (135) - Dak Prescott - QB - MSU
Need: B+
Ceiling: B
Floor: C
Value: B

I'm happy the Cowboys waited until 135 to pull the trigger, but it's hard to feel overly excited about it. I don't see starter potential, but he won't need to start to justify the investment. Solid, but boring.

Dont quit your day job rofl

 

[jrumann59]

OLB is a much bigger need than RB was imo

maybe a SLB but that is like 1 tech in the tampa two. you can platoon it. I think CB was important but after claiborne I think the team was scared of Ramsey who I felt was the epitome of why DBs are DBs, they are WR that can't catch. While some of his metrics made Ramsey look better than claiborne stats were different.

 

[Eddie]

I'm not a big fan of assigning draft grades right after the draft. Gotta give them time on the field.

I'm ok with this draft. Then again, I'm not sure anything would have pleased me unless we drafted 10 Pro Bowlers.

 

[Jenky]

Everybody wants to be Mel Kiper

It's the hair.

 

[hornitosmonster]

Ezekiel Elliott's ceiling is an A. He has rookie of the year all over him

 

[zrinkill]

sometimes its not need its about blue chip opportunity
BPA is a motto around here until it doesn't fit some's liking

This .......

 

[zrinkill]

1st - A+
2nd - C
3rd - B
4th - B
4th - C

 

[Craig]

Elliott's ceiling has to be A if not A+. I stopped reading at that point.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

So if a team drafted Tom Brady, Demarcus Ware, AP, and Julio Jones but the team needed linebackers and a nose tackle you are telling me people will give the draft a C or below because we didn't address a need. Why are people judging his draft based on need but not talent?