DC: Mailbag: What Would Signing Hardy Mean For The Draft Board?; Ryan Williams’ Role?

[jobberone]

Mailbag: What Would Signing Hardy Mean For The Draft Board?; Ryan Williams’ Role?
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 11:30 AM CDT


RANDY SNYDER
NEWALLA, OK
If Dallas signs Greg Hardy, what position of need do they take with their first pick -- a DT, CB, RB, best athlete or do they seek to trade back?

Nick: At 27, I don’t think it’s out of the question to take the best guy on defense. Maybe running back would be fine if it’s someone you really like. The part about running back that I prefer is getting him locked up for five years. Past the first round, all other contracts are no more than four. But defense is where this team needs help. Cornerback would be a good spot and if there was a highly-rated safety there, I’d take that spot. Linebacker wouldn’t be bad or even defensive tackle. Yes, I’m all over the map, but so are the Cowboys’ defensive needs.

David: Like we’ve been saying all along, it’s pretty hard to predict what options will be available to them with the 27thoverall pick. Honestly, I don’t think signing Hardy would change that much in terms of draft needs. This team still needs pass rushers, and as of right now the defensive tackle spot is a little thin. Even with Darren McFadden on the roster, I won’t be a bit surprised to see them go after a running back at some point. And even with Corey White on the roster, the issues surrounding Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne make cornerback an appealing idea. I think those are the main directions they can go. What they actually do will depend on how the dominoes fall in front of them, and whether anyone behind them has a pressing need to trade.

KEVIN KONTURA
TRENTON, NJ
Ryan Williams looked good last preseason and stayed on the practice squad, now with Murray gone do you see him making a contribution in 2015?

Nick: Let’s just wait and see how this whole thing plays out. If the Cowboys take a back in the first four rounds, then he’ll definitely be in the mix and will squeeze out someone. Maybe it’s Joseph Randle on the outs. Clearly they like Williams and have all along, but with McFadden on board and a rookie likely to follow, I just don’t have a good feel for him getting more of a chance than he did last year. Yes, he can run the football but if he’s not a starter, he really hasn’t shown us – or given the chance to show us – that he can do the other things such as block, play special teams and even catch it out of the backfield.

David: The Cowboys clearly want Williams to compete for a role this year – otherwise they wouldn’t have secured him to a two-year deal after the season. As with everything else in the NFL, though, nothing is for sure. Williams has an extensive injury history and not much experience to fall back on. Ideally, he’ll probably also need to improve as a blocker and a special teams player. The fun thing about the running back spot is that it’s sure to be a fierce competition without DeMarco Murray on hand to assume bell cow status. I’m guessing as many as five running backs are going to square off for three or four roster spots at training camp.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...ng-hardy-mean-draft-board-ryan-williams’-role

 

[therock1982]

i think they like the ucla linebacker at 27

 

[jobberone]

I see RB as a latter day pick only. JMO. I think they need 1-2 CBs unless things change. The addition of White may change that to 1 although if the right guy comes along then they won't hesitate at DB esp CB.

Right now it's still edge rusher, pass rusher, CB, and LB. That will be the order they pick assuming all us equal and all available. It likely won't work out that way. You can add any position to that list depending who is available.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Greg Hardy would certainly take the pressure off our draft board to go all-out for defense.
But vitally needed wood be a capable player for the secondary and someone to plug up the middle.
Even then, the draft do not insure (ensure?) an upgrade. it take at least a year for the rooks to get up to speed.
Nein. If hardy comes on board, great. But FA offered the best hope for two more defensive stars to step in and contribute immediately.
I am a grate believer in the holy trinity of the defense: Monster DE, monster ML and monster corner/safety.
that and our offense, i belief, will get us deep into the playoffs and possibly another Super Bowl.
damn i am good.

 

[speedkilz88]

i think they like the ucla linebacker at 27

Oh Diggity may not be there.

 

[IAmLegend]

Really hoping a good D-Lineman or Secondary player slips to 27.. Don't want a RB there, and I don't think the Cowboys do either.

 

[Vinnie2u]

BPA.. Even if it's a QB or WR... But not center or TE

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I don't think the addition of Hardy changes what they do in the draft. There were likely going to be no Day 1 starting DEs at #27 in the draft anyway. If we didn't get Hardy, we would have had to reach for a DE, but this organization has proven to be one that will draft talent over reaching for a position of need. So regardless of Hardy being on the roster or not, I don't think it affects our 1st round pick.

The same goes for Ryan Williams. I think they're comfortable to go into the season with a mix of Randle/Williams/McFadden/Dunbar. If a good RB is available in the early rounds (I predict in the 3rd is when they'll be looking) then they'll take him and add him to the slew of RBs. I don't think drafting Gurley or Gordon in the 1st is necessarily a home run pick.

 

[kevm3]

I still think we draft an RB high. Although we want to improve our D, we are an offense first team. No sense in investing all those 1st rounders on the O line and not have a beast running behind it. I don't know if it's 1st round, but def within the 1st two rounds. Although it would be lovely to be stacked on both sides, you simply have to pick one side of the ball and specialize. If they continue the concept we had last year, we are a run-first O, and I don't really see any of the Rbs on the roster as that tough, grind it out back that would really fit what we're doing on O.

 

[therock1982]

Oh Diggity may not be there.

but he isnt the linebacker tho-he is the de
the linebacker is kendricks

 

[Vinnie2u]

Might have to take a RB in the 2nd... Late 3rd could leave us with scraps... And I don't want to trade up..

 

[speedkilz88]

but he isnt the linebacker tho-he is the de
the linebacker is kendricks

My bad, I vaguely remember a draft show where they were pimping Kendricks as the guy who would go higher.

 

[Hardline]

BPA.. Even if it's a QB or WR... But not center or TE

Throw in OT if Flowers or Collins drops.

 

[xwalker]

Oh Diggity may not be there.

Kendricks.

 

[BAT]

Hardy is a game changer. Sign him and Cowboys can go a myriad of ways with their first rounder. Draft RB, CB, S, WR or just BPA. Better yet, send the 1st to Minny in a package for Adrian Peterson.

 

[jobberone]

BPA.. Even if it's a QB or WR... But not center or TE

I think they will be looking at OL all positions including C. We need a backup to C. I'd be looking at C/G

 

[superonyx]

We need a starting running back on this team so I am all for drafting one at any spot. We have been pretty good at getting the guy we want regardless of the round the Mel Kipers of the world have them slotted to go. We will stick with this and in the end I sure hope we really had a plan to replace Demarco with more than just a running back committee led by the always injured McFadden.

 

[visionary]

I see RB as a latter day pick only. JMO. I think they need 1-2 CBs unless things change. The addition of White may change that to 1 although if the right guy comes along then they won't hesitate at DB esp CB.

Right now it's still edge rusher, pass rusher, CB, and LB. That will be the order they pick assuming all us equal and all available. It likely won't work out that way. You can add any position to that list depending who is available.

I think our day 1 RBs are
AP, McFadden, Williams

 

[superonyx]

I think they will be looking at OL all positions including C. We need a backup to C. I'd be looking at C/G

Wait a minute....you would rather draft a backup center than secure the running back you feel has the best chance to succeed? A backup center isn't anything more than a luxury player and I don't think we are so good that we can use a first round pick on a player you hope never sees the field.

First people don't think Peterson is even worth a 3rd round pick and now we are valuing 1st round picks only as lifetime backups?

 

[TwoCentPlain]

I think they will be looking at OL all positions including C. We need a backup to C. I'd be looking at C/G

Yes, Cameron Erving from FL ST can play all positions on the OL. Always good to have versatile OL especially when they can play like him. And I think he might just have a good chance at pushing Free or Leary for playing time.

Who is the backup OT fro Free and Smith? Weems?