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

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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/2015/03/17/mailbag-what-would-signing-hardy-mean-draft-board-ryan-williams’-role

which side of the DL does hardy play? RDE? or LDE?

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Well...the Kraken opens everything up for the Draft making all options more visible and doable,.....omg PLEASE SIGN Greg Hardy ALREADY!.....!@#$%^&*(!!!

 

[CATCH17]

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

I would take either one of them.

 

[tyke1doe]

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.

Since you asked ... insure means to safeguard against risk - life or property while ensure means to make certain in general.

So in the sentence above, it would be ensure. However, if the sentence were "The Cowboys drafted Todd Gurley to insure/ensure they had a capable back if McFadden or Williams don't pan out, it would be insure.

 

[BAT]

which side of the DL does hardy play? RDE? or LDE?

Primarily RDE, but also moved around getting snaps at LDE and even inside to 3 tech.

 

[Blast From The Past]

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

or fullback...

 

[The Quest for Six]

I know everyone thinks at the 27th pick that the cowboys select a defensive linemen, running back or corner, but I wouldn't be surprise if another offensive linemen(tackle/guard) is taken if that's where the value is on the board..

 

[The Quest for Six]

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.

will you people give it up on AP, Dallas wasn't going to overpay Murray, they certainly not paying AP four or five million more...

 

[jrumann59]

No WR/TE/QB at 27, you need a guy that projects out as starter by year 2 but is contributor year 1. The team has enough talent at WR/TE, and QB as much as we need one for the future is a luxury at 27. Go BPA in areas of need OL is not a need but if there is value not opposed to it. I would rather them take a top notch tackle ot Guard than reach for a defensive player because that is where the talent is deficient ont he team.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Since you asked ... insure means to safeguard against risk - life or property while ensure means to make certain in general.

So in the sentence above, it would be ensure. However, if the sentence were "The Cowboys drafted Todd Gurley to insure/ensure they had a capable back if McFadden or Williams don't pan out, it would be insure.

i wrote that down! funny how one letter can make a difference sire.

 

[jobberone]

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?

Where the heck did I say that? I'm talking the draft in general.

However, a G/C at the end of the first is possible to play G and backup C. If there is a C that allows Fred to kick out to G then that's possible albeit less likely. I wouldn't take a RB until the bottom of the third if then. Now if a special back drops to 27 you have to take BPA IMO. I'm definitely not stuck on RB though. Rusher, CB and LB first. I'd even say DT comes first esp a bonafide 3.

 

[montgod]

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 agree. DEF definitely needs to come off the board first, but not at the expense of still going BPA. RB should be looked at in 2nd, 3rd round unless they are just overly impressed or enamored by the top two backs in Gurley/Gordon.

 

[montgod]

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

Its a pretty deep draft for RB. I am not overly concerned with 3rd round rbs. Look at where Demarco and MB was drafted.

 

[montgod]

will you people give it up on AP, Dallas wasn't going to overpay Murray, they certainly not paying AP four or five million more...

I agree. Not sure how folks aren't getting this. Let Murray go and trade for and lose a high draft choice and more money for an older rb who will play maybe 2 more years. Huh? I get he is a beast, but I would only want him at a lower cost (restructure contract) and definitely a higher draft pick if needed (5th pick and higher).

 

[jobberone]

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?

Right now Weems whom they like. There is a journeyman T on the roster and another player I can't recall.

 

[BAT]

will you people give it up on AP, Dallas wasn't going to overpay Murray, they certainly not paying AP four or five million more...

I wasn't one of the guys advocating for Peterson initially but your wrong about Jerry, he will overpay for superstars. He's done it before. He just can't help himself.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

If Hardy is signed and Selvie or Spencer come back I would totally be fine if we didnt draft a pass rusher. With Lawrence another year to develop, Mincey as a part time player, and another end in the mix I would feel pretty good about our ability to get pressure. I would say lb and dt become the biggest priorities on defense. Corner and safety I wouldnt be opposed to, but I dont see them as the most pressing if we improve our front 7. Offensively rb should be our main focus with depth needs on the offensive line and receiver/kick returner.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Primarily RDE, but also moved around getting snaps at LDE and even inside to 3 tech.

thanks. that then puts Lawrence as a back up.....

 

[Risen Star]

Signing Hardy shouldn't effect your draft board at all. Your draft day decisions maybe, but not your board. That's a ranking of talent, fit and potential.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Signing Hardy shouldn't effect your draft board at all. Your draft day decisions maybe, but not your board. That's a ranking of talent, fit and potential.

I find it difficult and hard to get the diff between affecting decisions on your draft board and draft day decisions but off course after mein head injury it does not come easy. a medical lady say I suffer from linear complascensy and armnesia, that being i forget which is mein left arm and which is mein right.