Defensive Front Players in Cowboys top 20?

[xwalker]

Based on Stephen Jones interviews, they are preparing for the possibility of a defensive front player 'dropping' to #24.

In other words, they expect to draft OL or WR but there is at least 1 defensive front player they'll take if available.

The defensive front players that they might have rated in the top 20 but that could drop to #24:
LB …......... Devin Lloyd
EDGE …......... Jermaine Johnson
EDGE …......... George Karlaftis
DT …......... Devonte Wyatt
DT …......... Jordan Davis
LB …......... Nakobe Dean

Maybe: DT Travis Jones (Ranked as the next DT after Wyatt/Davis by majority of draft media).
- More likely with a trade down to the end of the 1st.

Review of Each:

• Devin Lloyd:
  • Reason for availability: Off-ball LBs often drop relative to their talent level.
  • Checks all the boxes at 6-3, 237 with long arms and large wingspan.
  • Film Room junkie.
  • Good in coverage and against the run.
  • Sideline to sideline player.
• Jermaine Johnson
  
  • Reason for availability: Unlikely, but 5 college seasons but only 2021 as full time starter.
  • Checks the boxes with size, speed/quickness, run/pass and long arms.
• George Karlaftis
  
  • Reason for availability: Not a wow athlete. Limited arm length.
  • A DLaw type DE that wins with leverage/technique/power over pure athleticism.
  • Some teams/schemes will value him more than others.
• Devonte Wyatt
  
  • Reason for availability: Is he over or under rated by the draft media? Slightly overaged.
  • Often looked like the best of the 3 Georgia defenders (Wyatt, Davis, Dean).
  • At 304 pounds had the best forty & ten of the top 20 DT types.
  • Short-ish arms.
• Jordan Davis
  
  • Reason for availability: Might be run downs only. A touch of laziness.
  • Wow physical freak. At 341 pounds had the 2nd best forty and ten of interior DL.
  • Wingspan not as big as some lighter weight DTs in this draft.
• Nakobe Dean
  
  • Reason for availability: Small at 5-11, 229 with short arms.
  • A compromise type pick due to the size limitations.
  • Cowboys: They have uber coverage LB Jabril Cox. Parsons has elite coverage range.
• Travis Jones
  
  • Reason for availability: Generally projected to the 2nd round. Trade down option.
  • Checks all the boxes. Elite run stopper with pass rush ability.
  • At 325 pounds ran a 4.92 forty and had very good 3-cone and SS times.
  • Room to drop 5 pounds and amp up his pass rush.
  • Cowboys: Long arms, bigger wingspan than Wyatt/Davis.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Based on Stephen Jones interviews, they are preparing for the possibility of a defensive front player 'dropping' to #24.

In other words, they expect to draft OL or WR but there is at least 1 defensive front player they'll take if available.

The defensive front players that they might have rated in the top 20 but that could drop to #24:
LB …......... Devin Lloyd
EDGE …......... Jermaine Johnson
EDGE …......... George Karlaftis
DT …......... Devonte Wyatt
DT …......... Jordan Davis
LB …......... Nakobe Dean

Maybe: DT Travis Jones (Ranked as the next DT after Wyatt/Davis by majority of draft media).
- More likely with a trade down to the end of the 1st.

Review of Each:

• Devin Lloyd:
  • Reason for availability: Off-ball LBs often drop relative to their talent level.
  • Checks all the boxes at 6-3, 237 with long arms and large wingspan.
  • Film Room junkie.
  • Good in coverage and against the run.
  • Sideline to sideline player.
• Jermaine Johnson
  • Reason for availability: Unlikely, but 5 college seasons but only 2021 as full time starter.
  • Checks the boxes with size, speed/quickness, run/pass and long arms.
• George Karlaftis
  • Reason for availability: Not a wow athlete. Limited arm length.
  • A DLaw type DE that wins with leverage/technique/power over pure athleticism.
  • Some teams/schemes will value him more than others.
• Devonte Wyatt
  • Reason for availability: Is he over or under rated by the draft media? Slightly overaged.
  • Often looked like the best of the 3 Georgia defenders (Wyatt, Davis, Dean).
  • At 304 pounds had the best forty & ten of the top 20 DT types.
  • Short-ish arms.
• Jordan Davis
  • Reason for availability: Might be run downs only. A touch of laziness.
  • Wow physical freak. At 341 pounds had the 2nd best forty and ten of interior DL.
  • Wingspan not as big as some lighter weight DTs in this draft.
• Nakobe Dean
  • Reason for availability: Small at 5-11, 229 with short arms.
  • A compromise type pick due to the size limitations.
  • Cowboys: They have uber coverage LB Jabril Cox. Parsons has elite coverage range.
• Travis Jones
  • Reason for availability: Generally projected to the 2nd round. Trade down option.
  • Checks all the boxes. Elite run stopper with pass rush ability.
  • At 325 pounds ran a 4.92 forty and had very good 3-cone and SS times.
  • Room to drop 5 pounds and amp up his pass rush.
  • Cowboys: Long arms, bigger wingspan than Wyatt/Davis.

I havent seen Jones comments, do you have a link?

I said in a thread Davis is a real darkhorse at 24. They supposedly were high on him even before the combine. If thats the case, I can see them having high interest in Travis Jones as well.

People talk about the value of 1T's, but under Quinn Seattle used both Red Bryant and Brandon Mebane heavily and in Bryants case all over the DL

 

[Cowboyny]

Based on Stephen Jones interviews, they are preparing for the possibility of a defensive front player 'dropping' to #24.

In other words, they expect to draft OL or WR but there is at least 1 defensive front player they'll take if available.

The defensive front players that they might have rated in the top 20 but that could drop to #24:
LB …......... Devin Lloyd
EDGE …......... Jermaine Johnson
EDGE …......... George Karlaftis
DT …......... Devonte Wyatt
DT …......... Jordan Davis
LB …......... Nakobe Dean

Maybe: DT Travis Jones (Ranked as the next DT after Wyatt/Davis by majority of draft media).
- More likely with a trade down to the end of the 1st.

Review of Each:

• Devin Lloyd:
  • Reason for availability: Off-ball LBs often drop relative to their talent level.
  • Checks all the boxes at 6-3, 237 with long arms and large wingspan.
  • Film Room junkie.
  • Good in coverage and against the run.
  • Sideline to sideline player.
• Jermaine Johnson
  • Reason for availability: Unlikely, but 5 college seasons but only 2021 as full time starter.
  • Checks the boxes with size, speed/quickness, run/pass and long arms.
• George Karlaftis
  • Reason for availability: Not a wow athlete. Limited arm length.
  • A DLaw type DE that wins with leverage/technique/power over pure athleticism.
  • Some teams/schemes will value him more than others.
• Devonte Wyatt
  • Reason for availability: Is he over or under rated by the draft media? Slightly overaged.
  • Often looked like the best of the 3 Georgia defenders (Wyatt, Davis, Dean).
  • At 304 pounds had the best forty & ten of the top 20 DT types.
  • Short-ish arms.
• Jordan Davis
  • Reason for availability: Might be run downs only. A touch of laziness.
  • Wow physical freak. At 341 pounds had the 2nd best forty and ten of interior DL.
  • Wingspan not as big as some lighter weight DTs in this draft.
• Nakobe Dean
  • Reason for availability: Small at 5-11, 229 with short arms.
  • A compromise type pick due to the size limitations.
  • Cowboys: They have uber coverage LB Jabril Cox. Parsons has elite coverage range.
• Travis Jones
  • Reason for availability: Generally projected to the 2nd round. Trade down option.
  • Checks all the boxes. Elite run stopper with pass rush ability.
  • At 325 pounds ran a 4.92 forty and had very good 3-cone and SS times.
  • Room to drop 5 pounds and amp up his pass rush.
  • Cowboys: Long arms, bigger wingspan than Wyatt/Davis.

-LLoyd is worthy of the pick, but they don't need another star linebacker, more of a role player. Still be difficult to pass.
-Edge-if any of those top 5 edges fall, they need to be the pick. Same goes for the top Tackle prospects.
-Not a fan of the 3 Georgia players listed, worry that they had so much talent around them.
-Travis Jones is the player I would be targeting if the team found a trade down partner. Detroit has the last pick of rd 1 and the 2nd in rd 2, I would try to land both with 56 and 129.

 

[stilltheguru]

I read Lloyd will be 24 next year. Fyi

 

[xwalker]

I read Lloyd will be 24 next year. Fyi

Yes, 24 in September.
DOB: 9/30/1998

DT Wyatt is 24 now.
Jermaine Johnson will be 24 before the next Super Bowl.

The primary value of draft picks in the salary cap era are as cap management tools.
- Teams must get production from players on rookie contracts in order to be competitive within cap constraints.
- Teams get more value from a day one quality starter that is 25 than from a 22 year old developmental player that becomes an equivalent level starter in year 3.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Based on Stephen Jones interviews, they are preparing for the possibility of a defensive front player 'dropping' to #24.

In other words, they expect to draft OL or WR but there is at least 1 defensive front player they'll take if available.

The defensive front players that they might have rated in the top 20 but that could drop to #24:
LB …......... Devin Lloyd
EDGE …......... Jermaine Johnson
EDGE …......... George Karlaftis
DT …......... Devonte Wyatt
DT …......... Jordan Davis
LB …......... Nakobe Dean

Maybe: DT Travis Jones (Ranked as the next DT after Wyatt/Davis by majority of draft media).
- More likely with a trade down to the end of the 1st.

Review of Each:

• Devin Lloyd:
  • Reason for availability: Off-ball LBs often drop relative to their talent level.
  • Checks all the boxes at 6-3, 237 with long arms and large wingspan.
  • Film Room junkie.
  • Good in coverage and against the run.
  • Sideline to sideline player.
• Jermaine Johnson
  • Reason for availability: Unlikely, but 5 college seasons but only 2021 as full time starter.
  • Checks the boxes with size, speed/quickness, run/pass and long arms.
• George Karlaftis
  • Reason for availability: Not a wow athlete. Limited arm length.
  • A DLaw type DE that wins with leverage/technique/power over pure athleticism.
  • Some teams/schemes will value him more than others.
• Devonte Wyatt
  • Reason for availability: Is he over or under rated by the draft media? Slightly overaged.
  • Often looked like the best of the 3 Georgia defenders (Wyatt, Davis, Dean).
  • At 304 pounds had the best forty & ten of the top 20 DT types.
  • Short-ish arms.
• Jordan Davis
  • Reason for availability: Might be run downs only. A touch of laziness.
  • Wow physical freak. At 341 pounds had the 2nd best forty and ten of interior DL.
  • Wingspan not as big as some lighter weight DTs in this draft.
• Nakobe Dean
  • Reason for availability: Small at 5-11, 229 with short arms.
  • A compromise type pick due to the size limitations.
  • Cowboys: They have uber coverage LB Jabril Cox. Parsons has elite coverage range.
• Travis Jones
  • Reason for availability: Generally projected to the 2nd round. Trade down option.
  • Checks all the boxes. Elite run stopper with pass rush ability.
  • At 325 pounds ran a 4.92 forty and had very good 3-cone and SS times.
  • Room to drop 5 pounds and amp up his pass rush.
  • Cowboys: Long arms, bigger wingspan than Wyatt/Davis.

The Cowboys have made absolutely no mention whatsoever of taking a WR with the first round pick or even having a strong need for one. That is some myth that the WR crazed groupies have made up in their head. The ONLY thing hinting at an interest is the invites. Which could very well be a smoke screen.

 

[Flamma]

I read Lloyd will be 24 next year. Fyi

Yep, 24 in September. He's a guy you probably let play out his 5 year rookie deal unless he's an absolute beast.

 

[Acceptablename]

Based on Stephen Jones interviews, they are preparing for the possibility of a defensive front player 'dropping' to #24.

In other words, they expect to draft OL or WR but there is at least 1 defensive front player they'll take if available.

The defensive front players that they might have rated in the top 20 but that could drop to #24:
LB …......... Devin Lloyd
EDGE …......... Jermaine Johnson
EDGE …......... George Karlaftis
DT …......... Devonte Wyatt
DT …......... Jordan Davis
LB …......... Nakobe Dean

Maybe: DT Travis Jones (Ranked as the next DT after Wyatt/Davis by majority of draft media).
- More likely with a trade down to the end of the 1st.

Review of Each:

• Devin Lloyd:
  • Reason for availability: Off-ball LBs often drop relative to their talent level.
  • Checks all the boxes at 6-3, 237 with long arms and large wingspan.
  • Film Room junkie.
  • Good in coverage and against the run.
  • Sideline to sideline player.
• Jermaine Johnson
  • Reason for availability: Unlikely, but 5 college seasons but only 2021 as full time starter.
  • Checks the boxes with size, speed/quickness, run/pass and long arms.
• George Karlaftis
  • Reason for availability: Not a wow athlete. Limited arm length.
  • A DLaw type DE that wins with leverage/technique/power over pure athleticism.
  • Some teams/schemes will value him more than others.
• Devonte Wyatt
  • Reason for availability: Is he over or under rated by the draft media? Slightly overaged.
  • Often looked like the best of the 3 Georgia defenders (Wyatt, Davis, Dean).
  • At 304 pounds had the best forty & ten of the top 20 DT types.
  • Short-ish arms.
• Jordan Davis
  • Reason for availability: Might be run downs only. A touch of laziness.
  • Wow physical freak. At 341 pounds had the 2nd best forty and ten of interior DL.
  • Wingspan not as big as some lighter weight DTs in this draft.
• Nakobe Dean
  • Reason for availability: Small at 5-11, 229 with short arms.
  • A compromise type pick due to the size limitations.
  • Cowboys: They have uber coverage LB Jabril Cox. Parsons has elite coverage range.
• Travis Jones
  • Reason for availability: Generally projected to the 2nd round. Trade down option.
  • Checks all the boxes. Elite run stopper with pass rush ability.
  • At 325 pounds ran a 4.92 forty and had very good 3-cone and SS times.
  • Room to drop 5 pounds and amp up his pass rush.
  • Cowboys: Long arms, bigger wingspan than Wyatt/Davis.

Why is Jones rated below players likeDavis and Wyatt. He wows you when you watch him and his not lazy?

 

[tm1119]

Lloyd would be very interesting if he falls. It’s a pick that could actually have the biggest impact on our D…because it would mean Parsons would be shifted to more of a permanent pass rushing role.

Our nickle D=
DLaw-Gallimore-Osa-Parsons
Lloyd-Kearse
Diggs-Brown-Lewis
Hooker-Wilson

Lewis comes off for LVE in 2 WR sets.

Armstrong spells DLaw and Fowler spells Parsons. Gholston as depth

Hill and Watkins are decent rotation options but lack of 1tech is evident. Bohanna currently only option

Cox is a good depth piece at LB/Kearse roll. We need to draft/sign further LB depth tho.

We are pretty decent at CB with Joseph and Wright, but never hurts to draft a CB late

We need more depth at S.


This is a really long post to say that drafting a LB and shifting Paraons to pass rusher would have a huge impact on our defense

 

[baltcowboy]

-LLoyd is worthy of the pick, but they don't need another star linebacker, more of a role player. Still be difficult to pass.
-Edge-if any of those top 5 edges fall, they need to be the pick. Same goes for the top Tackle prospects.
-Not a fan of the 3 Georgia players listed, worry that they had so much talent around them.
-Travis Jones is the player I would be targeting if the team found a trade down partner. Detroit has the last pick of rd 1 and the 2nd in rd 2, I would try to land both with 56 and 129.

Stop lying to yourself. You know good and well that if you ran the Cowboys and Travis Jones was still on the board at 24, You would run to podium with his name on the card.. I think Jones might be the surprise top 20 pick of this draft.

I don’t think the Cowboys want to say it out loud but drafting a stud linebacker like Lloyd would make it easier for them to make Parsons a full time pass rusher. The Cowboys can go a million ways in this draft.

 

[Cowboyny]

Stop lying to yourself. You know good and well that if you ran the Cowboys and Travis Jones was still on the board at 24, You would run to podium with his name on the card.. I think Jones might be the surprise top 20 pick of this draft.

I don’t think the Cowboys want to say it out loud but drafting a stud linebacker like Lloyd would make it easier for them to make Parsons a full time pass rusher. The Cowboys can go a million ways in this draft.

Quinn and Jerry have said it makes it easier to defend Parsons if you define a position for him. He isn't going to become a full time mike linebacker nor an edge rusher.

 

[baltcowboy]

Quinn and Jerry have said it makes it easier to defend Parsons if you define a position for him. He isn't going to become a full time mike linebacker nor an edge rusher.

No but I could see Parsons playing the Clay Matthews role. Moving inside and outside depending on the matchup. My point is making Parsons an outside rusher is will always be an option that the Cowboys can go too.

 

[morasp]

I would take Kenyon Green at 24 who is an elite run blocker and Phidarian Mathis a solid and productive run stuffer at 56.

 

[xwalker]

I would take Kenyon Green at 24 who is an elite run blocker and Phidarian Mathis a solid and productive run stuffer at 56.

Phidarian Mathis has some pass rush ability.

He had 9 sacks in 2021.

 

[dogberry]

I’ve been wrong before, but the line protecting the quarterback should be their most important job, even before run blocking.