Did the draft meet "needs"?

[Verdict]

I will be the first to say that none of the guys we drafted are household names, and that really bothers me. Still the Cowboys brass did a great job last year, and I am hoping (fingers crossed) for a repeat of last years success. From a strictly needs standpoint, I think we did pretty well. Here is my reason for hope:

This was a post I made two days ago in response to a question from another poster:

I think it depends on how solid your roster is relative to how many you need to stick. This year, I think we need the following:

1. One Interior OL (G/C Rotational Quality- Eventual Starter)

CHECK:Robert Brewster. OT that projects to guard.

2. One Offensive Tackle (Rotational Quality-Eventual Starter)
NONE unless you count Brewster as a Tackle.

3. One safety (Starting Quality): MICHAEL HAMLIN

4. One 3/4 defensive end (should be able to replace Spears next year)
NONE, unless we beef up one of the LBS/DE's we drafted.

5. Long Snapper (replace Ladoucier) he is getting long in the tooth and his cap hit is disproprtionately high NONE

6. One inside linebacker:STEVEN HODGE, Others draftees may work here.

7. One outside linebacker (pass rusher-rotational quality-spot starter): JASON WILLIAMS, VICTOR BUTLER, BRANDON WILLIAMS

8. One corner that is capable of spot starting duty this year: MIKE MICKENS, DEANGELO SMITH

9. One tight end caple of being the third tight end/ hybrid tweener possible: JOHN PHILLIPS

10. Backup developmental QB: Steven McGee

I think #1, #2, #3, #4, #6, #7 and #10 are pretty much "must haves" if we are going to continue to improve or maintain our current level of play. If you don't think the receivers we have on the roster are good enough you could add a receiver to this list if you like. MANUEL JOHNSON

So I think we need a minimum of 7 to contribute this year, except the 3rd QB would just need to develop and stick, not necessarily play. I think there is room on the roster for another 3 to make the roster and make an immediate impact.

 

[AdamJT13]

5. Long Snapper (replace Ladoucier) he is getting long in the tooth and his cap hit is disproprtionately high

Say what? LaDouceur just turned 28, and we signed him to a five-year contract just last year. His cap number is only $780,000. If we cut him, he'd still count $640,000, and we'd lose cap room if his replacement wasn't already on our 53-man roster at a different position.

 

[Tobal]

Jason Williams is an inside guy I believe.

I think you have to count Roy Williams. I think this draft brings some competition to the Oline and intense competition to the defense.

 

[jobberone]

Say what? LaDouceur just turned 28, and we signed him to a five-year contract just last year. His cap number is only $780,000. If we cut him, he'd still count $640,000, and we'd lose cap room if his replacement wasn't already on our 53-man roster at a different position.

Thanks. Thought I was having another frequent senile/senior moment. I did think Casey was a possible target esp because of his ability to long snap. Guess he wasn't all that there because that likely would have cemented his being drafted. I think.

 

[Verdict]

Say what? LaDouceur just turned 28, and we signed him to a five-year contract just last year. His cap number is only $780,000. If we cut him, he'd still count $640,000, and we'd lose cap room if his replacement wasn't already on our 53-man roster at a different position.

I would have thought his cap number would be a lot higher. I guess we can scratch that need off the list. What will his cap numbers be over the life of his contract?

 

[hendog]

#6 - Jason Williams is going to be an ILB per the brass.

 

[RS12]

apparently Jerry needed to save money, looks like he met his needs. Not saying some of these guys wont produce but there appeared to be other priorities in play.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think one thing that hurt was many of the players that were projected to be at 51 went well before Dallas selected. Guys like Delmas, Chung, Robiskie and it was mentioned Dallas was looking at Unger and he too was selected right before Dallas pick at 51 and a few others mention were taken early in the 2nd, once that started happening I think it forced the Cowboys hands to move out of the 2nd and look for more picks. You had 5 WR go in the 1st rd I don't think there were 5 WR worth a 1st rd pick.

 

[Smith22]

Smith is projected to be at safety, and J. Williams is projected at ILB.

 

[cobra]

You forgot the other areas we improved our team:

1. Special teams: Kickoff specialist, ST studs Hodge, Butler, Williams

2. Chemistry: Got rid of cancers (TO, Tank, Pacman) and added high quality guys.

3. Team defensive speed. Butler, Williamses, Smith, Hodge, and Mickens really amped up the athleticism.

I don't think long snapper was a need.

I think we are fine a DE with Hatcher, Bowen and Dixon. I don't know there is anyone we could have snagged in the draft that would be better than any of those 3.

Obviously, we could also have looked at OT (but I think the team likes Free and maybe one of the other two Marten/McQ). And it would have been nice to get some backup DL help at NT. But, we'll see there.