DL needs

[LatinMind]

Whats really the biggest need on this team? DL we all know this, but IMO its not DT

Henry Melton
Tyrone Crawford
Terrell McClain
Ben Bass
Nick Hayden

I have always added Crawford as a DT this whole offseason because basically Marinelli has said Crawford can play any posistion on the DL but he see's him at his best probably as a 1tech. He's just so versatile.

Crawford isnt a passrushing DE because basically he's not good enough to go around NFL tackles. Thats why he was drafted as a 5tech. A strong side DE to play in the 3-4. Who's primary goal is to hold ground vs the run. Take up space. He does that very well. But he can get you pressure inside aswell. Now its not going to be alot of sacks but he will be disruptive.

Then there is McClain, and word is Marinelli really likes him because you cant move him. And theres Bass who had coaches and players talking about how good he can be. He showed alot last yr but now he;'s coming off an injury. So IMO i think Dallas starting 1tech is already on the team, Crawford, McCain or Bass.

Melton is the peice this team hopes that puts the inside together. The one that can fill Hatchers shoes.

BUT...

The real problem is on the edge. This defense will work only if the edge is fixed. Ware is gone and Selvie had 2 sacks in the final 9 games. While i think he can be useful but only as a situation guy. Mincey IMO is a very good backup but nothing more.

My dream scenario would be this

RD1
Titans pass on Barr and go after theyre other top need and thats CB. Pick up one of the top CBs which most likely atleast 1 will be available.

Draft Anthony Barr at 16

RD2
Draft Scott Crichton

Pick up your new starting WDE in RD1 and your SDE in RD2

It doesnt always work out the best case scenario but here are some guy id like for the Cowboys to look at in the first 3 rds. I do beieve this team needs 2 DEs

RD1
Anthony Barr
Kony Ealy
Demarcus Lawrence

RD2
Scott Crichton
Kareem Martin

RD3
Trent Murphy
Marcus Smith
Jackson Jeffcoat

IMO two of these guys need to be drafted by Dallas.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I agree. I think Aaron Donald is the best talent who might be available at #16, so I'd take him if he is available, but I think we can get by with the DTs we have. It all depends on what we do with Crawford and Bass. I've heard people say they might both be SDEs. I view McClain more as a backup 3-tech. We need a new DT but we need DEs way more. The only DE we have is Selvie (and Mincey if you want to count him). We need two WDEs and another SDE.

 

[xwalker]

Whats really the biggest need on this team? DL we all know this, but IMO its not DT

Henry Melton
Tyrone Crawford
Terrell McClain
Ben Bass
Nick Hayden

I have always added Crawford as a DT this whole offseason because basically Marinelli has said Crawford can play any posistion on the DL but he see's him at his best probably as a 1tech. He's just so versatile.

Crawford isnt a passrushing DE because basically he's not good enough to go around NFL tackles. Thats why he was drafted as a 5tech. A strong side DE to play in the 3-4. Who's primary goal is to hold ground vs the run. Take up space. He does that very well. But he can get you pressure inside aswell. Now its not going to be alot of sacks but he will be disruptive.

Then there is McClain, and word is Marinelli really likes him because you cant move him. And theres Bass who had coaches and players talking about how good he can be. He showed alot last yr but now he;'s coming off an injury. So IMO i think Dallas starting 1tech is already on the team, Crawford, McCain or Bass.

Melton is the peice this team hopes that puts the inside together. The one that can fill Hatchers shoes.

BUT...

The real problem is on the edge. This defense will work only if the edge is fixed. Ware is gone and Selvie had 2 sacks in the final 9 games. While i think he can be useful but only as a situation guy. Mincey IMO is a very good backup but nothing more.

My dream scenario would be this

RD1
Titans pass on Barr and go after theyre other top need and thats CB. Pick up one of the top CBs which most likely atleast 1 will be available.

Draft Anthony Barr at 16

RD2
Draft Scott Crichton

Pick up your new starting WDE in RD1 and your SDE in RD2

It doesnt always work out the best case scenario but here are some guy id like for the Cowboys to look at in the first 3 rds. I do beieve this team needs 2 DEs

RD1
Anthony Barr
Kony Ealy
Demarcus Lawrence

RD2
Scott Crichton
Kareem Martin

RD3
Trent Murphy
Marcus Smith
Jackson Jeffcoat

IMO two of these guys need to be drafted by Dallas.

The overwhelming need is an elite pass rushing DE in the nickel. They can get by with Selvie, Mincey and possibly Crawford at SDE and probably at WDE on base downs, but they don't have an elite guy at WDE in nickel situations. I'm not to worried about size or run defense as a rookie for guys like Barr. Other players can play on base downs.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I've been on the Barr wagon since the combine. It seemed unlikely he would make it to 16 at that point. But now it appears that maybe a real possibility. So now I'm liking either Barr or one of the top 10 guys that unexpectedly drops.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The overwhelming need is an elite pass rushing DE in the nickel.

Give me 2 please.

 

[xwalker]

Give me 2 please.

Exactly.

 

[DBOY3141]

I agree wholeheartly that we need DE's, I'm going to sound cliche' in saying this, but we are not 1 draft away from being a Super Bowl caliber team. This is a deep draft and we need to stick with BPA. Marinelli is suppose to like Barr, Lawerance, Ealy, Creighton, so I'd be happy with any of them.

 

[CF74]

Whats really the biggest need on this team? DL we all know this, but IMO its not DT

Henry Melton
Tyrone Crawford
Terrell McClain
Ben Bass
Nick Hayden

I have always added Crawford as a DT this whole offseason because basically Marinelli has said Crawford can play any posistion on the DL but he see's him at his best probably as a 1tech. He's just so versatile.

Crawford isnt a passrushing DE because basically he's not good enough to go around NFL tackles. Thats why he was drafted as a 5tech. A strong side DE to play in the 3-4. Who's primary goal is to hold ground vs the run. Take up space. He does that very well. But he can get you pressure inside aswell. Now its not going to be alot of sacks but he will be disruptive.

Then there is McClain, and word is Marinelli really likes him because you cant move him. And theres Bass who had coaches and players talking about how good he can be. He showed alot last yr but now he;'s coming off an injury. So IMO i think Dallas starting 1tech is already on the team, Crawford, McCain or Bass.

Melton is the peice this team hopes that puts the inside together. The one that can fill Hatchers shoes.

BUT...

The real problem is on the edge. This defense will work only if the edge is fixed. Ware is gone and Selvie had 2 sacks in the final 9 games. While i think he can be useful but only as a situation guy. Mincey IMO is a very good backup but nothing more.

My dream scenario would be this

RD1
Titans pass on Barr and go after theyre other top need and thats CB. Pick up one of the top CBs which most likely atleast 1 will be available.

Draft Anthony Barr at 16

RD2
Draft Scott Crichton

Pick up your new starting WDE in RD1 and your SDE in RD2

It doesnt always work out the best case scenario but here are some guy id like for the Cowboys to look at in the first 3 rds. I do beieve this team needs 2 DEs

RD1
Anthony Barr
Kony Ealy
Demarcus Lawrence

RD2
Scott Crichton
Kareem Martin

RD3
Trent Murphy
Marcus Smith
Jackson Jeffcoat

IMO two of these guys need to be drafted by Dallas.

I get what you're saying and yes the main guy we need to replace is Ware, and then the old Rat. Melton coming off an injury is not fine, its an uncertainty and a stop gap at best. We still need that young bull coming up.

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

Whats really the biggest need on this team? DL we all know this, but IMO its not DT

Henry Melton
Tyrone Crawford
Terrell McClain
Ben Bass
Nick Hayden

I have always added Crawford as a DT this whole offseason because basically Marinelli has said Crawford can play any posistion on the DL but he see's him at his best probably as a 1tech. He's just so versatile.

Crawford isnt a passrushing DE because basically he's not good enough to go around NFL tackles. Thats why he was drafted as a 5tech. A strong side DE to play in the 3-4. Who's primary goal is to hold ground vs the run. Take up space. He does that very well. But he can get you pressure inside aswell. Now its not going to be alot of sacks but he will be disruptive.

Then there is McClain, and word is Marinelli really likes him because you cant move him. And theres Bass who had coaches and players talking about how good he can be. He showed alot last yr but now he;'s coming off an injury. So IMO i think Dallas starting 1tech is already on the team, Crawford, McCain or Bass.

Melton is the peice this team hopes that puts the inside together. The one that can fill Hatchers shoes.

BUT...

The real problem is on the edge. This defense will work only if the edge is fixed. Ware is gone and Selvie had 2 sacks in the final 9 games. While i think he can be useful but only as a situation guy. Mincey IMO is a very good backup but nothing more.

My dream scenario would be this

RD1
Titans pass on Barr and go after theyre other top need and thats CB. Pick up one of the top CBs which most likely atleast 1 will be available.

Draft Anthony Barr at 16

RD2
Draft Scott Crichton

Pick up your new starting WDE in RD1 and your SDE in RD2

It doesnt always work out the best case scenario but here are some guy id like for the Cowboys to look at in the first 3 rds. I do beieve this team needs 2 DEs

RD1
Anthony Barr
Kony Ealy
Demarcus Lawrence

RD2
Scott Crichton
Kareem Martin

RD3
Trent Murphy
Marcus Smith
Jackson Jeffcoat

IMO two of these guys need to be drafted by Dallas.

Great write up. I like all those players. Especially the idea of getting one of each. I would add Attaochu at WDE to late 1st or 2nd. Really like the way he moves.

 

[Dwight]

A defensive tackle is still needed. Dallas has to many unknowns (with the exception of Melton) on the dline.

Dallas needs to draft two dline starters. That may be hard to accomplish but it can happen. Let's hope Jerry and Jason make the right picks and not reach.

 

[BigStar]

Great post as usual LM:

What about Ford as a backup option to Barr? Would prefer the later but see Ford has risen dramatically and has similar measurements. I thought analysts slated Crichton late 1 but agree it would be a real steal. Ealy's slow twitch athleticism scares me a bit. Being slow off the ball doesn't seem like a great trait for a pass rusher but maybe in the mold of a G. Ellis pass rusher who was slow off the ball but had the moves to get there?

 

[BigStar]

The overwhelming need is an elite pass rushing DE in the nickel. They can get by with Selvie, Mincey and possibly Crawford at SDE and probably at WDE on base downs, but they don't have an elite guy at WDE in nickel situations. I'm not to worried about size or run defense as a rookie for guys like Barr. Other players can play on base downs.

I hear ya Walker on our first rounder not needing to play every snap right away but with the passing league, 1/2nd down aren't as centered around simply keeping contain/run D more and more. I would almost be willing to sacrifice the run D (not to the point of leaving him out there while being continually abused if that turns out to be the case) but to @ least have a legitimate rush on early downs to couple with Melton.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Exactly.

What I really want is 2 of the first 3-4 picks spent at DE.

 

[LatinMind]

Great post as usual LM:

What about Ford as a backup option to Barr? Would prefer the later but see Ford has risen dramatically and has similar measurements. I thought analysts slated Crichton late 1 but agree it would be a real steal. Ealy's slow twitch athleticism scares me a bit. Being slow off the ball doesn't seem like a great trait for a pass rusher but maybe in the mold of a G. Ellis pass rusher who was slow off the ball but had the moves to get there?

I would love Ford, but i havent read any interest in Ford from the Cowboys. No visit. With Crichton i think the rise of these WRs and CBs along with the dropping of DTs and Possibily falling of Bridgewater and rising of Savage will push players like Lawrence and Crichton down a little

 

[LatinMind]

What I really want is 2 of the first 3-4 picks spent at DE.

Has to be. The defense is designed for the WDE to wreck havoc on every down. Dallas doesnt have that guy.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

If Donald and Babb aren't there at 16, things get real dicey.

I don't see a pure WDE I would rate as a good value towards the end of the 1st round if a trade-down scenario developed.

I'd consider Kareem Martin, who may not be the perfect WDE, but could contribute there.

And then I would hope that someone like Larry Webster or Adrian Hubbard were there later on in the draft.

If something like that developed I could see a snap breakdown per game as something like this (for the WDE spot)

Selvie 30
Martin 20
Webster/Hubbard 20ish.

In addition Martin could probably pick up another 10-20 snaps per game as either a SDE or moving inside as a pass-rush DT.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I would love Ford, but i havent read any interest in Ford from the Cowboys. No visit. With Crichton i think the rise of these WRs and CBs along with the dropping of DTs and Possibily falling of Bridgewater and rising of Savage will push players like Lawrence and Crichton down a little

I don't think Ford is big enough to be a full-time 4-3 DE. And if you're spending a first on the guy, he should be a potential 60 snap a game player– if need be. And the point about the Cowboys not having a visit with him is telling.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Has to be. The defense is designed for the WDE to wreck havoc on every down. Dallas doesnt have that guy.

But if that guy isn't there at 16 or even a little later in the first round as part of a trade down, then he isn't there.

Right now there are hardly any that deserve a 1st round grade (as pure 4-3 WDE) after Clowney and Barr.

And if you reach, you're falling behind other teams by picking inferior talent.

There are guys like Larry Webster who offer some intriguing possibilities as a WDE later on in the draft. If the Cowboys get locked in this "I gotta have a 4-3 WDE in the first round" mode, then we can all relive a "Shante Carver" moment, because that's what happens when you reach.

 

[LatinMind]

I don't think Ford is big enough to be a full-time 4-3 DE. And if you're spending a first on the guy, he should be a potential 60 snap a game player– if need be. And the point about the Cowboys not having a visit with him is telling.

IDK, i think Ford will end up being the best passrusher in this draft. He is no different then Donald. Too much is made of their size. You cant dismiss their play on the field. Ford IMO is going to make aot of teams sorry they dont draft him.

 

[LatinMind]

But if that guy isn't there at 16 or even a little later in the first round as part of a trade down, then he isn't there.

Right now there are hardly any that deserve a 1st round grade (as pure 4-3 WDE) after Clowney and Barr.

And if you reach, you're falling behind other teams by picking inferior talent.

There are guys like Larry Webster who offer some intriguing possibilities as a WDE later on in the draft. If the Cowboys get locked in this "I gotta have a 4-3 WDE in the first round" mode, then we can all relive a "Shante Carver" moment, because that's what happens when you reach.

I can see Dallas trading up for Barr. But i can see Barr falling to them.