DMN Blog: Draft Wish List

[Rack]

Draft wish list
3:22 PM Wed, Jan 23, 2008 | Permalink
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
The Cowboys enter the off-season with three major needs: WR, CB and RB. In the interest of helping Jerry and Co. as much as possible, here are the players at each position I recommend targeting.

CB Aqib Talib (Kansas): The Richardson Berkner product is a big (6-2, 205) playmaking cornerback, as he showed with a pick six that was the key play in Kansas' Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech. He's a phenomenal athlete who Kansas occasionally used at receiver and might be able to contribute as a return man. He would be a huge upgrade over Jacques Reeves as the third corner and would ensure that the Cowboys have a cornerback with the size to match up with tall receivers long after Anthony Henry leaves Valley Ranch. I've seen him go everywhere from mid-first round to No. 31 in mock drafts. He'd be worth trading up a few spots from No. 22.

WR Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma): His tendency to disappear for stretches is troubling, but the 6-4, 219-pound Longview native has a T.O.-like blend of size and athleticism. He'd give the Cowboys the deep threat they need to complement T.O., and he's a prospect that could eventually replace the Original 81 as Tony Romo's favorite target. Snatch him up if he slips to No. 28.

RB Jamaal Charles (Texas): There are doubts that the 6-1, 205-pound Charles will be durable enough to be an NFL feature back, but the Cowboys aren't looking for a 20-carry-per-game guy. They need a breakaway threat to serve as a change of pace to Marion "The Barbarian" Barber's punishing style. Charles, a Big 12 track star before he decided to focus on football, would definitely add big-play potential to an already explosive offense. The Port Arthur native would make a fine second-round pick.

in particular i like Talib.... especially given his talent as a return man.

For once I agree with McMoron about something.

But that just probably means I'm wrong about Talib.

 

[Rack]

I was high on Talib until the Kansas / Kansas State game. My goodness, Jordy Nelson owned him. He made big play after big play on Talib, and not by being physical, but outrunning him on a "Go" route to start the game (just for 1 example). His speed is suspect. Besides, you have to ask yourself the question, does the 2007 crop of Big 12 WRs that Talib faced really offer analysts a NFL worthy baseline by which to judge a CB?

Just asking...

That's a very good question. I'm pretty high on Talib, but it's true he didn't face many great WRs in the Big12.

Then again, neither did Terence Newman.

As usual, it's a crapshoot.

I like the Charles pick

In the 5th round or later (after we've already drafted our REAL RB), I'd be ok with it. But not any earlier then that.

 

[Paniolo22]

That's a very good question. I'm pretty high on Talib, but it's true he didn't face many great WRs in the Big12.

Then again, neither did Terence Newman.

As usual, it's a crapshoot.

Whaaaaat!?!?! He lined up against Taco Wallace EVERYDAY in practice!

 

[DCBoysfan]

I have seen CB Aqib Talib play this year and not being an NFL scout he look like a solid player. He is at least as good as Aron Ross (sp) from last year who turned in a solid rookie year for the Giants.

 

[DCBoysfan]

My email reply from Drew Boylhart (thehuddlereport.com):

Q) Does Aquib Talib have the speed and skills to be a NFL CB?

Drew) "I think (Aquib Talib) has to play safety. He needs the play in front of him. I don't think he has the quickness to be a CB, and he takes too many chances. As a Safety he would be like Ed Reed style of player."

I would rather have a CB who takes chances with safety help than the other way around.

 

[Hostile]

~ Crossing McMahon off Draft Guru list ~

No kidding. I can't disagree with him on Talib, but trading up? Stand firm and one of the 4 top CBs will be ours at 22.

Talib
Jenkins
Cason
McKelvin

I will be stoked with any of them, but I wouldn't trade up for any of them.

 

[Doomsday101]

I like the Charles pick

Myself if Dallas could get him with a mid round pick I think he would be a very good compliment to Barber.

 

[Hostile]

I like the Charles pick

I hate that one. 2nd round?

Not even with a gun to my head.

 

[Woods]

No kidding. I can't disagree with him on Talib, but trading up? Stand firm and one of the 4 top CBs will be ours at 22.

Talib
Jenkins
Cason
McKelvin

I will be stoked with any of them, but I wouldn't trade up for any of them.

I'm getting a gut feeling that we will be drafting a CB and WR with our two first rounders, assuming we keep both of the picks.

Right now, if it's CB at 22, that includes Jenkins, Cason, and McKelvin, and with 28, perhaps E Doucet/Manningham? (Though maybe we trade our 1st rounder to pick up WR R Williams) But in any case, I think there is a strong possibility we end up with a CB and WR with our 1st two picks.

 

[jterrell]

Talib is a perfect replacement long term for Anthony Henry and is the same type player. He has better hands than Newman but no where near that speed.

He was beat by Nelson but Talib, like Deion, simply got bored a lot and gambled a ton as teams rarely went his way and he longed for action.

He's also a local kid and a heck of a talent as a returner.

I am hopeful he falls to the 2nd of those 1st round picks. That allows us to look WR(or trade it for Roy Williams/Larry Fitzgerald) with the first.

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Malcolm Kelly is a bit overrated imho. He is not as strong as his size would indicate and could have issues with strong CBs for a while. Probably will lose speed by getting bigger and stronger but may work best as a 230 T.O. type than a quicker 220 pounder. Mesmerizing size/speed guys are often too good to be true. Buyer be ware.

I'd want to add more speed here but thinking to replace T.O. this late in round 1 is a pipe dream. A speedier guy will likely not have great size. DeSean Jackson has real appeal. Especially after seeing how many big plays he made with Lavelle Hawkins on the same team and Hawkins looking like the class of the Senior Bowl WRs.

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Jamaal Charles is an interesting 2nd rounder but I'd have a hard time choosing him out of the pack of 2nd round RBs which has a ton of value. He is not very physical but can take it to the house on you. Maybe a hair stronger and a hair less quick than Steve Slaton. Great prospect to pair with Barber. BUT Slaton might be the better value as a returner and Barber backup.

 

[jterrell]

I hate that one. 2nd round?

Not even with a gun to my head.

He has 2nd round talent but there will be 5 RBs there with equal talent imho.

RB is a real value in round 2 for me.

I also expect RBs to fall in this draft from their projections as few teams need them and those that want them are looking for part-time players for the most part.

Dallas may have Felix Jones sitting there at the end of round 1. He is far better than Jamaal Charles.

 

[Woods]

Talib is a perfect replacement long term for Anthony Henry and is the same type player. He has better hands than Newman but no where near that speed.

He was beat by Nelson but Talib, like Deion, simply got bored a lot and gambled a ton as teams rarely went his way and he longed for action.

He's also a local kid and a heck of a talent as a returner.

I am hopeful he falls to the 2nd of those 1st round picks. That allows us to look WR(or trade it for Roy Williams/Larry Fitzgerald) with the first.

-----------------------------

Malcolm Kelly is a bit overrated imho. He is not as strong as his size would indicate and could have issues with strong CBs for a while. Probably will lose speed by getting bigger and stronger but may work best as a 230 T.O. type than a quicker 220 pounder. Mesmerizing size/speed guys are often too good to be true. Buyer be ware.

I'd want to add more speed here but thinking to replace T.O. this late in round 1 is a pipe dream. A speedier guy will likely not have great size. DeSean Jackson has real appeal. Especially after seeing how many big plays he made with Lavelle Hawkins on the same team and Hawkins looking like the class of the Senior Bowl WRs.

-----------------------------

Jamaal Charles is an interesting 2nd rounder but I'd have a hard time choosing him out of the pack of 2nd round RBs which has a ton of value. He is not very physical but can take it to the house on you. Maybe a hair stronger and a hair less quick than Steve Slaton. Great prospect to pair with Barber. BUT Slaton might be the better value as a returner and Barber backup.

I think you make excellent points.

Maybe the best resolution at WR is to use the 28th pick at get R Williams/Fitz., if it is possible.

If not possible, it seems like there are several very good number 2 WRs in this draft, guys like Hardy, Doucet, Manningham, etc.

But who knows, maybe one of these guys can develop into a number 1 3 years from now.

 

[Sandyf]

If we base everything on current picks and no trades (like that's really going to happen), then based on projections, we will go CB and RB in the first or RB and WR in the first.

IMO, we will sign Drayton Florence CB in free agency which might push CB to the second for us. The guy I would like to see at CB in the 1st would be Reggie Smith CB Oklahoma do to his return abilities, speed, height and upside at CB.

As to RB, Felix Jones or Charles Johnson would be my choices in the 1st round and Charles in the 3rd. One thing to remember is that before the draft we all a tendency to put RBs in the 1st and 2nd round but when the draft gets here they are usually selected late 1st, 2nd, 3rd and some slide to the 4th round. Charles will slide into the 3rd because all things being equal a team's BPA will usually be defensive.

WR is intriquing because IMO, I believe Jerry is going to go after Roy Williams from Detroit and will get him. If so, and with Stanback in the fold whom the coaching staff seems extremely high on (remember he is 6'3" 220 and runs a 4.4), I could see us taking a flyer on WR until second day. If we don't get Roy, then a WR in the 1st or 2nd is possible. If you believe the hype at the Senior Bowl and then we supposedly have spoken to Early Doucet WR LSU, twice but his projection currently is mid second to late second round.

Of course everything changes after FA starts and the personal workouts begin.

1a. Reggie Smith CB Oklahoma
1b. Felix Jones RB Arkansas
2a. James Hardy WR Indiana - IMO, we pick up a 2nd from Miami
(Note if we get Roy from Detroit then a CB or another RB here -- we will take 2 RBs this draft)
2b. Shawn Crabble ILB Michigan
3. Red Bryant NT Texas A & M
4. Owen Schmitt FB West Virginia
5. Tony Hills OT Texas
6. Jonathan Goff ILB Vanderbilt
7. Tommy Blake DE TCU - man, he has fallen

 

[Chocolate Lab]

My email reply from Drew Boylhart (thehuddlereport.com):

Q) Does Aquib Talib have the speed and skills to be a NFL CB?

Drew) "I think (Aquib Talib) has to play safety. He needs the play in front of him. I don't think he has the quickness to be a CB, and he takes too many chances. As a Safety he would be like Ed Reed style of player."

Wow, I'm surprised he'd go that far. Talib does seem to lack some speed, but I wouldn't have said that he can't play corner in the NFL. You just don't want him manning up too much. But safety?

I'd about guarantee that Talib isn't *that* slow. I'd find it hard to believe that he's not faster than old vets like Sam Madison who get by with instincts.

And on Kelly, I don't know how he's going to do in workouts, but the guy doesn't impress me that much. Why is that it in every game I saw, Iglesias was the one making all the plays?

IMO this is just a weak draft for receivers. One reason I wouldn't mind a RB in the first is that I think that's a rare area of this draft that's strong.