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Looking back
2:53 PM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink
Albert Breer E-mail News tips
Just so you know, we're making this week all about the draft here on Cowboys Blog. And if you don't like it today, you're sure going to have problems when I get to Indy in mid-week and start marinating this blog with every nugget imaginable to come out of there.
Anyway, when I was messing around on the internet earlier today, I bumped into ESPN.com's draft coverage from 2005, '06 and '07. So I thought it'd be interesting with some time passed, to take another look at how those draft classes were viewed as they were assembled.
Follow the jump for Mel Kiper's review of the last three Cowboy drafts, and then our assessment, with the pretty big advantage of hindsight in our corner.
2005
Mel's Grade: A
Mel's Take: One of the best hauls for any team thanks to a significant upgrade on the defensive front seven. Demarcus Ware is a terrific attack linebacker, end Marcus Spears is a great fit in a 3-4 scheme and linebacker Kevin Burnett is a solid, steady player. Running back Marion Barber III is bigger than current Dallas back Julius Jones and is a nice complement. Safety Justin Beriault was a steal in the sixth round and defensive tackle Jay Ratliff is versatile enough to play in a 3-4 or 4-3, depending on what the team needs.
My take: Probably still an A. While Spears hasn't lived up to expectations, a single draft that yielded Ware, Barber and Ratliff has to be considered a success. Plus, Chris Canty was a very nice pickup in the fourth round. Overall, each of Dallas' first five picks is a contributor on offense or defense three years later, and that's not even counting Ratliff.
2006
Mel's grade: B-minus
Mel's take: In the first round, they drafted a very versatile and talented OLB, Bobby Carpenter. Anthony Fasano is a good tight end, but the Cowboys already have Jason Witten, and more importantly, they didn't get the free safety and offensive line help I thought they needed. Skyler Green brings speed to the return game, and I do like the selection of DT Montavious Stanley in the sixth round.
My take: Worse than a B-minus. The Cowboys selected seven players, and not one of them has broken into the starting lineup. Jason Hatcher was a nice find with the 92nd overall pick, and Patrick Watkins has certainly had an impact for a fifth-rounder. But Carpenter has been a disappointment, and Fasano was expected to be more productive than he has been. There's still time, but this class hasn't lived up to expectations.
2007
Mel's grade: B
Mel's take: Purdue's Anthony Spencer -- who I think has a chance to be the rookie of the year -- gives Dallas a great pass-rusher opposite DeMarcus Ware. James Marten provides good security behind tackle Flozell Adams, who will be a free agent after next season. Isaiah Stanback will move from QB to wide receiver, and I really liked the pick of tackle Doug Free in the fourth round because he has a lot of talent. Dallas took place-kicker Nick Folk when Mason Crosby was still on the board; Deon Anderson will be an excellent lead blocker at fullback, and Courtney Brown has the necessary skills to be a developmental cornerback.
My take: It's probably still too early to tell, but this has the makings of being a pretty good class. If Greg Ellis weren't around, Anthony Spencer, I believe, would've had a big rookie year. And Folk was a great pickup on the second day, as was Anderson. The jury still very much out on the two young tackles. At the this point, and not to be gutless here, I think you have to give this group an incomplete.
2:53 PM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink
Albert Breer E-mail News tips
Just so you know, we're making this week all about the draft here on Cowboys Blog. And if you don't like it today, you're sure going to have problems when I get to Indy in mid-week and start marinating this blog with every nugget imaginable to come out of there.
Anyway, when I was messing around on the internet earlier today, I bumped into ESPN.com's draft coverage from 2005, '06 and '07. So I thought it'd be interesting with some time passed, to take another look at how those draft classes were viewed as they were assembled.
Follow the jump for Mel Kiper's review of the last three Cowboy drafts, and then our assessment, with the pretty big advantage of hindsight in our corner.
2005
Mel's Grade: A
Mel's Take: One of the best hauls for any team thanks to a significant upgrade on the defensive front seven. Demarcus Ware is a terrific attack linebacker, end Marcus Spears is a great fit in a 3-4 scheme and linebacker Kevin Burnett is a solid, steady player. Running back Marion Barber III is bigger than current Dallas back Julius Jones and is a nice complement. Safety Justin Beriault was a steal in the sixth round and defensive tackle Jay Ratliff is versatile enough to play in a 3-4 or 4-3, depending on what the team needs.
My take: Probably still an A. While Spears hasn't lived up to expectations, a single draft that yielded Ware, Barber and Ratliff has to be considered a success. Plus, Chris Canty was a very nice pickup in the fourth round. Overall, each of Dallas' first five picks is a contributor on offense or defense three years later, and that's not even counting Ratliff.
2006
Mel's grade: B-minus
Mel's take: In the first round, they drafted a very versatile and talented OLB, Bobby Carpenter. Anthony Fasano is a good tight end, but the Cowboys already have Jason Witten, and more importantly, they didn't get the free safety and offensive line help I thought they needed. Skyler Green brings speed to the return game, and I do like the selection of DT Montavious Stanley in the sixth round.
My take: Worse than a B-minus. The Cowboys selected seven players, and not one of them has broken into the starting lineup. Jason Hatcher was a nice find with the 92nd overall pick, and Patrick Watkins has certainly had an impact for a fifth-rounder. But Carpenter has been a disappointment, and Fasano was expected to be more productive than he has been. There's still time, but this class hasn't lived up to expectations.
2007
Mel's grade: B
Mel's take: Purdue's Anthony Spencer -- who I think has a chance to be the rookie of the year -- gives Dallas a great pass-rusher opposite DeMarcus Ware. James Marten provides good security behind tackle Flozell Adams, who will be a free agent after next season. Isaiah Stanback will move from QB to wide receiver, and I really liked the pick of tackle Doug Free in the fourth round because he has a lot of talent. Dallas took place-kicker Nick Folk when Mason Crosby was still on the board; Deon Anderson will be an excellent lead blocker at fullback, and Courtney Brown has the necessary skills to be a developmental cornerback.
My take: It's probably still too early to tell, but this has the makings of being a pretty good class. If Greg Ellis weren't around, Anthony Spencer, I believe, would've had a big rookie year. And Folk was a great pickup on the second day, as was Anderson. The jury still very much out on the two young tackles. At the this point, and not to be gutless here, I think you have to give this group an incomplete.
