DMN Blog: What to do with the nine draft picks

[WoodysGirl]

12:43 PM Thu, Jan 22, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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The Cowboys have nine draft picks and they have, like most teams, some holes to fill.

What are the top priorities?

Should the Cowboys draft a linebacker with Kevin Burnett and Zach Thomas possibly leaving in free agency?

What about a wide receiver? Terrell Owens isn't getting any younger and if Roy Williams is the future he needs someone else on the other side of him.

Safety? Roy Williams is the strong and could get cut while Ken Hamlin is the free and has to improve on an average year. Keith Davis, while serviceable, isn't a long-term answer. Anthony Henry could get moved to safety but he's in his mid-30s. Drafting a safety in the third or fourth round a possibility?

Quarterback. Jerry Jones danced around this the other day when we asked him about drafting one. Tony Romo is the future, no doubt about that. But getting a younger quarterback to develop is a must.

Offensive line. The Cowboys have struggled in this area the last few years. Free agency is not the answer. They must draft one because you're not sure if Flo Adams will maintain that spot at left tackle for another two or more years. Then again, do you move Leonard Davis to left tackle in 2010, cut Flo, and hope you have a young lineman ready to move in at right guard?




Getting a defensive lineman is important. Chris Canty could leave for another team, Miami really likes him, from what I've been told. Tank Johnson is gone, no major loss there. But is Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher ready to step up and play end?

Cornerback. What the Cowboys don't have enough cornerbacks? Terence Newman is considered a top flight corner, but he's been hurt the last two seasons. Anthony Henry could get moved to safety. Mike Jenkins, remember him, he's the other first round pick, didn't play that well in 2009. Orlando Scandrick was good and seems poised to take the next step in his development. Now, adding another corner with good cover skills can't hurt.

 

[bayeslife]

How does he justify Jenkins not playing well?

Because of that missed tackle?

I'd say for a ROOKIE he played decent and above my expectations at least.

 

[TheCount]

How does he justify Jenkins not playing well?

Because of that missed tackle?

I'd say for a ROOKIE he played decent and above my expectations at least.

I agree, the perception of his play is completely skewed by his cowardice or bad judgment on one play. That's mostly his own fault.

 

[dmoore]

Then again, do you move Leonard Davis to left tackle in 2010, cut Flo, and hope you have a young lineman ready to move in at right guard?

Ick. How is that even a question? Davis is a guard. If we want to replace Flo, we're going to have to spend an early pick on a LT.

 

[AdamJT13]

How does he justify Jenkins not playing well?

Because of that missed tackle?

I'd say for a ROOKIE he played decent and above my expectations at least.

Other than his poor effort -- or lack thereof -- on that one run, Jenkins played very well. In coverage, at least.

And we'll have 11 picks, not nine, after the comp picks are awarded. The media might catch on to that eventually.

 

[Achozen]

The one play I always think about with Jenkins is the one against STL where he left his man to double team a player that was already covered. His was left open with no one guarding him, but they never got him the ball.

You guys know the play I'm talking about?

 

[pgreptom]

With eleven picks, the 'Boys should stick to the "BPA" strategy.

 

[Idgit]

How does he justify Jenkins not playing well?

Because of that missed tackle?

I'd say for a ROOKIE he played decent and above my expectations at least.

He read some posts on this board about that one time Jenkins shied away from a tackle. The hell with what the coaches had to say or with what happened to his playing time.

 

[Woods]

Don't forget FB as well. I wouldn't surprise me if we take one especially if we're going to emphasize the run more next season.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Ick. How is that even a question? Davis is a guard. If we want to replace Flo, we're going to have to spend an early pick on a LT.

said it before and I will say it again. To bring FISCAL responsibilty to the OL...Davis is going to have to move to LT. And he can and will play it well enough for us to reach our goals. You cannot pay a guard 50m. You just can't do it in the salary cap era. It is much easier to find a G than it is to find a LT. And any replacement we bring to the OL has to be CHEAP.

 

[TheCount]

The one play I always think about with Jenkins is the one against STL where he left his man to double team a player that was already covered. His was left open with no one guarding him, but they never got him the ball.

You guys know the play I'm talking about?

Yup, I remember the one. It was a stupid decision, but he's a rookie.

 

[Iago33]

said it before and I will say it again. To bring FISCAL responsibilty to the OL...Davis is going to have to move to LT. And he can and will play it well enough for us to reach our goals. You cannot pay a guard 50m. You just can't do it in the salary cap era. It is much easier to find a G than it is to find a LT. And any replacement we bring to the OL has to be CHEAP.

So we overpaid for a guard and you want to compound the mistake by moving him to tackle?

We overpaid for a TE, so let's play him at QB to bring fiscal responsibility to the offense!

I know Davis played tackle at Arizona, but he wasn't that good. He's a guard.

 

[Rockytop6]

said it before and I will say it again. To bring FISCAL responsibilty to the OL...Davis is going to have to move to LT. And he can and will play it well enough for us to reach our goals. You cannot pay a guard 50m. You just can't do it in the salary cap era. It is much easier to find a G than it is to find a LT. And any replacement we bring to the OL has to be CHEAP.

Davis was average at best playing T at Az. He is a pro bowl calibre player at G and average as a T.

 

[Alexander]

Ick. How is that even a question? Davis is a guard. If we want to replace Flo, we're going to have to spend an early pick on a LT.

Leonard Davis needs to stay at guard. Period.

 

[sonnyboy]

I know this isn't a popular view around here, but why not draft 11 players?

Don't know about you people, but I'm very impressed with how this team has drafted these past 2 years.

Especially on day two. We've hit on a few diamonds there.

Good chance we lose Burnett and Canty. We need help at S and OL for sure.

Our scouts have done such a good job these past 2 years, why not maximize thier work this year by selecting 11 players.

If we go into the draft with that mind frame we can truely stick to the board and draft the BPA.

Look to draft:

1-2 QB's
3-4 OL's
1-2 WR's
0-1 FB's
2-3 DL's
2-3 MLB's
2-3 S's

The only positions I'd look to take off the board are RB and TE.

So what if 5 or 6 picks don't make the roster. I believe 8 of our 11 picks are 2nd day selections that get little to no signing bonus money. So if they don't make the team, there's little impact on the cap.

I just see this team in an ideal position to benefit from multiple lower round drafted rookies.

1) We aren't looking to bring in higher priced FA's. If anything we going to lose a few players to FA.
2) We have a star laced team yet lack depth. Clear eveidence of that is our poor special teams.
3) We are looking to change the atmosphere and churn the bottom 3rd of the roster.

Just makes sense. Maybe we get lucky and draft 8 players who make the team. Perhaps we get even luckier and find 2-4 players the caliber of Scandrick and Bennett.

 

[Arch Stanton]

The one play I always think about with Jenkins is the one against STL where he left his man to double team a player that was already covered. His was left open with no one guarding him, but they never got him the ball.

You guys know the play I'm talking about?

....and yet there was that pass deflection he made against Philly in the MNF game. The guy has talent.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I know this isn't a popular view around here, but why not draft 11 players?

Don't know about you people, but I'm very impressed with how this team has drafted these past 2 years.

Especially on day two. We've hit on a few diamonds there.

Good chance we lose Burnett and Canty. We need help at S and OL for sure.

Our scouts have done such a good job these past 2 years, why not maximize thier work this year by selecting 11 players.

If we go into the draft with that mind frame we can truely stick to the board and draft the BPA.

Look to draft:

1-2 QB's
3-4 OL's
1-2 WR's
0-1 FB's
2-3 DL's
2-3 MLB's
2-3 S's

The only positions I'd look to take off the board are RB and TE.

So what if 5 or 6 picks don't make the roster. I believe 8 of our 11 picks are 2nd day selections that get little to no signing bonus money. So if they don't make the team, there's little impact on the cap.

I just see this team in an ideal position to benefit from multiple lower round drafted rookies.

1) We aren't looking to bring in higher priced FA's. If anything we going to lose a few players to FA.
2) We have a star laced team yet lack depth. Clear eveidence of that is our poor special teams.
3) We are looking to change the atmosphere and churn the bottom 3rd of the roster.

Just makes sense. Maybe we get lucky and draft 8 players who make the team. Perhaps we get even luckier and find 2-4 players the caliber of Scandrick and Bennett.

I just think we need quality, not quantity. Despite the soap opera that is our team, we have very few holes. We need a few players who can come in and contribute at key positions. Assuming TO is back, we bring back 11 starters on offense. If we lose Canty, Zach, and Burnett we have two holes on defense and it looks like the team may be content with Jason Hatcher and Bobbie Carpenter getting their chances there (which I don't agree with at all).

Not saying you're wrong, I just don't think we have 11 roster spots. I definitely agree with your take on our horrible special teams. I'm hoping that the new coach will get that unit squared away though.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Getting a defensive lineman is important. Chris Canty could leave for another team, Miami really likes him, from what I've been told

If Bill Parcells wants a high-character guy like Chris Canty, who also has some good talent to him, then it should be a priority of Jerry Jones to sign him; which unfortunately, is why I fully expect Jones to let Canty go and getting nothing in return.

 

[dmq]

I wouldn't mind trading out of a pick or two to acquire some higher picks for next year.

 

[sonnyboy]

said it before and I will say it again. To bring FISCAL responsibilty to the OL...Davis is going to have to move to LT. And he can and will play it well enough for us to reach our goals. You cannot pay a guard 50m. You just can't do it in the salary cap era. It is much easier to find a G than it is to find a LT. And any replacement we bring to the OL has to be CHEAP.

Sure you can. Look around the league. Plenty of well thought of OG's making similar money.

You guys are getting caught up with the sticker shock of $50 mil. If I recall, it was a 7 year deal, maybe 8. That's an average of $7.14 mil a year. And of course like most longer term deals, I'm sure it escalates.

Adam could confirm this, but I would guess his cap hits look like this over the life of the deal: 2007 $4mil, 2008 $5mil, 2009 $6mil, 2010 $7mil, 2011 $8mil, 2012 $9mil 2013 $11mil.

Considering a 2009 cap of about $130mil, the average player on the 53 would make $2.5mil.
I'd guess the average starting player in 2009 will probably make $4.5 mil.

Is it that much of a stretch to have one of your starting 22 players who is one of the very best at his position, count between $6-7mil against your 2009 cap?

Regardless of what his starting position is?