DMN: Bob Sturm's weekly Cowboys Mailbag, Part 1: Why Dallas can't afford to use No. 4 pick based on

[jobberone]

Bob Sturm's weekly Cowboys Mailbag, Part 1: Why Dallas can't afford to use No. 4 pick based on need

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president/COO Stephen Jones listened to a question during a press conference to discuss the team's first round pick of UConn cornerback Byron Jones on the first day of the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 30, 2015, in Irving, Texas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)

By Bob Sturm, Special contributor Contact Bob Sturmon TwitterSportsSturm

I know, I know. The Mailbag is supposed to be answering mail. And, it will be in Part 2. I promise. And that comes out in just a little bit. But, Part 1 -- the first 1,000 words or so -- is going to be all about getting on to paper my vision for picking No. 4. It is one thing to say parts of this on Twitter at different times over the course of 100 days from the end of the season until the Cowboys are on the clock, but now, I think I should spend some of my Friday morning making sure this is all on paper in long form.

We shall call it, basically, the answer to the following question:

Q: "Bob, what do you think is the smartest thing to do with the fourth pick in the draft?"

There are some vital things to understand as we go here. They must remain top of mind. Let's start here: Picking No. 4 is incredibly rare.

We should review with some historical context. The Cowboys have not picked with their own earned selection this high in the draft since 1989. That's right, during the generation where you think the Cowboys have been as disappointing as they have at any point of their existence, they have never been bad enough to get up into the tip-top of the draft. Given the welfare program that the NFL has this time of year to help the "football needy", this is worth noting. The Cowboys have had some very rough times, but since they selected Troy Aikman they have never been this bad. The Russell Maryland No. 1 pick in 1991 was from New England, by the way. The Dave Campo years gave the Cowboys the seventh, eighth, and fifth picks. The first one went to Seattle to pay for Joey Galloway, the 8th was Roy Williams. The fifth became Terence Newman. They also traded up to No. 6 to get Morris Claiborne in 2012, but I know everyone is trying to forget about that. So, while you have seen plenty of bad seasons in the last 20 years, you haven't been "Top of the draft bad," and this one time is that one time.

However you digest that last paragraph, the point is this: You haven't had this pile of capital in the draft in a long, long time. So, let's focus on not blowing it.

And that requires us to move on to the next objective which is not always in play: This pick is so good that you cannot afford to select a player for need.

...large snip to end....

http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d.../sturms-mailbag-friday-part-1-thoughts-pick-4

 

[jobberone]

Good read.

 

[SHAMSzy]

Agreed in part -- I want the team to draft whoever we believe will be a perennial All-Pro, including Zeke or Jack. Really don't care for position at all, this team needs good football players point blank period.

 

[jobberone]

Agreed in part -- I want the team to draft whoever we believe will be a perennial All-Pro, including Zeke or Jack. Really don't care for position at all, this team needs good football players point blank period.

Hard to argue although picking R1-4 complicates it some.

 

[CCBoy]

The article stressed that at this high of a pick, that has not naturally occured for a Dallas team since 1989, not only must Dallas select a blue chip player, but one who projects with longevity as well. There aren't but four positional groups that project to that degree. These being QB, DE, LT, and CB/S.

By past, even with Jerry and 'our gang,' it could be another three decades before the Cowboys have this opportunity at dynasty building again.

 

[Shinaoi]

Good thing we need them all except maybe tunsil.

 

[visionary]

Let's look at this both ways

1. Long term: has to be Goff/Wentz no question

2. Win now: have to trade down. I don't believe Ramsey/jack/Elliot/bosa ate worth the 4th

 

[fivetwos]

Probably just me, but there's players I like better for our situation (especially DT) in the late first and early second better than the Jack, Bosa, Ramsey, crew.

I'm still holding out hope of getting either Goff or Wentz at 4, but if not, trading back and adding multiple picks and filling many needs instead of one would be my hope.

 

[Stash]

I hope that articles like this finally get people to begin to think long term. And I very much hope the Cowboys are. They're preaching it with a conservative free agency approach and they need to remain consistant and approach the draft in the same manner.

 

[CyberB0b]

Agreed in part -- I want the team to draft whoever we believe will be a perennial All-Pro, including Zeke or Jack. Really don't care for position at all, this team needs good football players point blank period.

I was going to post this exact same thing. Just get a player.

 

[Jarv]

I found this bit interesting.

"The team will say everything is fine over here and then unexpectedly, one guy gets suspended and another guy gets banned internally from ever setting foot in the facility again."

Assuming this is about Gregory and Hardy, has anyone heard he was banned from the facility?

The premise is correct though, this is a once in a decade or two low pick. Since Troy in 1989, in the top 10 the best we can see from the past was probably TNew. R. Williams was good for a couple of years and we still have Mo....But the wildcatter really need to hit the big well with this pick.

 

[conner01]

The article stressed that at this high of a pick, that has not naturally occured for a Dallas team since 1989, not only must Dallas select a blue chip player, but one who projects with longevity as well. There aren't but four positional groups that project to that degree. These being QB, DE, LT, and CB/S.

By past, even with Jerry and 'our gang,' it could be another three decades before the Cowboys have this opportunity at dynasty building again.

Great point. Some position don't tend to last long and LB is getting where guys really don't last long at all.
The problem with this draft is the best overall players are at OT and we are not likely to use another top pick there or LB. Ramsey is a super athlete but is he a CB or safety? Bosa is the best de but can he be elite? Zeke is best RB but he is not AP good. All of this lends to the trade down argument but also makes trading down harder. This is a tough draft to be at the top

 

[Craig]

The article points to jack bosa or ramsey, at least one should be available at 4.

 

[Stash]

The article points to jack bosa or ramsey, at least one should be available at 4.

That's what you got out of it?

 

[speedkilz88]

I have a difficult time believing that Will McClay is going to draft an injured player in Myles Jack at 4. Also looks like Chargers might.

 

[Proximo]

I'm completely cool if we go QB at 4...assuming we're not reaching, and we truly believe that he's "our guy" to replace Romo when the time comes.

Otherwise everyone seems pretty sold on Bosa or Ramsey being a sure thing. So I suppose either of them should be solid picks too.

 

[jazzcat22]

Very nice article.
I am in for Wentz or Goff if they are there for the long term philosophy.
But if not, then the help now pick would be Elliot.

I been saying Elliot a lot. But still overall I been saying for over 3 months, QB then RB.
Wentz, Henry, then defense, as I had LB Perry, but will look at that once draft time gets near.

 

[Sydla]

The article points to jack bosa or ramsey, at least one should be available at 4.

 

[Oh_Canada]

If Goff isn't available at four I would rather trade down and get Lynch or Wentz depending how low they go.

To me Wentz has the best tools, but represents too large a risk at four. You could come out with a future QB plus an extra starter in round two.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I hope that articles like this finally get people to begin to think long term. And I very much hope the Cowboys are. They're preaching it with a conservative free agency approach and they need to remain consistant and approach the draft in the same manner.

Ill say this right now, people complain about inactivity in FA and they will complain about not getting someone to help immediately if we draft a QB at 4, but if in 2019 Frederick, Martin and Collins are all locked up and we are set at the QB for the next decade this would have been the best offseason inna very long time