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Machota: Cowboys' dream scenarios for drafting defensive players
Follow @jonmachota jmachota@***BANNED-URL***
Staff Writer
Published: 24 April 2015 07:35 PM
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/incoming/20150420-marcus-peters-robert-davis.ece/BINARY/w940/Marcus+Peters%2C+Robert+Davis
SportsDay's Jon Machota answered questions in a chat Thursday. Here are some highlights.
When do you see the Cowboys taking a DE? If they are looking for a strong side end. I like Markus Golden out of Missouri, thoughts?
Machota: They'd love one of the top DEs to fall to them at 27, but that seems highly unlikely. The best chance would be Randy Gregory because of his failed drug test at the scouting combine. I think they'd have no problem taking him at 27. I don't think they'll be reaching for one in the first couple rounds. If a DE isn't there that they like, they'll address another position. I think there's a much better shot of taking a chance on a player with some upside in the middle to late rounds. Michigan's Frank Clark could be an option.
Do you see safety as a (big) need? I am a Wilcox fan and think the defensive line is the biggest need along with CB depth
Machota: I do, but the Cowboys don't seem to agree. With that said, this is a terrible safety class. The only early option that seems intriguing for the Cowboys is Arizona State's Damarious Randall. He's very good in coverage. He was one of the Cowboys' 30 pre-draft visits. But his stock has been rising. I could see him going early in the second round. I doubt the Cowboys would pull the trigger at 27.
In recent years, DAL has used its first pick to select a player rated on their board #1 at a given position. Might we see a similar philosophy employed this year with LB E. Kendricks?
Machota: Kendricks is a possibility but I think they'd rather have Byron Jones, the corner from UConn. If he's not there, Kendricks is an option, but so is trading back. If they aren't in love with any of the guys left at 27, why not trade back a few spots maybe even into the second round, gain a pick or two and draft a running back like Tevin Coleman.
I’m really intrigued by the versatility of Shaq Thompson. So, should he best be viewed as a luxury pick who may be a great toy for Marinelli to play with, but not a fit for DAL based on the current makeup of their d-line?
Machota: I like Thompson as well. He seems like a great fit for the Cowboys' scheme. As an outside linebacker, Shaq would be great in coverage and that's what Marinelli wants. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they drafted him.
If the Cowboys draft a CB (and they might draft two), where does Claiborne fit in? Let's say Scandrick gets past this contract issue, Carr agrees to play for less, the rookie(s) show enough to warrant a spot, plus White and Patmon. Could they get a 6th rounder for Mo? Seems like a gamble some of these teams would take for a year.
Machota: If I'm the Cowboys I look at anything I get from Claiborne as a bonus. There's so much uncertainty with the injury he's coming back from that I'm not trying to rush anything. And I don't think they'd get much for him in a trade right now. I would be looking to get a solid corner in the first or second round. That way you have that player, Scandrick and Carr in your top three spots. If Claiborne comes back and plays his best ball that's great. I'd love to have too many corners. That's a great problem to have.
Dream scenario for Cowboys 1st three picks, assuming no trades?
Machota: Well, I took a look at the Mel Kiper, Todd McShay three-round mock and drafted as if I was the Cowboys with the players that were available at each pick. I came up with DE Shane Ray in the first, RB Duke Johnson in the second and OLB Shaq Thompson in the third. I'd say that's a pretty good dream scenario right there. I don't think that will happen, but it's a dream.
The last time we kinda knew who Dallas was going to take was when they took Tyron Smith...kinda...do you think there is a consensus as to whom they are going to take this year?
Machota: Not at all. Sitting at 27 makes it very difficult. For a while, I thought they'd take the best available corner, picking between Kevin Johnson, Marcus Peters and Byron Jones. But it's starting to look like all three will be gone by then. And I also wonder how much they love Peters because of the character concerns. I know a lot of mock drafts have projected Malcom Brown or Eddie Goldman to Dallas but that's highly unlikely. I just don't see them taking a DT in Round 1. The closer the draft gets, the more I see them trading back.
On Twitter:
@jonmachota
Jon Machota's updated NFL mock draft: Cowboys in a tough spot at pick No. 27
http://cowboyszone.com/threads/dmn-...narios-for-drafting-defensive-players.320313/
Follow @jonmachota jmachota@***BANNED-URL***
Staff Writer
Published: 24 April 2015 07:35 PM
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/incoming/20150420-marcus-peters-robert-davis.ece/BINARY/w940/Marcus+Peters%2C+Robert+Davis
SportsDay's Jon Machota answered questions in a chat Thursday. Here are some highlights.
When do you see the Cowboys taking a DE? If they are looking for a strong side end. I like Markus Golden out of Missouri, thoughts?
Machota: They'd love one of the top DEs to fall to them at 27, but that seems highly unlikely. The best chance would be Randy Gregory because of his failed drug test at the scouting combine. I think they'd have no problem taking him at 27. I don't think they'll be reaching for one in the first couple rounds. If a DE isn't there that they like, they'll address another position. I think there's a much better shot of taking a chance on a player with some upside in the middle to late rounds. Michigan's Frank Clark could be an option.
Do you see safety as a (big) need? I am a Wilcox fan and think the defensive line is the biggest need along with CB depth
Machota: I do, but the Cowboys don't seem to agree. With that said, this is a terrible safety class. The only early option that seems intriguing for the Cowboys is Arizona State's Damarious Randall. He's very good in coverage. He was one of the Cowboys' 30 pre-draft visits. But his stock has been rising. I could see him going early in the second round. I doubt the Cowboys would pull the trigger at 27.
In recent years, DAL has used its first pick to select a player rated on their board #1 at a given position. Might we see a similar philosophy employed this year with LB E. Kendricks?
Machota: Kendricks is a possibility but I think they'd rather have Byron Jones, the corner from UConn. If he's not there, Kendricks is an option, but so is trading back. If they aren't in love with any of the guys left at 27, why not trade back a few spots maybe even into the second round, gain a pick or two and draft a running back like Tevin Coleman.
I’m really intrigued by the versatility of Shaq Thompson. So, should he best be viewed as a luxury pick who may be a great toy for Marinelli to play with, but not a fit for DAL based on the current makeup of their d-line?
Machota: I like Thompson as well. He seems like a great fit for the Cowboys' scheme. As an outside linebacker, Shaq would be great in coverage and that's what Marinelli wants. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they drafted him.
If the Cowboys draft a CB (and they might draft two), where does Claiborne fit in? Let's say Scandrick gets past this contract issue, Carr agrees to play for less, the rookie(s) show enough to warrant a spot, plus White and Patmon. Could they get a 6th rounder for Mo? Seems like a gamble some of these teams would take for a year.
Machota: If I'm the Cowboys I look at anything I get from Claiborne as a bonus. There's so much uncertainty with the injury he's coming back from that I'm not trying to rush anything. And I don't think they'd get much for him in a trade right now. I would be looking to get a solid corner in the first or second round. That way you have that player, Scandrick and Carr in your top three spots. If Claiborne comes back and plays his best ball that's great. I'd love to have too many corners. That's a great problem to have.
Dream scenario for Cowboys 1st three picks, assuming no trades?
Machota: Well, I took a look at the Mel Kiper, Todd McShay three-round mock and drafted as if I was the Cowboys with the players that were available at each pick. I came up with DE Shane Ray in the first, RB Duke Johnson in the second and OLB Shaq Thompson in the third. I'd say that's a pretty good dream scenario right there. I don't think that will happen, but it's a dream.
The last time we kinda knew who Dallas was going to take was when they took Tyron Smith...kinda...do you think there is a consensus as to whom they are going to take this year?
Machota: Not at all. Sitting at 27 makes it very difficult. For a while, I thought they'd take the best available corner, picking between Kevin Johnson, Marcus Peters and Byron Jones. But it's starting to look like all three will be gone by then. And I also wonder how much they love Peters because of the character concerns. I know a lot of mock drafts have projected Malcom Brown or Eddie Goldman to Dallas but that's highly unlikely. I just don't see them taking a DT in Round 1. The closer the draft gets, the more I see them trading back.
On Twitter:
@jonmachota
Jon Machota's updated NFL mock draft: Cowboys in a tough spot at pick No. 27
- Sherrington: With draft depth at running back, Cowboys need to go defense in first round
- Todd McShay: Cowboys have chance to draft cornerback with ‘the tools to be great’
- Mock draft roundup: Many projecting Cowboys to pick one particular player
http://cowboyszone.com/threads/dmn-...narios-for-drafting-defensive-players.320313/