Draft thoughts before next week

[Sydla]

- Let's get this out of the way early. I am absolutely biased towards using premium picks (1st and 2nd rounders to me) on the OL or DL. Other than the QB, I don't think there is another position or group of players that affects a game more than the OL and DL. So I got into most drafts just hoping that a stud at OT or OG or OC or DT or DE or even OLB (edge) is sitting there for us to pick in the first two rounds.

- Conversely, I don't care how big a stud a RB is, I just don't see the value in taking one really high. I just don't. Yes, I get BPA and certainly there is a scenario where a TB is easily the best player available but that gap between him and what's available in the first, for example, has to be massive for me. I'd rather take a small reach on a DT in the first than take a TB. I absolutely do not, under any circumstances, go chasing a TB in the first round using a premium or mid round picks to trade up. That's just ****** roster building right there. The reality is this is a capped league. Resourcesd are not finite. Teams have continually shown that if you invest in the OL you can then patch up the RB position with minimal resources. You don't need to throw a first round pick (or trade up in the first) for a TB to build a good run game that can win in January/February. Plow your money and your top picks into the lines. That's how you build a championship roster. Not go chasing a shiny, flashy toy in a TB.

- TE is an interesting situation. To me, it's just above RB in terms of value. Ferguson is a nice prospect but he has a ceiling. I think we can get by with him but he's also not a guy that I look at and say, yeah, we good there. You can absolutely upgrade that position. But again, I can't really justify using a first round pick on one unless he's such a freak of nature and complete player. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. Mayer is the best all around guy but he has limitations. Washington looks like a freak but he has real downside. Kincaid is basically a big WR. The board would have to be pretty barren for me to consider a TE at 26 as a great pick. LaPorta at 58? OK, then I can get behind something like that.

- I've come around on Drew Sanders. Not sure I would use 26 on him, but if he's there at 58? I'd think long and hard. The reality is the Cowboys don't value DT. They don't seem to mind that certain teams can just rough up their DT rotation. So in order for Dallas to be a great D they have to get after the QB and create turnovers. Sanders is a piece that Quinn could probably use, paired with Parson, at LB that could create havoc.

- I am firmly in the get your TB in the 3rd-5th round camp. There are a lot of guys in that range - Bigsby, the kid from Pitt with too many letters in his name, Spears, McIntosh, Evans. Grab one there. Not at 26. And for freaksakes, not at 15 because Jerry got stupid and traded away a 2nd round pick to do it.

- I am not high on this WR class. Yeah, I know there are Hyatt fanboys out there and people think JSN is really good but again, looking at how the Cowboys build their roster and what they have and what they have done, I can't justify a guy like Hyatt, for example, at 26. Yeah, he runs fast. So did Carl Lewis, but he couldn't catch a football. The comparison is crude but the point is with how Dallas does things, they typically need their #1 to play and play alot and make an impact. Hyatt is a stach and hope guy. He's too raw to expect an impact early. He's not taking snaps from Gallup or Cooks. I just can't use a first round pick on a lay away.

- I hope they take a QB late. Kid from UCLA, kid from Purdue. Just fill the pipeline with QBs and maybe you get lucky and one hits. Late round picks are a total crap shoot. I'd rather take a flier on a QB late than some ridiculous project WR or LB.

 

[ErikWilliamsHeadSlap]

- Let's get this out of the way early. I am absolutely biased towards using premium picks (1st and 2nd rounders to me) on the OL or DL. Other than the QB, I don't think there is another position or group of players that affects a game more than the OL and DL. So I got into most drafts just hoping that a stud at OT or OG or OC or DT or DE or even OLB (edge) is sitting there for us to pick in the first two rounds.

- Conversely, I don't care how big a stud a RB is, I just don't see the value in taking one really high. I just don't. Yes, I get BPA and certainly there is a scenario where a TB is easily the best player available but that gap between him and what's available in the first, for example, has to be massive for me. I'd rather take a small reach on a DT in the first than take a TB. I absolutely do not, under any circumstances, go chasing a TB in the first round using a premium or mid round picks to trade up. That's just ****** roster building right there. The reality is this is a capped league. Resourcesd are not finite. Teams have continually shown that if you invest in the OL you can then patch up the RB position with minimal resources. You don't need to throw a first round pick (or trade up in the first) for a TB to build a good run game that can win in January/February. Plow your money and your top picks into the lines. That's how you build a championship roster. Not go chasing a shiny, flashy toy in a TB.

- TE is an interesting situation. To me, it's just above RB in terms of value. Ferguson is a nice prospect but he has a ceiling. I think we can get by with him but he's also not a guy that I look at and say, yeah, we good there. You can absolutely upgrade that position. But again, I can't really justify using a first round pick on one unless he's such a freak of nature and complete player. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. Mayer is the best all around guy but he has limitations. Washington looks like a freak but he has real downside. Kincaid is basically a big WR. The board would have to be pretty barren for me to consider a TE at 26 as a great pick. LaPorta at 58? OK, then I can get behind something like that.

- I've come around on Drew Sanders. Not sure I would use 26 on him, but if he's there at 58? I'd think long and hard. The reality is the Cowboys don't value DT. They don't seem to mind that certain teams can just rough up their DT rotation. So in order for Dallas to be a great D they have to get after the QB and create turnovers. Sanders is a piece that Quinn could probably use, paired with Parson, at LB that could create havoc.

- I am firmly in the get your TB in the 3rd-5th round camp. There are a lot of guys in that range - Bigsby, the kid from Pitt with too many letters in his name, Spears, McIntosh, Evans. Grab one there. Not at 26. And for freaksakes, not at 15 because Jerry got stupid and traded away a 2nd round pick to do it.

- I am not high on this WR class. Yeah, I know there are Hyatt fanboys out there and people think JSN is really good but again, looking at how the Cowboys build their roster and what they have and what they have done, I can't justify a guy like Hyatt, for example, at 26. Yeah, he runs fast. So did Carl Lewis, but he couldn't catch a football. The comparison is crude but the point is with how Dallas does things, they typically need their #1 to play and play alot and make an impact. Hyatt is a stach and hope guy. He's too raw to expect an impact early. He's not taking snaps from Gallup or Cooks. I just can't use a first round pick on a lay away.

- I hope they take a QB late. Kid from UCLA, kid from Purdue. Just fill the pipeline with QBs and maybe you get lucky and one hits. Late round picks are a total crap shoot. I'd rather take a flier on a QB late than some ridiculous project WR or LB.

Agreed with pretty much everything you said.

 

[cnuball21]

Agree with just about everything.

And while I do not think the WR class is strong early I think the value at 26 matches up pretty well for a high end #2 if one of the top guys slide.

 

[Sydla]

EDIT: Resources are not "infinite". LOL, me dumb.

 

[Sydla]

Agree with just about everything.

And while I do not think the WR class is strong early I think the value at 26 matches up pretty well for a high end #2 if one of the top guys slide.

I don't see any of these guys definitely even being a high end #2. As I said in another thread, I saw one analyst say he talked to some scouts and they said if you took these guys and put them in the Lamb/Jefferson/Jeudy class, almost all these guys except for maybe JSN would ended up as 2nd or 3rd round picks. They are only elevated in this draft because it's such a weak class but teams just overvalue WRs.

 

[CATCH17]

How would you guys feel if our first 2 picks were Will McDonald then Laporta?

Or

Mayer & best defender available…?

 

[Sydla]

How would you guys feel if our first 2 picks were Will McDonald then Laporta?

Or

Mayer & best defender available…?

I think I like your first option better than the second, again because I just don't see value in a first round TE.

But Mayer and then say Sanders? It's not terrible. Again, the hurdle for me is the 26th pick turning into a TE or RB or WR. I just can't get excited about that.

 

[CATCH17]

Agree with just about everything.

And while I do not think the WR class is strong early I think the value at 26 matches up pretty well for a high end #2 if one of the top guys slide.

I think Jonathan Mingo may end up being one of those guys the NFL likes better than mock drafts and fans and he could go as early as WR 3.

 

[CATCH17]

I think I like your first option better than the second, again because I just don't see value in a first round TE.

But Mayer and then say Sanders? It's not terrible. Again, the hurdle for me is the 26th pick turning into a TE or RB or WR. I just can't get excited about that.

I would not be shocked if Laporta ends up better than Mayer and I also wouldn’t be too shocked if he goes before Mayer in a draft surprise.

 

[Sydla]

I would not be shocked if Laporta ends up better than Mayer and I also wouldn’t be too shocked if he goes before Mayer in a draft surprise.

That's fine. But if we are the team taking LaPorta in a surprise at 26? Yeah, not a fan.

 

[Sydla]

I think Jonathan Mingo may end up being one of those guys the NFL likes better than mock drafts and fans and he could go as early as WR 3.

Mingo is a guy that makes sense for us. But he's not a guy you are taking at 26 either. 2nd or 3rd round? Makes more sense, especially given the current WR room in Dallas.

 

[cnuball21]

I don't see any of these guys definitely even being a high end #2. As I said in another thread, I saw one analyst say he talked to some scouts and they said if you took these guys and put them in the Lamb/Jefferson/Jeudy class, almost all these guys except for maybe JSN would ended up as 2nd or 3rd round picks. They are only elevated in this draft because it's such a weak class but teams just overvalue WRs.

Maybe they slide to the 2nd that year but it was a loaded class. Those guys are 1s and again we’re drafting for a good 2. And talent wise I think some of these guys can be that.

Comparing draft classes is fun but we’re drafting this year…from this group of players.

The WRs Id be comfortable with at 26 are unanimous top 25 players in this class so even if you think like you’re teaching if you want to go to another position you’re reaching there too.

 

[doomsday9084]

I completely agree that an elite DT has a huge effect on a game and they can be top players for quite some time.

That said, there aren't many elite DT's. Most are virtually no different than a vet min pick up and you hardly even know they are playing. The same is true to a lesser extent for offensive line guards.

If you are using up a 1st rounder on a lineman, make sure its not Gallimore or McGovern.

Going further with that, having an RB that sucks REALLY hurts the team. More so than a run of the mill DT or G. I'm of the opinion that Zeke held the team back last year. I would much rather have a mediocre LG and a great RB than a great LG and a mediocre RB. As great as Zach Martin is, he can't block for all 5 guys and conversely, when a G screws up there is frequently help for him. If an RB drops the ball . . . that's just him.

 

[AsthmaField]

I'm of the opinion that Zeke held the team back last year.

That is absolutely right. He did.

 

[Stash]

How would you guys feel if our first 2 picks were Will McDonald then Laporta?

Or

Mayer & best defender available…?

For me.

 

[Stash]

I think I like your first option better than the second, again because I just don't see value in a first round TE.

But Mayer and then say Sanders? It's not terrible. Again, the hurdle for me is the 26th pick turning into a TE or RB or WR. I just can't get excited about that.

How would you feel if by some chance Bijan Robinson did fall to 26 and Dallas changed plans and drafted him?

 

[cnuball21]

How would you guys feel if our first 2 picks were Will McDonald then Laporta?

Or

Mayer & best defender available…?

One good thing about this draft is it is loaded at DE and CB which are both premium positions.

I wouldn’t love Mayer at 26, but if someone like Derrick Hall falls to our 2nd pick?

Yea, I’m feeling much better. He’s the kind of guy that would get drafted in the 1st in most years so I’ll just convince myself we took Hall at 26 and Mayer in the 2nd and I’m happy.

 

[WillieBeamen]

Disagree on runningback. Especially for this team with this QB.

All the top teams that went deep in the playoffs, either had an all-world QB or a RB that was drafted high (first two rounds). We damn sure dont have an all-world QB, so give me Bijan please

 

[xwalker]

- Let's get this out of the way early. I am absolutely biased towards using premium picks (1st and 2nd rounders to me) on the OL or DL. Other than the QB, I don't think there is another position or group of players that affects a game more than the OL and DL. So I got into most drafts just hoping that a stud at OT or OG or OC or DT or DE or even OLB (edge) is sitting there for us to pick in the first two rounds.

- Conversely, I don't care how big a stud a RB is, I just don't see the value in taking one really high. I just don't. Yes, I get BPA and certainly there is a scenario where a TB is easily the best player available but that gap between him and what's available in the first, for example, has to be massive for me. I'd rather take a small reach on a DT in the first than take a TB. I absolutely do not, under any circumstances, go chasing a TB in the first round using a premium or mid round picks to trade up. That's just ****** roster building right there. The reality is this is a capped league. Resourcesd are not finite. Teams have continually shown that if you invest in the OL you can then patch up the RB position with minimal resources. You don't need to throw a first round pick (or trade up in the first) for a TB to build a good run game that can win in January/February. Plow your money and your top picks into the lines. That's how you build a championship roster. Not go chasing a shiny, flashy toy in a TB.

- TE is an interesting situation. To me, it's just above RB in terms of value. Ferguson is a nice prospect but he has a ceiling. I think we can get by with him but he's also not a guy that I look at and say, yeah, we good there. You can absolutely upgrade that position. But again, I can't really justify using a first round pick on one unless he's such a freak of nature and complete player. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. Mayer is the best all around guy but he has limitations. Washington looks like a freak but he has real downside. Kincaid is basically a big WR. The board would have to be pretty barren for me to consider a TE at 26 as a great pick. LaPorta at 58? OK, then I can get behind something like that.

- I've come around on Drew Sanders. Not sure I would use 26 on him, but if he's there at 58? I'd think long and hard. The reality is the Cowboys don't value DT. They don't seem to mind that certain teams can just rough up their DT rotation. So in order for Dallas to be a great D they have to get after the QB and create turnovers. Sanders is a piece that Quinn could probably use, paired with Parson, at LB that could create havoc.

- I am firmly in the get your TB in the 3rd-5th round camp. There are a lot of guys in that range - Bigsby, the kid from Pitt with too many letters in his name, Spears, McIntosh, Evans. Grab one there. Not at 26. And for freaksakes, not at 15 because Jerry got stupid and traded away a 2nd round pick to do it.

- I am not high on this WR class. Yeah, I know there are Hyatt fanboys out there and people think JSN is really good but again, looking at how the Cowboys build their roster and what they have and what they have done, I can't justify a guy like Hyatt, for example, at 26. Yeah, he runs fast. So did Carl Lewis, but he couldn't catch a football. The comparison is crude but the point is with how Dallas does things, they typically need their #1 to play and play alot and make an impact. Hyatt is a stach and hope guy. He's too raw to expect an impact early. He's not taking snaps from Gallup or Cooks. I just can't use a first round pick on a lay away.

- I hope they take a QB late. Kid from UCLA, kids from Purdue. Just fill the pipeline with QBs and maybe you get lucky and one hits. Late round picks are a total crap shoot. I'd rather take a flier on a QB late than some ridiculous project WR or LB.

There is a good chance that the only player available at #26 with a 1st round grade on the Cowboys board is a TE.

That means take a TE with a 1st round grade or a different position with a 2nd round grade.

No great options at #26 for DT.

CB is a value position but there might be up to 5 picked before #26.

OG is not a premium position.

I would take any of these WRs in the 1st.

All of the top tier OTs likely gone before #26. Big drop after the top tier unless you want to take a chance on Dawand Jones.

 

[Majic]

- Let's get this out of the way early. I am absolutely biased towards using premium picks (1st and 2nd rounders to me) on the OL or DL. Other than the QB, I don't think there is another position or group of players that affects a game more than the OL and DL. So I got into most drafts just hoping that a stud at OT or OG or OC or DT or DE or even OLB (edge) is sitting there for us to pick in the first two rounds.

- Conversely, I don't care how big a stud a RB is, I just don't see the value in taking one really high. I just don't. Yes, I get BPA and certainly there is a scenario where a TB is easily the best player available but that gap between him and what's available in the first, for example, has to be massive for me. I'd rather take a small reach on a DT in the first than take a TB. I absolutely do not, under any circumstances, go chasing a TB in the first round using a premium or mid round picks to trade up. That's just ****** roster building right there. The reality is this is a capped league. Resourcesd are not finite. Teams have continually shown that if you invest in the OL you can then patch up the RB position with minimal resources. You don't need to throw a first round pick (or trade up in the first) for a TB to build a good run game that can win in January/February. Plow your money and your top picks into the lines. That's how you build a championship roster. Not go chasing a shiny, flashy toy in a TB.

- TE is an interesting situation. To me, it's just above RB in terms of value. Ferguson is a nice prospect but he has a ceiling. I think we can get by with him but he's also not a guy that I look at and say, yeah, we good there. You can absolutely upgrade that position. But again, I can't really justify using a first round pick on one unless he's such a freak of nature and complete player. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. Mayer is the best all around guy but he has limitations. Washington looks like a freak but he has real downside. Kincaid is basically a big WR. The board would have to be pretty barren for me to consider a TE at 26 as a great pick. LaPorta at 58? OK, then I can get behind something like that.

- I've come around on Drew Sanders. Not sure I would use 26 on him, but if he's there at 58? I'd think long and hard. The reality is the Cowboys don't value DT. They don't seem to mind that certain teams can just rough up their DT rotation. So in order for Dallas to be a great D they have to get after the QB and create turnovers. Sanders is a piece that Quinn could probably use, paired with Parson, at LB that could create havoc.

- I am firmly in the get your TB in the 3rd-5th round camp. There are a lot of guys in that range - Bigsby, the kid from Pitt with too many letters in his name, Spears, McIntosh, Evans. Grab one there. Not at 26. And for freaksakes, not at 15 because Jerry got stupid and traded away a 2nd round pick to do it.

- I am not high on this WR class. Yeah, I know there are Hyatt fanboys out there and people think JSN is really good but again, looking at how the Cowboys build their roster and what they have and what they have done, I can't justify a guy like Hyatt, for example, at 26. Yeah, he runs fast. So did Carl Lewis, but he couldn't catch a football. The comparison is crude but the point is with how Dallas does things, they typically need their #1 to play and play alot and make an impact. Hyatt is a stach and hope guy. He's too raw to expect an impact early. He's not taking snaps from Gallup or Cooks. I just can't use a first round pick on a lay away.

- I hope they take a QB late. Kid from UCLA, kid from Purdue. Just fill the pipeline with QBs and maybe you get lucky and one hits. Late round picks are a total crap shoot. I'd rather take a flier on a QB late than some ridiculous project WR or LB.

Well said