Edge more of a day 3 priority? 30 visits

[BAT]

Double dipping at DE is a little much. DLaw, Golston, Fowler, Armstrong, dude we signed from Jets last year.

All those guys are jags.

DLaw is only real starter.

But even DLaw is not a sack/TOV threat down in and down out.

In addition to Sam Williams and Amare Barno, I'd draft Eyioma Uwaruzike (DE/DT) in 5th/6th (9 sacks) and sign Alex Wright in UDFA (6 sacks).

Need as many playmakers and disruptors on the EDGE as possible.

 

[AsthmaField]

It’s very odd to see so many late edge rushers but not a single top guy brought in. With the volume of names, you know they are looking at the position, but why so many developmental types?

Remember that they have had the combine and pro days to visit with many of these guys. I think they bring guys in to Dallas who they have questions about their character / work ethic / etc. Guys they feel like they kind of need to get to know, so to speak.

For instance, a guy like Karlaftis, who could be the pick at 24, pretty much is a known commodity. You know what you’re getting with him, both character / work ethic wise as well as physical strength / production wise. There is no real reason to use one of your visits on him because of that. IMO, that doesn’t mean the team isn’t interested in taking him. It just means that they know what he is and have all the info they need from his pro day / combine.

Guys like Williams absolutely need to be vetted before spending a fairly high pick on them. They likely have some questions about players like Sanders, Thomas, etc. and want to pick their brains on their football knowledge or learning ability. Speaking for myself, those guys are the ones that I would need time with… not the guys like Karlaftis. Then, there are guys like Ebiketie, who you probably have info on from the pro day as well as picking Micah Parsons brain on his ex-teammate.

As for Williams, my gut tells me the only shot Dallas will have at getting him is with their second round pick. Every analyst in the football media can say he’s a third round pick but I don’t see any way that he would last to Dallas’ 3rd. If they want him, they’ll have to use their second IMO. The only reason I see him making it to the Cowboys pick in round two is because this is such a crazy deep draft for EDGE players.

My gut also tells me that any EDGE guy that Dallas does take is going to be more of a RDE type that is high on athleticism at the expense of size. Williams, Mafe, Ebiketie, C Thomas, I Thomas, etc. I think whatever EDGE they take is going to be highly athletic… no matter what round they take them in.

I’m fine with waiting past the first to get one, if that is the way the first round falls… but I also would be ok if they use the first on DE and get OG, WR, TE, LB later. I really like this draft’s depth and how the best positions line up with Dallas’ needs. They should get some real help out of their rookies this year… even picking late in the draft order.

 

[Cowboyny]

Remember that they have had the combine and pro days to visit with many of these guys. I think they bring guys in to Dallas who they have questions about their character / work ethic / etc. Guys they feel like they kind of need to get to know, so to speak.

For instance, a guy like Karlaftis, who could be the pick at 24, pretty much is a known commodity. You know what you’re getting with him, both character / work ethic wise as well as physical strength / production wise. There is no real reason to use one of your visits on him because of that. IMO, that doesn’t mean the team isn’t interested in taking him. It just means that they know what he is and have all the info they need from his pro day / combine.

Guys like Williams absolutely need to be vetted before spending a fairly high pick on them. They likely have some questions about players like Sanders, Thomas, etc. and want to pick their brains on their football knowledge or learning ability. Speaking for myself, those guys are the ones that I would need time with… not the guys like Karlaftis. Then, there are guys like Ebiketie, who you probably have info on from the pro day as well as picking Micah Parsons brain on his ex-teammate.

As for Williams, my gut tells me the only shot Dallas will have at getting him is with their second round pick. Every analyst in the football media can say he’s a third round pick but I don’t see any way that he would last to Dallas’ 3rd. If they want him, they’ll have to use their second IMO. The only reason I see him making it to the Cowboys pick in round two is because this is such a crazy deep draft for EDGE players.

My gut also tells me that any EDGE guy that Dallas does take is going to be more of a RDE type that is high on athleticism at the expense of size. Williams, Mafe, Ebiketie, C Thomas, I Thomas, etc. I think whatever EDGE they take is going to be highly athletic… no matter what round they take them in.

I’m fine with waiting past the first to get one, if that is the way the first round falls… but I also would be ok if they use the first on DE and get OG, WR, TE, LB later. I really like this draft’s depth and how the best positions line up with Dallas’ needs. They should get some real help out of their rookies this year… even picking late in the draft order.

Excellent points.

I watched Marcus Mosher's podcast today in which they decided to take a WR in the 1st to see how the draft would look. There were just 2 quality guards left at 56 and none at 88. I believe it is like the corner position this yr, almost have to spend a top 2 pick at the position. If they address this in rd 1, it would allow them to take a Sam Williams and address WR later on, especially finding a #3 guy.

 

[cnuball21]

It really just depends on who is there.

The guy who I love and who I think will be available at our spot is Demarvin Leal. I think he's a real player and will pan out to be much better than advertised. Cam Jordan type. He's a bit under the radar. He's a game wrecking pass rusher.

As a DE? Leal is a below below athlete to play NFL Edge…like wayyyy below.

His only chance in the NFL is bulking up and playing 3T where he’d still be an average athlete.

 

[AsthmaField]

Excellent points.

I watched Marcus Mosher's podcast today in which they decided to take a WR in the 1st to see how the draft would look. There were just 2 quality guards left at 56 and none at 88. I believe it is like the corner position this yr, almost have to spend a top 2 pick at the position. If they address this in rd 1, it would allow them to take a Sam Williams and address WR later on, especially finding a #3 guy.

Yeah, that sounds about right, I think.

If they happen to go WR at 24, then they’ll have to decide if they want first year help at OG or DE in round 2. I mean, maybe you could get decent contribution from a 3rd round DE or guard… but you certainly shouldn’t count on it.

Last season, Odighizuwa and Golston actually helped and produced after being taken in the third, but that isn’t really typical for either OL or DL. Part time contributor at DE is more acceptable than at OG, where you need a starter.

WR, on the other hand, is a position where you could find a guy that might really could help and add something to Lamb and Gallup. It isn’t far fetched to think you might add a WR in the 3rd that could play significant snaps to compliment the receivers that Dallas already has.

Because of that, I probably would try not to use the first round pick on WR unless a player I loved fell to 24. For me that would probably only be Olave, who is the field stretcher that I think Dallas needs. He just has a knack for tracking the ball and catching over his shoulder. A lot of guys aren’t good at that… Olave is. I also really like Dotson a lot FWIW.

I’d like to see something like Linderbaum or Zion Johnson at 24 with Williams in the second and WR in the third. Of course, you can’t really run a draft like that (choosing positions in specific rounds)… but if taking the best guys fell like that, I’d be happy.

I also wouldn’t mind a trade up with their third and other picks to get two 2nds. If you could come out of the draft with Z Johnson, Williams and maybe a WR like Watson out of N Dakota State, I would be thrilled. Johnson would be a day-one starter and Williams and Watson would get a ton of snaps and really help the team. Anything from any other picks would be gravy.

As for WR Burks… I do like him as a player but I don’t think I’d use a first on him considering what Dallas needs and the positions available. JMO.

 

[AsthmaField]

As a DE? Leal is a below below athlete to play NFL Edge…like wayyyy below.

His only chance in the NFL is bulking up and playing 3T where he’d still be an average athlete.

I do think that he’d have to be a 3T.

 

[Cowboyny]

Yeah, that sounds about right, I think.

If they happen to go WR at 24, then they’ll have to decide if they want first year help at OG or DE in round 2. I mean, maybe you could get decent contribution from a 3rd round DE or guard… but you certainly shouldn’t count on it.

Last season, Odighizuwa and Golston actually helped and produced after being taken in the third, but that isn’t really typical for either OL or DL. Part time contributor at DE is more acceptable than at OG, where you need a starter.

WR, on the other hand, is a position where you could find a guy that might really could help and add something to Lamb and Gallup. It isn’t far fetched to think you might add a WR in the 3rd that could play significant snaps to compliment the receivers that Dallas already has.

Because of that, I probably would try not to use the first round pick on WR unless a player I loved fell to 24. For me that would probably only be Olave, who is the field stretcher that I think Dallas needs. He just has a knack for tracking the ball and catching over his shoulder. A lot of guys aren’t good at that… Olave is. I also really like Dotson a lot FWIW.

I’d like to see something like Linderbaum or Zion Johnson at 24 with Williams in the second and WR in the third. Of course, you can’t really run a draft like that (choosing positions in specific rounds)… but if taking the best guys fell like that, I’d be happy.

I also wouldn’t mind a trade up with their third and other picks to get two 2nds. If you could come out of the draft with Z Johnson, Williams and maybe a WR like Watson out of N Dakota State, I would be thrilled. Johnson would be a day-one starter and Williams and Watson would get a ton of snaps and really help the team. Anything from any other picks would be gravy.

As for WR Burks… I do like him as a player but I don’t think I’d use a first on him considering what Dallas needs and the positions available. JMO.

I am a fan of Burks, but rather work on fixing the trenches. Travis Jones is the one player that I might target with a trade back or a trade up from 56. However, that is probably an unlikely scenario. Land a plug and play, interior starter and Williams would be an excellent start, perhaps even double up later on in that 5th rd. Use 3rd/4th to address WR/TE positions.

 

[xwalker]

It’s very odd to see so many late edge rushers but not a single top guy brought in. With the volume of names, you know they are looking at the position, but why so many developmental types?

Based on Stephen Jones comments, they appear to be hoping for front 7 defender to 'fall' to them.
- I'm not clear if that means 1st round or 2nd round.
- Either way, they might want to avoid showing their hand.
- I don't think Parsons was a 30 visit.

 

[xwalker]

A no-star recruit out of high school, Williams received attention from several high-profile college programs, but he had less than a year of football experience and didn’t have the grades to qualify. He signed with Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, where he continued learning the game as a freshman, posting 53 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2017. Williams was named a junior college All-American as a sophomore with 75 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles in 2018

WEAKNESSES: Plays tall with inconsistent balance at contact and in space ... his poor block leverage leaves him controlled on the edges ... his run-defending instincts are still in the development phase ... shows hints of stiffness at the top of his rush ... needs to do a better job setting up his rush and formulating a plan ... tape is riddled with undisciplined mistakes, including nine penalties as a senior (illegal use of hands, offsides, facemask, multiple roughing the passers, etc.) ... inconsistent finisher who leaves tackle/sack production on the field ... his off-field will require extensive vetting after he was suspended from the Ole Miss program (July 2020) following an arrest on felony sexual battery (chargers were later dropped).

They played him as a 4i (helmet aligned with OTs inside shoulder).
- That's why his run defense ratings are not good.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I am a fan of Burks, but rather work on fixing the trenches. Travis Jones is the one player that I might target with a trade back or a trade up from 56. However, that is probably an unlikely scenario. Land a plug and play, interior starter and Williams would be an excellent start, perhaps even double up later on in that 5th rd. Use 3rd/4th to address WR/TE positions.

Actually, I think Jerry was pretty clear unless Lamb or Parson fall, they're going OL. That tells me they're confident one of their top targeted guards will be at 24 but they're also prepared to address the position at 56 IF a surprise pick falls.

Also, don't rule out a couple of vet guards they've targeted they know they can get in trade if something happens where they don't draft a top one.
In other words, if they pull the trigger on an unexpected top guy and go after Williams with 56, I can't see them expecting a 3rd round guard to be a day-one starter.

 

[kskboys]

As a DE? Leal is a below below athlete to play NFL Edge…like wayyyy below.

His only chance in the NFL is bulking up and playing 3T where he’d still be an average athlete.

JJ Watt is a below average athlete.

 

[Gaede]

JJ Watt is a below average athlete.

He wasn't though

 

[Cowboyny]

Actually, I think Jerry was pretty clear unless Lamb or Parson fall, they're going OL. That tells me they're confident one of their top targeted guards will be at 24 but they're also prepared to address the position at 56 IF a surprise pick falls.

Also, don't rule out a couple of vet guards they've targeted they know they can get in trade if something happens where they don't draft a top one.
In other words, if they pull the trigger on an unexpected top guy and go after Williams with 56, I can't see them expecting a 3rd round guard to be a day-one starter.

Pretty sure they have some vets in mind if they are unable to draft a high interior lineman. To me it's interior OL which includes Linderbaum/Tyler Smith along with the 2 Guards unless a top 5 Edge or top 5 Tackle falls. Want no part of another 1st rd receiver, off the ball linebacker and even Jordan Davis who I see as just a 2nd down player.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Pretty sure they have some vets in mind if they are unable to draft a high interior lineman. To me it's interior OL which includes Linderbaum/Tyler Smith along with the 2 Guards unless a top 5 Edge or top 5 Tackle falls. Want no part of another 1st rd receiver, off the ball linebacker and even Jordan Davis who I see as just a 2nd down player.

Just read where Peter King says he's hearing 3-5 QBs could go in 1st round. Could that possibly drop a top 15 player to 24?

 

[Cowboyny]

Just read where Peter King says he's hearing 3-5 QBs could go in 1st round. Could that possibly drop a top 15 player to 24?

Or a team like Lions, Texans, Seattle trading up.

 

[Sydla]

Glad to see we’re prioritizing early round WRs and not DEs.

This team…

LOL.

So true.

Part of it makes me wonder if they are starting to realize that maybe Dak isn't a guy to make the WRs better but they need great WRs to make Dak look better and justify his big contract.

 

[Sydla]

It sucks.

But they have shown they are sold on Tank and Fowler/Armstrong starting with Golston as depth.

That starting DE combo screams league average. Throw in your starting DTs of Gallimore and Osa and that's just decent, at best.

It's mindnumbing how little value they place and how unimportant they think dominant DL play is.