ESPN: Mel Kiper Jr. sticks with D, changes position for Cowboys

[jobberone]

Mel Kiper Jr. sticks with D, changes position for Cowboys
March, 5, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com


IRVING, Texas -- ESPN Insider Mel Kiper Jr. has offered up his third mock draft and he has moved away from the Dallas Cowboys selecting a defensive tackle.

He doesn’t have them taking a running back either. Nor does he have them taking a defensive end.

Kiper Jr.’s pick? Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson.

In Todd McShay’s first mock draft, he had Johnson as the Cowboys' pick.

Based strictly on the need at the position, it makes a ton of sense. The Cowboys need cornerbacks. We’ve talked a lot about Brandon Carr's $12.7 million cap figure and $8 million base salary. We’ve talked about Morris Claiborne's return from knee surgery. We’ve talked about how the team might not tender restricted free agent Sterling Moore.

Ultimately, I believe Carr will be back at a discounted price, but that decision won’t come until the spring. Go back a couple of years when the Cowboys waited and waited and waited on Doug Free before finally coming to a deal in the spring when the free-agent market was essentially tapped out for right tackles.

Anything the Cowboys can get from Claiborne this season should be viewed as a bonus.

Orlando Scandrick has been their best cornerback the past two seasons, but they need to add talent and depth.

Johnson is a fluid athlete, and the fact that he was able to add some bulk to his frame since the season ended is a good thing. At 6-feet, he has the height you want with bigger receivers. He has started a lot of games as well.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowb...er-sticks-with-d-changes-position-for-cowboys

 

[cowboyvic]

Mel Kiper Jr. sticks with D, changes position for Cowboys
March, 5, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com


IRVING, Texas -- ESPN Insider Mel Kiper Jr. has offered up his third mock draft and he has moved away from the Dallas Cowboys selecting a defensive tackle.

He doesn’t have them taking a running back either. Nor does he have them taking a defensive end.

Kiper Jr.’s pick? Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson.

In Todd McShay’s first mock draft, he had Johnson as the Cowboys' pick.

Based strictly on the need at the position, it makes a ton of sense. The Cowboys need cornerbacks. We’ve talked a lot about Brandon Carr's $12.7 million cap figure and $8 million base salary. We’ve talked about Morris Claiborne's return from knee surgery. We’ve talked about how the team might not tender restricted free agent Sterling Moore.

Ultimately, I believe Carr will be back at a discounted price, but that decision won’t come until the spring. Go back a couple of years when the Cowboys waited and waited and waited on Doug Free before finally coming to a deal in the spring when the free-agent market was essentially tapped out for right tackles.

Anything the Cowboys can get from Claiborne this season should be viewed as a bonus.

Orlando Scandrick has been their best cornerback the past two seasons, but they need to add talent and depth.

Johnson is a fluid athlete, and the fact that he was able to add some bulk to his frame since the season ended is a good thing. At 6-feet, he has the height you want with bigger receivers. He has started a lot of games as well.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowb...er-sticks-with-d-changes-position-for-cowboys

Would be flat out stupid. message to Mel and to all cowboys fans. WE NEED A PASS RUSH! it matters not who is in the back end, IF YOU HAVE NO PASS RUSH! and it looks like we won't spend money to get a top F-Agent pass rusher. so we better try and find some in this draft. Mel needs to wake up.

 

[LatinMind]

If Dallas picks a CB at 27 i will send anthrax to kiper in the mail.

 

[cowboyvic]

If Dallas picks a CB at 27 i will send anthrax to kiper in the mail.

It's just stupid to think this team will take a CB in the first round. THIS TEAM HAS NO PASS RUSH. if they don't fix that first. it does not matter who is in the back end.did Kiper watch the pass rush last year?

 

[jobberone]

If you have no pass rush you SHOULD draft a pass rusher. But if there isn't one there worth a first round grade and there is a CB who is then you must consider it.

 

[LatinMind]

If you have no pass rush you SHOULD draft a pass rusher. But if there isn't one there worth a first round grade and there is a CB who is then you must consider it.

Who do you think this team could draft to rush from the strong side? They have a weakside passrusher. They have 2. If you are in the mind frame of Mincey could switch sides, dont say they need to draft a pass rusher early.

Me i think Mincey and Dlaw are weakside guys. Dallas needs a passrusher from the strong side. I just dont see one of those in this draft. Maybe Odighizuwa, but not too many others.

 

[jobberone]

Who do you think this team could draft to rush from the strong side? They have a weakside passrusher. They have 2. If you are in the mind frame of Mincey could switch sides, dont say they need to draft a pass rusher early.

Me i think Mincey and Dlaw are weakside guys. Dallas needs a passrusher from the strong side. I just dont see one of those in this draft. Maybe Odighizuwa, but not too many others.

I'd rather see Mincey on the strong side although most DEs we have are going to end up playing both sides if they get significant snaps. To me he's a rather good SDE. I don't see him as strong as Spencer against the run but there isn't a great deal of difference IMO.

I think we need a true edge rusher but we'll likely have to gamble on a lesser well thought of player.

We need a CB or two as well as a edge rusher so I don't care where they come from as long as they can do the job.

 

[LatinMind]

I'd rather see Mincey on the strong side although most DEs we have are going to end up playing both sides if they get significant snaps. To me he's a rather good SDE. I don't see him as strong as Spencer against the run but there isn't a great deal of difference IMO.

I think we need a true edge rusher but we'll likely have to gamble on a lesser well thought of player.

We need a CB or two as well as a edge rusher so I don't care where they come from as long as they can do the job.

Me i hope Dallas gets is DE in FA, My favorites are McPhee and Sheard. Secretly i hope Gardner just comes in and runs wild. the guy is a bull

 

[Floatyworm]

If Dallas picks a CB at 27 i will send anthrax to kiper in the mail.

Congradulations on making it on a Gov't watch list.....

threatening to send someone A.....is a big no-no

 

[Hardline]

Pass rushers dont grow on trees and impact pass rushers dont last 27 picks in the first round. I am not going to select a position of need in the second tier range when I can select a first tier talent in another position. Its easy to say draft a pass rusher but there will be none worthy of a first round pick at 27.

 

[jobberone]

Me i hope Dallas gets is DE in FA, My favorites are McPhee and Sheard. Secretly i hope Gardner just comes in and runs wild. the guy is a bull

I think FA is shortest route to an edge rusher but the Cowboys have a problem. Can't make the scene without the green. I'm interested in seeing Gardner, too.

 

[AzorAhai]

Its easy for peoole to basically say pass rush or else, but the front office doesn't, won't and shouldn't think that way. You draft the board and take talent over all in just about every situation. As easy as it is to demand taking a pass rusher, its equally easy in 2 years to say, why did we reach for this bust when there was a pro bowl CB or RB on the board? Dallas needs to find a way to significantly improve at DE in FA so they have an easier time drafting the board for value over need.

 

[Floatyworm]

Pass rushers dont grow on trees and impact pass rushers dont last 27 picks in the first round. I am not going to select a position of need in the second tier range when I can select a first tier talent in another position. Its easy to say draft a pass rusher but there will be none worthy of a first round pick at 27.[/quote]

I don't know.....Owamagbe Odighizuwa DE UCLA running a 4.6 @ the combine sure opened up some eyes. I know I didn't think he was that fast. Reminds me of Ebenezer Ekuban....and he was selected 20th overall.

 

[sureletsrace]

Sorry, but I'd be down with Kevin Johnson in the first. Dude is a hell of a CB. I don't see any value for pass rush at 27.

 

[Szczepanik]

Would rather trade down than grab a CB

 

[Rogerthat12]

Sorry, but I'd be down with Kevin Johnson in the first. Dude is a hell of a CB. I don't see any value for pass rush at 27.

Kevin Johnson is excellent, his best attribute is he attacks the ball down the field.

He has size and long arms to reach for those interceptions, kid will tackle as well.

If the DE position is unavailable at 27, Kevin Johnson would be a great pick.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

If Dallas picks a CB at 27 i will send anthrax to kiper in the mail.

I won't, if it's the best available at the time we pick you have to take him unless no trades are there. Don't reach on players because of needs

 

[Doc50]

It's hard to say where Johnson is rated on our board, but if we have signed a FA DE (Hardy), and Johnson is the BOOB (Best On Our Board) at greater value than #27, then we could end up making that pick.

Look for the FO to fill holes in FA, then go with the BOOB.

 

[Sydla]

Would be flat out stupid. message to Mel and to all cowboys fans. WE NEED A PASS RUSH! it matters not who is in the back end, IF YOU HAVE NO PASS RUSH! and it looks like we won't spend money to get a top F-Agent pass rusher. so we better try and find some in this draft. Mel needs to wake up.

I'll take this kid with Greg Hardy signed as a DE.

 

[Sydla]

I don't know.....Owamagbe Odighizuwa DE UCLA running a 4.6 @ the combine sure opened up some eyes. I know I didn't think he was that fast. Reminds me of Ebenezer Ekuban....and he was selected 20th overall.

Oh, you just like guys with a lot of vowels in their names.