I think the four safest blue-chip players in this draft come out of the SEC. A.J. Green is a very safe pick. I think Julio Jones will get high grades from West Coast teams, especially. He is a safe pick, and I think he's blue-chip in this drat.
Even with Patrick Peterson's cramps and "weight issue", I think he's one of the safer picks in the top ten and will get a blue-chip grade.
I think Marcell Dareus can start out at end and play NT and DE and become the major force on the defensive line. I'd take him at 9 for sure. He will get a blue-chip grade, I think.
Tyron Smith is a red chip guy with value at 9 if his off season goes as planned. He still has work to do, but he can get there. Derek Sherrod is another guy that I like. Wes Bunting gave Smith a 7.5 and Sherrod a 7.0. Jordan received a 7.5.
Again, I think these players are the safest blue chip and red chip players for the Cowboys at 9. Sherrod just missed red chip status according to Bunting. However, he has LT ability and can plug and play at RT and be a really good one.
A.J. Green
Julio Jones
Marcell Dareus
Patrick Peterson
Tyron Smith
Cameron Jordan
Derek Sherrod
I think Dareus could be a player who eventually moves to NT, and I think Dallas would take him over Jordan. Those guys are tough to find. He could be a player who you could move around up front like Richard Seymour.
Smith is the best LT prospect in the class at 20 years old, and he'd probably be a top 5 pick in 2012, all things equal. If something happens to Free, Smith moves to LT. Who goes over there right now if Free gets hurt? Smith is a red chip player with real hidden value, talent wise (big upside) and depth wise. He's my personal favorite. He may not be the best player now, but he has Pro Bowl potential at LT, where he would end up down the road. Plus, he plugs in at RT and adds the most talented offensive linemen in the class to Dallas' rapidly aging, declining offensive line. He's going to eventually slide to LT. LTs are very hard to find. In fact, how long could Free hold him off, after the first year?
If I had to pick between Jordan and Dareus, I'd take Dareus right now. Although, I really like Jordan and would not complain for sure. Dareus has great size and power and versatility, I think. You can line him up on the nose down the road.
If it's between Jordan and Smith, I'm going with the future LT and probable top LT in the 2012 class. I'm just taking him at 9 and not in the top 5, where he would probably end up in 2012, all things being equal.
If it's between Smith and Dareus, Dallas will likely take Dareus.