Final Grade

[Beast_from_East]

C+ and I feel that's being generous. For the Cowboys to reach in the 3rd round for a player that wasn't even on the board astounds me. Seems to me they could have picked him up much later in the draft.

If you are referring to Williams and the fact he didnt go to the combine as proof he was not on draft boards, you are mistaken.

Once he had his proday and ran a 4.49, he started soaring up draft boards. It has been reported that the Titans were hot and heavy for him as well and were going to draft him in the 3rd round also, we just beat them to it.

 

[adbutcher]

Early grade: B

I like the emphasis on special teams (a major weakness) and pass rush. Even though we increased our sacks last season, I still wasn't impressed with our lack of pass rush in critical moments last year. Just based on potential, we certainly addressed this area. And I'm really impressed by what I read about Jason Williams.

We got possibly a steal in Mickens (assuming he's healthy and can stay healthy)

We get a backup QB to groom. We draft a safety, though he doesn't seem to be a true free safety, which is what we need. And I'm really not surprised the Cowboys didn't reach to add many OLmen, considering our dismal draft record in that department.

The biggest factor in my grade is that Jerry Jones brought in a bunch of fresh, hungry guys who love football and have good character. The message is being sent to the veterans: No more fat-cats who simply are here to collect a pay check. We have hungry guys who want your job so play up to your potential.

Jerry wasn't satisfied with sitting on a team full of talent. Despite the complaints about drafting "special teamers," he is bringing in guys who want to play and who want to make an impact.

Good. Only major knock: No NT?

 

[Beast_from_East]

I am surprised that people are giving a higher grade because of RW, I think including RW makes it a lower grade.

He has already shown what he can do, won't do and personally I think he is borderline average as an NFL player.

You realize that Roy Williams has been to the probowl, right???

How does a probowl receiver in Detroit become a borderline average NFL player in Dallas???

Please explain this...........

 

[Beast_from_East]

If I had to assign a grade, it would be............B



I find it halarious that so many guys on this board can predict that no more than 2 or 3 players from this group of 12 will even be on the team in 2 years.

If you guys are so great at player evaluation before 1 down is even played, what the hell are yall doing on an Internet message board instead of being in somebody's war room???

 

[YosemiteSam]

I like to start at the bottom and let the draft choices raise the grade.

All teams start with an F grade. Over the next three years some grades will rise, some will not.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

You realize that Roy Williams has been to the probowl, right???

How does a probowl receiver in Detroit become a borderline average NFL player in Dallas???

Please explain this...........

Pro Bowl is a good measure for how popular a player is within the league, not for how good of player is. Adrian Wilson has only been to the Pro Bowl twice, and he is a much better player now than the "other" RW at the same position, ever was (who has been 5 times).

The same happens all across the board for the Pro Bowl at ever position. Take Flozell Adams for example.

 

[Alexander]

We didn't seem to draft any head cases this time.

All are very strong character players and seem to have their heads screwed on correctly (no lazy ones).

If they can adjust to new positions (most will either be playing new positions or learning a new one), we could have a solid foundation for the bottom of the roster.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Pro Bowl is a good measure for how popular a player is within the league, not for how good of player is. Adrian Wilson has only been to the Pro Bowl twice, and he is a much better player now than the "other" RW at the same position, ever was (who has been 5 times).

The same happens all across the board for the Pro Bowl at ever position. Take Flozell Adams for example.

Fan votes count for only 1/3 of the vote, the players and coaches count for 2/3 of the vote.

So you are saying that the players and coaches voted a borderline NFL player to the probowl???

The fact that he had over 1000 yards rec that year didnt have any affect on the vote, it was pure popularity contest???

Roy is that popular among the other NFL players and coaches that he (being a borderline NFL player as you say) is still voted to the probowl?

I find this hard to believe.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Fan votes count for only 1/3 of the vote, the players and coaches count for 2/3 of the vote.

So you are saying that the players and coaches voted a borderline NFL player to the probowl???

The fact that he had over 1000 yards rec that year didnt have any affect on the vote, it was pure popularity contest???

Roy is that popular among the other NFL players and coaches that he (being a borderline NFL player as you say) is still voted to the probowl?

I find this hard to believe.

Several players have admitted to voting for the guys they know and watched while in college, they are focused on their own games. That makes it a 2/3 popularity contest. Hell, even the coaches are focused on the next team and not every player in the NFL.

Roy was a very popular college player that did indeed have a great pro season (I think it was '06). But so far he has looked like a #2 guy not a top draft pick. Not to mention he cant seem to stay healthy either.

 

[kingwhicker]

D, with Roy Williams, D-

 

[adbutcher]

Several players have admitted to voting for the guys they know and watched while in college, they are focused on their own games. That makes it a 2/3 popularity contest. Hell, even the coaches are focused on the next team and not every player in the NFL.

Roy was a very popular college player that did indeed have a great pro season (I think it was '06). But so far he has looked like a #2 guy not a top draft pick. Not to mention he cant seem to stay healthy either.

:laugh2: So that is the argument you are going with. How about some proof; interview quotes, youtube video, et al.

 

[DFWJC]

Agree, we have no idea, but if I had to grade now...
B- including the RW trade.

Okay, I've looked at it a bit more thoroughly. I hope a D+ without Roy and a C+/B- with Roy is not being too much of a homer. I hope we end up an A, but given the 11 picks (13 with Roys) to start, I just feel we were subpar.

Good news, we already have pretty nice looking team pre-draft.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

:laugh2: So that is the argument you are going with. How about some proof; interview quotes, youtube video, et al.

Who is the better overall WR ? TO or RW ?

I don't even need that argument. The guy had one great season.

I am sure I can try to find those things, but what is the point ? You saw what he did on the field for most of his career thus far. He is average at best.

 

[Doomsday101]

Who is the better overall WR ? TO or RW ?

I don't even need that argument. The guy had one great season.

I am sure I can try to find those things, but what is the point ? You saw what he did on the field for most of his career thus far. He is average at best.

RW will have an opportunity to prove his critics wrong and at least is going about it the right way. I have been hearing reports that Romo and RW are working together 3 times a week to developed chemistry and I think RW will show people why he was drafted as high as he was. The guy has talent and is showing the motivation. Det has a way of taking motivation out of players. As for TO I wish him the best but frankly I will not miss the constant negative attention

 

[The Quest for Six]

C- too many reaches, and I don't llike drafting so many player that the team feel are more special teams players and projected to switch positions at the next level...

 

[Primetime42]

Let's break it down.

I think the J. Williams pick is solid. Dude's very raw but already shows flashes of being a playmaker. 14 Forced fumbles for his career. Former safety. Dude could be our Joker next to Bradie James for a long time.

Not crazy about Brewster, but let's be honest, when was the last time we drafted a quality offensive lineman? Par for the course.

Really like the McGee pick, even though I would have preferred Bomar. Heard many a scout say McGee was cast in the wrong offense and will be a solid pro with some fine tuning. Might be the guy to run some wildcat stuff, but otherwise won't see the field as long as Kitna's here and Romo stays healthy.

Butler will be a good special teamer if nothing else. This and B.Williams starts to signal the end of Greg Ellis' tenure.

B.Williams led the Big 12 in sacks last year. Same conference as Orakpo. I look forward to this guy being a future in our rush packages. He's gonna contribute. Room to grow.

Smith compares to Scandrick in some ways and if he's anything like Scandrick, we got good value. Might be a contributor at FS.

Hamlin - No comment. I was hoping McBath would fall to us, couldn't believe we passed on Sean Smith.

Buehler? Buehler? (lol) Seriously, I was irate when I first heard this one too, but upon further evaluation, this pick makes sense. Why? Well, as clutch as Nick Folk has been, his kickoffs have been ****. Buehler can boom them, sending 54.4% for touchbacks in his collegiate career. Not only that, but he's not going to be a target to be run over should a returner break one on us. The guy can tackle and as stated, is a physical specimen (outbenched a few top tier linemen at the combine). This could be a boon for our special teams (more on that in a moment).

Hodge is camp fodder.

Phillips is an upgrade to Tony Curtis. Can play H-back as well. Solid pickup for his draft position.

Mickens if healthy could be the steal of the draft. Meniscus is a concern, but our training staff is among the best. This guy makes the 53 for sure.

Manuel Johnson - More special teams fodder. Decent returner, has potential to be something more, but let's cross that bridge when we get there.

All in all, this draft wasn't sexy at all, as we've been accustomed to. But to me, there were three significant weaknesses over the last year with this football team:

Crippling mistakes - This is penalties, miscues, blown assignments, whatever. This falls on the coaching staff. Can't say what's gonna happen this year, but if those guys have any pride, I would think they would place emphasis on fixing this issue. Also, someone has to reign in Romo, and if we move towards a ball control offense like I think we should, that goes a long way toward doing so.

Depth at key positions (QB, LB) - Guys got hurt, we couldn't deal. Brad Johnson blew goats, Bollinger wasn't much better. Kitna is a massive upgrade behind Romo. McGee I think really has a chance to be special. All these new LBs won't pay immediate dividends, but they will be contributers and they have the potential to have long careers.

Special Teams - Contrary to popular belief, this killed us more than just about anything last year. Singlehandedly cost us the Arizona game. Bruce Read was awful. Kickoff and kick coverage were putrid. We consistently lost the battle for field position, except for punting, because IMO Matt McBriar is the best in the league. And then he broke his foot and we were royally ****ed on ST.

We now have a kicker who can actually boot the ball past the 10 and potentially get many touchbacks which will go a long way with our defense continuing to improve under Wade (one of the few things he's doing right). Also, every single one of these players is capable of providing a boost on kick coverage and most importantly, they're all hungry. That's exactly the type of guys you want on you coverage teams. Let's face it, talent is not the Dallas Cowboys' problem. We have the biggest OLine in football. We have the best QB in the conference. We have the best TE. We have a guy who may not be the best WR in the league, but has to potential to be up there. We have this three headed monster at RB. And like it or not, we have a very solid D which continues to get better. Our biggest weakness was clearly special teams and with these kids and the firing of Bruce Read (Joe DeCamillis is considered one of the best in the game), that hopefully won't be an issue.

Yeah, the Giants and Eagles had great drafts. Sexy picks. That's fine. The Eagles will always concern me, but I believe that when focused, they can be handled. Our guys can cover Maclin and Jackson. We just have to keep the pressure on McChunky.

I still believe we're better than the Giants and it's been proven that when we bring our A game, they can't touch us.

We'll see how we look in camp.

C+

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I'll go C+ here. I guess if you figure in Roy Williams, cause of the trade for him, then you can call this draft a B but I'll got C+ with just the guys we actually got the last 2 days.

 

[ethiostar]

I give it a solid 'B', based on what they said they wanted to accomplish going into the draft vs. what they actually did.

 

[AmishCowboy]

Butler may have been a reach, he's the only pick I really didn't care much for.

 

[Alexander]

Lombardi was right, we had to rally after teams picking right ahead of us with regard to some of our targets, it seemed that way on both days.

This is something that tends to happen with us quite often. Perhaps it has always been that way, but it seems that every year there is always those that "got away". Daryn Colledge was a recent one from a few years ago. Red Bryant was another case that Seattle took just as they did Unger this year.

It might not be a real issue, but if it is, I suggest we might want to be a little more secretive in how we arrange visits with these players and we might want to play more games with it if it is something that it looks like we are telegraphing our interest too much.

On thing I did notice this year is that we tended to scout the same types of players as several teams, most noteably Miami. I hate to give credit to teams like New England and Indianapolis, but they played things very close to the vest and it looked like they were not getting caught with their pants down.