Football Expert.com March 6 Dallas 7 round draft (with comments)

[silverbear]

The Football Expert.com
2008 NFL Mock Draft - 7 Rounds
by Gregory Cox
Director of College Football and NFL Analysis
3/6/08

22) Dallas (via Cleveland) – CB Aqib Talib (Kansas)
Dreams of Darren McFadden danced in the head of Jerry Jones when he traded with Cleveland last year, but the Browns had a surprise 10-6 season to ruin his plans. Can anyone name the third Cowboy corner? If you want to win a Super Bowl against the likes of the Packers, Colts and Patriots it is a good idea to have enough players to cover their receivers. They are looking to part with Nate Jones and already let Jacques Reeves leave for Houston. I’d say they would welcome someone who can pick off a few passes and Talib had 11 in his final 23 games for the Jayhawks. He’ll make a killing in the nickel spot.

28) Dallas – WR James Hardy (Indiana)
Hardy’s size (6’5”) and reasonable combine 40 (4.51) make him worthy of a first round pick. Even though the Cowboy offense was explosive, someone to hurt opponents taking away Terrell Owens is a priority. At 34 Glenn is just about done and Crayton is merely average. Several times this year Owens was limited to under 50 yards receiving. They were 4-2 in those games, 9-0 otherwise and two of those wins were by 1 point. Hardy was incredibly productive for the Hoosiers with 26 touchdowns over 33 games. He can step in and catch some passes.

59) Dallas – RB Ray Rice (Rutgers)
Sure, they wanted Darren McFadden but this could wind up being better. For one it is more cost effective and do they really need another ego in Big D? Rice has Emmitt Smith written all over him. At 5’9” Rice might not at first glance appear as someone able to wear down a defense or carry a big load. However, he carried the ball 335 and 380 times over the past two seasons for the Scarlet Knights for an average of 27.5 per game and 5.32 yards per rush. He could be another Maurice Jones-Drew. Marion Barber runs like a man possessed and with the addition of Rice the Cowboys can choose a run heavy game plan against certain opponents.

92) Dallas – OG Eric Young (Tennessee)
There aren’t that many weakness on the Cowboys at this point, but both guards will be 30 before the year is done. Backing them up makes good sense since they want to open holes for their new rookie and Marion Barber.

122) Dallas – SS Tom Zbikowski (Notre Dame)
The Cowboys have an extra first round pick and not a lot of team needs which allows them to make a luxury selection here. A lot of people feel Roy Williams is overrated although it is hard to argue with his 506 tackles in six seasons and 19 interceptions. Backup Keith Davis is expected to depart in free agency making this a sneaky way for them to grab a potential replacement for Williams at a lower price tag. Zbikowski is the enforcer variety. Texas and tough go together nicely. The guy’s a boxer, how much tougher can you get?

155) Dallas – OT Kirk Barton (Ohio State)
The Cowboys need to keep their offensive line fresh and deep. Flozell Adams has been signed.

158) Dallas (via Miami) – DT/DE Letroy Guion (Florida State)
Jason Ferguson has been shipped to the Dolphins.

219) Dallas – QB Paul Smith (Tulsa)
Some depth behind Tony Romo is needed.

http://www.thefootballexpert.com/coxmockdraft.html

The first 3 picks are OK, the rest pretty much suck...

 

[silverbear]

Love the Zbikowski pick. He reminds me of what we used to have with Bill Bates. Slightly better return skills than Bully, though.

Zbikowski couldn't cover me... I think some of you guys saw his physique at the combine, and fell in love...

Mind you, with that physique, and his background, I wouldn't TELL him he can't cover... LOL...

 

[silverbear]

No Zbikowski.

If you all think Roy has problems, you havent even begun to understand what Tommy Z brings to the other teams offense.

Absolutely right...

 

[5mics]

No Zbikowski.

If you all think Roy has problems, you havent even begun to understand what Tommy Z brings to the other teams offense.

That struck me as well especially since Roy's coverage ability is such a sore spot here. Z is as bad or worse than Roy in coverage...

 

[Cochese]

That struck me as well especially since Roy's coverage ability is such a sore spot here. Z is as bad or worse than Roy in coverage...

Unless you want him as a special teams player, then I think he is way too slow. He probably will be a better pro boxer than pro football player.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

any mock draft where Ray Rice comes to dallas is terrible so this mock is crap

 

[gregorycox]

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Talib ran a 4.45 at the combine. Some guys were faster, but it wasn't a terrible time. Really good at his pro day.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=draftdishfightisonfornoc&prov=tsn&type=lgns

RE: Mock accuracy past round 1 - We're obviously not trying to nail every player, but positions can certainly be paired with teams very accurately. I have also paired players in rounds 2 & 3. Actually I matched a guy in round 7 once. Seriously. We don't know what goes on in the interviews which can be key.

TheCount: That's a mock draft I can get behind if I'm a Cowboy fan. Well done.

DaBoys: Chris Johnson & Devin Thomas aren't first round picks. Cason won't be there in the 2nd and neither will Dre Moore in the 4th. More likely for them to grab Cason at #28 and Moore in the 2nd round, but they won't get that quartet in a million years.

RE: Ray Rice - He's dropping on my latest version. Height is a big issue, but I really believe he could be another Emmitt or possibly MJD. Or another J.J. Arrington which is why you just never know. I don't think there's any shot he goes higher than 50 or lower than 100.

Since I'm revising here's the preview so far of what has changed:

#22 RB Jonathan Stewart (Oregon) falls a little with surgery
#28 CB Antoine Cason (Arizona) punt return stud as well
#61 WR Earl Bennett (Vandy) possession specialist

Take care and feel free to reach me at greg@thefootballexpert.com

-Greg

 

[Hostile]

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Talib ran a 4.45 at the combine. Some guys were faster, but it wasn't a terrible time. Really good at his pro day.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=draftdishfightisonfornoc&prov=tsn&type=lgns

RE: Mock accuracy past round 1 - We're obviously not trying to nail every player, but positions can certainly be paired with teams very accurately. I have also paired players in rounds 2 & 3. Actually I matched a guy in round 7 once. Seriously. We don't know what goes on in the interviews which can be key.

TheCount: That's a mock draft I can get behind if I'm a Cowboy fan. Well done.

DaBoys: Chris Johnson & Devin Thomas aren't first round picks. Cason won't be there in the 2nd and neither will Dre Moore in the 4th. More likely for them to grab Cason at #28 and Moore in the 2nd round, but they won't get that quartet in a million years.

RE: Ray Rice - He's dropping on my latest version. Height is a big issue, but I really believe he could be another Emmitt or possibly MJD. Or another J.J. Arrington which is why you just never know. I don't think there's any shot he goes higher than 50 or lower than 100.

Since I'm revising here's the preview so far of what has changed:

#22 RB Jonathan Stewart (Oregon) falls a little with surgery
#28 CB Antoine Cason (Arizona) punt return stud as well
#61 WR Earl Bennett (Vandy) possession specialist

Take care and feel free to reach me at greg@thefootballexpert.com

-Greg

to The Zone.

I read your site often and approved your account this morning. I hope you'll continue to drop in from time to time.

 

[TheCount]

I think I would cry tears of joy. Good draft.

I'm starting to like Tom again since we lost Keith, he could certainly fill Keith's old role and we'll see about starting at safety when we come to that bridge if Roy doesn't stick.

 

[ThatsmyQB]

It's fun to look at, but mocks beyond the first round are utterly useless.

LOL, what's the difference?
Mocks in the 1st round are USEFULL?
I'ts all a guessing game anyway you look at it!

 

[ThatsmyQB]

155) Dallas – OT Kirk Barton (Ohio State)
The Cowboys need to keep their offensive line fresh and deep. Flozell Adams has been signed.

There's NO ROOM for another O.t., we will NOT be drafting an O.T.!
We have Flo and Columbo with Free/Marten/McQuistan who can alos play guard, but we got 4 tackles and one guy McQuistan who can play tackle also, and we're only keeping 4 tackles WITH McQuistan as a 5th and a guard, there's simply NO ROOM!
I'd go C.B. here!

158) Dallas (via Miami) – DT/DE Letroy Guion (Florida State)
Jason Ferguson has been shipped to the Dolphins.

NO KIDDING Ferguson has been shipped, he's been shipped cause we got Tank and Ratliff!

219) Dallas – QB Paul Smith (Tulsa)
Some depth behind Tony Romo is needed.

OK I GUESS!

The rest other then Zibikowski I like!

 

[gregorycox]

We're talking about picks in the 150's which aren't exactly expected to be immediate starters.

Has anyone checked the birth certificate for Flozell Adams? He'll be 33 in May. How many years does he have left? One? Two? Certainly not three.

Colombo is 30 and in October and won't be far behind him in the "decline" department. Just nosing around for a possible replacement. Maybe someone to fit on the practice squad where some of these late round picks often wind up.

McQuistan's supposedly better (by a few rounds in the draft) twin can't stay on the field for a much worse Raider draft. I find it pretty funny that everyone is so excited about him.

As for DT. Same thing, a little depth. Tank isn't in jail yet? Give him time. Dallas is a fun city.

 

[Hostile]

We're talking about picks in the 150's which aren't exactly expected to be immediate starters.

Has anyone checked the birth certificate for Flozell Adams? He'll be 33 in May. How many years does he have left? One? Two? Certainly not three.

Colombo is 30 and in October and won't be far behind him in the "decline" department. Just nosing around for a possible replacement. Maybe someone to fit on the practice squad where some of these late round picks often wind up.

McQuistan's supposedly better (by a few rounds in the draft) twin can't stay on the field for a much worse Raider draft. I find it pretty funny that everyone is so excited about him.

As for DT. Same thing, a little depth. Tank isn't in jail yet? Give him time. Dallas is a fun city.

Actually Offensive linemen are usually the guys who can play into their mid and late 30's easier than other positions.

I don't mind getting OL help at all. Ever. I'm very high on Brandon Albert and Heath Benedict. I think they'd be great additions.

On Tank, someone I know and trust tells me he is a changed person. I'm not worried about him melting down and believe me, I was not in favor of his signing even though I think in some ways he got a raw deal.

 

[ThatsmyQB]

So is this just a fantasy type mock draft or is it a selection of draft picks rumored the Cowboys would be interested in?

No, these are all the actual picks Dallas will make!

 

[ThatsmyQB]

We're talking about picks in the 150's which aren't exactly expected to be immediate starters.

Has anyone checked the birth certificate for Flozell Adams? He'll be 33 in May. How many years does he have left? One? Two? Certainly not three.

Colombo is 30 and in October and won't be far behind him in the "decline" department. Just nosing around for a possible replacement. Maybe someone to fit on the practice squad where some of these late round picks often wind up.

McQuistan's supposedly better (by a few rounds in the draft) twin can't stay on the field for a much worse Raider draft. I find it pretty funny that everyone is so excited about him.

As for DT. Same thing, a little depth. Tank isn't in jail yet? Give him time. Dallas is a fun city.

Point is, there's simply NO ROOM on our roster for an O.T., so why waste a draft pick on one?????????
I could see brining in a few after the draft concludes and maybe we find one to go on the practice squad, but it's a numbers game, we're only gonna keep 4 O.T.'s, Flo/columbo and Free/Marten!

 

[the_h0wey]

I love this mock draft, best I have seen so far

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Point is, there's simply NO ROOM on our roster for an O.T., so why waste a draft pick on one?????????
I could see brining in a few after the draft concludes and maybe we find one to go on the practice squad, but it's a numbers game, we're only gonna keep 4 O.T.'s, Flo/columbo and Free/Marten!

Or if you get an OT you can use him, or one of the current OTs not starting, and switch him to OG.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Zbikowski couldn't cover me... I think some of you guys saw his physique at the combine, and fell in love...

Mind you, with that physique, and his background, I wouldn't TELL him he can't cover... LOL...

I watched him quite a few times at ND and I don't even know much about his combine numbers, quite honestly. But, he is a good football player. What was our worst aspect of our teams last year, hands down? Special teams. They aren't going to magically get better with Keith Davis bolting. He could replace KD on most of those squads on day one and even return the football, which he aint bad at.

That is why he reminds me of Bates, who was the heart and sole of the special teams here for years.

 

[DFWJC]

That draft is acceptable to me, though I would not use two picks on OL. Unlike some here, I do see us taking at least one. I also have some concerns with Talib but like his playmaking skills, just not his technique. He will be badly exposed unless he is coached up, IMO---but that can happen. Hardy and Rice will work, I suppose.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

love your first three picks
after round 2 I'd just take athletes who could be special team studs