Galian Beast - Full Draft Review

[Galian Beast]

In my earlier topic, I suggested the theme of the draft was being Romo friendly and doing what we can to best maximize his window.

I still think that this was a Romo friendly draft, but I think there is a little more to it than that.

I think the theme of the this draft is actually we're not a 4-12 team, we're a 12-4 team that fell on hard times with a slew injuries to key players. You can see this in the lack of coaches who were fired.

The Cowboys wanted to recreate the 2014 offensive experience and improve the defense as much as possible in the process. That required getting the best running back available which is why we selected Zeke. Our backup running backs are also a lot better here because we have McFadden and Morris instead of Randle.If you look at our offense from 2014 and compare it to 2016, the 2016 team is significantly better.

1. Zeke Elliott. Massive upgrade over DeMarco Murray.

2. Jaylon Smith. Huge talent who can join our defense if he becomes healthy. I think the reason we drafted him over Jack was the outlook long term on the injuries. Jack might be able to play now, but how long will he be able to play? Jaylon's long term isn't as questionable as just the first few months here.

3. Maliek Collins. I think he was brought in because they think he fits perfectly as an under tackle here. If Marinelli could develop him like he did Melton, it could be a very interesting pick. I don't think we should expect much immediately though, but he improves the defensive line rotation. And allows for more position flex at other positions in the first 4 weeks while ours ends are suspended.

4A. Charles Tapper. Another developmental player who could have a lot of upside and help the rotation.

4B. Dak Prescott. Answer to the QB dilemma. I was onboard with taking a QB in the mid rounds, especially with the compensatory 4th round pick. Developmental guy who has some nice physical traits. Should quiet the desire to draft another QB for a year or two if Romo can stay healthy and he never sees the field. I'm guessing that we take three QBs into the season, which is unfortunate. Hoping he can beat out Moore.

The six round we basically took a lot of projects to see what we could do with them. The most interesting one to me is Rico Gathers. It's completely appropriate to take a flier on this kid and see if we can turn him into a real tight end. If Escobar starts the season on PUP, he could have a roster spot. Anthony Brown may be able to better the quality of our depth if he can make the team. We don't really have anyone who is a lock after Claiborne. Apparently some people had Brown as high as a 3rd round pick, so it looks like we got really good value here. Darius Jackson doesn't make the team, but maybe he is a practice squad guy year 1 and can develop and make the team next year. He is quite the athlete at running back. Could be able to have production behind our line. We might be able to get a proper SS backup to Church here with Frazier. It'll be interesting to see if we end up cutting heath after signing him for four years.

So if you look at the 2014 defense compared to the 2016 defense, I think you still see that we're actually a lot better.

This was our defensive line in 2014

Mincey - Hayden - Melton - Selvie
Lawrence* - McClain - Coleman - T. Crawford

This is our defensive line in 2016

Gregory* - Crawford - Thornton - Lawrence*
Mayowa - Irving - McClain - J. Crawford
Tapper - Collins - ///////////// - Russell

Even in the first 4 games, we should still have a better defensive line than we did all year in 2014.

Our linebackers in 2014 compared to 2016 and potentially 2017

Bruce Carter - Rolando McClain - Justin Durant*
Anthony Hitchens - Kyle Wilber

vs

Sean Lee - Rolando McClain - Hitchens/Smith*
Gachkar - Wilson - Wilber

Our secondary in 2014 vs 2016

Carr - Wilcox - Church - Scandrick - Claiborne

vs

Carr - Jones - Church - Scandrick - Claiborne

In conclusion, I like the draft and can see how it meshes with what we did in free agency. I think next year will be predominantly about improving the secondary, though we may also look at replacing Williams in the draft as well. I would say CB will be our number #1 need next year.

 

[p_tubbs]

Great write up and I agree with you 100%.I also think we have a good chance of going 3-1 in the first 4 games before our defense is at full strength.

 

[Bleu Star]

In my earlier topic, I suggested the theme of the draft was being Romo friendly and doing what we can to best maximize his window.

I still think that this was a Romo friendly draft, but I think there is a little more to it than that.

I think the theme of the this draft is actually we're not a 4-12 team, we're a 12-4 team that fell on hard times with a slew injuries to key players. You can see this in the lack of coaches who were fired.

The Cowboys wanted to recreate the 2014 offensive experience and improve the defense as much as possible in the process. That required getting the best running back available which is why we selected Zeke. Our backup running backs are also a lot better here because we have McFadden and Morris instead of Randle.If you look at our offense from 2014 and compare it to 2016, the 2016 team is significantly better.

1. Zeke Elliott. Massive upgrade over DeMarco Murray.

2. Jaylon Smith. Huge talent who can join our defense if he becomes healthy. I think the reason we drafted him over Jack was the outlook long term on the injuries. Jack might be able to play now, but how long will he be able to play? Jaylon's long term isn't as questionable as just the first few months here.

3. Maliek Collins. I think he was brought in because they think he fits perfectly as an under tackle here. If Marinelli could develop him like he did Melton, it could be a very interesting pick. I don't think we should expect much immediately though, but he improves the defensive line rotation. And allows for more position flex at other positions in the first 4 weeks while ours ends are suspended.

4A. Charles Tapper. Another developmental player who could have a lot of upside and help the rotation.

4B. Dak Prescott. Answer to the QB dilemma. I was onboard with taking a QB in the mid rounds, especially with the compensatory 4th round pick. Developmental guy who has some nice physical traits. Should quiet the desire to draft another QB for a year or two if Romo can stay healthy and he never sees the field. I'm guessing that we take three QBs into the season, which is unfortunate. Hoping he can beat out Moore.

The six round we basically took a lot of projects to see what we could do with them. The most interesting one to me is Rico Gathers. It's completely appropriate to take a flier on this kid and see if we can turn him into a real tight end. If Escobar starts the season on PUP, he could have a roster spot. Anthony Brown may be able to better the quality of our depth if he can make the team. We don't really have anyone who is a lock after Claiborne. Apparently some people had Brown as high as a 3rd round pick, so it looks like we got really good value here. Darius Jackson doesn't make the team, but maybe he is a practice squad guy year 1 and can develop and make the team next year. He is quite the athlete at running back. Could be able to have production behind our line. We might be able to get a proper SS backup to Church here with Frazier. It'll be interesting to see if we end up cutting heath after signing him for four years.

So if you look at the 2014 defense compared to the 2016 defense, I think you still see that we're actually a lot better.

This was our defensive line in 2014

Mincey - Hayden - Melton - Selvie
Lawrence* - McClain - Coleman - T. Crawford

This is our defensive line in 2016

Gregory* - Crawford - Thornton - Lawrence*
Mayowa - Irving - McClain - J. Crawford
Tapper - Collins - ///////////// - Russell

Even in the first 4 games, we should still have a better defensive line than we did all year in 2014.

Our linebackers in 2014 compared to 2016 and potentially 2017

Bruce Carter - Rolando McClain - Justin Durant*
Anthony Hitchens - Kyle Wilber

vs

Sean Lee - Rolando McClain - Hitchens/Smith*
Gachkar - Wilson - Wilber

Our secondary in 2014 vs 2016

Carr - Wilcox - Church - Scandrick - Claiborne

vs

Carr - Jones - Church - Scandrick - Claiborne

In conclusion, I like the draft and can see how it meshes with what we did in free agency. I think next year will be predominantly about improving the secondary, though we may also look at replacing Williams in the draft as well. I would say CB will be our number #1 need next year.

No more stupid RBBC bull excrement!!! HALLELUJAH!

 

[Galian Beast]

Great write up and I agree with you 100%.I also think we have a good chance of going 3-1 in the first 4 games before our defense is at full strength.

Have you seen our schedule? I think we have an excellent chance of going 4-0 next year. We almost beat the Giants last year with Cassel and Randle.

 

[pansophy]

Nice insights. I would only add on the Smith versus Jack debate it's not simply a 'when' with Smith it's an 'if'. There is no guarantee that the nerve grows back and fires properly and if it doesn't then it's highly unlikely he'll ever play again.

But from a managing uncertainty standpoint I like that risk better than Jack. If Smith recovers then there should be no further concerns about this injury. With Jack it's a question of how long will the knee hold up. He can play now, but it could pop on the first day of mini-camp or in two years. He may very well need microfracture surgery when that happens.

The upside is high for both players but it is easier to plan the teams future with Smith. By next offseason we'll know if this risk is going to work at and how far back we think he'll be. If he can't come back we can sign/draft LB's for 2017 and while disappointing we shouldn't have a year with a big hole in the middle.

Since Jack could go down at any point it is riskier from the standpoint that we would have counted on him being available and then he isn't. Much like we have had to deal with with Lee. We don't need two of those guys.

 

[NEODOG]

I actually think you sold Jackson way short....with Dunbar injured, his rehab problems, I see Jackson making the team with special teams play

 

[VACowboy]

Excellent analysis, GB. I agree with you on all points, though I think Collins will show up a lot sooner than most folks expect. It looks like to me that a lot of this draft was SPARQ inspired, especially the late round picks.

 

[Galian Beast]

I actually think you sold Jackson way short....with Dunbar injured, his rehab problems, I see Jackson making the team with special teams play

So the thing with Dunbar, I see him making the squad but starting the year on PUP, thus not taking a roster spot. Jackson really has no chance, even if he replaces Dunbar, he would still be the 4th RB on the roster. Tough to do that for a player who is completely unproven. I see him on the practice squad, especially with Dunbar still in there.

 

[Galian Beast]

Excellent analysis, GB. I agree with you on all points, though I think Collins will show up a lot sooner than most folks expect. It looks like to me that a lot of this draft was SPARQ inspired, especially the late round picks.

He might even start day 1 if Crawford is moved to defensive end, but after week 4, I don't think he will start.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I for some reason think next year CB won't be a #1 concern. I think we get a bounce back year from Carr as well as a healthy Claiborne hopefully. I think with Byron Jones focused on Free Safety things will be better for the secondary. But the pass rush is what will make or break us.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I think its putting a lot on Collins to expect him to start week 1 even with the injuries. When Jerry said it, I get what he was saying. If he's ahead of schedule and development he very well could get a look. But I wouldn't be shocked if guys like Irving or Jack Crawford got the look over him.

 

[USMarineVet]

So the thing with Dunbar, I see him making the squad but starting the year on PUP, thus not taking a roster spot. Jackson really has no chance, even if he replaces Dunbar, he would still be the 4th RB on the roster. Tough to do that for a player who is completely unproven. I see him on the practice squad, especially with Dunbar still in there.

I would love to see Dunbar transitioned to a slot receiver and cut bait with Street. Street has been basically useless and we all saw what Dunbar can do when he gets the ball in his hands as a receiver. He could be a monster in 4 receiver sets with Witten & Zeke as added protection for Romo.

The only question is if and when. There's no timeline for his return and who's to say he comes back 100%. I would stash him on the PUP and see how it pans out. But if he returns to form I really think he has value in the receiving game.

 

[baltcowboy]

So the thing with Dunbar, I see him making the squad but starting the year on PUP, thus not taking a roster spot. Jackson really has no chance, even if he replaces Dunbar, he would still be the 4th RB on the roster. Tough to do that for a player who is completely unproven. I see him on the practice squad, especially with Dunbar still in there.[/qu

Does he have any kick return skills? Jackson could replace Dunbar if he does.

 

[Galian Beast]

I for some reason think next year CB won't be a #1 concern. I think we get a bounce back year from Carr as well as a healthy Claiborne hopefully. I think with Byron Jones focused on Free Safety things will be better for the secondary. But the pass rush is what will make or break us.

Both Claiborne and Carr are free agents at the end of the year.

 

[Macnalty]

Tap the brakes on Dunbar he is still a question mark for returning.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Both Claiborne and Carr are free agents at the end of the year.

Carr took a paycut to stay here. If he plays to the level they want I see no reason to believe he won't be retained. Same goes or Mo. Both are still relatively young for the cornerback position.

 

[Galian Beast]

Carr took a paycut to stay here. If he plays to the level they want I see no reason to believe he won't be retained. Same goes or Mo. Both are still relatively young for the cornerback position.

Carr's paycut doesn't impact whether or not he is resigned. Same with Claiborne, who was re-signed to a one year deal. They didn't sign him long term because they'd like to look at their options, which is why cornerback will be a priority at the end of the season, either in the draft or in free agency. Maybe they sign one of these guys, but I doubt they sign both.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Carr's paycut doesn't impact whether or not he is resigned. Same with Claiborne, who was re-signed to a one year deal. They didn't sign him long term because they'd like to look at their options, which is why cornerback will be a priority at the end of the season, either in the draft or in free agency. Maybe they sign one of these guys, but I doubt they sign both.

What I mean is that Carr didn't have to take a pay cut. He had the leverage. He could've potentially been cut at his pay rate. Either way he took a pay cut. When you take a pay cut to stay somewhere that's usually indication that you want to be there. If they both play to the level we need them two they both will be back.

Now if you're saying they will stink this year and they won't bring them back then I can't argue against that. I think they will have bounce back years but I don't know how good they will be. But the Cowboys have had no problems bringing back players who play well for them.

 

[conner01]

Excellent analysis, GB. I agree with you on all points, though I think Collins will show up a lot sooner than most folks expect. It looks like to me that a lot of this draft was SPARQ inspired, especially the late round picks.

I thinj he will contribute day one.

 

[Galian Beast]

What I mean is that Carr didn't have to take a pay cut. He had the leverage. He could've potentially been cut at his pay rate. Either way he took a pay cut. When you take a pay cut to stay somewhere that's usually indication that you want to be there. If they both play to the level we need them two they both will be back.

Now if you're saying they will stink this year and they won't bring them back then I can't argue against that. I think they will have bounce back years but I don't know how good they will be. But the Cowboys have had no problems bringing back players who play well for them.

He didn't have leverage. The Cowboys could have held on to him until the day before the season started and released him. There would be no money out there for him.

He took the pay cut because his future here was unclear.