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.
