Gimme's first mock

[gimmesix]

I want to trade down, but because there's no guarantee we can find a partner, I'm not including any trade.

1st CB Caleb Farley (would fill the need opposite Diggs and be a good value depending on what ratings you use)

2nd DT Alim McNeill (gives us a power player with some pass rush ability)

3rd DT Tyler Shelvin (loading up on the inside with some big boys to stop the run)

3rd CB/S Benjamin St-Juste (could end up making the transition to safety)

4th LB Cameron McGrone, Michigan (lots of athletic ability)

4th LB Paddy Fisher, Northwestern (tackling machine with some athletic limitations that could make him only a two-down linebacker)

5th S Talanoa Hufanga, USC (I don't expect him to be available this late, but he was in the ratings I used; might could swap his draft position with Fisher's)

6th DE Hamilcar Rasheed Jr., Oregon State (another player that some had ranked higher than the ratings I used)

6th FB Ben Mason, Michigan (if we're going to use one, we might as well get a true one)

7th K Jose Borregales, Miami (Zuerlein was a mixed bag, so let's get his replacement)

As you can tell, this is a defense-heavy draft. I especially want us to upgrade the tackle spots.

 

[Cowboyny]

I want to trade down, but because there's no guarantee we can find a partner, I'm not including any trade.

1st CB Caleb Farley (would fill the need opposite Diggs and be a good value depending on what ratings you use)

2nd DT Alim McNeill (gives us a power player with some pass rush ability)

3rd DT Tyler Shelvin (loading up on the inside with some big boys to stop the run)

3rd CB/S Benjamin St-Juste (could end up making the transition to safety)

4th LB Cameron McGrone, Michigan (lots of athletic ability)

4th LB Paddy Fisher, Northwestern (tackling machine with some athletic limitations that could make him only a two-down linebacker)

5th S Talanoa Hufanga, USC (I don't expect him to be available this late, but he was in the ratings I used; might could swap his draft position with Fisher's)

6th DE Hamilcar Rasheed Jr., Oregon State (another player that some had ranked higher than the ratings I used)

6th FB Ben Mason, Michigan (if we're going to use one, we might as well get a true one)

7th K Jose Borregales, Miami (Zuerlein was a mixed bag, so let's get his replacement)

As you can tell, this is a defense-heavy draft. I especially want us to upgrade the tackle spots.

Like your doubling up with big run stuffers and adding numbers at linebacker.

 

[gimmesix]

Like your doubling up with big run stuffers and adding numbers at linebacker.

Yeah, I tried to throw numbers at our main weaknesses: Two DTs, two LBs, two CBs (but one who might be a better safety), 1 S. But I tried to do it within the structure of where they would be good picks. I really wanted to go DT in the first, but despite the fact that the site I used had Barmore 14th overall, I didn't feel I could justify it at 10. (It had Farley at 13, but I've seen Farley rated in the top 10 and Barmore as far down as out of the first round.) I do think Barmore would give us a better pass rusher on the inside than the two DTs I picked, but McNeill's got some of that in his game, and he and Shelvin are stouter against the run.

 

[805BoysInBlue]

I'd like this a lot and it would definitely have a huge impact in 2021

 

[Cowboyny]

Yeah, I tried to throw numbers at our main weaknesses: Two DTs, two LBs, two CBs (but one who might be a better safety), 1 S. But I tried to do it within the structure of where they would be good picks. I really wanted to go DT in the first, but despite the fact that the site I used had Barmore 14th overall, I didn't feel I could justify it at 10. (It had Farley at 13, but I've seen Farley rated in the top 10 and Barmore as far down as out of the first round.) I do think Barmore would give us a better pass rusher on the inside than the two DTs I picked, but McNeill's got some of that in his game, and he and Shelvin are stouter against the run.

Barmore isn't worth the 10th overall pick. Team truly needs anchors inside to occupy blockers, push the pocket and allow their Linebackers/Ends to play more clean. I wouldn't have an issue with playing two so called NT's in the base. This would go a long way in fixing our run defense. For the nickel, they could always be replaced with better rushers, although McNeil might be a 3 down player.

 

[gimmesix]

Barmore isn't worth the 10th overall pick. Team truly needs anchors inside to occupy blockers, push the pocket and allow their Linebackers/Ends to play more clean. I wouldn't have an issue with playing two so called NT's in the base. This would go a long way in fixing our run defense. For the nickel, they could always be replaced with better rushers, although McNeil might be a 3 down player.

I don't know what Barmore is worth. I'll leave it up to Dallas to determine that. I know that he came into the season off an injury and then turned it up late, especially in the playoffs.

However, I don't care who they determine should be picked where, just as long as they seriously address the interior defensive line. Maybe they'll hit it both in free agency and the draft, but the DTs they have brought in the last couple of years as FAs make me doubtful that we'll get more than a crusty Bandaid before the draft.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I want to trade down, but because there's no guarantee we can find a partner, I'm not including any trade.

1st CB Caleb Farley (would fill the need opposite Diggs and be a good value depending on what ratings you use)

2nd DT Alim McNeill (gives us a power player with some pass rush ability)

3rd DT Tyler Shelvin (loading up on the inside with some big boys to stop the run)

3rd CB/S Benjamin St-Juste (could end up making the transition to safety)

4th LB Cameron McGrone, Michigan (lots of athletic ability)

4th LB Paddy Fisher, Northwestern (tackling machine with some athletic limitations that could make him only a two-down linebacker)

5th S Talanoa Hufanga, USC (I don't expect him to be available this late, but he was in the ratings I used; might could swap his draft position with Fisher's)

6th DE Hamilcar Rasheed Jr., Oregon State (another player that some had ranked higher than the ratings I used)

6th FB Ben Mason, Michigan (if we're going to use one, we might as well get a true one)

7th K Jose Borregales, Miami (Zuerlein was a mixed bag, so let's get his replacement)

As you can tell, this is a defense-heavy draft. I especially want us to upgrade the tackle spots.

If you take McNeil, you don't need Shelvin. And definitely not in the high third.

 

[Cowboyny]

I don't know what Barmore is worth. I'll leave it up to Dallas to determine that. I know that he came into the season off an injury and then turned it up late, especially in the playoffs.

However, I don't care who they determine should be picked where, just as long as they seriously address the interior defensive line. Maybe they'll hit it both in free agency and the draft, but the DTs they have brought in the last couple of years as FAs make me doubtful that we'll get more than a crusty Bandaid before the draft.

This defensive tackle class is considered the worst positional group in the draft. I am afraid that a player like Barmore might be taken higher, cause the lack of talent at the position. Barmore, in my opinion, isn't a ready prospect, especially as a run defender. Most of his production comes in the 2nd half where Alabama is playing ahead on the scoreboard. This allows Barmore to rush the passer and have no worries about the run game. With all this said, he is still a good prospect, but probably not the type we need.

I expect fa we will see some veteran bridge guys brought in, where in the draft I am expecting more of a NT and depth at DE.

 

[gimmesix]

If you take McNeil, you don't need Shelvin. And definitely not in the high third.

I disagree. We need to beef up the middle and not just with bodies like we have been doing. A rotation of McNeill, Shelvin and Gallimore would allow us to have what we need. Whether Hill can be counted on as part of that, I'm not sure.

We've gone years relying on players like Antwuan Woods (who is OK), while our division foes have been lining up a Fletcher Cox next to a Javon Hargrave, a Jonathan Allen next to a Daron Payne, a Leonard Williams next to a Dalvin Tomlinson. No wonder their defenses have been consistently better than ours.

 

[gimmesix]

This defensive tackle class is considered the worst positional group in the draft. I am afraid that a player like Barmore might be taken higher, cause the lack of talent at the position. Barmore, in my opinion, isn't a ready prospect, especially as a run defender. Most of his production comes in the 2nd half where Alabama is playing ahead on the scoreboard. This allows Barmore to rush the passer and have no worries about the run game. With all this said, he is still a good prospect, but probably not the type we need.

I expect fa we will see some veteran bridge guys brought in, where in the draft I am expecting more of a NT and depth at DE.

It's possible that he and other DTs will end up going higher than they should. Hopefully, Dallas has the discipline to not reach for a need. There are several interesting DT prospects that should be available to us when we pick.

The ceiling on Barmore might get him drafted earlier than expected or he could be around until we pick in the second round, depending on what teams think of him. It's going to be interesting to see how the draft falls. There is certainly always a lot of the unexpected.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I disagree. We need to beef up the middle and not just with bodies like we have been doing. A rotation of McNeill, Shelvin and Gallimore would allow us to have what we need. Whether Hill can be counted on as part of that, I'm not sure.

We've gone years relying on players like Antwuan Woods (who is OK), while our division foes have been lining up a Fletcher Cox next to a Javon Hargrave, a Jonathan Allen next to a Daron Payne, a Leonard Williams next to a Dalvin Tomlinson. No wonder their defenses have been consistently better than ours.

I don't have problem beefing up the middle. My issue with the Shelvin pick is you are taking a 2 down 1T on day 2 after you took a 3 down 1T. Shelvin wouldn't play much unless McNeil gets hurt. And even then he is playing 30-40 % of the snaps. If you are circling back to DT in the 3rd, we would be better off with a 3T as insurance if Hill and/or Gallimore don't work out. You really need to have two 2 solid at least 3T's, as 50-60% of your snaps you are gonna be playing two DT's in a 3 gap

Getting a backup 1T, or jumbo package guy in this draft wouldnt be bad. But that is something you should look at later day 3.

 

[Cowboyny]

It's possible that he and other DTs will end up going higher than they should. Hopefully, Dallas has the discipline to not reach for a need. There are several interesting DT prospects that should be available to us when we pick.

The ceiling on Barmore might get him drafted earlier than expected or he could be around until we pick in the second round, depending on what teams think of him. It's going to be interesting to see how the draft falls. There is certainly always a lot of the unexpected.

He is attractive to teams due to his pass rush abilities, but I question his fit with our defense as we really need high level run DT's.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't have problem beefing up the middle. My issue with the Shelvin pick is you are taking a 2 down 1T on day 2 after you took a 3 down 1T. Shelvin wouldn't play much unless McNeil gets hurt. And even then he is playing 30-40 % of the snaps. If you are circling back to DT in the 3rd, we would be better off with a 3T as insurance if Hill and/or Gallimore don't work out. You really need to have two 2 solid at least 3T's, as 50-60% of your snaps you are gonna be playing two DT's in a 3 gap

Getting a backup 1T, or jumbo package guy in this draft wouldnt be bad. But that is something you should look at later day 3.

Superior 3-techs are hard to find as the draft progresses because every team wants DTs who are adept at rushing the passer while also holding up against the run. This is why we've ended up with a player who only flashed potential in Hill and another with some question marks in Gallimore.

I think McNeill gives you a little more pass rush than some of the more true nose tackles, while lining him up next to Shelvin on early downs would give us a stout interior. Usually, the best of the pure NTs start coming off the board late in the second or in the early third. I think Shelvin is a top NT, so taking him in the third would be good value.

I don't think there's a 3-tech who will be available after the second round that's as sure a bet as Shelvin will be at NT. You want to argue about taking someone like Nixon or Onwuzurike in the second over McNeill because they are more traditional 3-techs, that's fine. Watching film of them, I'd much rather have McNeill in that 3-tech spot.

 

[gimmesix]

He is attractive to teams due to his pass rush abilities, but I question his fit with our defense as we really need high level run DT's.

If we do like him and draft him, I wonder if we would consider using him as a big end (like Quinn did with Red Bryant in Seattle) on running downs and then putting him inside as a pass rusher on passing downs. Of course, that doesn't help alleviate the issues with interior run defense.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Superior 3-techs are hard to find as the draft progresses because every team wants DTs who are adept at rushing the passer while also holding up against the run. This is why we've ended up with a player who only flashed potential in Hill and another with some question marks in Gallimore.

I think McNeill gives you a little more pass rush than some of the more true nose tackles, while lining him up next to Shelvin on early downs would give us a stout interior. Usually, the best of the pure NTs start coming off the board late in the second or in the early third. I think Shelvin is a top NT, so taking him in the third would be good value.

I don't think there's a 3-tech who will be available after the second round that's as sure a bet as Shelvin will be at NT. You want to argue about taking someone like Nixon or Onwuzurike in the second over McNeill because they are more traditional 3-techs, that's fine. Watching film of them, I'd much rather have McNeill in that 3-tech spot.

I see what you are saying about Shelvin and McNeil on early. However, I would prefer that be McNeil and Gallimore. McNeil to be a run down 1T that can ultimately play in a 3T. I dont see him at 3T being initial fit.

 

[gimmesix]

I see what you are saying about Shelvin and McNeil on early. However, I would prefer that be McNeil and Gallimore. McNeil to be a run down 1T that can ultimately play in a 3T. I dont see him at 3T being initial fit.

Based on what I saw, I think McNeill will be able to handle 3-tech early and give us a better run defender at the spot than what Gallimore provides. He's not considered ideal as a pass-rushing DT, but I believe that he can collapse the pocket some and he and Shelvin would be a handful for the offensive line clogging up the middle.

I really think McNeill is going to be a better pass rusher than some expect because (at least in my scenario) he would get more one-gap responsibilities instead of being the guy expected to take on the double-team. That's going to allow him to collapse the pocket, which we badly need.

However, I don't really care how Dallas decides to beef up the middle. I'm going off clips I've been able to find that generally focus on the player's best moments. I just want the Cowboys to seriously address the DT deficiency. If that means they feel Davyion Nixon is a better choice than McNeill in the second round, I'm fine with that. Same with Tuefele or Onwuzurike. I like McNeill better, but what do I know.

I like the idea of double-dipping early because I want to adequately, or even more than adequately, address the DT issue. I'd rather have too many good players there than not enough. You can plug in different names if you want, but I just want us to take two of the best DTs in this draft. The site I was using has McNeill as the second-best after Barmore (and available when we pick) and Shelvin behind Marvin Wilson and Nixon (who both would be gone based on those rankings).

In fact, Shelvin was rated slightly ahead of our pick, so I gave myself some leeway there, If I assume that he's gone, then I'd probably want Tommy Togiai as my second early DT. He was rated 78th, while Onwuzurike and Osa Odighizuwa also were there and rated slightly higher (75 and 76).

It's really impossible to know if the teams have similar ratings for these players.

 

[Cowboyny]

If we do like him and draft him, I wonder if we would consider using him as a big end (like Quinn did with Red Bryant in Seattle) on running downs and then putting him inside as a pass rusher on passing downs. Of course, that doesn't help alleviate the issues with interior run defense.

That would be a great role for his skillset.

 

[gimmesix]

That would be a great role for his skillset.

My trade down mock would have us dropping into the 20s (or around 20) and drafting Barmore, then still drafting McNeill with the 44th pick. With the extra second-round pick we'd receive, I'd take a corner or safety and I might do the same thing again at the top of the third ... although I'd still be tempted to take Shelvin.

Imagine adding Barmore, McNeill and Shelvin all to our defensive line. I wouldn't be able to sleep for weeks. Throw out the junk we've been putting out there at DT and start over with these three and Gallimore.

 

[Cowboyny]

My trade down mock would have us dropping into the 20s (or around 20) and drafting Barmore, then still drafting McNeill with the 44th pick. With the extra second-round pick we'd receive, I'd take a corner or safety and I might do the same thing again at the top of the third ... although I'd still be tempted to take Shelvin.

Imagine adding Barmore, McNeill and Shelvin all to our defensive line. I wouldn't be able to sleep for weeks. Throw out the junk we've been putting out there at DT and start over with these three and Gallimore.

That's probably overkill and unrealistic, especially with many needs to fill. If the team did draft Barmore, they would probably spend the next 3 picks in other areas and look to add a NT late on day 2, early day 3. Keep in mind our secondary has 3 fa's, 2 of which are starters.

 

[waving monkey]

If you take McNeil, you don't need Shelvin. And definitely not in the high third.

I agree McNeal might be all we need to add with the pieces we have.