Grade the draft class

[Manster_Mash]

Wait, so he says it and we just take his word for it?? One report says quad and another says hamstring. SMH.

Well, hell then, Will, I can run a 4 flat, jump 48", and do 50 reps on the bench. Draft me.

 

[Grenic]

I see it as a D.

-Mazi was a need, but he's a major risk.
-Schoonmaker is a very old rook at a very slow-developing position. Hate that combo, even if his size and speed will one day play.
-Overshown is a reasonable gamble. Quinn has a plan for him.
-I have little hope for anyone we picked on Day 3. There's not a Biadasz or a Damone Clark here that I can get stoked about. Lots of Bradlee Anaes and Reggie Robinsons.
-No guard drafted... enjoy watching Matt Farnoik try to block Dexter Lawrence and Jalen Carter.
-Deuce is the only RB drafted, so we're going to feed 100+ carries to RoJo or the corpse of Zeke. There were cheap options to upgrade, and we passed on them to draft a backup to Golston.

It's not the '09 special teams draft, but there's a very good chance we get one starter out of this class, and everyone in this class is gone in 5 years.

totally agree

 

[morasp]

B+
I don't think we did enough at the skill positions on offense but time will tell. If Gallup can get back to 2019 2020 form we might be ok if Cooks stays healthy. The draft indicates MM was being true to his word when he said he wanted to run the ball more. Something about this year reminds me of the Jimmy Johnson years. Within the division he had to get past Buddy Ryan and the Eagles and to get to the Super Bowl he had to get past the 49ers. Fans should welcome the challenge of competition. That's what makes football so fun.

Luke was the best blocking TE with the traits to develop into the best receiving TE we've had for quite a while. Let's face it TEs usually take a while to start producing in the receiving dept. and his blocking should develop more quickly with the pro style offense Michigan ran. So I see him contributing early. Lunda Wells is a good TEs coach.

Richards is a very experienced OL with strong lower body made for run blocking.

Vaughn and Luepke are great additions, both are good and productive runners and receivers. Vaughn logged 1872 and 1936 yards from scrimmage in 2021 and 2022

Brooks is also a good pick with great hands and ball skills along with good RAC ability.

On defense the needle is pointing up. Our defense is moving in the direction of our playoff nemesis the 49ers. Mazi Smith/Hankins Odighizuwa/Golston/Gallimore/Fehoko Williams Parsons Lawrence Fowler. LVE Cox Clark Overshown. I'm really excited to see DQ turn these guys into the next doomsday defense.

Much like the deep threat I wanted on offense Smith will make the defense better even without getting a lot of stats.

I'm very excited to see how Overshown develops he looks like another high energy player that gets home.

Fehoko is also a high energy/production player that could be very disruptive on running and passing downs. He reminds me of Tuli Tuipulotu who was taken earlier.

Like Bland last year I know nothing about Eric Scott but the fact that they were willing to trade a fifth round pick next year tells me they really liked him.

 

[Carter]

I give it a B because of the Vets we hauled in with the late picks we gave up for them.

Draft itself was a C+

Mazi was a great pick but i still believe Kincaid was the target and we got jumped.

Schoonmaker was a big reach. I like him but not for 58 with Torrence on the Board who went a pick after that would have given us a starting LG. Also hated the trade up in the 6th for a guy that would have been available when we originally picked or even in Rookie FA. Also didnt like the T in the Fifth with T-Rex Arms and Hands. I hope they try him at Guard but i dont really see a guy cracking the rotation.

Overshown seems to be a boom or bust type of player. Jury is out on him.

Rookie Free Agency is going great so far so i might upgrade to B+

 

[Manster_Mash]

It's bound to work better than last year's comedically-pathetic play.

I just thought of something.

What if we make the playoffs and face the 49ers for a 3rd time and in a last play desperate attempt to score McCarthy lines up Deuce Vaughn at C?

 

[cnuball21]

D.

Definition of taking need over talent. On top of that basically ignored adding offensive weapons while forcing need.

Almost as bad as the “special teams” draft IMO.

 

[Stash]

I think the draft picks used on veteran players should be added in to that year's draft. Otherwise where did those picks go?

So feel free to add in Brandin Cooks, Stephon Gilmore and Johnathan Hankins if you want. Or don't, if you don't agree with me. It's your call.

If you want to add a + or - to your grade post it in the thread. Too many options for a poll.

1(26) Mazi Smith DT Michigan
2(58) Luke Schoonmaker TE Michigan
3(90) DeMarvion Overshown LB Texas
4(129) Viliami Fehoko DE San Jose St.
5(169) Asim Richards T North Carolina
6(178) Eric Scott Jr. CB Southern Miss
6(212) Deuce Vaughn RB Kansas St.
7(244) Jalen Brooks WR South Carolina
Lost 2024 5th Round Pick (Kansas City)

You make an excellent point about the picks used for the veteran players, that may push my C-grade up to a B as well.

But I’m still left scratching my head as to several reaches as well as what feels like a conscious effort not to draft an offensive guard that’s actually a guard. Or doing nothing at center with Biadasz in the final year of his contract.

 

[Stash]

Wait, so he says it and we just take his word for it?? One report says quad and another says hamstring. SMH.

Well, hell then, Will, I can run a 4 flat, jump 48", and do 50 reps on the bench. Draft me.

It also bears mentioning he suffered a tweaked quad while running his 40-yard dash, so don't criminalize his 4.71 second finish. Scott says his quad is now "110%" and he was clocked at 4.42 seconds recently — likely proving this to the Cowboys in the pre-draft process.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/trade-sends-cb-eric-scott-to-cowboys-in-6th-round

I felt a bit better after reading this, hopefully you will too.

 

[fivetwos]

You make an excellent point about the picks used for the veteran players, that may push my C-grade up to a B as well.

But I’m still left scratching my head as to several reaches as well as what feels like a conscious effort not to draft an offensive guard that’s actually a guard. Or doing nothing at center with Biadasz in the final year of his contract.

For the first time ever, I followed along by watching the draft show or whatever it’s called. Actually a nice way to watch, they constantly anticipate what the next Dallas pick may be…

Anyway from I could gather, and reading between lines, I don’t think the team had particularly high grades on the bigger guys that may be slower footed, such as Torrence or the LSU guard.

For me it felt they focused on TE the second Mayer was passed on at 26. They’ve done it before and may be part of the 2nd round problem.

The Giants were picking directly in front of us for most rounds, and I knew they would burn us at least once. Not trading up for Schmitz and allowing him to go there will be a forever mistake….because they HAD to have a damn TE. I have no issue with Schoonmaker, but I do forcing position, and that was textbook.

Also, at some point at least one these project OL that they routinely spend 4ths and 5ths on are going to need to pan out or they need to quit doing it.

 

[Stash]

For the first time ever, I followed along by watching the draft show or whatever it’s called. Actually a nice way to watch, they constantly anticipate what the next Dallas pick may be…

Anyway from I could gather, and reading between lines, I don’t think the team had particularly high grades on the bigger guys that may be slower footed, such as Torrence or the LSU guard.

For me it felt they focused on TE the second Mayer was passed on at 26. They’ve done it before and may be part of the 2nd round problem.

The Giants were picking directly in front of us for most rounds, and I knew they would burn us at least once. Not trading up for Schmitz and allowing him to go there will be a forever mistake….because they HAD to have a damn TE. I have no issue with Schoonmaker, but I do forcing position, and that was textbook.

Also, at some point at least one these project OL that they routinely spend 4ths and 5ths on are going to need to pan out or they need to quit doing it.

I would rather a “slow footed” guard who can drive people off the ball and not get driven back than a more mobile guy that can’t get push and gets pushed around.

 

[Risen Star]

It also bears mentioning he suffered a tweaked quad while running his 40-yard dash, so don't criminalize his 4.71 second finish. Scott says his quad is now "110%" and he was clocked at 4.42 seconds recently — likely proving this to the Cowboys in the pre-draft process.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/trade-sends-cb-eric-scott-to-cowboys-in-6th-round

I felt a bit better after reading this, hopefully you will too.

Nope. We still fed our sick cornerback fetish trading a pick next year to acquire a guy who is a long shot at best to make the roster and almost certainly would have went undrafted.

We wouldn't have done that at any other position.

 

[Carson]

D.

Definition of taking need over talent. On top of that basically ignored adding offensive weapons while forcing need.

Almost as bad as the “special teams” draft IMO.

Always respect your opinion, but disagree about the offense.

They added

Brandin Cooks > Noah Brown. Pure speed threat, experienced vet with multiple 1,000 yard seasons.

Steele will be back and the run game suffered in his absence.

Gallup is back healthy.

They won’t be hindered by Zeke.

They now have speed in the backfield with Pollard and Deuce. Malik Davis in his second season and Ronald Jones is a power back for short yardage who is a grizzled vet with 2 Super Bowl rings who brings winning with him.

The only downgrade was at LG. But are we really down we lost Connor McGovern?? Richards is more than capable and Tyler Smith likely starts there. Chuma can play as well.

So you ended the season
DAK
ZEKE, POLLARD
LAMB, BROWN, GALLUP, HILTON
SCHULTZ
SMITH, MCGOVERN, MARTIN
BIADASZ, SMITH

This year is projected
DAK
POLLARD, DEUCE, JONES
LAMB, COOKS, GALLUP
SCHOONMAKER/FERGY
SMITH, SMITH, BIADAZ, MARTIN, STEELE

I am not saying this is the greatest show on turf or Air Coryell. But to think they aren’t faster and tougher is just crazy to me.

 

[cnuball21]

Always respect your opinion, but disagree about the offense.

They added

Brandin Cooks > Noah Brown. Pure speed threat, experienced vet with multiple 1,000 yard seasons.

Steele will be back and the run game suffered in his absence.

Gallup is back healthy.

They won’t be hindered by Zeke.

They now have speed in the backfield with Pollard and Deuce. Malik Davis in his second season and Ronald Jones is a power back for short yardage who is a grizzled vet with 2 Super Bowl rings who brings winning with him.

The only downgrade was at LG. But are we really down we lost Connor McGovern?? Richards is more than capable and Tyler Smith likely starts there. Chuma can play as well.

So you ended the season
DAK
ZEKE, POLLARD
LAMB, BROWN, GALLUP, HILTON
SCHULTZ
SMITH, MCGOVERN, MARTIN
BIADASZ, SMITH

This year is projected
DAK
POLLARD, DEUCE, JONES
LAMB, COOKS, GALLUP
SCHOONMAKER/FERGY
SMITH, SMITH, BIADAZ, MARTIN, STEELE

I am not saying this is the greatest show on turf or Air Coryell. But to think they aren’t faster and tougher is just crazy to me.

Agree on Cooks and addition by subtraction with Zeke…

I just don’t think Gallup changes much. Hes
never been a good separator and is a 3 at best. Just would’ve liked to see us get some more young juice or at least a pass catching TE.

 

[noshame]

Feels that way. If I were a conspiracy buff, I’d say Jerry is setting this team up for Dan Quinn.

I'm a walking conspiracy

 

[CowboyChris]

my grade is barely a C, but more importantly it’s about the draft process itself…in recent years teams have traded up in front of us and taken the player we wanted…the clowns at the star will never admit it..Buffalo traded up and took Kincaid…which i believe wrecked our first 2 or 3 rounds…last note the Eagles and Roseman are by far the best at maneuvering and working the draft…no other team is close..oh and one more thing do we really need to have SJ MM JJ WM at a post draft conference? that is so embarrassing

 

[dstew60105]

With the vet players: B
Without: D+

Solid draft. B+

 

[dstew60105]

It's a C

But let's remebwr the first round pick makes a huge difference

A top team doesn't need an a draft to go over the top

Eagles is a boom or bust. Carter has too many red flags to be 100% all in. When your college coaches din5 really give you positive reviews, that’s a problem. Apparently Carter and Ringo have these concerns.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

You just don't know though, right? Not at this point.
We did this in 2020, gave up a 2021 5th to move from the 5th up to the last pick in the 4th, and took Tyler Biadasz.
The Eagles didn't even keep either of our 5th rounders.
That ended up being a pretty good move, so who knows about this one?

I'm all for dealing late round picks to move up to select good talent, but a Rimmington Award winning center from Wisconsin who slid due to injury is different from an unknown corner from Southern Miss. At least it is on its face.

I will wait to judge until this draft class plays a year or two in the league.

 

[fivetwos]

I would rather a “slow footed” guard who can drive people off the ball and not get driven back than a more mobile guy that can’t get push and gets pushed around.

I don’t disagree, just sharing what the teams logic apparently was.

And for those of us who were all pumped over Washington, he wasn’t even on their board due to medical.

It seems they didn’t want a catch only, or block only TE, and the ones who fit the bill were Schoonmaker and Mayer. Once Mayer was passed at 26, they were headed right for what they wanted.

I can’t complain because Schultz’ blocking problems were holding the run game back and I’ve been very vocal over it, but I did want and expect a starting caliber OL, not another project…..and the pick being sandwiched by Schmitz and Torrence didn’t help matters.

 

[RS12]

my grade is barely a C, but more importantly it’s about the draft process itself…in recent years teams have traded up in front of us and taken the player we wanted…the clowns at the star will never admit it..Buffalo traded up and took Kincaid…which i believe wrecked our first 2 or 3 rounds…last note the Eagles and Roseman are by far the best at maneuvering and working the draft…no other team is close..oh and one more thing do we really need to have SJ MM JJ WM at a post draft conference? that is so embarrassing

Don't worry. The grandkids were there taking notes. We are in good hands going forward.