Here's how I view the 26th pick

[Stash]

If Hyatt struggles at route running and needs to develop, how often is he going to be on the field to actually use his speed with Cooks, Lamb and Gallup likely the Top 3?

People are just obsessed with the idea he runs real fast and ergo he would be a great pick. Just because a guy can run fast doesn't mean he's going to have a big impact in both the passing and run game. If he can't run routes, struggles at things like working a zone or getting off press coverage, the fact he's fast is not going to matter at all.

I think you’re overrating Gallup, certainly based on last year.

He needs a big rebound to be #3.

 

[cnuball21]

If Hyatt struggles at route running and needs to develop, how often is he going to be on the field to actually use his speed with Cooks, Lamb and Gallup likely the Top 3?

People are just obsessed with the idea he runs real fast and ergo he would be a great pick. Just because a guy can run fast doesn't mean he's going to have a big impact in both the passing and run game. If he can't run routes, struggles at things like working a zone or getting off press coverage, the fact he's fast is not going to matter at all.

Every time we run 4 WR sets and / or give the other guys a breather. Also could easily see him eating into MGs snaps…who is average at best.

I understand the route running needs to improve, but also think it’s being oversold. We’re talking about a kid that completely obliterated Alabama and the rest of the SEC as a deep threat. We’re not talking about a combine warrior with no + tape that just runs fast…

And again, he posted an elite yards per route run metric against both man and zone so he eats against zone.

 

[rambo2]

Smartest pick would be Avilia IMO. Getting a kid who can play LG or maybe even OC really solidifies the OL and your left side of the OL could be a foundation for years wiht Tyler Smith at LT (or eventually at LT). I like him more than Torrence.

Safest pick would be Mayer. Yes, he doesn't have the uber high ceiling of Washington but basically all the analyst say he also has the highest floor and less bust potential than the other TEs because Mayer does everything well whereas the other TEs might excel in one area but have struggles/questions in other areas.

Flashiest pick would be Robinson. He clearly has talent and looks like an explosive RB. Jerry could PR the crap out of him since he's a UT TB. But I just don't think the value is there in this draft taking a TB that high.

Dumbest pick would be Hyatt. That's not that I think he's a bad prospect or that he can't be a really good WR. He has great speed. But there are some questions with him about his route running, his understanding of defenses, etc. Plus, he'd be a 4th WR here. Given his rawness, to think he'd come in and replace Cooks or Gallup as one of the Top 3 WRs is a reach. You need your #1 pick to play and play immediately in Dallas given we don't use FA a ton. Seems like Hyatt is a guy who would languish for at least 2 years before he could even have a chance to make an impact.

It is very hard for us to say because we don't see how the interviews go.

That being said, I would take Robinson if he is available. That would give them the best back and one of the best players in the draft. I big tie breaker for me is if they pass on him, the Eagles could very well get him at 30 or in a trade up. That would be an awful outcome for the Cowboys.

From the 30 visits we can see that the Cowboys are certainly interested in receivers. Zay Flowers would give them an explosive play maker. It will be interesting to see what they think of the other receivers they brought in. It is likely that one or more of them will be available at 26. To me you know that you are getting an explosive play maker in Flowers.

Guard makes a lot of sense. I think that they can get a guard with a trade back. Avila makes a lot of sense. Some other guys with position flex that make a lot of sense would be Cody Mauch and John Michael Schmitz. I also wonder if they would consider tackles like Darnell Wright from Tennesse and Anton Harrison from Oklahoma. Maybe Wright can move to left guard and maybe Harrison can go to left tackle and they move Tyler Smith back to left guard. The Cowboys also like Atonio Mafi from UCLA who they could get later in the draft.

Like you said Mayer looks like a safe pick at tight end. He looks like a solid good one. Then you have Kincaid. He looks like he would be an outstanding pass catcher, but how is the back? Back issues are a risky red flag.

Defensive tackle is a wild card that could be a surprise. Bresee and Kancey could be available. I have no idea how Quinn feels about these 2 players. I think that both would have good value at 26 with a lot of upside. I would be surprised if they took Mazi Smith at 26. I like Benton and Ika later in the draft.

The Cowboys certainly have interest in another edge rusher. Smith, Ojulari, Anudike-Uzomah, and McDonald are all possibilities.

So in conclusion, I would say if Robinson is there you take him. If he is gone, they could draft a receiver, or olinemen, or tight end, or dtackle, or edge rusher. A trade back could net them good players later in the draft.

 

[InPhiltraitor]

Reminds me of last season when many thought Tyler Smith had a 2nd round grade and was a reach. Dallas identified the player they wanted and didn't wait around to pull the trigger. Yeah Smith had inside outside versatility but Avilia has OG/C versatility. I don't think he's a reach at 26.

I heard a scout say before that if you've identified a guy that you want on your board don't hesitate to go get him. It's a "heck with someone else's board" philosophy. That thinking supports your thought process.

As for Hyatt, I wouldn't prefer him at 26 but if you want to take a deeper dive into his biggest issue right now (route tree nonsense) blame Alex Golesh and Josh Heupel. They designed the routes for the receivers to run - not Hyatt. Can you imagine young Jalin sitting with his position group in the meeting room, raising his hand and saying, "Hey coach, do me a solid and only send me on post and go-routes so Crooked-mouth Jeremiah and Dimwit Brooks can rag on my draft value".

 

[beware_d-ware]

I believe McDonald is squarely in the mix at 26.

It's hard to find a game-changing player when you're drafting in the late 20s. McDonald's your game-changer.

 

[Sydla]

I personally don't think Gallup offers us anything, so I look at a high draft pick as #3

He's being paid quite a bit. They restructured him so he's definitely on the roster for two more years given no cap savings. He was pretty darn good before the injury. It's not a surprise that a guy coming off ACL surgery takes a season to really find himself.

The odds a rookie at 26 supplants Gallup is a real stretch. So you are basically using the 26th pick on a 4th WR.

 

[Sydla]

I think you’re overrating Gallup, certainly based on last year.

He needs a big rebound to be #3.

He doesn't need a big rebound to be a solid #3.

And whether people want to buy this or not, the reality is the Cowboys paid him and restructured him so there's little chance Gallup isn't on the field a lot the next two seasons, at least.

The notion Hyatt, for example, can come in given his rawness and take away a bulk of snaps from Gallup (or Cooks) is pretty far fetched IMO.

 

[J-man]

Smartest pick - Kancey - Would take the defense to another level and have offensive coordinators pulling out their hair.

Safest - Robinson - 1000 yard rusher every year.

Flashiest - Flowers

Dumbest - Any TE

I don't think that highly of Kancey. I think he can be a good DT, but I don't see the next Aaron Donald as others are trying suggest.
I agree about Robinson, he is safe. He would be a great fit here for the next 5 years.
Flowers would be flashy on the field, but I'm not so sure he's a flashy draft pick. I'd say trading up for a DE would be the flashiest move.
I agree that taking a TE at 26 wouldn't be very smart.

 

[J-man]

Smartest pick would be Avilia IMO. Getting a kid who can play LG or maybe even OC really solidifies the OL and your left side of the OL could be a foundation for years wiht Tyler Smith at LT (or eventually at LT). I like him more than Torrence.

Safest pick would be Mayer. Yes, he doesn't have the uber high ceiling of Washington but basically all the analyst say he also has the highest floor and less bust potential than the other TEs because Mayer does everything well whereas the other TEs might excel in one area but have struggles/questions in other areas.

Flashiest pick would be Robinson. He clearly has talent and looks like an explosive RB. Jerry could PR the crap out of him since he's a UT TB. But I just don't think the value is there in this draft taking a TB that high.

Dumbest pick would be Hyatt. That's not that I think he's a bad prospect or that he can't be a really good WR. He has great speed. But there are some questions with him about his route running, his understanding of defenses, etc. Plus, he'd be a 4th WR here. Given his rawness, to think he'd come in and replace Cooks or Gallup as one of the Top 3 WRs is a reach. You need your #1 pick to play and play immediately in Dallas given we don't use FA a ton. Seems like Hyatt is a guy who would languish for at least 2 years before he could even have a chance to make an impact.

I like Avila a lot, but not really at 26 and definitely not more than Torrence or JMS.
I'm out on any TE at 26.
Robinson would be safe, not flashy.
Hyatt isn't my favorite choice and I agree that the WR position will be the toughest to crack for a rookie, but I'd love to add another dynamic playmaker to that group.

 

[Cowboyny]

I agree.

While I do like the idea of drafting Avila, I like it a whole lot more at #40 - with the proper draft compensation - than I do at #26.

Most reputable sites have him ranked between 40-60. There is an outside chance he makes it to our 2nd rd pick. If they love the player, then trade back and get him. In my opinion, he isn't an elite player and reminds me of Hernandez that the Giants drafted: better as a pass protector then a run blocker, despite his huge frame.

 

[Cowboyny]

Brugler has him at 40. That's not exactly a big reach at that point to take him at 26. Some are advocating taking Kancey at 26 and Brugler has him at 35, so is there really a big difference there?

That half a rd reach. He is more of a trade down option, but he could even reach us at 58. Not an elite prospect, reminds me of Hernandez that the Giants drafted a few years ago, more of a pass protector then a run blocker.

 

[Stash]

He doesn't need a big rebound to be a solid #3.

And whether people want to buy this or not, the reality is the Cowboys paid him and restructured him so there's little chance Gallup isn't on the field a lot the next two seasons, at least.

The notion Hyatt, for example, can come in given his rawness and take away a bulk of snaps from Gallup (or Cooks) is pretty far fetched IMO.

39 catches for the year. 52% catch percentage.

A big reason why they were desperately looking for other options.

He needs a big rebound.

 

[Gaede]

He's being paid quite a bit. They restructured him so he's definitely on the roster for two more years given no cap savings. He was pretty darn good before the injury. It's not a surprise that a guy coming off ACL surgery takes a season to really find himself.

The odds a rookie at 26 supplants Gallup is a real stretch. So you are basically using the 26th pick on a 4th WR.

I think that makes sense, from a money standpoint. But he looked awful, and I don't think a rookie like JSN or Flowers would have a hard time supplanting him, tbh.

 

[DFWJC]

Brugler has him at 40. That's not exactly a big reach at that point to take him at 26. Some are advocating taking Kancey at 26 and Brugler has him at 35, so is there really a big difference there?

I hear you.
But if WE have him as our 40th best, we better not take him at 26.
That's an extra 3rd and 4th round pick , value-wide
There's no way we would do it if if that were the case. Dallas is pretty strict about their board, especially in the 1st round.
They would never tak the 40th player on their original board at 26. Chances are there would be a few remaining that are in their top 25.

But maybe we have him in our top 25. If so, then sure.
No idea.

 

[Stash]

Most reputable sites have him ranked between 40-60. There is an outside chance he makes it to our 2nd rd pick. If they love the player, then trade back and get him. In my opinion, he isn't an elite player and reminds me of Hernandez that the Giants drafted: better as a pass protector then a run blocker, despite his huge frame.

What I like is that he can anchor. He’s not getting pushed back into the quarterback.

 

[jujoboys]

Love the players, but:

- Avila is a reach at 26. Consensus big boards have him in the 40s.
- Mayer - pretty accurate assessment but I’d rather have a similar graded player at a money position due to his athletic profile. That being said it’s safe and I think he’s be reliable.
- Robinson - agree on value
- Hyatt - disagree on assessment here. Yes he needs to develop his route running but his game speed alone would be a huge boost to both the passing game and running game.

I wouldn't put very little stock into those big boards. Mike Mayock spoke about media related boards would he took the job as the Raiders GM and ultimately failed. He said that as a media person you may only have the time to look at about 100 prospects. You don't have the time to dive in deep like team scouts do. You are just basing your analysis off of film work and maybe talking to some of the players. A team like Dallas employs 15 scouts full time. These guys are looking at film, talking to coaches, talking to other players, attending games, attending workouts, etc. They are 15 full time scouting entities. Where someone like Daniel Jeremiah, Mel Kiper, etc does this scouting gig along with other media obligations.

 

[Cowboyny]

What I like is that he can anchor. He’s not getting pushed back into the quarterback.

He is a good pass protector, just needs a little work as a run block what I gather. I like the player, but 26 is too rich for me.

 

[Stash]

He is a good pass protector, just needs a little work as a run block what I gather. I like the player, but 26 is too rich for me.

Like I said, trade down and draft him a little later. Just don’t get too cute.

 

[morasp]

I'm probably in the minority but to me Sanders looks explosive with the traits and production of a playmaker

McDonald IV tackles 36 TFL 7.5 sacks 5 PD 4 FF 1
Sanders tackles 103 TFL 13.5 sacks 9.5 PD 5 FF 3 Int 1

 

[Sydla]

39 catches for the year. 52% catch percentage.

A big reason why they were desperately looking for other options.

He needs a big rebound.

And you think Hyatt can come in and immediately take snaps from him?

Not likely. And the contract is what the contract is. He's not going anywhere for at least two seasons.