Initial impressions from watching minicamp videos

[Seven]

Yeah, I didn't agree with Briaddus much at all about Gregory re his college tape. Not sure what I'm seeing that he's not, because he played with good leverage and showed he can get to the QB a number of different ways.

Exactly.

Plus, the kid.......he just doesn't stop.

Relentless.

 

[xwalker]

I heard on the radio this morning that he had a leg injury so that could be a reason for his struggles. He wasn't as bad on tape as he looked at camp this weekend.

Yes, he limped off the field on day 1 and then looked sluggish day 2.

People are way over-rating these no-pad practices. There are hours of game film available, but people want to make a determination on a few minutes of a no-pads practice.

 

[Plankton]

My only thing with these rookie minicamps, while it's great to see these guys on the field, you really can't take that much away from it. Forget the pads and minimal contact - most of these guys are not NFL capable players, and seeing Byron Jones provide tight coverage on guys who likely will not spend a day on an NFL roster doesn't tell me a thing about how Jones will do against guys like Dez Bryant and Terrence Williams in practice, as well as against Odell Beckham and DeSean Jackson once the season begins. About the only thing you can really tell is the mental retention capability of the players, and their relative physical conditioning.

 

[VACowboy]

Yes, he limped off the field on day 1 and then looked sluggish day 2.

People are way over-rating these no-pad practices. There are hours of game film available, but people want to make a determination on a few minutes of a no-pads practice.

We gotta talk about SOMETHING!

 

[maxdallasfan]

Dez looked like garbage during his first couple of practices.

 

[TrailBlazer]

The coaches really like the upside of Green, but he would have been hard-pressed to make the 53 before we landed Collins. Remember, the standard for OL recruits to start is usually 3 years; we've recently been spoiled by the skill of our first round picks. The FO was likely hoping for him to replace Parnell, but probably not this year.

He'll probably now be relegated to PS status, but could eventually replace Free.

No way he makes the PS. Dude would get snatched up so fast by another team. He will make the team unless he is a complete flop.

 

[AsthmaField]

Who is he covering in these drills? I mean, as a first round draft pick, I would hope he could stay with future Home Depot workers of America, without pads.

Thank you for keeping me grounded.

 

[AsthmaField]

He actually looks somewhat similar to Witten.

And he's a smart, tough blue-collar worker.

Does remind me of Witten a little. Apparently, Dallas had him ranked as a 5th round pick (or earlier), so they liked him a pretty good bit.

 

[xwalker]

The coaches really like the upside of Green, but he would have been hard-pressed to make the 53 before we landed Collins. Remember, the standard for OL recruits to start is usually 3 years; we've recently been spoiled by the skill of our first round picks. The FO was likely hoping for him to replace Parnell, but probably not this year.

He'll probably now be relegated to PS status, but could eventually replace Free.

A 3rd round pick will basically always get picked up by another team if cut. It's much harder to keep draft picks if cut than UDFAs even if the UDFA had a better training camp. Often 7th round picks can slide through to the PS, but higher round picks rarely do, especially when you get to the to 3 rounds.

 

[jterrell]

Yeah, I didn't agree with Briaddus much at all about Gregory re his college tape. Not sure what I'm seeing that he's not, because he played with good leverage and showed he can get to the QB a number of different ways.

I was very vocal about Gregory being overrated because he was/is.
He wasn't a top 15 player in this draft.

But he was without doubt a tremendousvalue at 60.

He relied on quickness and long arms mostly in college. He flat blew by most OTs which makes sense given he was 50-60 pound slighter than most of them. He had a ton of drag down type plays where he used is wingspan to haul guys in. His speed and strength were quite excellent. Just his size and lower body were a concern. If he gets punched by Tyron in Camp he'll probably be completely stonewalled on the play. That's just too much size to give up. But I think Dallas can do some very creative things with him as a LEO. And on 3rd down the other team darn well put a really good blocker on him. At the same time they gotta protect him by not lining him up at DE on running plays right now or the SAM LB will be wearing him like a pancho.

He looked a lot like Erik Striker with long arms in college IMHO. And that is hardly chopped beef. But it isn't top 15.

 

[Satchel89]

Byron Jones CB - We are going to like this kid quickly. I wasn't crazy about this pick but after watching him he is going to be good. Its just matter of how good. Good size and thing that really jumps out is his coverage skills. He is all over the WR. Will have to see how his turnover skills evolve. Comes off intelligent in interviews and would not surprise me if he is one of team leaders on defense in few years.

Randy Gregory DE - I was little worried about this pick after listening to broaddus basically saying he doesn't have any moves other than just speed to edge. What I saw was high motor, tenacious desire to get to QB. He will need to add about 20 lbs of good weight because he is light and good tackle will push him out of play. On 2nd day he showed inside move that even surprised broaddus (you could hear Marinelli cursing in background to get the **** off the ball). We have to see how he handles the mental aspect when proven NFL tackle is kicking his rear-end. Will be interesting to see how this pick shakes out.

Chaz Green OT - of all draft picks he has struggled most. Undrafted DE were working him over. His first step lacks explosiveness and he doesn't know how to punch yet. Seeing how far behind he is I think Dallas should have gone RB with this pick. But with big OL they take time and he could turn out good. He doesn't look much better than their 7th rounder.

Damion Wilson LB - looks good. Good lateral quickness and has that look like he wants to hit someone. We will have to wait for pads to go on to get better idea of what he brings.

Ryan Russell DE - big kid. Not much strength coach needs to work on with him. He showed burst and bull rush that really showed off his power. If they can get him to be nasty on field he is going to be problem for OL. Him are Gregory are total opposite types of players. Needs work on initial burst and Marinelli was hammering away at that point.

Laurence Gibson - looks like piece of **** out there. Flabby and not well conditioned. He does have some power and long hair so there is some hope. Put him on practice squad for year.

Geoff Swaim - I hated trading up for this pick on draft day. After watching some videos of him for past two days....I take it back. Great draft pick. The original reports on him were of blocking TE. I see athletic TE who has ball skills. Runs good routes, ideal size and probably just wasn't utilized in college to catch ball. I can easily see him replace Hannah as soon as this year.

Conclusion: your big upside players are: Jones & Gregory. This talent is apparent. Gregory has way to go but Jones looks almost NFL ready. Chaz Green has bust potential. If Ryan Russell gets serious Dallas has starter. Swaim will surprise you.

I'm with ya on Swaim. He looked good in the little bit that I saw of him. He might turn out to be better than Escobar. I like Escobar but he's gotta take that next step this year. If he doesn't, I think Swaim will pass him. He has a shot anyway

 

[MagicMan]

Yeah, kinda like Swaim, underrated as a receiver because TX sucked at QB this last couple years. So he did develope into a great blocker for their run-oriented offense. He does have that Witten look to him. I thought at first that maybe PS the first year would be best for him, but now not so sure. Someone could pluck him away down the road.

 

[Doc50]

A 3rd round pick will basically always get picked up by another team if cut. It's much harder to keep draft picks if cut than UDFAs even if the UDFA had a better training camp. Often 7th round picks can slide through to the PS, but higher round picks rarely do, especially when you get to the to 3 rounds.

Right -- he may have a hard time getting to our PS, unless everyone else thought he was a reach.

Problem is, our FO and scouts are beginning to look fairly smart on talent evaluation.

 

[ShiningStar]

I like these posts, fans getting a look at the players, even if its early, lets see it progress, lets see if the players evolve. Its fun stuff. Good work OP.

 

[jobberone]

Hopefully in 3 years, my biggest concern with him is getting beat right off the snap by the DLine.....trying to overthink right now, or just slow twitch?

Love your avatar.

 

[jobberone]

He actually looks somewhat similar to Witten.

And he's a smart, tough blue-collar worker.

He ran a very good seam route and appears faster than Witten by a good bit. He also looked good on a drag and a dig. He doesn't catch the ball as well as I'd like but seeing him one time against rookie competition doesn't complete a picture by any means. But I liked what I saw and he's definitely not just a blocking TE and STs guy.

 

[xwalker]

Right -- he may have a hard time getting to our PS, unless everyone else thought he was a reach.

Problem is, our FO and scouts are beginning to look fairly smart on talent evaluation.

I'm just referring to every year at cut time, early or mid round picks that get cut are basically always claimed. This goes for players cut by any team.

 

[nalam]

He actually looks somewhat similar to Witten.

And he's a smart, tough blue-collar worker.

I thought too , except he is better blocker than Witten was when he started, Witten had to work at it , with Parcells being on his case