Jeff Okudah - Example of how "everyone" can be wrong

[Rockport]

Everyone does. Even Bill Belichick is awful at drafting.

Cowboys aren’t. They’re one of the best. And don’t give me the ignorant and lame “And where has that got them” BS.

 

[exciter]

I

If I’m not mistaken, we would’ve taken Michael Brockers and Bobby Wagner if we didn’t trade for him

I think they so much as said they were targeting Wagner if the trade opportunity hadn’t arisen. Don’t remember them saying anything to that effect with Brockers and find it unlikely considering their history with the position but could be wrong!

 

[exciter]

That wasn't my experience. Everyone on this site and every media source I watched touted him as maybe the best player in the draft.

Not saying you are wrong, just saying I didn't encounter this.

I was actually not convinced he was all that and was called many names when I suggested as much.

Yup! Multiple media labeled him as a can’t miss prospect!

 

[AsthmaField]

I think they so much as said they were targeting Wagner if the trade opportunity hadn’t arisen. Don’t remember them saying anything to that effect with Brockers and find it unlikely considering their history with the position but could be wrong!

Yeah, they admitted that without the trade… assuming Brockers and Wagner were there at Dallas’ picks… they would have picked Brockers and Wagner.

 

[AsthmaField]

Yup! Multiple media labeled him as a can’t miss prospect!

Yep.

The trade up for Mo was relatively cheap as compared to most years. Where Dallas made the mistake was moving up for a guy that they hadn’t really talked to. Claiborne was going to go off the board so much higher than Dallas picked, they hadn’t bothered themselves with vetting him.

The main problem with Mo was between his ears. He had scored a 4 on his Wonderlic test and apparently his on-field processing was just slow. I don’t know if he had a learning disability or what (some speculated that was the case)… but that was really his downfall.

Had they taken the time to interview him correctly and bring him in for a visit, they very well might not have made that trade.

At least they learned their lesson about that. I doubt they’ll ever be unprepared like that again… or, if they are, they just won’t take a prospect they hadn’t vetted.

 

[xwalker]

Yep.

The trade up for Mo was relatively cheap as compared to most years. Where Dallas made the mistake was moving up for a guy that they hadn’t really talked to. Claiborne was going to go off the board so much higher than Dallas picked, they hadn’t bothered themselves with vetting him.

The main problem with Mo was between his ears. He had scored a 4 on his Wonderlic test and apparently his on-field processing was just slow. I don’t know if he had a learning disability or what (some speculated that was the case)… but that was really his downfall.

Had they taken the time to interview him correctly and bring him in for a visit, they very well might not have made that trade.

At least they learned their lesson about that. I doubt they’ll ever be unprepared like that again… or, if they are, they just won’t take a prospect they hadn’t vetted.

One of the reasons that McClay eventually got the top talent evaluation job.

The scouts not on the same page with the coaches in 2013 was the final straw.

Now McClay makes it a priority to be prepared.

 

[CowboyoWales]

One of the reasons that McClay eventually got the top talent evaluation job.

The scouts not on the same page with the coaches in 2013 was the final straw.

Now McClay makes it a priority to be prepared.

Isn't CB one of the hardest positions to plug and play due to the reactionary nature of the position?

On our visit choices, maybe it would of been worth giving Tolbert an invite ..... it may of highlighted either the ability to digest the play book or that he wasn't ready from small school straight to NFL.

 

[CATCH17]

Mo Claiborne was one of the weirdest “busts” I can remember.

It makes no sense that the guy from LSU came to the pros and was mediocre at best.

 

[J-man]

Good example why I would almost never trade up, at least not more than a few spots, nor would I give up much to do it.

 

[McKDaddy]

Mo Claiborne was one of the weirdest “busts” I can remember.

It makes no sense that the guy from LSU came to the pros and was mediocre at best.

I firmly believe the Ref's were partially to blame for his lackluster career. They called some horrendous calls against him right out of the gate and did a number on his confidence.

Not sure what he would have been without that but I'm convinced that really got into his head.

 

[McKDaddy]

Sounds like they did good to recover a 5th rounder.
Bust usually get cut.

Well as some folks have mentioned, he did appear to be righting the ship somewhat last year. I would have thought they would have kept him hoping he could become the player they thought they were drafting.

I haven't studied the money so that may have been a reason OR there is something else that they aren't comfortable with & wanted to get something for him & move on.

 

[xwalker]

Isn't CB one of the hardest positions to plug and play due to the reactionary nature of the position?

On our visit choices, maybe it would of been worth giving Tolbert an invite ..... it may of highlighted either the ability to digest the play book or that he wasn't ready from small school straight to NFL.

Isn't CB one of the hardest positions to plug and play due to the reactionary nature of the position?

On our visit choices, maybe it would of been worth giving Tolbert an invite ..... it may of highlighted either the ability to digest the play book or that he wasn't ready from small school straight to NFL.

CB or WR?

Tolbert is WR which is one of the most difficult transitions from college to pro.

 

[INCowboysFan]

That one still hurts…another miss on a can’t miss prospect.

Looking back the 4.5 40 should’ve been a red flag for someone considered a blue chipper.

I think the 4 on the wonderlic may have been a bigger red flag

 

[cnuball21]

I think the 4 on the wonderlic may have been a bigger red flag

Yea, certainly didn’t help.

 

[john van brocklin]

Well as some folks have mentioned, he did appear to be righting the ship somewhat last year. I would have thought they would have kept him hoping he could become the player they thought they were drafting.

I haven't studied the money so that may have been a reason OR there is something else that they aren't comfortable with & wanted to get something for him & move on.

Guessing he is making some bank as the 3 overall pick so money could have played into the decision...

 

[CowboyoWales]

CB or WR?

Tolbert is WR which is one of the most difficult transitions from college to pro.

I would say that whilst the WR has the playbook to digest, his greatest hurdle is to get in sync with the QB....the CB, is at the mercy of the WR, whom you'd expect an OC would test with seasoned veterans.

 

[kskboys]

That wasn't my experience. Everyone on this site and every media source I watched touted him as maybe the best player in the draft.

Not saying you are wrong, just saying I didn't encounter this.

I was actually not convinced he was all that and was called many names when I suggested as much.

Not me.

I'm thinking you pay way too much attention to the wrong posters. The name callers are the weak.

 

[kskboys]

That one still hurts…another miss on a can’t miss prospect.

Looking back the 4.5 40 should’ve been a red flag for someone considered a blue chipper.

Not to mention that his scouting report read like a 3rd round talent. The scouts clamouring for Mo never made sense. It's like, one scout fell in love with him and the rest followed suit.

 

[kskboys]

Okudah was such a clean prospect. Checked pretty much all the boxes you look for in a CB. I’m shocked has hasn’t panned out.

Never draft a CB top 15.

 

[cnuball21]

Not to mention that his scouting report read like a 3rd round talent. The scouts clamouring for Mo never made sense. It's like, one scout fell in love with him and the rest followed suit.

I’d disagree with that…he was a unanimous top 10ish player. Maybe he should be but he’s more of a bust than a reach type pick.