Galian Beast
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I saw an article recently basically saying we should temper our expectations of this years draft picks. I disagree. I think expectations should be very high, especially how the draft fell to us (including Collins).
A couple things give me hope for this years crop. First, last year's draft was excellent. Second, I think most of the players we drafted have a role on this team. There are a couple that might struggle to make the team, but should be able to be retained on the practice squad. Nzeocha who I am higher on than most people here, I think has some interesting potential, but don't think he is likely going to make the team. I see him as a PS player like Gibson. Swaim may also be a practice squad guy, depending on whether or not we trade Hanna, who is a UFA after this year. Like many tight ends we've developed, someone will pay him out there (4 former cowboys tight ends are in the top 35 paid tight ends in the league... I guess it helps when you've drafted 3 tight ends in the second round.)
We had multiple 7th rounders, and no 6th round draft pick, but I'm confident that all our picks from 1-5 make the team, and I'm excited about the potential of our 7th round draft picks. Last year especially helps there. Will all the 7th round draft picks (we've had multiple) work out? No. But, I think getting multiple 7th rounders is the Cowboys way to get their pick of UDFAs and it seems to be working pretty well.
Last year
Ben Gardner
Will Smith
Ahmad Dixon
Ken Bishop
Terrance Mitchell
Ben Gardner basically redshirted, but is looking pretty good this year, and I think he has a great chance of making it in the final six defensive ends. Ken Bishop is still around too and has a ton of potential. Will Smith made it a year, but was cut before OTAs. Ahmad Dixon may have made it if he had his head on straight. That's pretty good for five 7th round draft picks.
I think the Cowboys similarly hit on 1-5 (though we had no 3rd round draft pick).
Zack Martin is looking like a perennial pro bowler and future hall of famer.
Demarcus Lawrence has transformed himself last year and is looking like he might beast this year.
Anthony Hitchens was a great steal, and could be a starter at linebacker this year.
Dooley is still very high on Devin Street, and compares him favorably with Terrance Williams.
In 2013, I think we also had an excellent draft, though I think we under used Gavin Escobar in the time he has been here. I've seen him play, and I think he can be a player for us. Escobar should be a significantly better blocker this year, which should allow him to leap frog Hanna completely.
Our only straight up miss from 2013 was BW Webb (we haven't had much luck with DBs, especially in lower rounds). We actually hit on 6th round draft pick DeVonte Holloman, but unfortunately he had a career ending injury...
Our 2012 draft is the real head scratcher, but I think that draft was so pegged to deliver for what Rob Ryan wanted in his scheme, that it hasn't worked out well for us now. Some bad injuries didn't help either. To play devils advocate, we still have four players out of our seven draft picks from that year on the roster and Tyrone Crawford may yet turn into a pro bowl player. I also don't think the story is written on Morris Claiborne's career and this is coming from someone who wanted Sterling Moore ahead of him on the depth chart last year (before he got hurt).
A couple things give me hope for this years crop. First, last year's draft was excellent. Second, I think most of the players we drafted have a role on this team. There are a couple that might struggle to make the team, but should be able to be retained on the practice squad. Nzeocha who I am higher on than most people here, I think has some interesting potential, but don't think he is likely going to make the team. I see him as a PS player like Gibson. Swaim may also be a practice squad guy, depending on whether or not we trade Hanna, who is a UFA after this year. Like many tight ends we've developed, someone will pay him out there (4 former cowboys tight ends are in the top 35 paid tight ends in the league... I guess it helps when you've drafted 3 tight ends in the second round.)
We had multiple 7th rounders, and no 6th round draft pick, but I'm confident that all our picks from 1-5 make the team, and I'm excited about the potential of our 7th round draft picks. Last year especially helps there. Will all the 7th round draft picks (we've had multiple) work out? No. But, I think getting multiple 7th rounders is the Cowboys way to get their pick of UDFAs and it seems to be working pretty well.
Last year
Ben Gardner
Ahmad Dixon
Ken Bishop
Ben Gardner basically redshirted, but is looking pretty good this year, and I think he has a great chance of making it in the final six defensive ends. Ken Bishop is still around too and has a ton of potential. Will Smith made it a year, but was cut before OTAs. Ahmad Dixon may have made it if he had his head on straight. That's pretty good for five 7th round draft picks.
I think the Cowboys similarly hit on 1-5 (though we had no 3rd round draft pick).
Zack Martin is looking like a perennial pro bowler and future hall of famer.
Demarcus Lawrence has transformed himself last year and is looking like he might beast this year.
Anthony Hitchens was a great steal, and could be a starter at linebacker this year.
Dooley is still very high on Devin Street, and compares him favorably with Terrance Williams.
In 2013, I think we also had an excellent draft, though I think we under used Gavin Escobar in the time he has been here. I've seen him play, and I think he can be a player for us. Escobar should be a significantly better blocker this year, which should allow him to leap frog Hanna completely.
Our only straight up miss from 2013 was BW Webb (we haven't had much luck with DBs, especially in lower rounds). We actually hit on 6th round draft pick DeVonte Holloman, but unfortunately he had a career ending injury...
Our 2012 draft is the real head scratcher, but I think that draft was so pegged to deliver for what Rob Ryan wanted in his scheme, that it hasn't worked out well for us now. Some bad injuries didn't help either. To play devils advocate, we still have four players out of our seven draft picks from that year on the roster and Tyrone Crawford may yet turn into a pro bowl player. I also don't think the story is written on Morris Claiborne's career and this is coming from someone who wanted Sterling Moore ahead of him on the depth chart last year (before he got hurt).
