Lets examine these two questions

[ABQCOWBOY]

If we are not able to pull off a trade for a big time WR, what do we do then?

Obviously, we could draft a WR or two but it's not likely that they would help us much for the next few seasons. We could hope that Stanbeck or Hurd or somebody might step up but that's pretty risky.

We could just stay the same and hope that Crayton improves to the point of becoming a #2 WR threat. We could just hope that Glenn can return to form. Again, very risky IMO.

We could wait to see who gets cut and try and sign a guy later in the year.

Or, we could consider trading for another WR that is not named Roy Williams or Aquan Bolden or Chad Johnson. If we did this, could this possibly be a better value?

Do we need to look at picking up a quality ILB?

Many don't believe this is a big need. Personally, I see our LBs being thinned out a lot over the next couple of seasons. The fact that these guys are going to be coming up on there 2nd contracts would seem to denote this. I don't see the wisdom in paying more for guys who may not have enough upside to start for us or are not really producing a great deal. Ayodele, Burnett and Carp (although he's not an ILB) I see as gone in the next few seasons unless something changes dramatically. It could, James played his way onto this team when it looked as if he might be gone. The problem is that Carp is not an ILB and he's not going to beat out Ware or Ellis/Spencer. Should we be thinking about taking a talented ILB if there is one there?

 

[gollum]

If we are not able to pull off a trade for a big time WR, what do we do then?

Obviously, we could draft a WR or two but it's not likely that they would help us much for the next few seasons. We could hope that Stanbeck or Hurd or somebody might step up but that's pretty risky.

We could just stay the same and hope that Crayton improves to the point of becoming a #2 WR threat. We could just hope that Glenn can return to form. Again, very risky IMO.

We could wait to see who gets cut and try and sign a guy later in the year.

Or, we could consider trading for another WR that is not named Roy Williams or Aquan Bolden or Chad Johnson. If we did this, could this possibly be a better value?

I count three questions

I wouldn't mind a mid round receiver and to see what kind of flotsam appears until the season begins.

 

[Doomsday101]

If we are not able to pull off a trade for a big time WR, what do we do then?

Obviously, we could draft a WR or two but it's not likely that they would help us much for the next few seasons. We could hope that Stanbeck or Hurd or somebody might step up but that's pretty risky.

We could just stay the same and hope that Crayton improves to the point of becoming a #2 WR threat. We could just hope that Glenn can return to form. Again, very risky IMO.

We could wait to see who gets cut and try and sign a guy later in the year.

Or, we could consider trading for another WR that is not named Roy Williams or Aquan Bolden or Chad Johnson. If we did this, could this possibly be a better value?

If we can't get a vet WR then draft one in the meantime Dallas was one of the higher scoring teams and we will have the same weapons we had last year.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I count three questions

I wouldn't mind a mid round receiver and to see what kind of flotsam appears until the season begins.

Sorry Gollum, I had to fix it. :laugh2:

Forgot to ask the second question.

 

[ddh33]

They're obviously going to try for the proven commodity.

If that doesn't work, I expect them to take a receiver they think highly of somewhere fairly early. You've still got what you had last year, and your young guys may still develop. You might even get more out of Terry Glenn, so all is not lost.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

I don't believe Dallas is as desperate as some believe for a new wide out . In my mind the Cowboys already have a #1 receiver in Witten , a #2 receiver in Owens , and a #3 in Crayton/Glenn . Throw in some project guys like Hurd and Stanbeck and you've got your #4 . I'm sure with the age of Owens and Glenn , that the Cowboys would like to infuse some youth , but I see no reason in reaching for a 1st round selection , or giving away your draft on a veteran presence .

I wouldn't be surprised to see Dallas wait until the second round and pick up a guy like Andre Caldwell or Earl Bennett . Maybe even day two with a guy like Dexter Jackson or William Franklin .

 

[LucaBrasi]

If they can't get a vet reciever, hopefully they draft one with one of the first three picks. Yeah, maybe they don't help much this season but they desperately need to get young there and develop someone with a pedigree.

 

[Iago33]

Cry ... then pick up a young receiver and hope Stanback comes on strong.

No.

 

[ajk23az]

Marcus Monk in draft =)

 

[DFWJC]

Draft a WR or two anyway...our WR group is better than many others out there--including probabaly the Giants (especially as they were in the SB w/ a hurt Plax).

Unless a great value fell in our laps after Rd1, I would not take an ILB. I think we can adress it next year if needed.

 

[Doomsday101]

If they can't get a vet reciever, hopefully they draft one with one of the first three picks. Yeah, maybe they don't help much this season but they desperately need to get young there and develop someone with a pedigree.

I agree. The major thing the draft does is help build for tomorrow not this season. Rookie impact at most position tends to be limited within their 1st season as most young players are learning and are not accustom to the longer season. Right now Dallas has some good players at WR and TE but I think they must look now to help keep this team strong for years down the road. Waiting until our top WR like TO is gone then trying to fill the void in my view is a mistake, do it now so that you are not forced to rely solely on a rookie

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

We are better off at ILB than we were last year. Bradie, Ayodele, Carp and Burnett are all back and we have added Thomas to that mix. Burnett was hurt his first two years and Carp deserves a shot with Wade that he didnt get last year. It seems to be forgotten that he played well his rookie year.

That means 5 ILB and unless we draft a ILB in the first two round I just see no way that he would beat out who we already have. UFA should be camp fodder not draft picks.

As for WR, we have TO Crayton Austin and Hurd as definites. Even if Glenn is healthy, we need another WR if we dont trade for one. If we trade for one we still need to draft one especially if the one we bring in is as injury prone as RW is.

TO was hurt last year and we hvent had the best of luck with WR health.

 

[AsthmaField]

Really, the only ILB prospect (3-4) that I really like in this draft is Keith Rivers. He is a true stud, has great character, and has a passion for the game.

If Parcells was still the coach, I'd say it would be a wasted pick... but with Phillips and all the different ways he will use an ILB (see Donnie Edwards) I think Rivers would be dynamite for us.

If he somehow falls down in the first round (he won't) then I wouldn't mind picking him at all.

If we do get, say, Roy Williams with the 28th pick and we get Adam Jones in a trade, then I could see us picking Rivers at 22 and using the 2nd round pick to take a RB. Like I said though... Rivers will be gone by the 22nd pick, IMO.

Plus, taking a ILB in round 1 and a RB in round 2 would make us more reliant on PacMan than I really would want to be.

Still, Rivers is a real talent and in a 3-4, LB's are difference makers.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

We are better off at ILB than we were last year. Bradie, Ayodele, Carp and Burnett are all back and we have added Thomas to that mix. Burnett was hurt his first two years and Carp deserves a shot with Wade that he didnt get last year. It seems to be forgotten that he played well his rookie year.

That means 5 ILB and unless we draft a ILB in the first two round I just see no way that he would beat out who we already have. UFA should be camp fodder not draft picks.

As for WR, we have TO Crayton Austin and Hurd as definites. Even if Glenn is healthy, we need another WR if we dont trade for one. If we trade for one we still need to draft one especially if the one we bring in is as injury prone as RW is.

TO was hurt last year and we hvent had the best of luck with WR health.

If a talented ILB prospect is there for us in the first or second round and he's higher on our board then say WR or RB or even CB, do we take him?



Do we need a Boldin, Williams or Johnson if we can get another Vet who is not nearly as good but may bring 4.3 speed to the outside and say a 20 YPC average or maybe a 50-60 receptions guy who has no ability to really be a game breaker but is just a guy who catches a lot of shorter balls. Maybe 10 YPC kind of player? Would a Vet like either one of those work to help our offense?

 

[big dog cowboy]

If we are not able to pull off a trade for a big time WR, what do we do then?

Do we need to look at picking up a quality ILB?

I'd still like to see us address the WR position early this draft. Since we can't count on a big contribution from this player this year, we might need to sign a vet after final cuts.

ILB isn't what I would call a big need at this time. But I wouldn't be opposed if we got one from the 4th round on if there is someone we really like. The main thing is if we do draft one, we draft him for his LB talent and not just because he can play special teams.

 

[cobra]

I fail to see how ILB could be a position of need. We are probably deepest at that position than any team is at any position on the field.

We have 5 starting caliber players.
James
Thomas
Ayodele
Burnett
Carpenter
We have a good special teamer who can provide qualifty depth in Justin Rogers.

Trying to suggest we have a need there is the most tortured, overthought analysis possible.

Yeah, we might have a need there 3-4 seasons from now. But you don't draft now on the idea you will need a ILB 3-4 seasons from now. For one, we might not. We might be fine there. But even if we develop a need, you don't need to sit on a ILB for 3 seasons to develop one. They can play as rookie or 2nd year player so you can wait on looking there. The argument makes more sense in the QB context or WR context--those players need time to marinate, so you should try to get the replacement 3 years before they are needed. But ILB? That's not necessary at all.

Hell, we might not be playing in the 3-4 in 4 seasons.

It strikes me as ridiculous to suggest the position of the greatest depth is one that is a need.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I'd still like to see us address the WR position early this draft. Since we can't count on a big contribution from this player this year, we might need to sign a vet after final cuts.

ILB isn't what I would call a big need at this time. But I wouldn't be opposed if we got one from the 4th round on if there is someone we really like. The main thing is if we do draft one, we draft him for his LB talent and not just because he can play special teams.

So lets say, just as a hypothetical, DMac, Mendenhall, Cromartie, Jenkins, McKelvon, Hardy and Thomas are all off the board. Lets say that an ILB is still on the board, say Connor or Mayo or maybe Lofton, and they are ranked higher then the next best prospect. Not just say 3 or 4 spots but maybe as a top 15 talent, should we take that player?

 

[mmillman]

My preference with #22 and #28 is that they trade #28 for Roy Williams. If that doesn't happen then I would like Dallas to trade #28 for a likely terrible teams #1 next year and a high pick this year.

Lastly Dallas needs to come away with a couple of contributors and to me that means BPA and the tiebreaker for that would be if they play CB, WR, RB. Otherwise I don't care what position they pick as long as they don't reach for need.

If Dallas can't get first round value where they sit then trade up or down.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Really, the only ILB prospect (3-4) that I really like in this draft is Keith Rivers. He is a true stud, has great character, and has a passion for the game.

I like Rivers... But I'd also take Curtis Lofton. He would be a perfect understudy to Zach.

I doubt we get him, of course, but I think he's going to be a heck of a player for someone. Great instincts, heart, and motor.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I fail to see how ILB could be a position of need. We are probably deepest at that position than any team is at any position on the field.

We have 5 starting caliber players.
James
Thomas
Ayodele
Burnett
Carpenter
We have a good special teamer who can provide qualifty depth in Justin Rogers.

Trying to suggest we have a need there is the most tortured, overthought analysis possible.

Yeah, we might have a need there 3-4 seasons from now. But you don't draft now on the idea you will need a ILB 3-4 seasons from now. For one, we might not. We might be fine there. But even if we develop a need, you don't need to sit on a ILB for 3 seasons to develop one. They can play as rookie or 2nd year player so you can wait on looking there. The argument makes more sense in the QB context or WR context--those players need time to marinate, so you should try to get the replacement 3 years before they are needed. But ILB? That's not necessary at all.

Hell, we might not be playing in the 3-4 in 4 seasons.

It strikes me as ridiculous to suggest the position of the greatest depth is one that is a need.

Wow. I can't say I agree with much of this post at all. James has proven to be pretty solid but still, he is a two down LB. That's not horrible but it's not ideal either. Thomas is a great player but there are medical questions. You don't know that he will last or not. Ayodele, well, he had 57 tackles for the season. I don't think there was a starting ILB or ML that had fewer with the exception of Ryan Fowler with 54 and he only played in 14 games total. Heck, Zach Thomas had 52 in 5 games. Newman had 50 tackles 11 games started. Burnett had 53 himself. I think it's OK to say that Ayodele started for us but I'm not certain that you can say he's of starting quality at this point. Now, he may change this this year but he may not. There is a differnce between starting a game and being of starting quality.

Again, Ayodele and Carp are being paid a great deal of money to not do very much. Burnett is coming up on a contract, I believe, and he too will start making more money. I'm OK with that but you can't know how much more money he may want. He may be reasonable or he may not. Thomas is what he is. I don't think we are looking at a situation where we are drafting for 3 or 4 years down the road. Looks to me as if a good player could come in and start within a season or so. JMO