Louis Riddick - Cowboys take Zeke

[NorthwestDallas40]

So, paying a QB @4 around $24M the 4-5 years TO SIT ON THE BENCH is a bargain? That is pure stupidity.

I just wonder why we signed Alfred Morris and Lance Dunbar if we thought we might draft a RB at 4? I know ther deals were not expensive and not too much guaranteed money, but seems odd if we were thinking about Zeke at 4.

 

[morasp]

If it's Garrett that's pushing for Elliott, I really wonder if Jerry caves and gives him what he wants. Jerry isn't deaf. He's heard the whispers that Garrett is simply not a good coach, that he's mediocre, that it was embarrassing they were so inept when Romo was out, etc. Does Jerry then throw his head coach a bone and give him the player Garrett believes is what is needed to get him to the top?

It sounds like all Jerry has to say is let's stick to the board.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I totally disagree. We just proved you can kind of plug and play into this system. They took a washed up bum in McFadden and turned him into a 1,000 yard rusher in roughly 12 games and did so WITHOUT any real QB or WR play. If Romo and Bryant are healthy, and McFadden played a full 16 games, you are talking about a TB who might have had 1,500 yards. How much more do you think Elliott is going to do as rookie? 2,000 yards?

That's not so say Elliott is the same as McFadden. He's probably more talented at this point but I think the increase in production from going from one to the other isn't as great as some think, especially when you factor in the cost both financially and in terms of being able to possibly fill an even bigger need.

PS - I do agree that health with McFadden is a big issue. But I think Morris mitigates that a bit and if the Cowboys take a TB in the 3rd or 4th round, they should be OK.

You have to depend on the health of McFadden and Dunbar.

One would say you don't have to worry about the Health of Morris as he seems to be injury free as far as missing games...However he is also a very one demensional player at RB as he is not a pass catching RB by any stretch.

Zeke can do it all...Power, Speed, Pass Block, Pass Catching.

You could fill mcfadden and morris's role with one player. lol.

 

[slick325]

Is the RBBC philosophy changing? Chubb had Michelle, Perine shared carries, Freeman had Tyner and others, Bama leaned in Henry, but was always RBBC to that point. I don't see the trend changing, I just see one of the strongest RB classes ever leading some teams to lean on one guy.

But college is fundamentally differentl. What does Saban care if Henry breaks down in 5 years, so long as he gets his rings?

You bring up a good point about Murray not being worth he contract. We're locked into a second contract with Elliot if we invest a top 5 pick on him. Overpaying for other positions is one thing, but doing so on a RB is very different. But we can't decide he's worth the 4th pick, but not worth a massive second contract (coming a year after Gurley sets the market). That should be a scary thought.

Lamar Miller made good money. Absolutely nothing compared to the top DLs and CBs. The trend is still clear: RBs get a small fraction of what positions with a longer, more durable shelf life do.

I'm not a scout. I have my opinions on players, but try not to take them too seriously. But to answer your question: I want to trade down. If we don't, I don't think Ramsey or Bosa are a waste. I don't love the idea of drafting Tunsil to play RT, but I think that's better than going RB. I don't like Goff or Wentz enough to pick them at 4, but I think that's a better move than Elliot. Honestly, I think Hargraeves is as safe as Elliot and would take him over Zeke. Hargraeves isn't as good a CB as Zeke is a RB, but again, look at the money Jenkins got compared to Martin or Miller. I think Hargraeves is a safe bet to a better player than Jenkins, with potential to be much, much better. I'm a big Gator fan and loved both guys, but VH3 was on another level - as one of the best DBs in the nation as a true freshman.

I'm rambling. But bottom line: I think there is far too much going against the RB position to justify the pick on Elliot. Fournette if he makes another leap - maybe. Peterson at the time - maybe. Gurley without the injury issues - maybe. But not Zeke, despite him being an absolute stud.

Thanks for the response. I may disagree but respect your thoughts and opinion.

 

[Common Sense]

I thought we finally put the "Anyone Can ______ Behind This Line" nonsense to rest?

 

[slick325]

So what?

Fact is the contract is a very reasonable contract for a TB that gives the team the ability to walk away with minimal pain if he gets hurt, worn down, etc.

You seem to be acting like Miller's contract is some massive contract that tips the scales back into teams overpaying for TBs. That's not true at all.

Not acting like that at all but am acknowledging that he is going to receive $24mil from the Texans should he stay healthy. That is nearly the same amount the #4 pick will receive over 5yrs. So should Elliott be the pick he makes $25mil at $5mil per which is on par with what a RB makes if he is any good. Where's the issue?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I thought we finally put the "Anyone Can ______ Behind This Line" nonsense to rest?

Guess having to trade for or sign Seattles Backups last year is forgotten.

That McFadden was doing such a good job we kept trying to get him help.

 

[Common Sense]

Guess having to trade for or sign Seattles Backups last year is forgotten.

That McFadden was doing such a good job we kept trying to get him help.

It's so easy, we literally couldn't find a RB who could pass block or catch out of the backfield.

 

[Hardline]

If Zeke's the call at #4 (or any other offensive player), do y'all think that means the Cowboys almost have to go defense with their second pick?

You can consider Elliott a defensive pick

 

[Sydla]

Not acting like that at all but am acknowledging that he is going to receive $24mil from the Texans should he stay healthy. That is nearly the same amount the #4 pick will receive over 5yrs. So should Elliott be the pick he makes $25mil at $5mil per which is on par with what a RB makes if he is any good. Where's the issue?

The issue is that you are ignoring the potential downside. If Miller stinks, the Texans can kiss him goodbye in 2 years. If Elliott isn't great, the Cowboys are stuck with him more then likely and having to use 6MM+ cap hits for his last few years.

Look at Amari Cooper's contract as the model for Ellliott. Based on his contract, if Elliott were to say pull a Trent Richardson, after two seasons, the Cowboys would still have nearly $9MM in dead money. The Texans, after two seasons, only have $2MM in dead money.

You can't just look at these things in a best case scenario. Everybody is worth their full contract if they play great over the life of their contract. But that's not reality in the NFL.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

What does Zeke bring to the table versus a later round pick like Henry, Drake, Perkins, Procise, etc? That is the big question. If the answer is not much, if anything at all, then Zeke will not be a Cowboy with the 4th pick.
Some important questions I would be asking the coaches and scouts:
3rd and short yardage (1-3 yards), who do you want?
3rd and mid yardage (4-7 yards), who do you want?
3rd and long yardage (8+ yards), who do you want?

What do the RBs bring to the table that I don't already have with McFadden, Morris, and Dunbar? If Zeke doesn't bring much to the table that isn't already there, why take him. Go with a Rb in the later rounds.

My gut tells me that the Cowboys are leaning to RB in the later rounds depending on availability. And I think the Cowboys are prepared to walk away without a RB in this draft if they don't get the right player in the right round.

And don't forget Zeke as a lot of baggage (rumors of drugs and parties) to go along with some poor interviews at the combine.

My money would be on Henry in the 2nd or drake in the 3rd or Perkins in the 4th or some late round/FA Rbs.

Those looking for Zeke in the 1st with the #4 pick can probably start their venting right now.

 

[dogunwo]

Elliott? I'd absolutely hate it from a tactical standpoint. It'd be a waste of resources as we can get very similar value from a mid-rounder.

As a fan, I'd live with it. As RBs go, he's a really good player. It'd be fun to watch, and it'd make CZ pretty happy in general, I think. But I want the QB or the defender. At this point, Bosa would be a win as far as I'm concerned.

Gosh, this board is going to be in meltdown mode if we select Bosa, even if he should be the pick.

 

[slick325]

The issue is that you are ignoring the potential downside. If Miller stinks, the Texans can kiss him goodbye in 2 years. If Elliott isn't great, the Cowboys are stuck with him more then likely and having to use 6MM+ cap hits for his last few years.

Look at Amari Cooper's contract as the model for Ellliott. Based on his contract, if Elliott were to say pull a Trent Richardson, after two seasons, the Cowboys would still have nearly $9MM in dead money. The Texans, after two seasons, only have $2MM in dead money.

You can't just look at these things in a best case scenario. Everybody is worth their full contract if they play great over the life of their contract. But that's not reality in the NFL.

The same applies to whatever player is selected by Dallas at #4. Should whatever player it is happen to stink they are on the hook for $9mil in dead money. Should the Cowboys land a QB at #4 and he doesn't play for three or four years, then Dallas has to pay him the 5th year option of over $20mil for an unknown product. Or, if he plays early and stinks he made $25mil guaranteed and Dallas is on the hook for $9mil in dead money BUT the position he plays means missing on him costs the franchise for years! See Cleveland.

Bottom line is the point is to draft the best players on your board that will be a good fit on your team. If Elliott is deemed that guy so be it. If Ramsey is that guy...so be it. Same for Bosa or Wentz or Goff. I leave Tunsil out because of the players already on the OL.

 

[Idgit]

Gosh, this board is going to be in meltdown mode if we select Bosa, even if he should be the pick.

Most definitely. He's a good player, though. It seems like every year some lucky top-10 guy gets put in the barrel and it ends up nobody wants him. As far as I can tell, though, that doesn't usually correlate with his ability to play when he gets into the league, one way or another. Either you can play, or you can't. The ebbs and flows of the mock draft process have little to do with that once the collective board is generally set.

Treadwell's another one that people have gotten down on but who's probably going to be an Anquan Bolden like player where he lands.

 

[tyke1doe]

Signing isn't an issue. Each draft slot is allocated a certain amount of money, so the 1st pick already knows what they are getting At least this is what they were saying on Sirius the other day with Mark Dominick.

True, but you can sign sooner or you can sign later. Even with the rookie salary cap, some guys wait to sign. Not everyone signs on the same day.

 

[CATCH17]

Or Mark Ingram.

 

[tyke1doe]

If Zeke's the call at #4 (or any other offensive player), do y'all think that means the Cowboys almost have to go defense with their second pick?

Unless Lynch falls to the second round or one of the top receivers drop, yes.

 

[Avery]

Keep in mind that Zeke won't even be old enough to buy a beer on the 4th of July. Lots of tread on those tires.

 

[DBOY3141]

True, but you can sign sooner or you can sign later. Even with the rookie salary cap, some guys wait to sign. Not everyone signs on the same day.

Yep. I took the post as the Rams would want to sign one vs going through a hold out of some kind from the player.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Gosh, this board is going to be in meltdown mode if we select Bosa, even if he should be the pick.

Not many like Bosa here...kind of feel bad for him.
We have needed help on the defensive line for years and have been hoping to get a top end defensive player for years and now when we have the chance we don't want the one that is rated there for us to take.

I think if we draft him we put him in D.Laws spot, move D law over.
We occasionally use him as a 3 tech while rotating Crawford and Gregory in at DE
We use D Law and Bosa by having them stunt

I think Bosa makes the team better. He might not get the stats, or maybe he does, that people like but I still think he makes the D line better.

Does he make the team better than Zeke...My opinion is no.
Does he make the team better than possibly passing on a future Franchise QB if they are sitting there...My opinion is no.
Is he better than a certain LT that might be sitting there...My opinion is no but I don't think we take Tunsil even if he is there.
Is he better than Ramsey...I think if the Cowboys try to force Ramsey to play CB when he should play S...maybe