Media draft grades

[T-RO]

lol what, Is gregorys career already over or something?

When does Gregory's career start?

Through 20 games Gregory will have produced nothing. Nothing through Sept 2016 is now guaranteed. And he's already failed *multiple* drug tests. Does he flame out like Manziel because of his demons? Beyond that can he ever muscle and bulk up to be meaningful force on the field?

With Jerry's drunken decision-making all fans end up with is misery and long shots.

 

[darthseinfeld]

CBS Sports
Dallas Cowboys
Spending the fourth-overall pick on a running back -- any running back -- is rich, but Ezekiel Elliott should prove an immediate star for the Cowboys. A punishing runner with good vision, speed, hands and tenacity as a blocker, he is the easy early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors given the talent surrounding him in Dallas. The Cowboys' other immediate impact players from this class could be middle-round defensive linemen Maliek Collins and Charles Tapper, each of whom possess more talent than their middling production in college might indicate.

Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith's recovery from the horrific knee injury obviously is key to his future, but there is no denying his talent. He is not likely to contribute much this season, but offers an exciting future, as does quarterback Dak Prescott, drafted in the fourth round to potentially serve as the heir apparent to Tony Romo. Watch out for running back Darius Jackson, a terrific athlete who could excel if given a shot behind Dallas' offensive line.

Grade: B

Which CBS guy, Rang or Brugger

 

[rwalters31]

Sports Illustated
Dallas Cowboys: A-
First pick: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (No. 4)

Other notable picks: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (34); Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska (67); Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State (135)

If Smith is able to return from the knee issues that now hamper his NFL future, this is a lead-pipe A+. He was the best player in this class, and the Cowboys took a manageable risk in spending their second-round pick on him. There’s no question that Elliott will help the Dallas offense return to form. Fourth overall is a high pick for a back, but Elliott does it all and does it well. Collins is a bit of a project, but he’s a good athlete who will vie for a rotational slot early on. Oklahoma defensive end Charles Tapper is a more developed player who will be an asset against the run, with pass rush as a bonus attribute. Prescott is a big, mobile quarterback who has shown a lot of mental development over time, and he’s in the perfect situation to continue to grow—as long as Tony Romo stays healthy. —DF
Mel Kiper
Dallas Cowboys: C
Top needs: DE, CB, WR, QB

I have mixed feelings on this draft class, with huge questions early and several great picks later. I love Ezekiel Elliott as a player -- he's one of the best running back prospects in recent years -- and he's certain to be highly productive behind a fantastic offensive line, but I think a number of running backs would be really good in Dallas, and that goes for a number of players drafted well into Day 3. Great player, poor value range. Jaylon Smith can be special if he gets healthy, and would have been one of the top three players on my final Big Board if so. But this is two straight years Dallas has taken a major risk in Round 2 (Randy Gregory last year). Hopefully it works out this time. I'll be rooting like heck for that kid.

Maliek Collins is needed help on the D-line, and Charles Tapper is a sleeper because he played out of his ideal position a lot at Oklahoma, and Dallas could get something from him. Dallas was interested in getting into range for Paxton Lynch, and also missed out on a chance to draft Connor Cookwhen the Raiders traded up. Dak Prescott is a solid guy to have on the bench, but I question the starting upside, and I had Brandon Allen ranked higher. One I really love: Darius Jackson is a great sleeper RB out of Eastern Michigan. Rico Gathers is a great coin-flip late. The Baylor basketball player hasn't played football in years but has tremendous size. "Go follow No. 82 around, kid." One question: Did they do enough at cornerback? I'd say no.

USA TODAY SPORTS
by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys

Analysis: Jerry Jones will love this draft class. Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott will be exciting and sell lots of jerseys, and drafting Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith early in the second round was one of the best feel-good moments of the weekend given the uncertainty surrounding the star defender after his significant knee injury. But how much closer are the Cowboys to winning now? Dallas finally addressed its glaring need for a pass rusher early in the fourth round with Oklahoma's Charles Tapper, but that might be too little, too late.

Grade: D

 

[perrykemp]

lol what, Is gregorys career already over or something?

Busted 4 times in less than a year for drugs?

Same reason why he slipped to the 2nd round.

His career is in doubt at this point.

 

[phildadon86]

So... Sports Illustrated (A-), NFL.com (B+), CBS Sports (B), Kiper (C) because we drafted JSmith. So it comes down to Smith, if he's a stud we get an A+ draft.

Which when heqlthy I'd put money down he's one of the if not the top LB in the league.

 

[baltcowboy]

These draft reviews are worthless. Especially right now. What if are 6th round running back becomes a stud. What happens if Dak becomes Kurt Cousins. What happens if Zeke becomes a Alabama running back in the pros. What happens if Smith never plays again. My point is no one knows and when I see stupid draft grades for players who did not go to training camp yet.

 

[Alexander]

The grades are all over the place, which is not necessarily a bad thing. That tells me there is more than one way to look at the class. Not a lot of C grades.

 

[bkeavs]

He wasn't a risk?

He's also failed 4 drug tests so I would say his career is on life support unless he gets some serious help

 

[percyhoward]

Elliot Harrison nfl.com

Those criticizing the Cowboys for passing on Jalen Ramsey at No. 4 overall in order to call dibs on running back Ezekiel Elliott when the defense clearly needs help should try to remember that the Dallas D was actually quite competitive last year ... that is, until wearing down in the fourth quarter of contests in which the Brandon Weeden- and Matt Cassel-led offense went three-and-out most of the game.

This is lazy analysis. Our 2015 offense was about average (18th) in percentage of drives that went three and out. There were four playoff teams who ranked lower. The 2014 offense often scored quickly from anywhere on the field, and picked up yardage in big chunks. That doesn't translate into long drives that keep your defense rested.

Time of Avg Possession
2014 3:02
2015 3:00

Plays per Drive
2014 6.0
2015 6.0

Where the offense was better in 2014 was scoring, which the running game most certainly played a part in. The offense scored about 3 points per game higher than the year before when we weren't running as often. Although it is debatable how much of that improvement was Murray and how much was merely the fact that were running more often because we'd improved the OL. It's important to note that Murray wasn't nearly as effective in the second half of the season when defenses were paying more attention to the run, and that our scoring went up at that time.

By far, the thing that helped the defense the most in 2014 was the weak schedule of turnover-prone offenses it faced in the regular season. That schedule ranked 30th in difficulty (1st = hardest, 32nd = easiest).
2012 5th
2013 5th
2014 30th
2015 6th

 

[Reality]

(Doing rehab next to Sean Lee will be pretty sweet, too.)

FIFY

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Elliot Harrison nfl.com

Those criticizing the Cowboys for passing on Jalen Ramsey at No. 4 overall in order to call dibs on running back Ezekiel Elliott when the defense clearly needs help should try to remember that the Dallas D was actually quite competitive last year ... that is, until wearing down in the fourth quarter of contests in which the Brandon Weeden- and Matt Cassel-led offense went three-and-out most of the game. As far as signing veteran back Alfred Morris, that wasn't a wasted move, either. What if the Cowboys had received a sweetheart offer for their first-rounder? Having Morris would have made the decision to trade down -- and potentially miss on Elliott -- easier. Not to mention, but we'll mention, the Browns still owned the second overall selection in this draft back when the Cowboys inked Morris. What if Cleveland coach Hue Jackson, the running back whisperer, wanted Elliott at No. 2? Again, Dallas would've needed Morris.

This was under his "on the fence" drafts

Dallas Cowboys: Yes, while I understand the logic and like the pick on an individual level, drafting Ezekiel Elliott fourth overall with Jalen Ramsey sitting there was a risk, given that the Cowboys are counting on veteran Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne (who has struggled) and Orlando Scandrick(who is coming off a major knee injury) sans an imposing pass rush. Then the Jaylon Smith pick(No. 34 overall, Round 2) came, which was an emotional moment, but does not help them in the short term; that move would have been safer had Dallas gone with someone who can contribute to the D immediately in Round 1.
With the Tony Romo window slowly closing, and with two pass rushers (Randy Gregory, DeMarcus Lawrence) who have been hit with four-game suspensions to start the season, taking a swing for the fences on the future leaves the present bereft of defensive playmakers. That said, look out in 2017. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (No. 67 overall, Round 3) can contribute quickly. Obtaining Romo insurance in quarterback Dak Prescott (No. 135, Round 4) was necessary.

I'm so glad that people brought this up. The offense is the one that underachieved last year. The defense was fine. Not saying it didn't need improvements but this "worst in the league" talk is bogus. The Cowboys defense was at least average last year.

 

[morasp]

I didn't think too much about Jackson when I read his profile but watched him on YouTube this morning against LSU and he's got some game. He fits our blocking scheme too.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

When Kiper says he had Brandon Allen higher than Prescott it shows he is an idiot.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Media draft grades

Wow those 3 years went by in a hurry.