Mel Kiper Jr.: Zero percent chance Aaron Donald is there for the Cowboys at No. 16

[xwalker]

The Raiders would have to pads on one of Clowney, Mack, Watkins, Robinson, Manziel to get Donald. If Donald is their guy they'll get him, but it's not highly likely.

Atlanta would have to pass on Matthews for him. Could happen. They were linked to him in the second way back, we'll see how much they like him at 6.

Tampa I think goes Evans or QB. Lovie Smith may fall in love w Donald but they have other needs.

Vikings are a real possibility, Zimmer won't miss a beat going from Atkins to Donald. Bortles is being mocked here incessantly, it depends on whether GM is twice shy about Ponder. I personally think this is where Bridgewater goes.

Bills, don't see it. Lewan here?

Lions go Evans or Gilbert here, I don't think they spend another 1st at DT.

Titans have Casey, this is the most likely spot for Barr (Bortles?).

Giants are interesting. For some reason the most popular pick in mocks is Martin. Ebron, Beckam, Evans, Lewan all make sense here. They would be going against type and their scheme to get Donald, and I really hope they're down on his size.

Rams take a break from building the scariest line ever to take a Corner, WR or OL here. Trade down possible.

Everyone thinks The Bears have Donald's name scratched into the podium already, but I think Haha is the pick here. The Bears don't even have any young hurt guys at safety like we do. They can afford to move Houston to 3 tech before they can roll into this year without a starting safety. They pass.

The Steelers pick Donald in their fans' bedtime fantasies, nothing more. They take Dennard or Mosely. Donald is not the next Casey Hampton.

And there he is. Donald wasn't THE GUY for any team before us, and he's there at 16. We're all losing our minds. Roger walks up to the podium.

"With the 16th pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the Cowboys select, from Pittsburgh...





Tom Savage, Quarterback"

Good analysis of the teams above the Cowboys pick relative to Donald.

Also, the Bears are likely to run a hybride 4-3/3-4. Their D-Coordinator, DL coach and LB coach have all primarily coached the 3-4.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Donald will be there at 16
If not, there are other options

Trade down
Take Barr
Take Martin

No need to panic

We'll see tomorrow if you live up to your name.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Vikings are a real possibility, Zimmer won't miss a beat going from Atkins to Donald. Bortles is being mocked here incessantly, it depends on whether GM is twice shy about Ponder. I personally think this is where Bridgewater goes.

Vikings announced, just the other day, that they would not pick up the option on Ponder. I thought that this was very interesting. This suggests, to me, that they might be looking for a QB. Now, this doesn't mean that they won't take another player, possibly Donald, but I think it does mean that QB is high on their list.

Giants are interesting. For some reason the most popular pick in mocks is Martin. Ebron, Beckam, Evans, Lewan all make sense here. They would be going against type and their scheme to get Donald, and I really hope they're down on his size.

Giants, IMO, live and die with Eli. If you look a the season he had last year, probably the worst he's had in his entire NFL career both, statistically and physically. The Giants can not afford to allow that to happen again. I know people will say that they've made moves in the off season to shore up their OL but I'm not buying it. They made moves for guys who are not long term solutions. I think they go offense here with either TE, WR or OL. If they do go defense, I think it might be LB or DL but if DL, then rush DE or a bigger DT.

Everyone thinks The Bears have Donald's name scratched into the podium already, but I think Haha is the pick here. The Bears don't even have any young hurt guys at safety like we do. They can afford to move Houston to 3 tech before they can roll into this year without a starting safety. They pass.

Bears need help in the worst way at Safety. They also need help at DT but they need more size, IMO. Nix is a perfect fit for them at DT or Ha-Ha at Safety. I don't think they go Donald either but we'll see.


I have believed, and still believe, that Donald will be there at 16.

 

[dbonham]

Good analysis of the teams above the Cowboys pick relative to Donald.

Also, the Bears are likely to run a hybride 4-3/3-4. Their D-Coordinator, DL coach and LB coach have all primarily coached the 3-4.

Until I did some looking around team forums I was advocating a trade up to 11, but now I think if he gets past Minnesota we have a good enough chance to stay put. Small is not the Giants MO on d line, and the Bears would have made a better offer on Melton if they wanted to stay small.

 

[starfrombirth]

"With the 16th pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the Cowboys select, from Pittsburgh...





Tom Savage, Quarterback"

I was going to say his name as a joke but then I saw you beat me to it

 

[Fredd]

The Raiders would have to pads on one of Clowney, Mack, Watkins, Robinson, Manziel to get Donald. If Donald is their guy they'll get him, but it's not highly likely.

Atlanta would have to pass on Matthews for him. Could happen. They were linked to him in the second way back, we'll see how much they like him at 6.

Tampa I think goes Evans or QB. Lovie Smith may fall in love w Donald but they have other needs.

Vikings are a real possibility, Zimmer won't miss a beat going from Atkins to Donald. Bortles is being mocked here incessantly, it depends on whether GM is twice shy about Ponder. I personally think this is where Bridgewater goes.

Bills, don't see it. Lewan here?

Lions go Evans or Gilbert here, I don't think they spend another 1st at DT.

Titans have Casey, this is the most likely spot for Barr (Bortles?).

Giants are interesting. For some reason the most popular pick in mocks is Martin. Ebron, Beckam, Evans, Lewan all make sense here. They would be going against type and their scheme to get Donald, and I really hope they're down on his size.

Rams take a break from building the scariest line ever to take a Corner, WR or OL here. Trade down possible.

Everyone thinks The Bears have Donald's name scratched into the podium already, but I think Haha is the pick here. The Bears don't even have any young hurt guys at safety like we do. They can afford to move Houston to 3 tech before they can roll into this year without a starting safety. They pass.

The Steelers pick Donald in their fans' bedtime fantasies, nothing more. They take Dennard or Mosely. Donald is not the next Casey Hampton.

And there he is. Donald wasn't THE GUY for any team before us, and he's there at 16. We're all losing our minds. Roger walks up to the podium.

"With the 16th pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the Cowboys select, from Pittsburgh...





Tom Savage, Quarterback"

You had me at "With"

until I saw the end of your post

 

[dfense]

IF you go to their message boards many have dismissed him as too small and there are a lot of them hoping and praying for a safety.

Chicago has a plethora of 3 technic DT's. They need the bigger DT's now.

 

[dfense]

On if there’s any chance Aaron Donald falls to the Cowboys:

“I’ll say no chance. Zero percent chance Aaron Donald is there. … I don’t see any way. He’s the third best defensive player in this draft by far, and that’s behind Clowney and Mack who both are in line to be the No. 1 pick. Do the math. A defensive tackle in today’s NFL who dominated the regular season, dominated the Senior Bowl practices, dominated the combine, did everything perfect, how is he going to drop down to 16?”

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...donald-is-there-for-the-cowboys-at-no.-16.ece

I always think back to the draft about 6 years ago. Mel had every single first round pick wrong.

Every one. That's talent.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I honestly think the biggest risk is Minnesota. Zimmer knows what Atkins, Maryland, Sapp, Randle, Glover, etc can do for a defense. If he gets past them, I like our chances to get him at 16.

Is there a risk of someone trying to jump us for him....what teams behind us would be looking at Donald?

 

[big dog cowboy]

On if there’s any chance Aaron Donald falls to the Cowboys:

“I’ll say no chance. Zero percent chance Aaron Donald is there. … I don’t see any way.

Still waiting for the Ben Bass reference.

 

[erod]

Sorry, Mel, he could absolutely be there.

Chicago runs the 3-4 now and desperately needs safeties. The Giants desperately need to protect Eli, and they have many other needs, including weapons on offense. The Vikings won't do it, nor will Tampa. Maybe St. Louis, but I don't think so.

Yes, he could be taken because he's a good player, but teams like a lot of guys they need more, and this is a crazy draft year.

Donald or Barr will be there, and that's where Dallas will go imo.

 

[dfense]

On if there’s any chance Aaron Donald falls to the Cowboys:

“I’ll say no chance. Zero percent chance Aaron Donald is there. … I don’t see any way. He’s the third best defensive player in this draft by far, and that’s behind Clowney and Mack who both are in line to be the No. 1 pick. Do the math. A defensive tackle in today’s NFL who dominated the regular season, dominated the Senior Bowl practices, dominated the combine, did everything perfect, how is he going to drop down to 16?”

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...donald-is-there-for-the-cowboys-at-no.-16.ece

Realistically, the teams that could take him are

Atlanta at 6? Still too high for him, and they need Oline help just as much as the Dline. Lewan, Mathews are probably more likely here.

Tampa at 7? Not if Mike Evans is there. Heck, they may go QB with the new regime.

Vikings at 8? They don't have a QB. Ponder is not being extended. I can't see them hoping Bortles is there in the 2nd round. All the other QB's are going in the very late 1st.

Titans at 11? They've drafted a Dlineman like 5 of the last 6 picks. CB here.

Giants at 12? Not a fit for their scheme. If one of the 4 OT's are there, Zack Martin?

Chicago at 13? They've been signing Dlineman all off season. Safety or CB.

Dallas at 16? You betcha.

 

[dbonham]

Is there a risk of someone trying to jump us for him....what teams behind us would be looking at Donald?

Pats, Seahawks. Two teams highly unlikely to trade up. Miami needs OL like bad, Panthers need OL, WR. I'd be more concerned with the Raiders dropping back a few spots to take him.

 

[manster4ever]

Vikings announced, just the other day, that they would not pick up the option on Ponder. I thought that this was very interesting. This suggests, to me, that they might be looking for a QB. Now, this doesn't mean that they won't take another player, possibly Donald, but I think it does mean that QB is high on their list.



Giants, IMO, live and die with Eli. If you look a the season he had last year, probably the worst he's had in his entire NFL career both, statistically and physically. The Giants can not afford to allow that to happen again. I know people will say that they've made moves in the off season to shore up their OL but I'm not buying it. They made moves for guys who are not long term solutions. I think they go offense here with either TE, WR or OL. If they do go defense, I think it might be LB or DL but if DL, then rush DE or a bigger DT.





Bears need help in the worst way at Safety. They also need help at DT but they need more size, IMO. Nix is a perfect fit for them at DT or Ha-Ha at Safety. I don't think they go Donald either but we'll see.


I have believed, and still believe, that Donald will be there at 16.

I haven't thought he'd be there at ANY POINT AND TIME....but your post is thought provoking. Every point you lay out is valid. Getting my hopes up now.

 

[Kaiser]

Yup.

December: "But Doctor Chicken, Donald in the 1st round is such a huge reach!"

Now: "But Doctor Chicken, how in the hell would we get Donald?"

Oh sure, says the guy who doesn't have Mel Kiper's hair....

 

[Mr Cowboy]

People are seeing a scheme fit for Donald without taking into account that the other teams have more pressing needs than to select Donald. Chicago has no safeties and Donald doesn't fit their scheme. For the Giants, DL need is about 4th on their list. Stockpiling DL in Minnesta isn't going to score many offensive points. Like I said in another posts, Ebron fits what the Cowboys scheme,does that automatically make him the odds on favorite to be the Cowboys pick?

 

[mschmidt64]

Somehow Donald was there in the NFLN mock last night so Irvin could take him over Barr.

But it took a couple of ridiculous reaches prior to Dallas' pick for CBs plus Chicago passing on him in favor of Clinton-Dix to do it.

Don't see it.

There always are ridiculous reaches.

Someone will be there we like.

 

[DFWJC]

Floyd sucks just like Jernigan this year. Just a 1 tech. They need a 3 tech. Donald is way better than Bortles

I don't think Floyd sucks.
Guess we'll see.

 

[supercowboy8]

I don't think Floyd sucks.
Guess we'll see.

Well the vikings signed joseph and then made melton an offer. Strange to do that of you have a great DT in Floyd.

 

[visionary]

What makes you think any of those guys will be there at 16? I'm being realistic, not pessimistic, by saying that it's likely that the "big 3" will be gone by our pick. They're just too good.

If one happens to be there, great, take 'em. But I do hope we have a trade down partner in case.

Don't want to be reaching for someone at 16 when we can move back and pull off a deal like Fred+TWill last year.

EDIT: completely missed where you said "trade down." My bad...

I say this because there are only 15 picks before us and teams between 7-10 have much bigger needs and players that would be good value at those picks that fill those needs as had been outlined in several posts above

I am pretty sure Donald will be there but there is no way Donald and Barr and Martin are gone and we can't find any trade partners

Need to not panic