Mock 5April2015

[ABQCOWBOY]

I really like everything about this draft. I would say this, I've watched Rowe a lot. He is not a very good zone CB but he's really pretty good at man to man coverage so he has some value, even if he needs to be developed a bit. I love Jones way more then the kid from Wake. Good solid draft if it worked out that way IMO.

 

[Idgit]

I' m convinced that McFadden and Williams are going to be terrific behind this OLine.

I have Mike Davis as a too 5 RB in this draft. The media draft analysts are discounting him because his average per carry was 4.5, but their OL was just not that good relative the the defensive talent they faced.

You finally got me to take some time to look at Davis. I see what you mean. I like what little I've seen. He also looks to be a good physical fit for what we're looking for. Has surprisingly good hands, too. Just a good, solid runner who looks to hold onto the ball and use his blocks.

 

[Macnalty]

Yes, I like Hardison. I think I posted something a few weeks ago about him being underrated. I guess I just like the developmental DTs already on the roster more than most people like them. I like to give players a chance to develop. If they take a DT in the 3rd/4th they will feel compelled to keep them on the roster. They have a big list of developmental DTs on the roster but questions at the top in terms of the starting 1tech. Since I didn't take a DT in round 1 or 2 (Brown), I didn't feel compelled to take another developmental guy later.

I assumed that Gurley, Brown and OO were gone at #27. I considered Kevin Johnson at #27 but decided to take the trade down. Johnson's thin build concerns me and he's not a burner despite being lightweight.

With Orchard, I think back to before the combine or before reading any draft reports and just watching game footage of Orchard and Dupree. Honestly, I thought they were about the same as pass rushers based on the game footage. Then Orchard didn't do that well at the combine and Dupree exceeded expectations and now Dupree is a mid 1st and Orchard might be a late 2nd.

The Cowboys cut L’Damian Washington before training camp was even over. I think of L’Damian Washington when reviewing some of the big/fast WRs. Waller looks much better as a receiver than Washington ever did, IMO. Waller's issue was that they ran the balll 95% of the time in that offense. Also, Washington was 6-4, 195. His thin build was a problem in training camp. At 238 Waller does not have that issue.

I expect McFadden to be in the game when Pass Blocking is critical. He is really good in Pass Protection. I don't really want to depend on any of the rookie RBs to have to be the lead RB on this team immediately.

The Cowboys had about six 7th round picks last year and cut most of them. Sometimes I think some of the guys with character issues in the draft might be less likely to be a problem than some others because they probably experienced a reality shock going though the draft process and being beaten down about their past conduct. I'm certain that there are many players that had similar issues but just didn't get caught. Much like the Safety Dixon last year, Clark would be on a short leash. I don't like taking character issue guys early because a 1st round pick can hold the team hostage so to speak in terms of being forced to deal with that players issues but late round picks have no clout.

In regards to Ekpre-Olomu, a 5-9 CB with a knee problem is hard to draft. Tyrann Mathieu is also 5-9 but that's actually less of a concern to me for a free safety than for a CB. I guess Ekpre-Olomu will be a value pick at some point in the draft but I think the Cowboys will be focused on bigger CBs. Scandrick and Patmon are not big CBs and Carr might get cut. They have the guy that was cut by the Saints that has good size but he obviously had some issues if they Saints didn't want to keep him; although, I think Ryan's screwball scheme could have caused him problems. If Ekpre-Olomu, Scandrick and Patmon are all active, that would be a really small lineup of CBs.

Washington last year was a pick they always make of the giant receiver type with great speed and some minor impediment, hope Waller can fulfill their needs. Has off the chart numbers and would kill defenses if he can make them honest.

Ifo is a player(1st rd without knee) IMO with a big chip on his shoulder, you make a good point about having the dwarf DB's all on the field, this draft is very average for big CB's and all DB's in general. Agree on Johnson he does not get anyone super excited (much like Martin last year) we may have to rethink on his talent because he has the physical attributes, not sure he stays with Beckham(or Cruz), would love to see Ekpre-Olomu vs Beckham.

I think Davis can block but one cannot trust a rookie in the start of the season to safeguard Tony's safety. Tony needs to be untouched as much as possible this year and the following years go without saying.

The guard from Tex A&M is still a good value in the later rds Jarvis Harrison
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/jarvis-harrison?id=2552341

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

You finally got me to take some time to look at Davis. I see what you mean. I like what little I've seen. He also looks to be a good physical fit for what we're looking for. Has surprisingly good hands, too. Just a good, solid runner who looks to hold onto the ball and use his blocks.

Reminds me of 2014 Denver rookie RB CJ Anderson.

 

[xwalker]

Washington last year was a pick they always make of the giant receiver type with great speed and some minor impediment, hope Waller can fulfill their needs. Has off the chart numbers and would kill defenses if he can make them honest.

Ifo is a player(1st rd without knee) IMO with a big chip on his shoulder, you make a good point about having the dwarf DB's all on the field, this draft is very average for big CB's and all DB's in general. Agree on Johnson he does not get anyone super excited (much like Martin last year) we may have to rethink on his talent because he has the physical attributes, not sure he stays with Beckham(or Cruz), would love to see Ekpre-Olomu vs Beckham.

I think Davis can block but one cannot trust a rookie in the start of the season to safeguard Tony's safety. Tony needs to be untouched as much as possible this year and the following years go without saying.

The guard from Tex A&M is still a good value in the later rds Jarvis Harrison
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/jarvis-harrison?id=2552341

I have not looked at Guards at all. The Cowboys don't have much in the way of developmental Guards behind top backup Bernadeau. They have Hawkins listed as an OT but he might be more likely to play Guard but that's about it. They signed some OL off the street awhile back but they are tall and would appear to be Tackles. If guess Weems might be an option at Guard if he does not become the backup OT.

 

[Macnalty]

I have not looked at Guards at all. The Cowboys don't have much in the way of developmental Guards behind top backup Bernadeau. They have Hawkins listed as an OT but he might be more likely to play Guard but that's about it. They signed some OL off the street awhile back but they are tall and would appear to be Tackles. If guess Weems might be an option at Guard if he does not become the backup OT.

It is so easy to get caught up in the drama of the defense and forget that the Oline still needs some fine tuning with Parnell joining another team. We had a nice situation with Parnell chances are we do not miss him too much this season.

 

[xwalker]

It is so easy to get caught up in the drama of the defense and forget that the Oline still needs some fine tuning with Parnell joining another team. We had a nice situation with Parnell chances are we do not miss him too much this season.

Yes, the backup OT is a big concern. Free had 2 ankle surgeries in the span of 1 year (Jan 2014 and Jan 2015) and he is now 31. Free is not strong but gets by because he has elite foot quickness. Any loss of quickness and he could decline rapidly.

I like what I've seen from Weems physically, but he had not put it all together the last I saw him. He missed most of TC and the entire 2014 season.

Hawkins played Guard when he was with Cleveland and looked OK.

Wetzel looked better than expected in TC last year but appears physically limited. They listed him as being a similar size to Parnell, but standing side by side Parnell dwarfed him in bulk.

 

[Aliencowboy]

I'm going to let the big list of DTs already on the roster have a chance to develop. Crawford, Brent and T. McClain are the veterans. Chris Whaley will be like a draft pick for this year after being on IR as a rookie. Ken Bishop looked decent as a rookie from a small college and he now has some experience including a playoff game. Coleman has some talent. Okoye was a good player a couple of years ago and might surprise. Jack Crawford looked good in 1 game at DT. Hardy and Mincey can take snaps at DT in the Nickel on occasion.

The Cowboys have stocked up on LBs so I'm not going to try to hard to find one in the draft.

I actually like the RBs on the roster but I will add one in the draft just to make sure that the position is covered.

CB is a big need and it would be nice to either get rid of Carr's 8M salary or have leverage to get him to take a pay cut.

There is basically nothing after the starting Safeties unless you feel good about Jeff Heath.

Trade down about 10 spots and pick up an early 3rd.

37 Byron Jones CB
Big, super athletic CB.

60 Nate Orchard DE
He has fallen down the draft board after a non impressive forty time. He is really quick off the ball. Just needs to get stronger.

69 Eric Rowe Safety/CB
I don’t know exactly where he goes, but I'm guessing around this area. Probably plays Safety, but has CB skills.
91 Mike Davis RB
I really like this player. Finds yards where it looks like nothing is available. His OLine was not that good in college.

127 Gerod Holliman Safety
Has tackling issues but is a super ballhawk.

163 Darren Waller WR
Big (6-6, 238) and fast (4.43 forty).

236 Laurence Gibson
Athletic OT. Just needs time and coaching.

243 Frank Clark DE
Very talented player with some character/legal issues.

Jones is in likelihood gone by 37. Nice mock overall