Mock draft pick for the Cowboys

[icyhot]

18. Dallas Cowboys – Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn. Safety is a need, but the Cowboys may be able to address that spot later in the draft. Tackle is a far more pressing need, and there's no guarantee it can be addressed in free agency. Outside linebacker (DeMeco Ryans) or wide receiver (Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson) could factor in, too. McNeill is big (6-8, 332) and has good feet. Scouts thought he had flashes of brilliance at the Senior Bowl – but also looked lazy at times.

 

[Pokes28]

I really like McNeil. He's got a nasty streak. The biggest problem with him is that he's too heavy and his balance sucks. He plays a bit like what Larry Allen did 3 seasons ago. McNeil has the tools to be a dominator, but he's been able to get by on his God given ability thus far. That most likely won't be the case at the next level. If he's not the greatest at receiving coaching or if he balks at things like losing weight, then he'll wash out of the NFL.

To me, the bust factor on him is too high to take him at 18. But if Parcells and company do their homework and find him to not have those risks... Then I'm on board.

David Harrell - Pokes
dwh

 

[Yakuza Rich]

They are worrying too much about safety which makes me believe that Jerry Jones threw that out there to give the analysts something to talk about.

Free Safety is a need, but not nearly as much as LOLB, O-Line, and Kicker. Despite the lack of a free safety and the injuries they had at CB, Dallas finished 2nd in completion % allowed and 9th in QB rating allowed.

If they could get a better pass rushing threat at LOLB to help free up Ware or punish teams when they try to double team Ware or put him in pass coverage, they would be far more effective against the pass than they were last year.

Rich...........

 

[kiheikiwi]

As has been said countless times already, it depends how his back checks out at the combine. If its sound, I'm all over him as our pick...

 

[Eddie]

I agree on the FS analysis. It's a need, but just like FB, you don't take one on day 1. Prime FS's are found throughout the 2nd day.

Remember, Brock Marion was a 6th rounder. George Teague was a cast off from GB. Omar Stoutmire was also a 6th rounder. Top tier FS's are molded, not drafted.

 

[DanTanna]

So Justin Berry-o is a strong safety all the way?

 

[SALADIN]

I agree on the FS analysis. It's a need, but just like FB, you don't take one on day 1. Prime FS's are found throughout the 2nd day.

Remember, Brock Marion was a 6th rounder. George Teague was a cast off from GB. Omar Stoutmire was also a 6th rounder. Top tier FS's are molded, not drafted.

Kinda like Ed Reed huh? Is there a better FS than him?

 

[CrazyCowboy]

18. Dallas Cowboys – Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn. Safety is a need, but the Cowboys may be able to address that spot later in the draft. Tackle is a far more pressing need, and there's no guarantee it can be addressed in free agency. Outside linebacker (DeMeco Ryans) or wide receiver (Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson) could factor in, too. McNeill is big (6-8, 332) and has good feet. Scouts thought he had flashes of brilliance at the Senior Bowl – but also looked lazy at times.

McNeill is not the sexy pick most of us Zoners would like to see us take, however, he just might be the smartest considering the #18 spot and the situation with our line......

 

[lspain1]

Regardless of what you do in free agency, if you are concerned about the OL, you still might make this pick. Ultimately, an honest assessment of our whole O-Line will drive what you do here. I'm no expert, but the opinions on this board vary widely about how much is wrong on our O-Line. Petitti didn't have a great year but many think he will improve greatly with an offseason under his belt. Can Colombo make an impact? Is Al Johnson too light as a center? Is Gurode ready? Is LA washed up? Most everyone agrees that Tucker has been exposed as not able to start, so what do you do about him?

Too many question marks for me to solve and I'll bet Parcells isn't comfortable either (even though he probably knows the answers to all of these). He is going to want to enter training camp with a number of options to evaluate, so he isn't stuck in the situation he found himself in last year.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

So Justin Berry-o is a strong safety all the way?

Don't rule that out. Even though "Berry-O" projects more as a Strong Safety, the Cowboys prefer to use two Strong Safeties and have them intergange their roles/plays between strong and free safety. That may be the plan with "Berry-O" and Roy Williams. having said that, I wouldn't mind having the Cowboys draft another safety for depth purposes and to free Keith Davis up purely for special teams.

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