Mock Draft Special (thoughts appreciated)

[RamziD]

Just some thoughts on who we can draft this April. Thanks to everyone who shared their input on certain players. I used that to read up more on some guys, so this isn't by any means a solitary effort.

2. Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. DE (Richmond)
The more I think about it, the less comfortable I am with Anthony Spencer having sole responsibility for that 2nd OLB spot. He's shown flashes of brilliance, but has also been injured and sometimes ineffective. Sidbury fits the mold of OLB, he gets to the backfield (28 TFL, 16 sacks in the last 2 years) and will give us another option besides Spencer. Greg Ellis is no longer a factor here, IMO.

3. Jason Phillips, ILB (TCU)
I just love his physical and mental toughness. Plus, he gets the job done. He's the type of player that everyone on the Cowboys team should try to emulate. Maybe he could be had in the later rounds, but I'd rather not take any chances.

4. Chip Vaughn, SS (Wake Forest)
Known as a very solid and reliable tackler with average-to-good cover skills. Not sure about how he plays special teams, but good tackler usually translates to good special teams player as well.

4. Cornelius Lewis, OT (Tennesse State)
Big (6-4, 324 lbs) and can play OG and OT. Not sure what his off-the-field issues were at FSU (btw, FSU just got major sanctions by the NCAA today), but I'd take a risk on him.

5. Sammie Lee Hill, DT (Stillman)
True NT size. Provides a different look at NT than what we have already in Ratliff. If he's effective, Ratliff can periodically use his pass-rush skills from the edge rather than the middle.

5. Louis Vasquez, OG (Texas Tech)
I remember a lot of talk about him last year, but not so much this year. Probably b/c of the unorthodox way Tech OL line up. However, Daniel Loper and Manny Ramirez have been good backup OL in the NFL.

6. Frantz Joseph, ILB (Florida Atlantic)
Sleeper ILB prospect. We need 2 in this draft. Was productive at FAU.

7. Quan Cosby, WR (Texas)
Okay, I'm a Texas homer but I love Cron! He caught everything thrown his way and he's faster than you think. He's a small guy (5-9) but has a big heart and is an overachiever. Also, he's a good KR guy.

7. Christopher Owens, CB (San Jose St.) or Brice McCain, CB (Utah)
The point here is to draft someone with above-average speed who has an outside chance of helping the team. It can be anyone, really.

BTW, just some thoughts on FA. I think Dallas has done a good job so far. The overall strategy that I've seen is that JJ is trying to bring in guys with good work ethic and leadership skills. I think he is trying to change the overall perception of the team. I get the feeling that the decision to cut TO and RW was not done in preparation of some spectacular trade or FA signing, but, dare I say JJ is becoming prudent and looking at more long-term goals. The only FA signing I can see happening now is a 1-year deal offered to Joey Galloway or a 2-3 year deal offered to Tory Holt.

 

[RS12]

2) Sidbury like him but too high

3) Phillips has torn ACL hurt at combine so too high

 

[28 Joker]

I really like the Cornelius Lewis pick. You might be able to get him with the second 4th. Only the Cowboys will know where he should or will go due to the off the field stuff. I don't look for him to be there late in the fifth. I hope he gets his shot. That guy looked really good at LT. They say he moves really well to his left. He's played RT and guard, too. He has about the same measurables as Larry Allen.
He comes from the same high school as Lito Sheppard and Brian Dawkins and some other players.

He failed two drug tests and was kicked off. (pot) Plus, he got into a fight in the Florida game and was suspended for a half due to that. At least, he picked the right team. LOL. Also, he was disciplined for "violating team rules", too.

His coach at TSU had him tested on a regular basis, so hopefully, he's clean. Hopefully, he learned his lesson for his own sake.

I think Spencer was a better prospect than Sidury, but you are definately getting rid of Ellis with that pick. I look for him to get cut, anyway. Knock on wood...

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Please nobody like Lewis. It's just not worth the risk.

And Phillips tore a meniscus, not an ACL. He'll be ready for camp.

 

[MonsterD]

I really like the Cornelius Lewis pick. You might be able to get him with the second 4th. Only the Cowboys will know where he should or will go due to the off the field stuff. I don't look for him to be there late in the fifth. I hope he gets his shot. That guy looked really good at LT. They say he moves really well to his left. He's played RT and guard, too. He has about the same measurables as Larry Allen.
He comes from the same high school as Lito Sheppard and Brian Dawkins and some other players.

He failed two drug tests and was kicked off. (pot) Plus, he got into a fight in the Florida game and was suspended for a half due to that. At least, he picked the right team. LOL. Also, he was disciplined for "violating team rules", too.

His coach at TSU had him tested on a regular basis, so hopefully, he's clean. Hopefully, he learned his lesson for his own sake.

I think Spencer was a better prospect than Sidury, but you are definately getting rid of Ellis with that pick. I look for him to get cut, anyway. Knock on wood...

I hope we get rid of Ellis too, but I want Connor Barwin. Eh who knows it could happen.

 

[28 Joker]

Please nobody like Lewis. It's just not worth the risk.

And Phillips tore a meniscus, not an ACL. He'll be ready for camp.

He's a risk, but he's also a really good player. The Dolphins were grilling him, too. That says something about his ability.

The Cowboys need guard. If you could get this guy in round four or five, he may be worth the risk. This guard class isn't strong.

 

[RamziD]

2) Sidbury like him but too high

3) Phillips has torn ACL hurt at combine so too high

Thanks for your response.

The reason I have Sidbury so high is more of a gut-feeling than anything else. When you look at his measurables compared to Connor Barwin, he is virtually but slightly faster. Their production is also very comparable. The reason Barwin is projected higher is because he has a very high upside and played against better competition. Barwin can go as high as round 1. I think Sidbury will go in round 2. These type of pass-rushers are absolutely coveted in the NFL, so we need to jump at the opportunity to take him.

Also, as CL mentioned, Phillips tore a meniscus, not his ACL. That's a much more minor injury. This team can benefit so much from a fresh face with an admirable work ethic and a mean, warrior-like attitude on the field. That's why I would take him as high as the 3rd even though he may be had later.

 

[RamziD]

I really like the Cornelius Lewis pick. You might be able to get him with the second 4th. Only the Cowboys will know where he should or will go due to the off the field stuff. I don't look for him to be there late in the fifth. I hope he gets his shot. That guy looked really good at LT. They say he moves really well to his left. He's played RT and guard, too. He has about the same measurables as Larry Allen.
He comes from the same high school as Lito Sheppard and Brian Dawkins and some other players.

He failed two drug tests and was kicked off. (pot) Plus, he got into a fight in the Florida game and was suspended for a half due to that. At least, he picked the right team. LOL. Also, he was disciplined for "violating team rules", too.

His coach at TSU had him tested on a regular basis, so hopefully, he's clean. Hopefully, he learned his lesson for his own sake.

I think Spencer was a better prospect than Sidury, but you are definately getting rid of Ellis with that pick. I look for him to get cut, anyway. Knock on wood...

Thanks for the info, 41. I wasn't aware of the details of his off-the-field issues. The fact that he failed 2 drug tests is definitely worrisome. Those types of prospects don't have a very good track record of staying clean in the NFL. There is, however, no denying his skills. He was good enough to play for a top-25 NCAA program and that says a lot.