MOCK: New SI.Com mock draft--SAFETY for Cowboys

[CrazyCowboy]

18

S Donte Whitner
Ohio State
Jr. 5-10 205

Whitner is a newcomer to our board, but the Buckeyes junior has risen on the strength of a pair of blazing 40s (4.37 and 4.39) during Ohio State's pro day. The Cowboys already got their No. 1 receiver in Terrell Owens and just missed out on their offensive tackle of choice (USC's Justice). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/04/04/mock.draft4.part2/index.html

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

i dont buy us getting a FS in the first round

i think we trade out of the first round

 

[Eddie]

Heck, we have a need at FB. May as well address FB in the first round.

:bang2:

 

[DBoys]

i dont buy us getting a FS in the first round

i think we trade out of the first round

The smart side of me agrees with you unless someone really good falls. I have a feeling Dallas picks up a FS after the June cuts.

My pick at 18 is Manny Lawson or Justice

 

[Eddie]

My pick at 18 is Manny Lawson or Justice

My pick at #18 is someone who isn't even on our radar. Expect to be surprised.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Best player available.. Be it a QB, WR, CB, FS, C, LB, DT, DE, OT, OG, etc. The only position we need to pass on is RB or SS.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Heck, we have a need at FB. May as well address FB in the first round.

:bang2:

So are you saying we should draft Tamba Hali and convert him to FB

 

[Eddie]

So are you saying we should draft Tamba Hali and convert him to FB

I think we should trade Dexter Coakley and a 4th rounder for the top pick in the draft.

We should also convert Larry Allen to DT.

Dat can play Safety.

:laugh2:

 

[BlueStar II]

I just don't see us taking a Safety in the first round, and "if" we were to consider taking a Safety in the first round this year, it would only be Huff, and I'm sure he'll be long gone by 18.

 

[DaDoomsDay]

** Donte Whitner **


No thank you, I like Pat Watkins bigger and faster..

 

[DawnOfANewD]

I just don't see us taking a Safety in the first round, and "if" we were to consider taking a Safety in the first round this year, it would only be Huff, and I'm sure he'll be long gone by 18.

I think only three teams are starting FS's who they drafted in the 1st-round, BAL with Ed Reed, WAS with Sean Taylor, and PHI with Brian Dawkins. 2nd-round guys include CAR's Mike Minter, CIN's Madieu Williams, SEA's Ken Hamlin, IND's Bob Sanders, and GB's Nick Collins.

I think I can see that Huff, like Reed, Taylor and Dawkins is a clear-cut first-rounder and will accordingly prove himself an elite FS, but you can definitely find some decent FS's in the 2nd-round. Minter and Sanders especially are really good.

 

[Natedawg44]

Pat Watkins is only bigger not faster or better than Whitner

 

[DaDoomsDay]

Donte Whitner 5-11 206 lbs FS Ohio St. 4.4 sec’s in the 40
Pat Watkins 6-4 206 lbs FS Florida St 4.5 sec’s in the 40

I'll take Pat Watkins all day....:wink2:

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I think we should trade Dexter Coakley and a 4th rounder for the top pick in the draft.

We should also convert Larry Allen to DT.

Dat can play Safety.

:laugh2:

But, we DO NOT have any of their rights, otherwise that was a great post!

 

[Clove]

Donte Whitner 5-11 206 lbs FS Ohio St. 4.4 sec’s in the 40
Pat Watkins 6-4 206 lbs FS Florida St 4.5 sec’s in the 40

I'll take Pat Watkins all day....:wink2:

Actually, Whitner ran a 4.37 40 and Watkins ran a 4.40 40.

 

[Natedawg44]

Actually, Whitner ran a 4.37 40 and Watkins ran a 4.40 40.

Exactly. I think Whitner is a better player period.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

What does Roy Williams run the 40 in? 4.5?

 

[tm1119]

Donte Whitner 5-11 206 lbs FS Ohio St. 4.4 sec’s in the 40
Pat Watkins 6-4 206 lbs FS Florida St 4.5 sec’s in the 40

I'll take Pat Watkins all day....:wink2:

look at the height and weght. They are the same weght even though Watkins is 5 inches taller. Unless Watkins adds at least 10 pounds of muscle he will not be ready to start in the NFL year one. He wont be able to play the run or tackle well for that matter.

 

[peplaw06]

My pick at #18 is someone who isn't even on our radar. Expect to be surprised.

God I hope not... that means we're reaching

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Donte Whitner

:starspin
NFL comparison:
Bob Sanders, Colts

DONTE WHITNER MEASURABLES Height: 5-10

Weight: 204 40-yard dash: 4.34 10-yard dash: 1.51 20-yard shuttle: 60-yard shuttle: Broad jump: 11-0 225-lb. bench: 18 3-cone drill: Vertical jump: 40 Wonderlic: 20-yard dash: 2.56

Strengths: Is a tough, explosive defender all over the field. Excels in the box; can blitz off the corner and get to the quarterback. Is aggressive vs. the run; understands blocking schemes and closes quickly to the ball carrier. Can make plays in the open field; is a sure tackler. Is versatile vs. the pass; can play on the perimeter in man-to-man coverage. Can jam and redirect receivers at the line. Has excellent hands and ball skills. Plays with a high motor. Could contribute right away on special teams.

Weaknesses: Played strong safety in college but is a bit small and projects better as a free safety in the NFL. Started only one year in college. Lacks great recognition skills and is slow to react to play fakes. Must improve overall strength to be a run stopper in the NFL. Get pushed around at times. A knee injury in 2004 raises some durability concerns.
Bottom line: Whitner is the most versatile secondary prospect and can play all the positions in the defensive backfield. His ability to play man-to-man coverage will make him valuable right away in nickel and dime packages. His limited starting experience is a concern, but his talent is unquestioned and should warrant a second-round selection.

News
Whitner will skip his senior season and enter the '06 draft, he announced Jan. 14. Whitner is the third Ohio State underclassman to jump to the pros, joining cornerback Ashton Youboty and wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

Whitner, a junior from Cleveland, was third on the team in tackles with 73. He also four sacks, two interceptions and broke up six passes. "I thank coach (Jim) Tressel and all those involved within the football program for creating such a terrific environment to succeed both academically and athletically," Whitner said in a statement issued by his agent. "I now look forward to the challenge of playing against the premier players in the NFL."
--Associated Press