My 2012 NFL Draft...

[Risen Star]

Rather than do versions 1-20, I usually do one a few weeks before the actual draft. I'm sure I'll have some minor tweaking in the days leading up to it and most definitely will rip this up when I see who is actually available when we pick, but on April 8th, 2012, here's where I stand and what I would do should the draft fall like I project.

Players I like at their current value/projection
Andrew Luck QB Stanford
Matt Kalil T USC
Trent Richardson RB Alabama
Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St.
Luke Kuechly ILB Boston College
Mark Barron S Alabama
Riley Reiff T Iowa
Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina
Cordy Glenn G Georgia
David DeCastro G Stanford
Dont'a Hightower ILB Alabama
Peter Konz C Wisconsin
Coby Fleener TE Stanford
Kendall Reyes DT Connecticut
Amini Silatolu G Midwestern St.
Kevin Zeitler G Wisconsin
Josh Robinson CB Central Florida
Ronnell Lewis OLB Oklahoma
Bobby Massie T Mississippi
Trumaine Johnson CB Montana
Alameda Ta'amu DT Washington
Brian Quick WR Appalachian St.
Joe Looney G Wake Forest
Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma
Jared Crick DE Nebraska
Josh Norman CB Coastal Carolina
Casey Hayward CB Vanderbilt
Derek Wolfe DT Cincinnati
Ladarius Green TE Louisiana-Lafayette
Josh Chapman DT Alabama
Kyle Wilber OLB Wake Forest
Bobby Wagner ILB Utah St.
Marvin Jones WR California
Rishaw Johnson G California (Pa.)
William Vlachos C Alabama

-

Players I don't like at their current value/projection
Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M
Quinton Coples DE North Carolina
Michael Brockers DT LSU
Jonathan Martin T Stanford
Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame
Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama
Mike Adams T Ohio St.
Harrison Smith S Notre Dame
Alshon Jeffery WR South Carolina
Devon Still DT Penn St.
Cam Johnson DE Virginia
Bruce Irvin OLB West Virginia
Shea McClellin OLB Boise St.
Nick Foles QB Arizona
Doug Martin RB Boise St.
Orson Charles TE Georgia
Zebrie Sanders T Florida St.
Brandon Brooks G Miami (Oh.)
Alfonzo Dennard CB Nebraska
George Iloka S Boise St.
Tommy Streeter WR Miami
Matt Reynolds T BYU
Michael Brewster C Ohio St.
Tank Carder ILB TCU
Travis Lewis OLB Oklahoma
Leonard Johnson CB Iowa St.
David Molk C Michigan
Janzen Jackson S McNeese St.
Russell Wilson QB Wisconsin
Audie Cole ILB North Carolina St.
Vontaze Burfict ILB Arizona St.

-

My top 50 overall players

(Not a prediction of how they'll come off the board)

1.. Andrew Luck QB Stanford
2.. Matt Kalil T USC
3.. Trent Richardson RB Alabama
4.. Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St.
5.. Morris Claiborne CB LSU
6.. Luke Kuechly ILB Boston College
7.. Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina
8.. Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma St.
9.. Mark Barron S Alabama
10. Robert Griffin III QB Baylor

11. Cordy Glenn G Georgia
12. Dontari Poe DT Memphis
13. Riley Reiff T Iowa
14. David DeCastro G Stanford
15. Dont'a Hightower ILB Alabama
16. Peter Konz C Wisconsin
17. Stephon Gilmore CB South Carolina
18. Coby Fleener TE Stanford
19. Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama
20. Kendall Wright WR Baylor

21. Courtney Upshaw OLB Alabama
22. Whitney Mercilus DE Illinois
23. Quinton Coples DE North Carolina
24. Chander Jones DE Syracuse
25. Michael Brockers DT LSU
26. Lavonte David OLB Nebraska
27. Kendall Reyes DT Connecticut
28. Nick Perry DE USC
29. Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama
30. Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame

31. Andre Branch DE Clemson
32. Jonathan Martin T Stanford
33. Rueben Randle WR LSU
34. Josh Robinson CB UCF
35. Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M
36. Amini Silatolu G Midwestern St.
37. Jerel Worthy DT Michigan St.
38. Stephen Hill WR Georgia Tech
39. Kevin Zeitler G Wisconsin
40. Mike Adams T Ohio St.

41. Ronnell Lewis OLB Oklahoma
42. Brandon Thompson DT Clemson
43. Lamar Miller RB Miami
44. Trumaine Johnson CB Montana
45. Mychal Kendricks ILB California
46. Alameda Ta'amu DT Washington
47. Jared Crick DE Nebraska
48. Zach Brown OLB North Carolina
49. Bobby Massie T Mississippi
50. Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma

-

Full 2012 Draft Class projection

(Trying to be fair and not have steals drop to us in each round. No trades.)

1(14) Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St.
When you can nab your 4th overall player at pick 14 you don't pass it up. The Cowboys add a collapse the pocket type DE they've been missing since the 3-4 switch.

2(45) Amini Silatolu G Midwestern St.
Replace Midwestern St. with Wisconsin and you're looking at a 1st round pick. Silatolu walks on to the team as the most stout interior blocker on the roster but with the feet to move in Callahan's scheme. A guy who is just scratching the surface of his immense potential. Could thrive under pro coaching.

3(81) Josh Chapman DT Alabama
Ratliff can now move to DE, at least on a part time basis. Chapman's a field general, leader, tough as nails, high character player you have to drag off the field. He's got the short stout frame to hold up at NT and, IMO, coming out of Saban's scheme is a plug and play player. Instant impact that also enhances Ratliff's performance.

4(113) Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma
My personal pet cat. Every spring people get lost in 40 times/short shuttle numbers and forget about guys who are just natural God-given football players. Broyles is in that group. A tailor made NFL slot receiver with the knack for the big play. The NFL won't be too big for him.

4(135) Joe Looney G Wake Forest
Shift him inside to C, where I think he wins that battle this season. Looney is a Jason Garrett type. Team leader, had to fight and claw to get where he is. Highly intelligent and will hold his teammates accountable. Sounds like someone we desperately need in our locker room. Love this guy, though I am not confident he'll still be on the board with this pick.

5(152) Coryell Judie CB Texas A&M
A hamstring injury held him back and allows the Cowboys to get a very nice depth corner with tremendous ball skills this late in the draft. Judie also provides instant impact on special teams. He will stick on this roster as long as health isn't an issue.

6(186) Brett Roy OLB Nevada
The defensive counterpart to Looney. Another team leader who will get in his teammate's face when needed. A high effort character guy who is scheme flexible. Solid college production. Extremely coachable. A team first guy. This is the reason why I don't like Shea McClellin. I can get the same type of player 3 or 4 rounds later in Roy. That's value.

7(222) Jeff Adams T Columbia
An intriguing, developmental player with the feet to play LT in the NFL. When he had to step up in class as the East/West Shrine game, he excelled. The skill set is all there. He just needs time and pro coaching.

-

Our roster - 4/28/12

Where we would stand before our undrafted free agent class and 2nd wave of veteran free agency. Obviously we still have some holes. Need a TE, probably a new developmental QB. A safety would be nice. I wouldn't say no to a RB upgrade.

Rookies in bold.

QB - Romo, Orton, McGee, Carpenter
RB - Murray, Felix, Tanner
FB - Vickers, Chapas, Greenhouse
WR - Austin, Bryant, Broyles, Harris, Ogletree, Holmes, Radway, Williams
TE - Witten, Phillips
T - Tyron, Free, Parnell, Adams
G - Livings, Silatolu, Bernadeau, Arkin, Nagy
C - Looney, Kowalski, Costa

DE - Ratliff, Cox, Spears, Hatcher, Coleman, Geathers, Atkins
NT - Chapman, Lissemore, Brent, Calloway
OLB - Ware, Spencer, Butler, Roy, Albright
ILB - Lee, Carter, Connor, Lemon, Satele
CB - Carr, Jenkins, Scandrick, Judie, Butler, Taplin-Ross, Wilson
S - Sensabaugh, Pool, Church, McCray, Silva

LS - Ladouceur
K - Bailey, Forbath
P - Jones

 

[visionary]

Great, great draft

Imagine Chapman at NT with Cox and Rat coming from the ends and Ware fronm the edge and Lee up the middle

i could live with this draft

couple this with signing a vet OC to give our rookie OC (or killer) a year of seasoning and we could be on our way

if bacari rambo declares for the supp draft, that could solve our S issues

 

[SDogo]

Nice job

 

[reddyuta]

Will chapman be ready for the season?

 

[xwalker]

You really like Cox.

 

[cowboysooner]

I really like the draft. Chapman is a very good player. He is one of about 5 guys who know how to use their hands and 2 gap. Personally, I like him more than almost anyone of Bama's defense. The first 5 rounds are all players that are very good football players with only injuries keeping 3-5 in the rounds where you take them.

 

[Brooksey]

Rather than do versions 1-20, I usually do one a few weeks before the actual draft. I'm sure I'll have some minor tweaking in the days leading up to it and most definitely will rip this up when I see who is actually available when we pick, but on April 8th, 2012, here's where I stand and what I would do should the draft fall like I project.

Players I like at their current value/projection
Andrew Luck QB Stanford
Matt Kalil T USC
Trent Richardson RB Alabama
Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St.
Luke Kuechly ILB Boston College
Mark Barron S Alabama
Riley Reiff T Iowa
Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina
Cordy Glenn G Georgia
David DeCastro G Stanford
Dont'a Hightower ILB Alabama
Peter Konz C Wisconsin
Coby Fleener TE Stanford
Kendall Reyes DT Connecticut
Amini Silatolu G Midwestern St.
Kevin Zeitler G Wisconsin
Josh Robinson CB Central Florida
Ronnell Lewis OLB Oklahoma
Bobby Massie T Mississippi
Trumaine Johnson CB Montana
Alameda Ta'amu DT Washington
Brian Quick WR Appalachian St.
Joe Looney G Wake Forest
Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma
Jared Crick DE Nebraska
Josh Norman CB Coastal Carolina
Casey Hayward CB Vanderbilt
Derek Wolfe DT Cincinnati
Ladarius Green TE Louisiana-Lafayette
Josh Chapman DT Alabama
Kyle Wilber OLB Wake Forest
Bobby Wagner ILB Utah St.
Marvin Jones WR California
Rishaw Johnson G California (Pa.)
William Vlachos C Alabama

-

Players I don't like at their current value/projection
Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M
Quinton Coples DE North Carolina
Michael Brockers DT LSU
Jonathan Martin T Stanford
Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame
Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama
Mike Adams T Ohio St.
Harrison Smith S Notre Dame
Alshon Jeffery WR South Carolina
Devon Still DT Penn St.
Cam Johnson DE Virginia
Bruce Irvin OLB West Virginia
Shea McClellin OLB Boise St.
Nick Foles QB Arizona
Doug Martin RB Boise St.
Orson Charles TE Georgia
Zebrie Sanders T Florida St.
Brandon Brooks G Miami (Oh.)
Alfonzo Dennard CB Nebraska
George Iloka S Boise St.
Tommy Streeter WR Miami
Matt Reynolds T BYU
Michael Brewster C Ohio St.
Tank Carder ILB TCU
Travis Lewis OLB Oklahoma
Leonard Johnson CB Iowa St.
David Molk C Michigan
Janzen Jackson S McNeese St.
Russell Wilson QB Wisconsin
Audie Cole ILB North Carolina St.
Vontaze Burfict ILB Arizona St.

-

My top 50 overall players

(Not a prediction of how they'll come off the board)

1.. Andrew Luck QB Stanford
2.. Matt Kalil T USC
3.. Trent Richardson RB Alabama
4.. Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St.
5.. Morris Claiborne CB LSU
6.. Luke Kuechly ILB Boston College
7.. Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina
8.. Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma St.
9.. Mark Barron S Alabama
10. Robert Griffin III QB Baylor

11. Cordy Glenn G Georgia
12. Dontari Poe DT Memphis
13. Riley Reiff T Iowa
14. David DeCastro G Stanford
15. Dont'a Hightower ILB Alabama
16. Peter Konz C Wisconsin
17. Stephon Gilmore CB South Carolina
18. Coby Fleener TE Stanford
19. Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama
20. Kendall Wright WR Baylor

21. Courtney Upshaw OLB Alabama
22. Whitney Mercilus DE Illinois
23. Quinton Coples DE North Carolina
24. Chander Jones DE Syracuse
25. Michael Brockers DT LSU
26. Lavonte David OLB Nebraska
27. Kendall Reyes DT Connecticut
28. Nick Perry DE USC
29. Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama
30. Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame

31. Andre Branch DE Clemson
32. Jonathan Martin T Stanford
33. Rueben Randle WR LSU
34. Josh Robinson CB UCF
35. Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M
36. Amini Silatolu G Midwestern St.
37. Jerel Worthy DT Michigan St.
38. Stephen Hill WR Georgia Tech
39. Kevin Zeitler G Wisconsin
40. Mike Adams T Ohio St.

41. Ronnell Lewis OLB Oklahoma
42. Brandon Thompson DT Clemson
43. Lamar Miller RB Miami
44. Trumaine Johnson CB Montana
45. Mychal Kendricks ILB California
46. Alameda Ta'amu DT Washington
47. Jared Crick DE Nebraska
48. Zach Brown OLB North Carolina
49. Bobby Massie T Mississippi
50. Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma

-

Full 2012 Draft Class projection

(Trying to be fair and not have steals drop to us in each round. No trades.)

1(14) Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St.
When you can nab your 4th overall player at pick 14 you don't pass it up. The Cowboys add a collapse the pocket type DE they've been missing since the 3-4 switch.

2(45) Amini Silatolu G Midwestern St.
Replace Midwestern St. with Wisconsin and you're looking at a 1st round pick. Silatolu walks on to the team as the most stout interior blocker on the roster but with the feet to move in Callahan's scheme. A guy who is just scratching the surface of his immense potential. Could thrive under pro coaching.

3(81) Josh Chapman DT Alabama
Ratliff can now move to DE, at least on a part time basis. Chapman's a field general, leader, tough as nails, high character player you have to drag off the field. He's got the short stout frame to hold up at NT and, IMO, coming out of Saban's scheme is a plug and play player. Instant impact that also enhances Ratliff's performance.

4(113) Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma
My personal pet cat. Every spring people get lost in 40 times/short shuttle numbers and forget about guys who are just natural God-given football players. Broyles is in that group. A tailor made NFL slot receiver with the knack for the big play. The NFL won't be too big for him.

4(135) Joe Looney G Wake Forest
Shift him inside to C, where I think he wins that battle this season. Looney is a Jason Garrett type. Team leader, had to fight and claw to get where he is. Highly intelligent and will hold his teammates accountable. Sounds like someone we desperately need in our locker room. Love this guy, though I am not confident he'll still be on the board with this pick.

5(152) Coryell Judie CB Texas A&M
A hamstring injury held him back and allows the Cowboys to get a very nice depth corner with tremendous ball skills this late in the draft. Judie also provides instant impact on special teams. He will stick on this roster as long as health isn't an issue.

6(186) Brett Roy OLB Nevada
The defensive counterpart to Looney. Another team leader who will get in his teammate's face when needed. A high effort character guy who is scheme flexible. Solid college production. Extremely coachable. A team first guy. This is the reason why I don't like Shea McClellin. I can get the same type of player 3 or 4 rounds later in Roy. That's value.

7(222) Jeff Adams T Columbia
An intriguing, developmental player with the feet to play LT in the NFL. When he had to step up in class as the East/West Shrine game, he excelled. The skill set is all there. He just needs time and pro coaching.

-

Our roster - 4/28/12

Where we would stand before our undrafted free agent class and 2nd wave of veteran free agency. Obviously we still have some holes. Need a TE, probably a new developmental QB. A safety would be nice. I wouldn't say no to a RB upgrade.

Rookies in bold.

QB - Romo, Orton, McGee, Carpenter
RB - Murray, Felix, Tanner
FB - Vickers, Chapas, Greenhouse
WR - Austin, Bryant, Broyles, Harris, Ogletree, Holmes, Radway, Williams
TE - Witten, Phillips
T - Tyron, Free, Parnell, Adams
G - Livings, Silatolu, Bernadeau, Arkin, Nagy
C - Looney, Kowalski, Costa

DE - Ratliff, Cox, Spears, Hatcher, Coleman, Geathers, Atkins
NT - Chapman, Lissemore, Brent, Calloway
OLB - Ware, Spencer, Butler, Roy, Albright
ILB - Lee, Carter, Connor, Lemon, Satele
CB - Carr, Jenkins, Scandrick, Judie, Butler, Taplin-Ross, Wilson
S - Sensabaugh, Pool, Church, McCray, Silva

LS - Ladouceur
K - Bailey, Forbath
P - Jones

Don't like the DT position being drafted in the RD1. G/C/S/CB is more pressing. If you want guard in RD 2 I like safety/CB in RD1.

 

[dstew60105]

Don't like the DT position being drafted in the RD1. G/C/S/CB is more pressing. If you want guard in RD 2 I like safety/CB in RD1.

Not crazy about Cox. Would like more production out of the 14th pick.

 

[RS12]

Favorite pick Chapman. I think the first two picks you have will be gone before the Cowboys pick. Looney is like Leary, when I first looked at those guys they were 7th/UDFA types who seem to be creeping up.

 

[Staxxxx]

1(14) Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St.
When you can nab your 4th overall player at pick 14 you don't pass it up. The Cowboys add a collapse the pocket type DE they've been missing since the 3-4 switch.

2(45) Amini Silatolu G Midwestern St.
Replace Midwestern St. with Wisconsin and you're looking at a 1st round pick. Silatolu walks on to the team as the most stout interior blocker on the roster but with the feet to move in Callahan's scheme. A guy who is just scratching the surface of his immense potential. Could thrive under pro coaching.

3(81) Josh Chapman DT Alabama
Ratliff can now move to DE, at least on a part time basis. Chapman's a field general, leader, tough as nails, high character player you have to drag off the field. He's got the short stout frame to hold up at NT and, IMO, coming out of Saban's scheme is a plug and play player. Instant impact that also enhances Ratliff's performance.

4(113) Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma
My personal pet cat. Every spring people get lost in 40 times/short shuttle numbers and forget about guys who are just natural God-given football players. Broyles is in that group. A tailor made NFL slot receiver with the knack for the big play. The NFL won't be too big for him.

If we land the first 4 like that I'll be the happiest guy in Cowboyland. That is pretty much my dream draft. I might change things up a little bit with the next four but that would just be splitting hairs. Nice Draft!

 

[tm1119]

Not crazy about Cox. Would like more production out of the 14th pick.

Yeah a lot of people will be complaining when he gets 3 or 4 sacks a season. I might take a shot at Poe for NT because it also maximizes Rat's potential. But other than him I'm saying no thanks to any d-lineman at 14. I want an impact player at 14.

 

[mensaone]

nice job

except why not draft a center in the 4 you got Brewster stting there

love the Chapman pick

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Nice effort.

I would sign off on that. Adds several bodies to the the offensive and defensive lines.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Don't like the DT position being drafted in the RD1. G/C/S/CB is more pressing. If you want guard in RD 2 I like safety/CB in RD1.

Cox wouldn't be a DT for the Cowboys. He'd be a starter from day one replacing Coleman.

The pass rush would be getting immediately better.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Yeah a lot of people will be complaining when he gets 3 or 4 sacks a season. I might take a shot at Poe for NT because it also maximizes Rat's potential. But other than him I'm saying no thanks to any d-lineman at 14. I want an impact player at 14.

If Cox came in and got 4 sacks, that would be a big step forward from what the team got out of Coleman and Spears in 2011. You had two defensive lineman COMBINE for 2 sacks and 16 pressures in 800+ snaps.

If Cox came in and averaged 1 sack per 100 snaps you would immediately see sacks increase for Ware, Spencer and Ratliff... And the Cowboy's first down pass defense would become better.

 

[Risen Star]

If Cox came in and got 4 sacks, that would be a big step forward from what the team got out of Coleman and Spears in 2011. You had two defensive lineman COMBINE for 2 sacks and 16 pressures in 800+ snaps.

If Cox came in and averaged 1 sack per 100 snaps you would immediately see sacks increase for Ware, Spencer and Ratliff... And the Cowboy's first down pass defense would become better.

He said he wanted an impact player at 14. What he means is he wants someone who he can see make plays more easily than a guy like Cox who facilitates those plays.

We are bad along the offensive line and very ordinary at the defensive line. We can only address one at 14 and Cox is the best talent, IMO. He'll make everybody better.

 

[tm1119]

He said he wanted an impact player at 14. What he means is he wants someone who he can see make plays more easily than a guy like Cox who facilitates those plays.

We are bad along the offensive line and very ordinary at the defensive line. We can only address one at 14 and Cox is the best talent, IMO. He'll make everybody better.

I understand what a 3-4 d-linemans job is. We can get a guy who can eat blocks and push the pocket in the 2nd or 3rd round. Still, Thompson, Worthy, Reyes, Crick, Winn, and a couple others can do the same job way past 14 is all I'm saying. Im all for upgrading the d line, just not at 14 unless its Poe who presents 2 possible upgrades.

 

[Risen Star]

I understand what a 3-4 d-linemans job is. We can get a guy who can eat blocks and push the pocket in the 2nd or 3rd round. Still, Thompson, Worthy, Reyes, Crick, Winn, and a couple others can do the same job way past 14 is all I'm saying. Im all for upgrading the d line, just not at 14 unless its Poe who presents 2 possible upgrades.

I didn't realize 3-4 ends who can collapse the pocket grew on trees.

Okay. I'll play that game. Who do you want at 14? I'll see if I can find something comparable in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

He said he wanted an impact player at 14. What he means is he wants someone who he can see make plays more easily than a guy like Cox who facilitates those plays.

We are bad along the offensive line and very ordinary at the defensive line. We can only address one at 14 and Cox is the best talent, IMO. He'll make everybody better.

I ask the question, which player is easier to upgrade–Coleman or Spencer?

I would vote Coleman... With Cox.

Would Upshaw or Ingram be an upgrade over Spencer? Not hardly. May even take a step back.

Poe?

He doesn't even figure into the equation... He of little production. He's also too tall for NT and too large for end.

 

[tm1119]

I didn't realize 3-4 ends who can collapse the pocket grew on trees.

Okay. I'll play that game. Who do you want at 14? I'll see if I can find something comparable in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

The difference between Cox and guys like Reyes and Winn is pretty minimal in my opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion though.

Personally I would look at Poe or Ingram. After that I'm all for trading down to acquire more picks. Perry or Mercilus would be my secondary options though