My Early Look at the 2012 Draft

[cowboysfan31]

This is more for names to watch this season and out of boredom than anything else. Dallas still has all 7 picks for the 2012 draft. I won't pinpoint where they will be drafting at this time however I believe it will be in the latter 3rd of the draft somewhere between 20-32.

1. Alameda Ta'amu, 6'3" 330lbs, DT, Washington- I think the defensive line will be average but not spectacular this year. I believe that Ta'amu can be a disruptive player in both the pass and run, and his size will allow him to play all over the line which blends well with Ryan's defense. When building winning teams, it all starts up front and I think this would add some serious firepower to our D.

2. Markelle Martin, 6'1" 195lbs, S, Oklahoma St- Instinctive player, able to locate the ball and make big hits in the passing and running game. 3 year starter that has won awards for on-field and academic performance. It doesn't hurt that he's from Wichita Falls and plays at Rob's alma mater either.

3. Matt Reynolds, 6'6" 306lbs, OL, BYU- Currently playing LT in college but could probably play either T spot or even G in the NFL. Spent a year in Germany on a church mission, and is a very hard worker. Would fit in with the youth and athleticism we have been adding on the OL.

4. Shaun Prater, 5'10" 182lbs, CB, Iowa- Good size and speed for the positions, makes plays on the ball, and is willing to work every day towards being a shutdown corner and the best player he can be.

5. Joe Adams, 5'11" 190lbs, WR, Arkansas- Very steady as a receiver, and electrifying with the ball in his hands whether he is on offense or returning punts. Yet another weapon for Garrett's offense.

6. Nathan Williams, 6'3" 260lbs, DE/OLB, Ohio St- Has been a consistent part of the Buckeye pass-rush. He is a relentless pass rusher, and has flashed the athletic ability to make plays on the ball as well. You can never have enough pass rushers in the 3-4.

7. Antonio Fenelus, 5'8" 193lbs, CB, Wisconsin- A big part of Wisconsin's pass defense, Fenelus is a little under-sized but he makes plays. He is also an excellent defender on special teams.

 

[MilesHigh]

Going based off what I've heard from the likes of Bryan Broaddus and others, it's my understanding that the first picks would/should/could consist of a CB and a S.

They also project the Cowboys to take a QB in the middle rounds.

POS (Draft Rank #)

CB (8) - Dre Kirkpatrick, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664145
CB (11) - Alfonzo Dennard, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1630805
SS (40) - Ray Ray Armstrong, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664139
SS (61) - Mark Barron, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1632196
FS (32) - T.J. McDonald, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664157
FS (44) - Markelle Martin, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1619949
QB (103) - Ryan Lindley, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1273908
QB (128) - Chandler Harnish, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1272731
QB (176) - B.J. Coleman, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1244779
QB (189) - Kellen Moore, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1274372

Sometimes, due to the draft, I wish I knew more about the NCAA! Do you know anything about the aforementioned players?
I can appreciate your hard work on yours.

 

[cowboysfan31]

Going based off what I've heard from the likes of Bryan Broaddus and others, it's my understanding that the first picks would/should/could consist of a CB and a S.

They also project the Cowboys to take a QB in the middle rounds.

POS (Draft Rank #)

CB (8) - Dre Kirkpatrick, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664145
CB (11) - Alfonzo Dennard, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1630805
SS (40) - Ray Ray Armstrong, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664139
SS (61) - Mark Barron, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1632196
FS (32) - T.J. McDonald, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664157
FS (44) - Markelle Martin, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1619949
QB (103) - Ryan Lindley, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1273908
QB (128) - Chandler Harnish, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1272731
QB (176) - B.J. Coleman, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1244779
QB (189) - Kellen Moore, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1274372

Sometimes, due to the draft, I wish I knew more about the NCAA! Do you know anything about the aforementioned players?
I can appreciate your hard work on yours.

Based on the new CBA and the affect it had on rookie contracts I could see Dallas drafting 2 DBs with its first 2 picks, however IMO the key to winning is controlling the line of scrimmage, controlling the ball, and controlling clock. That all starts up front. Ratliff is a pro-bowler, Spears is solid but unspectacular, Brent has shown promise, and Hatcher and Lissemore are decent rotational players at this point. Of course we haven't played a game that means anything yet, so things can always change but I think we need another monster on the DL.

At this point I don't see Dallas drafting another QB next year, atleast not until late. Stephen McGee looked pretty good, and he is still gaining knowledge of the offense. Only time will tell but I believe he will be a capable backup.

As far as the players you listed Dre Kirkpatrick will only be a junior this year, and he only has 1 year of starting experience but he was highly touted coming out of HS and has faced a high level of competition. If he comes out he would probably be a top-10 pick barring injury.

Dennard is a good athlete, and a well coached played coming from a Bo Pelini coached Nebraska defense. He will also probably be a top 10-15 pick.

TJ McDonald has good bloodlines and is a good athlete, but will only be a junior so his experience is a bit limited right now. He can play either S position but I haven't been real high on USC prospects lately. He may end up being similar to Sensabaugh.

Ray Ray Armstrong is very tall at 6'4". Not sure if that will end up helping or hurting him at the professional level. He too will only be a junior. His name has been brought up in the current Miami scandal so his maturity and dedication may be questioned.

Mark Barron is a good leader and a hard hitter in the secondary, though he's probably the 3rd best pro prospect in that secondary behind Kirkpatrick and junior FS Robert Lester (8 INTs, 4 pass break ups, and 12 passes deflected...he's a serious ball-hawk and probably my favorite player at S if he enters the draft). Barron would probably be a better fit at SS in the NFL though he could be an above average player.

Markelle Martin will be starting for a 3rd straight year this year and is a leader in the secondary. He is a big hitter and also had 3INTs and 10 pass breakups last year. To go along with his experience and production he's got a 37 inch vertical, a 4.4 fourty, and he got an award for his academic performance as well. He or Lester would really shore up the back end of our D.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Based on the new CBA and the affect it had on rookie contracts I could see Dallas drafting 2 DBs with its first 2 picks, however IMO the key to winning is controlling the line of scrimmage, controlling the ball, and controlling clock. That all starts up front. Ratliff is a pro-bowler, Spears is solid but unspectacular, Brent has shown promise, and Hatcher and Lissemore are decent rotational players at this point. Of course we haven't played a game that means anything yet, so things can always change but I think we need another monster on the DL.

At this point I don't see Dallas drafting another QB next year, atleast not until late. Stephen McGee looked pretty good, and he is still gaining knowledge of the offense. Only time will tell but I believe he will be a capable backup.

As far as the players you listed Dre Kirkpatrick will only be a junior this year, and he only has 1 year of starting experience but he was highly touted coming out of HS and has faced a high level of competition. If he comes out he would probably be a top-10 pick barring injury.

Dennard is a good athlete, and a well coached played coming from a Bo Pelini coached Nebraska defense. He will also probably be a top 10-15 pick.

TJ McDonald has good bloodlines and is a good athlete, but will only be a junior so his experience is a bit limited right now. He can play either S position but I haven't been real high on USC prospects lately. He may end up being similar to Sensabaugh.

Ray Ray Armstrong is very tall at 6'4". Not sure if that will end up helping or hurting him at the professional level. He too will only be a junior. His name has been brought up in the current Miami scandal so his maturity and dedication may be questioned.

Mark Barron is a good leader and a hard hitter in the secondary, though he's probably the 3rd best pro prospect in that secondary behind Kirkpatrick and junior FS Robert Lester (8 INTs, 4 pass break ups, and 12 passes deflected...he's a serious ball-hawk and probably my favorite player at S if he enters the draft). Barron would probably be a better fit at SS in the NFL though he could be an above average player.

Markelle Martin will be starting for a 3rd straight year this year and is a leader in the secondary. He is a big hitter and also had 3INTs and 10 pass breakups last year. To go along with his experience and production he's got a 37 inch vertical, a 4.4 fourty, and he got an award for his academic performance as well. He or Lester would really shore up the back end of our D.

Really good assessments of the safeties. I am really high on Markelle Martin and I'm hoping to see him make more plays on the ball this year.

Mark Barron is a step-slow safety IMO and benefits greatly by talented defensive teammates at Alabama. Lester has some attitude issues but he is a hell of a player.

TJ should play SS at the next level (like his dad). He is not the athlete Sensabaugh is but he is a much more natural safety. He was USC's biggest defensive playmaker last year, his first season at a starter.

Ray Ray Armstrong is getting a lot of draft hype right now but I'm still not sure what to make of him.

You didn't mention Kenny Tate from Maryland. Like Armstong, he is 6'4", but Maryland is moving him to OLB this year. They claim they are doing this to allow him to be closer to the LOS and make more plays. Part of me says if your college team is moving you to OLB that is a concern but the other part of me remembers Darren Woodson and Carnell Lake were college OLB's.

 

[cowboysfan31]

The CBS Sports rankings have Tate's projected 40 time at 4.73, and they have him as their 9th rated OLB. If that time is anywhere close to true I see him ending up as a 4th-5th round player and definitely not a S in the NFL. Most likely a WLB in a 4-3.

 

[ThreeandOut]

As things currently stand, the Cowboys need would seem to be greater at FS than SS. Church seems to be more likely to start at SS next year than AOA at FS (assuming they don't re-sign one of the current starters).

 

[cowboysfan31]

As things currently stand, the Cowboys need would seem to be greater at FS than SS. Church seems to be more likely to start at SS next year than AOA at FS (assuming they don't re-sign one of the current starters).

I agree that FS is a more pressing need than SS which is why I like Markelle Martin and Robert Lester the most right now out of next year's draft class.

 

[The Realist]

Unless a FS carries an off the charts grade I think it will be a long time before you see Jerry go S in 1 again. SS in 1 makes even less sense then FS does in today's NFL.

I see us going CB in 1 with S coming in the next couple of rounds.

My guy is Coryell Judie CB Texas A&M. Nobody is talking about him in 1 yet but I think he will climb up the boards.

 

[ThreeandOut]

Unless a FS carries an off the charts grade I think it will be a long time before you see Jerry go S in 1 again. SS in 1 makes even less sense then FS does in today's NFL.

I see us going CB in 1 with S coming in the next couple of rounds.

My guy is Coryell Judie CB Texas A&M. Nobody is talking about him in 1 yet but I think he will climb up the boards.

CB in the 1st and S in the 2nd does seem to match up better with the value at those positions based on the early NFL Draftscout rankings. I see the Cowboys most likely going CB in round 1 but could also see them going DL or even LB if they lose Spenser next year.

 

[RS12]

Based on the new CBA and the affect it had on rookie contracts I could see Dallas drafting 2 DBs with its first 2 picks, however IMO the key to winning is controlling the line of scrimmage, controlling the ball, and controlling clock. That all starts up front.

I'm with you. Refresh my memory again, how did the Gnats beat the Cheats a few years ago in the SB?