My Self Indulgent Draft thoughts

[big dog cowboy]

My Self Indulgent Draft thoughts

Good job Mountain Man!

 

[Ranching]

I loved what the Cowboys did with trading down and getting that 3rd round pick.
Have to be honest, and I am sure I am not the only one, that wanted the trade down but thought
the Cowboys would be even on the draft charts at best. It was a shock to see how much that trade
favored us point wise.

I wish they would have traded down a tad in the second. Whether it be for a 4th or even another 5th.
I think we might have still gotten Kneeland but if not there were still some good players we would have gotten with a trade down a few spots.

This team painted itself into a corner and need the Draft picks to help out a next to non existent FA period. That is why I wished they would have acquired more picks via trade down or with a few future picks.


Word is that that trade was done while the Cowboys were on the clock and close to end of the time period.
It was also said that they had four players they wanted to fall to them after the trade. The trade was five pick drop but they still
gambled that one of their guys would be there. The list of the four was Tyler Guyton, Jordan Morgan, Graham Barton and one Defensive player in Darius Robinson.

It was no shocker that the Cowboys liked Tyler Guyton a good deal. The majority of mock drafts had him over the others. And it was a position they needed that also lined up with a BPA area.

Stephen said they had about 15 first rounders on their board. It appears they were all gone by the time the 24th pick popped up.

In the past the Cowboys have done a good job getting a number of good players in the UDFA period right after the draft. It is still early at this point but I would imagine I am not the only one that is underwhelmed by the list thus far. I did like the TE from Minnesota. He is a large guy and although he was not known as a great blocker...my guess he can be coached up in that area. Otherwise the list seems meh. It is also amazing that so far there are no RBs on that list. I know the RBs were picked clean but still you would think any UDFA RBs would like to sign here due to having a better chance to get on the team compared to others, even if it is just practice squad.

After the draft Jerry seemed to indicate that they have the ability to trade for players. They talked about this time of year and going forward in the off season that teams will have players that they will be willing to trade or release due to depth. So the idea they might get someone like that via trades...

Interesting point about a possible trade. While in the draft show on the third day while there were long periods of time between picks and no RBs have been drafted. This was again during the last day of the draft before the post draft PC. Bobby Belt said basically the same thing. I do not remember how he phrased it so I will just say he heard rumblings or whispers about a possible trade. He said since they were on the official site broadcast, even though it was also with 105 the fan, that they could not say the name. However to hinted that it was a player that was good a year or so back but not so much last year on a team near them that might get pushed off due to new RB depth. My guess was the team was the Texans and the RB was Dameon Pierce.

They got who they have on the roster right now. It seems they are bringing Zeke back. Zeke is a positive person in the locker room. He can give you some short yard runs and his last year he had a nose for the end zone with 12 rushing TDs. However with he and Royce Freeman they are not fast players. So if they get someone they would want to get a faster player. During the draft show on the last day they got to interview some of the scouts and coaches and concerning the RBs they might want to draft it scout kept saying they wanted someone with Juice...basically talking about someone fast with break away speed.

Speaking of that. This is the second year where they kept passing on RBs when RB was considered a need. Last year at the very end they got Deuce but that was after all the other RBs were picked apart. So Two years in a row.

One could argue that they stuck to their board instead of pushing for a RB by taking a lower rated player on their board.

Oh and screw the Steelers...they took two players I wanted in the OT from Washington and they also took by homer Pick Zach Frazier in the next round. Burn steelers burn.

Now on to the my thoughts on the draft Picks.

I liked Tyler Guyton better once they traded down and got a good deal with getting a third round pick.
As stated before they liked him all along.
There were a large number of O linemen going in the first. I think Guyton was better than the next three OTs in Kinglsey Suamataia, Blake Fisher and Patrick Paul.

Kneeland was a good pick but I wish they would have traded down again a few spots to get another pick or two. I think there was a chance you still could have gotten him or another good player.

With that said. A player that has some pass rushing ability but right now his best ability is stopping the run. Something we have had issues with. So him being rotated in vs the run with others could be a good thing. I will also I have a feeling he will not just be a DE. I think they might use him along the line like they used to do with Tyrone Crawford. I know I know some did not like him. But what he did was be a player they could use in different spots when needed along the Line.

The Cooper BeeBe pick was the best pick for me. LOVED this pick and also love the idea that the trade down that cost us Graham Barton, got us Tyler Guyton AND Beebe. I think he can transition to Center and be a day one starter. Now he will have to compete with Hoffman who seems to be a guy the coaches love but I think Cooper can win out. Another thing to consider is Zack Martin is getting to the point where he might consider retiring. Cooper could be a good player to move over to that spot if need be.

The next Pick in Marist Liuafu. I think this was another chance for a trade down a few spots.
Whether you wanted to take him or another player.
I personally think they gambled thinking they could get a player like RB Ray Davis, Issac Guerendo or Tyrone Tracy would fall to them.
They were wrong.
I think if they traded down a little bit to get a 4th or higher 5th round pick they could have gotten Marist and one of those RBs.
But they did not and I think they should have drafted one of the RBs at that spot and still been able to get a good LB later like Jaylan Ford, Darius Muasau or Nathaniel Watson.
I will also say that with the current RB corps on the team, I do not think it is a stretch at all that one of the top ones that were available at this spot would have a very high chance to be a starter for this team from day one.

With that said. I really liked the 5th round pick of Caelen Carson. That was excellent value at that spot. And CB is a sneaky need for this team right now IMO.

I liked the Ryan Flournoy pick as well. I was hoping for him or B. Rice there. I do not know what the issue was for Rice because he seemed like he should have been drafted earlier and it really worried me when the 49ers kept passing on him even with the pick right before ours.

The Nathan Thomas pick was good value. He was the best OT left according to some. Looks like he is a project player with size and attitude. Churning that roster with the likes of Josh Ball, Earl Bostic, Asim Richards, Dakoda Shepley and Matt Waletzko. Maybe move on from one of those or if he does not make the team/practice team...it was a 7th round pick and it happens.

I was hoping for DT Gabe Hall from Baylor or DT Leonard Taylor III from Miami . Not sure why neither of those two did not get drafted, but it seems they went with another DT in Justin Rogers with the last pick. A big man who is a NT who played in the SEC. Kind of hard to complain about that pick. Whether it pans out is to be seen.



So in the end I liked a good deal of the players drafted. I think I would have went with a few different picks and another trade down or two. But for the most part it seemed like the players taken were rated well in the list of some respected individuals.


This truly could turn out to be a very good draft. I think Guyton might have some growing pains but will turn out. If Cooper stays healthy he should be a great player for us. I do like Marist and think he an be a future starter here. Guy has athletic ability, smarts and the drive. Just did wish it was with a trade down. Carson could turn out to be a great pick for us as well. Flournoy could be a good player for us and I am sure will be used on Special teams.

So I give this draft a B- or C+ if you prefer. I think it could turn out to be much better but I still think they should have traded down a tad more and made some choices to get a good RB and still a good LB. I can appreciate them sticking to their board but I am pretty sure there were RBs there that had similar grades and if a trade down we could have gotten Marist and probably one of those RBs.

I do want to say Thank You to @Risen Star for his annual pick the draft picks. I always enjoy that and wished more would join. Sadly this years contestants did not go so well compared to prior years, of course it is not fair when the Cowboys go all draft without taking a RB.

I would also like to say Thank You and I appreciate you for the group that was in the chat room during the draft. I think it was the first time in a long time where everyone was cordial and did not act like turds and get into fights with others. We all expressed our opinions whether positive or negative towards a pick or lack of picking a player but everyone did so in an adult manner without the petty attacks like in prior years. So again thanks to the Gents that were in there.

Sorry for the long rambling mini novel I used to accuse another old poster of doing all the time. Plus It is late at night/very early in the morning and I still have a ton of my meds I take at night in my system. So again. Sorry for the length.

Hadn't read that much since college. Good stuff.

 

[rambo2]

Agreed. Good foundational pieces. Guyton and Beebe have a great chance to start this year. Kneeland replaces DLaw and Carson replaces Lewis in year 2. I HOPE Liufau can replace Kendricks and Thomas can kick Steele to the curb in the future.

Flournoy can become a starter too.

 

[gtb1943]

All I know is Zach Martin should be shaking in his boots with the Beebe pick. The dude is a monster!

man you are delusional if you think Zach Martin is scared of ANYONE taking his spot

 

[gtb1943]

I really appreciate the effort BrainPaint put into things; way above and beyond the call

I agree with your write up pretty much all down the line. As regards RB, I really think the boys only wanted a couple of them and if they could not get them were not going to settle.
I also agree that more trade downs could have been done and to me that is the big failure in this draft. With as many holes as we have they should have worked their butts off to get more picks

 

[rambo2]

It was disappointing that they missed out on getting a running back. They better have hit on Liufau. They might have missed out on him if they took the back at 87 or if they had traded back. The Packers took a linebacker at 91. It's going to be something to watch how good Liufau and Carson become and what the Cowboys come up with in their running back situation.

 

[Malhavoc]

I just can’t see how Kneeland does not play a role in this defense. We simply don’t have many bodies that offer what he does. In Zimmer’s defense Micah won’t be on the Edge in obvious run downs. And Williams has the size but just has not developed as a guy to play the run. A lot of snaps from Armstrong and Fowler to be replaced. And I don’t see it going completely to Williams or the kid they red-shirted last year.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Brain, agree with your take on this draft. While I did rant abit in the draft day thread, overall a pretty good haul. Like everyone, I feel they will get killed over the lack of a RB and how (most of us think) they could have manipulated that 87th pick a little better. If the trade down offer from San Fran at that point is to be believed - why wouldn't you do that ! strange.
That gap between the 3rd round pick and the comp 5th rounder was painful, but all in all some promising players picked up.
They have to contribute more then last year's draft, so, we will see.
That's a B- from me.

 

[Creeper]

Looking back at the draft, how important was that 4th round pick we gave up for Trey Lance? 6 RBs were taken in the 10 picks after the 124 we gave to SF for Lance. In order they were Bucky Irving, Will Shipley, Ray Davis, Isaac Guerendo, Soine Vaki, and Braelon Allen. I certainly hope Lance nets us something better than what we gave up. So far he has given us nothing.

 

[Malhavoc]

It was disappointing that they missed out on getting a running back. They better have hit on Liufau. They might have missed out on him if they took the back at 87 or if they had traded back. The Packers took a linebacker at 91. It's going to be something to watch how good Liufau and Carson become and what the Cowboys come up with in their running back situation.

FA was the fail. A 12-5 playoff team should have addressed it. And there were a lot of options. Think about this. They wouldn‘t spend on the cheapest position. And their arrogance and stupidly lead them to think that they will sign Dak, Ceedee, and Micah below market. And to see them try to navigate that landscape is pure comedy.

 

[Mcsports]

Yes, good breakdown.

As stated way above, the drafts are a lot more fun with more draft picks, which are acquired by trading back or down.
Dallas did it once (to much applause) and perhaps could have it done it again.

On a similar note, Dallas rented Stephon Gilmore for one year with a 2023 5th round pick. I liked him, but that is a bit expensive.
I'm sure it's already been stated somewhere, but one pick after that compensatory 5th rounder, the Los Angeles Rams selected.....Puka Nacua.

The more arrows in the quiver.........

 

[CowboyStar88]

It's not going to be a popular draft class for those just thinking about this year. That would be most fans and media. They didn't address their most glaring need. They will get killed for it.

I wanted to hate the class. It would fit the theme of the offseason. I just happen to believe they added several foundational pieces for the future. Which is what I believe the draft is really about.

If you told me in 2026 the Cowboys have 4 quality starters out of this group I couldn't tell you that you are wrong. That would be a filthy number for one draft. Saying that, I can't possibly give them anything less than a high grade. Even if we all hate this offseason as a whole and don't have much hope for 2024.

And thank you to @BrAinPaiNt who really runs and promotes that pick the class contest. I don't have to do much but post the thread and announce the winner.

Excuse me sir this is a Wendy’s. I’m kidding all jokes aside, I said it yesterday but I will always pause when I see you get a bit giddy over a draft which doesn’t happen often. Over the years it’s pretty obvious you spend a lot of time on the draft, and whether people like or dislike you they should at least pay attention when you speak highly on an entire draft class. Yes, like everyone else you had your misses, but more times than not you seems pretty accurate, so as someone who is a casual college football fan I take notice.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I loved what the Cowboys did with trading down and getting that 3rd round pick.
Have to be honest, and I am sure I am not the only one, that wanted the trade down but thought
the Cowboys would be even on the draft charts at best. It was a shock to see how much that trade
favored us point wise.

I wish they would have traded down a tad in the second. Whether it be for a 4th or even another 5th.
I think we might have still gotten Kneeland but if not there were still some good players we would have gotten with a trade down a few spots.

This team painted itself into a corner and need the Draft picks to help out a next to non existent FA period. That is why I wished they would have acquired more picks via trade down or with a few future picks.


Word is that that trade was done while the Cowboys were on the clock and close to end of the time period.
It was also said that they had four players they wanted to fall to them after the trade. The trade was five pick drop but they still
gambled that one of their guys would be there. The list of the four was Tyler Guyton, Jordan Morgan, Graham Barton and one Defensive player in Darius Robinson.

It was no shocker that the Cowboys liked Tyler Guyton a good deal. The majority of mock drafts had him over the others. And it was a position they needed that also lined up with a BPA area.

Stephen said they had about 15 first rounders on their board. It appears they were all gone by the time the 24th pick popped up.

In the past the Cowboys have done a good job getting a number of good players in the UDFA period right after the draft. It is still early at this point but I would imagine I am not the only one that is underwhelmed by the list thus far. I did like the TE from Minnesota. He is a large guy and although he was not known as a great blocker...my guess he can be coached up in that area. Otherwise the list seems meh. It is also amazing that so far there are no RBs on that list. I know the RBs were picked clean but still you would think any UDFA RBs would like to sign here due to having a better chance to get on the team compared to others, even if it is just practice squad.

After the draft Jerry seemed to indicate that they have the ability to trade for players. They talked about this time of year and going forward in the off season that teams will have players that they will be willing to trade or release due to depth. So the idea they might get someone like that via trades...

Interesting point about a possible trade. While in the draft show on the third day while there were long periods of time between picks and no RBs have been drafted. This was again during the last day of the draft before the post draft PC. Bobby Belt said basically the same thing. I do not remember how he phrased it so I will just say he heard rumblings or whispers about a possible trade. He said since they were on the official site broadcast, even though it was also with 105 the fan, that they could not say the name. However to hinted that it was a player that was good a year or so back but not so much last year on a team near them that might get pushed off due to new RB depth. My guess was the team was the Texans and the RB was Dameon Pierce.

They got who they have on the roster right now. It seems they are bringing Zeke back. Zeke is a positive person in the locker room. He can give you some short yard runs and his last year he had a nose for the end zone with 12 rushing TDs. However with he and Royce Freeman they are not fast players. So if they get someone they would want to get a faster player. During the draft show on the last day they got to interview some of the scouts and coaches and concerning the RBs they might want to draft it scout kept saying they wanted someone with Juice...basically talking about someone fast with break away speed.

Speaking of that. This is the second year where they kept passing on RBs when RB was considered a need. Last year at the very end they got Deuce but that was after all the other RBs were picked apart. So Two years in a row.

One could argue that they stuck to their board instead of pushing for a RB by taking a lower rated player on their board.

Oh and screw the Steelers...they took two players I wanted in the OT from Washington and they also took by homer Pick Zach Frazier in the next round. Burn steelers burn.

Now on to the my thoughts on the draft Picks.

I liked Tyler Guyton better once they traded down and got a good deal with getting a third round pick.
As stated before they liked him all along.
There were a large number of O linemen going in the first. I think Guyton was better than the next three OTs in Kinglsey Suamataia, Blake Fisher and Patrick Paul.

Kneeland was a good pick but I wish they would have traded down again a few spots to get another pick or two. I think there was a chance you still could have gotten him or another good player.

With that said. A player that has some pass rushing ability but right now his best ability is stopping the run. Something we have had issues with. So him being rotated in vs the run with others could be a good thing. I will also I have a feeling he will not just be a DE. I think they might use him along the line like they used to do with Tyrone Crawford. I know I know some did not like him. But what he did was be a player they could use in different spots when needed along the Line.

The Cooper BeeBe pick was the best pick for me. LOVED this pick and also love the idea that the trade down that cost us Graham Barton, got us Tyler Guyton AND Beebe. I think he can transition to Center and be a day one starter. Now he will have to compete with Hoffman who seems to be a guy the coaches love but I think Cooper can win out. Another thing to consider is Zack Martin is getting to the point where he might consider retiring. Cooper could be a good player to move over to that spot if need be.

The next Pick in Marist Liuafu. I think this was another chance for a trade down a few spots.
Whether you wanted to take him or another player.
I personally think they gambled thinking they could get a player like RB Ray Davis, Issac Guerendo or Tyrone Tracy would fall to them.
They were wrong.
I think if they traded down a little bit to get a 4th or higher 5th round pick they could have gotten Marist and one of those RBs.
But they did not and I think they should have drafted one of the RBs at that spot and still been able to get a good LB later like Jaylan Ford, Darius Muasau or Nathaniel Watson.
I will also say that with the current RB corps on the team, I do not think it is a stretch at all that one of the top ones that were available at this spot would have a very high chance to be a starter for this team from day one.

With that said. I really liked the 5th round pick of Caelen Carson. That was excellent value at that spot. And CB is a sneaky need for this team right now IMO.

I liked the Ryan Flournoy pick as well. I was hoping for him or B. Rice there. I do not know what the issue was for Rice because he seemed like he should have been drafted earlier and it really worried me when the 49ers kept passing on him even with the pick right before ours.

The Nathan Thomas pick was good value. He was the best OT left according to some. Looks like he is a project player with size and attitude. Churning that roster with the likes of Josh Ball, Earl Bostic, Asim Richards, Dakoda Shepley and Matt Waletzko. Maybe move on from one of those or if he does not make the team/practice team...it was a 7th round pick and it happens.

I was hoping for DT Gabe Hall from Baylor or DT Leonard Taylor III from Miami . Not sure why neither of those two did not get drafted, but it seems they went with another DT in Justin Rogers with the last pick. A big man who is a NT who played in the SEC. Kind of hard to complain about that pick. Whether it pans out is to be seen.



So in the end I liked a good deal of the players drafted. I think I would have went with a few different picks and another trade down or two. But for the most part it seemed like the players taken were rated well in the list of some respected individuals.


This truly could turn out to be a very good draft. I think Guyton might have some growing pains but will turn out. If Cooper stays healthy he should be a great player for us. I do like Marist and think he an be a future starter here. Guy has athletic ability, smarts and the drive. Just did wish it was with a trade down. Carson could turn out to be a great pick for us as well. Flournoy could be a good player for us and I am sure will be used on Special teams.

So I give this draft a B- or C+ if you prefer. I think it could turn out to be much better but I still think they should have traded down a tad more and made some choices to get a good RB and still a good LB. I can appreciate them sticking to their board but I am pretty sure there were RBs there that had similar grades and if a trade down we could have gotten Marist and probably one of those RBs.

I do want to say Thank You to @Risen Star for his annual pick the draft picks. I always enjoy that and wished more would join. Sadly this years contestants did not go so well compared to prior years, of course it is not fair when the Cowboys go all draft without taking a RB.

I would also like to say Thank You and I appreciate you for the group that was in the chat room during the draft. I think it was the first time in a long time where everyone was cordial and did not act like turds and get into fights with others. We all expressed our opinions whether positive or negative towards a pick or lack of picking a player but everyone did so in an adult manner without the petty attacks like in prior years. So again thanks to the Gents that were in there.

Sorry for the long rambling mini novel I used to accuse another old poster of doing all the time. Plus It is late at night/very early in the morning and I still have a ton of my meds I take at night in my system. So again. Sorry for the length.

Excellent post sir! Can’t say I disagree with anything you’ve stated here. Also great job handling the draft chat and threads. It felt pretty smooth this year.

 

[speedkilz88]

My opinion is premature but I think the Nathan Thomas pick made Matt Waletzko roster status immediately obsolete. Thomas has room for growth but what confidence has Waletzko inspired in his coaches in keeping him? I am really looking forward to training camp and preseason to see how things work out for both players.

Ball out before Waletzko

 

[speedkilz88]

 

[quickccc]

- Still think when it comes to draft manuever, well plan per current and future- te Eagles are vast better front office than the Cowboys ... they moved down the draft , still picked up well regarded prospects to add to roster and set stones for high future draft picks.

- Had we not traded the 4th rd pick for Lance ... we would NOT even have thought about trading down in the first.

- Still think that’s about Stephen Jones than Wil McClay .. he’s still restricted and limited by the Jones, imo.

- Boyz not intrigued with any other RB – outside Jonathan Brooks ...basically sitting this entire draft out with RB

- Guyton was not a popular pick by outsiders, but neither was Tyler Smith during his draft year here. With their successful trend
among 1st rd OL guys, I’ll take the club chances to see how this goes.

- Beebe to center to which he has zero center game experience, that’s gonna be a learning curve, imo.
At least OG Conner Williams was NFL game experience with stunts & twists,

 

[quickccc]

Ball out before Waletzko

We're trying to add depth at OG, besides just Bass.

I don't wanna see Hoffman asked to play OG anymore.

 

[Verdict]

I think all of these OL picks indicate that the team plans to build an all world OL and this is probably Martins final ride as a Cowboy this season. Enjoy it. I think he’s gone next year.

 

[speedkilz88]

We're trying to add depth at OG, besides just Bass.

I don't wanna see Hoffman asked to play OG anymore.

OT
Guyton
Steele
Edoga T/G
Richards T/G
Waletzko
Bostick

OG
Smith T/G
Martin
Bass
Thomas T/G
Ball T/G

C
Hoffman G/C
Bebee G/C
Shepley

 

[Gambit]

The next Pick in Marist Liuafu. I think this was another chance for a trade down a few spots.

That pick was all but traded, that national scout made a passionate plea. I think they really liked Liuafu (as they should) and did not think he would be there at 174, which tells me they had zero intention of moving up at all into 4th or top 3rd of the 5th.

I liked Tyler Guyton better once they traded down and got a good deal with getting a third round pick.
As stated before they liked him all along.

I firmly believe had Robinson been there at 29 he was the pick, over Guyton even. Kneeland pick shows that to me