My Top 5 Targets For The Cowboys In Each Of The Top 4 Rounds

[XxTDxX]

I decided to put together a list of potential fits that I like for the Cowboys in each of the top 4 rounds. I decided cut it off after the 4th round because there is no way to realistically predict this team's late round picks until we find out who they bring in for workouts and visits.

I did a top 5 for the first round and a top 3 for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

With Crawford emerging and Demarcus Lawrence coming into his own as well I don't think it is necessarily a given that the Cowboys will go for D-Line or pass rush help in the early rounds...However I think their could potentially be good value for one of those positions at the end of the 1st.

This is also under the assumption that the Cowboys let murray go

I tried to only keep it to players who could realistically be available for the Cowboys in the places that they pick (Dante Fowler would be my dream selection but I think he ends up going top 10)

Round 1:

1. Danny Shelton (DT, Washington) - Seems like a longshot to get to 27 at this point and we also know the Cowboys don't value a 1 technique in the first round but if he somehow falls to 27 I think the value will be too high for the Cowboys to pass up...Could be dynamic force in the run game...Also has tools to rush the passer...Legitimately a top 15 talent in the draft...Would just have to hope other teams don't value a 1 technique/NT and hope he falls down the board

2. Malcolm Brown (DT, Texas) - Has the size of a 1 technique but the pass rushing ability and quickness of a 3 technique...Has position flexibility that would help him easily find a role in Marinelli's D-Line Rotation...Also plays with a lot of passion and intensity which the Cowboys could always use more of.

3. Alvin "Bud" Dupree (DE, Kentucky) - Great pass rusher who also plays the run...Can play both left and right end in the NFL...Not as high on him as many others are but if he is there at 27 I think you have to take him.

4. Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia) - Gurley is a legitimate top 5 talent in this draft but with the RB positions value being diminished as well as the fact he is coming off of an ACL tear the cowboys have a good chance of him being available when they pick...If the 3 DL I listed above are all gone I wouldn't hesitate to take Gurley...Gurley is a dynamic player that could replace Demarco Murray and be an even more dynamic playmaker for the Cowboys

5. Marcus Peters (CB, Washington) - Of the CB's that could be available at 27 Peters is easily my favorite...Has a ton of off the field issues and was kicked off of Washington's team so the Cowboys would have to figure out whether he is worth it or not but he is a top 15 talent who could easily be on the board when they pick...Has great ball skills and plays with physicality...Also has great size.

1st Round Summary - At 27 you may end up having to take a risk on a guy like Gurley or Peters if you want to get good value for your pick. If one of the 3 D-Lineman I listed falls to them than obviously you pull the trigger but I have a feeling all 3 could be gone.

Round 2:

1. Tevin Coleman (RB, Indiana) - Actually reminds me a little of Demarco Murray in the fact he is a taller RB who gets north and south, can catch the ball, and pass protect...Isn't the explosive runner that Todd Gurley is but in the late 2nd I think the value would be phenomenal.

2. Denzel Perryman (MLB, Miami) - Physical Speciman that could probably play all 3 linebacker positions... Think he could accel

3. Duke Johnson (RB, Miami) - Very electric runner who can take it to the house at any time...Just a great playmaker that would add another element to the Cowboys offense

Round 3:

1. Gerod Holliman (FS, Louisville) - Ballhawking FS that has incredible range and a feel for playing zone coverage...Also has great ball skills...Does not like to tackle at all which could be a problem but this team is in need of a safety that can cover.

2. Steven Nelson (CB, Oregon State) - Can cover, tackle, and has above average ball skills...Cowboys need to add more capable CB's

3. Phillip Dorsett (WR, Miami) - Probably the fastest receiver in the draft...Cowboys could use someone to put opposite Dez from time to time that scares the defense away from shading their safety completely over to dez...Dorsett's is a big play threat anytime he steps on the field.

Round 4:

1. Ronald Darby (CB, Florida State) - Was supposed to be a 1st round pick coming into this year but had an off year...I am willing to bet on his talent here in the 4th round and possibly even earlier.

2. Durrell Eskridge (FS, Syracuse) - Has great size at 6'3...Really intriguing prospect who could potentially compete for Wilcox's position.

3. Max Valles (DE, Virginia) - Has great height and length at 6'5 but at only 245lbs he would also need to put on some weight...He is a natural pass rusher...Only a RS Sophomore with a lot of upside.

 

[pacboyX]

We would most likely have to use that 2nd round pick on Holliman. And us drafting a FS isnt as much about Wilcox as Church.

 

[VACowboy]

I love your fourth round. Eskridge and Valles are two of my favorite players in the draft. Perryman and Johnson are two of my favorites too. I'd love to see Duke behind the Dalles OL.

 

[xwalker]

I decided to put together a list of potential fits that I like for the Cowboys in each of the top 4 rounds. I decided cut it off after the 4th round because there is no way to realistically predict this team's late round picks until we find out who they bring in for workouts and visits.

I did a top 5 for the first round and a top 3 for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

With Crawford emerging and Demarcus Lawrence coming into his own as well I don't think it is necessarily a given that the Cowboys will go for D-Line or pass rush help in the early rounds...However I think their could potentially be good value for one of those positions at the end of the 1st.

This is also under the assumption that the Cowboys let murray go

I tried to only keep it to players who could realistically be available for the Cowboys in the places that they pick (Dante Fowler would be my dream selection but I think he ends up going top 10)

Round 1:

1. Danny Shelton (DT, Washington) - Seems like a longshot to get to 27 at this point and we also know the Cowboys don't value a 1 technique in the first round but if he somehow falls to 27 I think the value will be too high for the Cowboys to pass up...Could be dynamic force in the run game...Also has tools to rush the passer...Legitimately a top 15 talent in the draft...Would just have to hope other teams don't value a 1 technique/NT and hope he falls down the board

2. Malcolm Brown (DT, Texas) - Has the size of a 1 technique but the pass rushing ability and quickness of a 3 technique...Has position flexibility that would help him easily find a role in Marinelli's D-Line Rotation...Also plays with a lot of passion and intensity which the Cowboys could always use more of.

3. Alvin "Bud" Dupree (DE, Kentucky) - Great pass rusher who also plays the run...Can play both left and right end in the NFL...Not as high on him as many others are but if he is there at 27 I think you have to take him.

4. Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia) - Gurley is a legitimate top 5 talent in this draft but with the RB positions value being diminished as well as the fact he is coming off of an ACL tear the cowboys have a good chance of him being available when they pick...If the 3 DL I listed above are all gone I wouldn't hesitate to take Gurley...Gurley is a dynamic player that could replace Demarco Murray and be an even more dynamic playmaker for the Cowboys

5. Marcus Peters (CB, Washington) - Of the CB's that could be available at 27 Peters is easily my favorite...Has a ton of off the field issues and was kicked off of Washington's team so the Cowboys would have to figure out whether he is worth it or not but he is a top 15 talent who could easily be on the board when they pick...Has great ball skills and plays with physicality...Also has great size.

1st Round Summary - At 27 you may end up having to take a risk on a guy like Gurley or Peters if you want to get good value for your pick. If one of the 3 D-Lineman I listed falls to them than obviously you pull the trigger but I have a feeling all 3 could be gone.

Round 2:

1. Tevin Coleman (RB, Indiana) - Actually reminds me a little of Demarco Murray in the fact he is a taller RB who gets north and south, can catch the ball, and pass protect...Isn't the explosive runner that Todd Gurley is but in the late 2nd I think the value would be phenomenal.

2. Denzel Perryman (MLB, Miami) - Physical Speciman that could probably play all 3 linebacker positions... Think he could accel

3. Duke Johnson (RB, Miami) - Very electric runner who can take it to the house at any time...Just a great playmaker that would add another element to the Cowboys offense

Round 3:

1. Gerod Holliman (FS, Louisville) - Ballhawking FS that has incredible range and a feel for playing zone coverage...Also has great ball skills...Does not like to tackle at all which could be a problem but this team is in need of a safety that can cover.

2. Steven Nelson (CB, Oregon State) - Can cover, tackle, and has above average ball skills...Cowboys need to add more capable CB's

3. Phillip Dorsett (WR, Miami) - Probably the fastest receiver in the draft...Cowboys could use someone to put opposite Dez from time to time that scares the defense away from shading their safety completely over to dez...Dorsett's is a big play threat anytime he steps on the field.

Round 4:

1. Ronald Darby (CB, Florida State) - Was supposed to be a 1st round pick coming into this year but had an off year...I am willing to bet on his talent here in the 4th round and possibly even earlier.

2. Durrell Eskridge (FS, Syracuse) - Has great size at 6'3...Really intriguing prospect who could potentially compete for Wilcox's position.

3. Max Valles (DE, Virginia) - Has great height and length at 6'5 but at only 245lbs he would also need to put on some weight...He is a natural pass rusher...Only a RS Sophomore with a lot of upside.

The only round 1 guy that seems like a reasonably probability of getting drafted by the Cowboys is Dupree.

If Shelton drops to 27 then teams found a serious problem with him (injury or character).

Marinelli does not have a history of having 320+ type DLinemen. Brown would have to be a true pass rusher for the Cowboys to draft him in the 1st. Some analysts/fans say he could be a 3-tech type but I don't see it. He has a quick 1st step but his steps after that just look like standard 1-tech big player limited quickness to me. Of the big 320 types I see Carl Davis as more of a pass rusher than Brown.

It's doubtful that the Cowboys draft any RB in the 1st. It's even more doubtful that they would draft a guy coming off an ACL injury.

If they take a chance on a character issue player (Peters), it won't be in the 1st round, IMO.

 

[AsthmaField]

I decided to put together a list of potential fits that I like for the Cowboys in each of the top 4 rounds. I decided cut it off after the 4th round because there is no way to realistically predict this team's late round picks until we find out who they bring in for workouts and visits.

I did a top 5 for the first round and a top 3 for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

With Crawford emerging and Demarcus Lawrence coming into his own as well I don't think it is necessarily a given that the Cowboys will go for D-Line or pass rush help in the early rounds...However I think their could potentially be good value for one of those positions at the end of the 1st.

This is also under the assumption that the Cowboys let murray go

I tried to only keep it to players who could realistically be available for the Cowboys in the places that they pick (Dante Fowler would be my dream selection but I think he ends up going top 10)

Round 1:

1. Danny Shelton (DT, Washington) - Seems like a longshot to get to 27 at this point and we also know the Cowboys don't value a 1 technique in the first round but if he somehow falls to 27 I think the value will be too high for the Cowboys to pass up...Could be dynamic force in the run game...Also has tools to rush the passer...Legitimately a top 15 talent in the draft...Would just have to hope other teams don't value a 1 technique/NT and hope he falls down the board

2. Malcolm Brown (DT, Texas) - Has the size of a 1 technique but the pass rushing ability and quickness of a 3 technique...Has position flexibility that would help him easily find a role in Marinelli's D-Line Rotation...Also plays with a lot of passion and intensity which the Cowboys could always use more of.

3. Alvin "Bud" Dupree (DE, Kentucky) - Great pass rusher who also plays the run...Can play both left and right end in the NFL...Not as high on him as many others are but if he is there at 27 I think you have to take him.

4. Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia) - Gurley is a legitimate top 5 talent in this draft but with the RB positions value being diminished as well as the fact he is coming off of an ACL tear the cowboys have a good chance of him being available when they pick...If the 3 DL I listed above are all gone I wouldn't hesitate to take Gurley...Gurley is a dynamic player that could replace Demarco Murray and be an even more dynamic playmaker for the Cowboys

5. Marcus Peters (CB, Washington) - Of the CB's that could be available at 27 Peters is easily my favorite...Has a ton of off the field issues and was kicked off of Washington's team so the Cowboys would have to figure out whether he is worth it or not but he is a top 15 talent who could easily be on the board when they pick...Has great ball skills and plays with physicality...Also has great size.

1st Round Summary - At 27 you may end up having to take a risk on a guy like Gurley or Peters if you want to get good value for your pick. If one of the 3 D-Lineman I listed falls to them than obviously you pull the trigger but I have a feeling all 3 could be gone.

Round 2:

1. Tevin Coleman (RB, Indiana) - Actually reminds me a little of Demarco Murray in the fact he is a taller RB who gets north and south, can catch the ball, and pass protect...Isn't the explosive runner that Todd Gurley is but in the late 2nd I think the value would be phenomenal.

2. Denzel Perryman (MLB, Miami) - Physical Speciman that could probably play all 3 linebacker positions... Think he could accel

3. Duke Johnson (RB, Miami) - Very electric runner who can take it to the house at any time...Just a great playmaker that would add another element to the Cowboys offense

Round 3:

1. Gerod Holliman (FS, Louisville) - Ballhawking FS that has incredible range and a feel for playing zone coverage...Also has great ball skills...Does not like to tackle at all which could be a problem but this team is in need of a safety that can cover.

2. Steven Nelson (CB, Oregon State) - Can cover, tackle, and has above average ball skills...Cowboys need to add more capable CB's

3. Phillip Dorsett (WR, Miami) - Probably the fastest receiver in the draft...Cowboys could use someone to put opposite Dez from time to time that scares the defense away from shading their safety completely over to dez...Dorsett's is a big play threat anytime he steps on the field.

Round 4:

1. Ronald Darby (CB, Florida State) - Was supposed to be a 1st round pick coming into this year but had an off year...I am willing to bet on his talent here in the 4th round and possibly even earlier.

2. Durrell Eskridge (FS, Syracuse) - Has great size at 6'3...Really intriguing prospect who could potentially compete for Wilcox's position.

3. Max Valles (DE, Virginia) - Has great height and length at 6'5 but at only 245lbs he would also need to put on some weight...He is a natural pass rusher...Only a RS Sophomore with a lot of upside.

I don't think Shelton would happen in the first. Just not what Marinelli looks for, IMO. He won't make it to 27 anyway unless there is something wrong.

I can't see them wanting Brown either.

Dupree is a possibility for sure, if he makes it to 27.

I love Gurley but with his ACL, I don't think Dallas would use a first on him and I wouldn't want them to.

Peters, with his off field problems will not be drafted by Dallas unless he slides down several rounds, and even then probably not. He goes against everything that Garrett has been building in Dallas and isn't what anyone in Dallas wants on the team.

I love Perryman but I don't see him lasting until our second round pick. He will go early IMO.

There should be some good corners available in the second to Dallas and I could see them going that way then.

I like Coleman and Johnson but I'm not sure either will be the best pick for Dallas in the second. Gordon and Ajayi are both better players I think.

Holliman and Nelson are nice players but the 3rd is too early for Dorsett IMO. He has speed but isn't very polished and his hands are suspect... something that I can not abide in a WR. Not early as the 3rd anyway.

Darby will go earlier than the 4th I think but I do like him as a player.

Eskridge I like and that might be a good pick in the 4th.

Valles I'm not real familiar with yet, so I won't comment on him.

All, just my opinion, of course.

 

[AsthmaField]

The only round 1 guy that seems like a reasonably probability of getting drafted by the Cowboys is Dupree.

If Shelton drops to 27 then teams found a serious problem with him (injury or character).

Marinelli does not have a history of having 320+ type DLinemen. Brown would have to be a true pass rusher for the Cowboys to draft him in the 1st. Some analysts/fans say he could be a 3-tech type but I don't see it. He has a quick 1st step but his steps after that just look like standard 1-tech big player limited quickness to me. Of the big 320 types I see Carl Davis as more of a pass rusher than Brown.

It's doubtful that the Cowboys draft any RB in the 1st. It's even more doubtful that they would draft a guy coming off an ACL injury.

If they take a chance on a character issue player (Peters), it won't be in the 1st round, IMO.

lol, I should have read the whole thread before commenting. I agree with a lot of your take.

 

[Hailmary]

5. Marcus Peters (CB, Washington) - Of the CB's that could be available at 27 Peters is easily my favorite...Has a ton of off the field issues and was kicked off of Washington's team so the Cowboys would have to figure out whether he is worth it or not but he is a top 15 talent who could easily be on the board when they pick...Has great ball skills and plays with physicality...Also has great size.

Does anyone know if he actually had a ton of off field issues and what they were exactly? I did a quick search a while back and it sounded to me like he was kicked off the team because he didn't get along with the new coaching staff. If that was indeed the case, then yea...i can see how that can be bad. But we also don't have all the details of why the parties didn't get along. His actions could've totally justified the dismissal or it could be that the new staff overreacted? I saw this and thought it to be interesting:

Although Peters' reported insubordination will lead to concerns about his ability to get along with coaches, scouts and executives at the NFL level, I've had several scouts tell me that his character and personality wouldn't be an issue at other major programs. An NFC scout told me that coaches comfortable dealing with kids who have a bit of an edge wouldn't have a problem getting the best out of Peters or helping him assimilate into a structured program. Washington head coach Chris Petersen refused to deal with a player who didn't buy into all of the tenets of his new plan and approach at Washington. Thus, the character questions surrounding Peters appear to be "football character" issues, not legal matters that will torpedo his draft stock in meeting rooms around the league.

I think he will be heavily interviewed at the combines and we should know a lot more before draft day. Till then, he's still on my radar.

 

[AsthmaField]

Does anyone know if he actually had a ton of off field issues and what they were exactly? I did a quick search a while back and it sounded to me like he was kicked off the team because he didn't get along with the new coaching staff. If that was indeed the case, then yea...i can see how that can be bad. But we also don't have all the details of why the parties didn't get along. His actions could've totally justified the dismissal or it could be that the new staff overreacted? I saw this and thought it to be interesting:

Although Peters' reported insubordination will lead to concerns about his ability to get along with coaches, scouts and executives at the NFL level, I've had several scouts tell me that his character and personality wouldn't be an issue at other major programs. An NFC scout told me that coaches comfortable dealing with kids who have a bit of an edge wouldn't have a problem getting the best out of Peters or helping him assimilate into a structured program. Washington head coach Chris Petersen refused to deal with a player who didn't buy into all of the tenets of his new plan and approach at Washington. Thus, the character questions surrounding Peters appear to be "football character" issues, not legal matters that will torpedo his draft stock in meeting rooms around the league.

I think he will be heavily interviewed at the combines and we should know a lot more before draft day. Till then, he's still on my radar.

I do know that the previous coaching staff at UW also suspended Peters, so it wasn't just with the new staff that he had issues with. To me, that was kind of what made me say, "no thanks" to him.

Of course the Cowboys will do their due diligence with him and if they find no problem they won't take him off their board. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they did remove him though. They won't want to take any chance with the chemistry they've built, and I don't blame them.

 

[Hailmary]

I do know that the previous coaching staff at UW also suspended Peters, so it wasn't just with the new staff that he had issues with. To me, that was kind of what made me say, "no thanks" to him.

Of course the Cowboys will do their due diligence with him and if they find no problem they won't take him off their board. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they did remove him though. They won't want to take any chance with the chemistry they've built, and I don't blame them.

Do you have any specifics? I can't seem to find that anywhere. I do see he was suspended one game earlier that year for throwing a tantrum on the sideline. This too was under Petersen's watch. Not saying it didn't happen, but I can't seem to find any altercations between Peters and the staff during Sarkasian's tenure.

 

[rkell87]

As a biased texas fan all I have to say is you are all going to be surprised about brown. He was the star player on a D that couldn't cover, tackle, or get to the QB for 2 of the three years he was there, he was getting the suh treatment by teams and still being disruptive. To me he is exactly the type of player rod goes for, chasing plays down the field smart tough constantly active and a leader.

 

[AsthmaField]

Do you have any specifics? I can't seem to find that anywhere. I do see he was suspended one game earlier that year for throwing a tantrum on the sideline. This too was under Petersen's watch. Not saying it didn't happen, but I can't seem to find any altercations between Peters and the staff during Sarkasian's tenure.

I can't remember where I read it. Let me look around a bit and see if I can find it.

 

[AsthmaField]

Do you have any specifics? I can't seem to find that anywhere. I do see he was suspended one game earlier that year for throwing a tantrum on the sideline. This too was under Petersen's watch. Not saying it didn't happen, but I can't seem to find any altercations between Peters and the staff during Sarkasian's tenure.

This CBSSportline write up isn't exactly what I read before but it does talk about him getting held out of the start of their 2013 bowl game (under Steve Sarkisian).

Peters is a clear first-round talent who must answer significant character concerns leading up to the draft after being dismissed from the Washington football team on Nov. 6.


While immensely talented, the 2013 Second-Team All-Pac-12 performer was held out of the first quarter of the Huskies' bowl game at the end of the season, and then repeatedly clashed with coach Chris Petersen's staff in 2014. He was served a one-game suspension after a sideline tirade against Eastern Washington in the second game of the season, and reportedly got into an argument with an assistant coach in practice that ultimately led to his dismissal from the program.

Link:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1884451/marcus-peters

I will continue to look for what I read before. It was a little more detailed than this one is about it.