NFL Draft Tracker: Cowboys Trade Down, Pick 2 DBs in Mock

[KingintheNorth]

I'll take that

Yep.

 

[AsthmaField]

If we added Tomlinson, I'd be fine with that. I just can't see us paying what it will take to get Tomlinson.

I also think Nixon goes in the first, and might even end up climbing to our pick, but I'm hopeful that he's around in the second.

I think there’s a chance that they decide to go for at least one defender in the mid to upper range of free agency. I mean, you’re probably right and they haven’t done it in a few years, but I think that the wasted money on numerous lower level free agents last year might just push the team to target fewer FA’s and one or two that are better than just average.

Admittedly, it’s just a hunch.

They will save on having to get a swing tackle this year because Knight and Steele can fill that role, and really on offense they won’t need to spend much. With them likely just targeting defense, I could see them spending pretty big on a guy. Will it be a DT? Now that is the question.

 

[gimmesix]

I think there’s a chance that they decide to go for at least one defender in the mid to upper range of free agency. I mean, you’re probably right and they haven’t done it in a few years, but I think that the wasted money on numerous lower level free agents last year might just push the team to target fewer FA’s and one or two that are better than just average.

Admittedly, it’s just a hunch.

They will save on having to get a swing tackle this year because Knight and Steele can fill that role, and really on offense they won’t need to spend much. With them likely just targeting defense, I could see them spending pretty big on a guy. Will it be a DT? Now that is the question.

I don't know if we won't try to bring back Erving as swing tackle since he outplayed Knight and Steele before he was injured. I hope your hunch is right, though, on the mid- to upper-range FA. The Joneses' FA strategy of avoiding the feeding frenzy has not been paying off for us.

IMO, the Joneses settled on that strategy because of the failure of a few high-priced FAs they signed, but their premise is wrong. The problem wasn't spending big bucks on FAs, it was spending big bucks on the wrong FAs. They targeted the top one or two players at a position instead of targeting one of the top FAs regardless of position (if one fits a position of need).

For example, Justin Simmons (if he makes it to FA) is going to be one of the best FAs this year. He would be a good target because he's a top FA who fits a need. Leonard Williams would be a good target for the same reason. However, this would not be a good year to pay big bucks for a cornerback even though we have a need. The best of the bunch (Patrick Peterson) is fairly far down the list of best FAs.

Previously, Dallas had a need and the Joneses threw money at the best FA at that position even if he wasn't considered a top FA overall. Now, they just shop the bargain rack. That's an overadjustment.

 

[AsthmaField]

I don't know if we won't try to bring back Erving as swing tackle since he outplayed Knight and Steele before he was injured. I hope your hunch is right, though, on the mid- to upper-range FA. The Joneses' FA strategy of avoiding the feeding frenzy has not been paying off for us.

IMO, the Joneses settled on that strategy because of the failure of a few high-priced FAs they signed, but their premise is wrong. The problem wasn't spending big bucks on FAs, it was spending big bucks on the wrong FAs. They targeted the top one or two players at a position instead of targeting one of the top FAs regardless of position (if one fits a position of need).

For example, Justin Simmons (if he makes it to FA) is going to be one of the best FAs this year. He would be a good target because he's a top FA who fits a need. Leonard Williams would be a good target for the same reason. However, this would not be a good year to pay big bucks for a cornerback even though we have a need. The best of the bunch (Patrick Peterson) is fairly far down the list of best FAs.

Previously, Dallas had a need and the Joneses threw money at the best FA at that position even if he wasn't considered a top FA overall. Now, they just shop the bargain rack. That's an overadjustment.

Agree 100%, especially this part:

For example, Justin Simmons (if he makes it to FA) is going to be one of the best FAs this year. He would be a good target because he's a top FA who fits a need. Leonard Williams would be a good target for the same reason. However, this would not be a good year to pay big bucks for a cornerback even though we have a need. The best of the bunch (Patrick Peterson) is fairly far down the list of best FAs.

Williams (or Tomlinson) is my hope, although Simmons is a great player. I don’t see Simmons actually making it to free agency. I think Denver finds a way to keep him. However, I feel like one of either Williams or Tomlinson makes it to the open market because the Giants just can’t do both. Since Williams is the better pass rusher (and because NY traded for him last year) I think it will be Tomlinson hitting FA. So a good, young, run-stopping DT will be there for Dallas to supplement what they do in the draft for their defense. It just makes a lot of sense and he shouldn’t break the bank, though he won’t come cheap.

I guess we will just have to wait and see if Dallas breaks recent history. I think it would be a really good move for Dallas. It will give them a head start on their defensive rebuild and I see Tomlinson as a pretty safe investment that won’t come at blue-chip pricing. I also think Quinn may impress upon the front office that he needs a DT like him.

 

[baltcowboy]

I'm beginning to think both Farley and Surtain will be off the board at 10.

Probably depends on how many QBs end up in the top 10.

Maybe one of them goes before the 10th pick, hard to say. My concern is if we trade down to far we miss out on Horne. I think Surtain, Farley, and Horne are on the same level. There is a big drop after them.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'd jump for joy if we could get Horn, Moehrig and Nixon, but I'd probably hold off the offensive tackle in the third and get a beefy DT to line up next to Nixon.

I would be willing to go OT depending on who is on the board. I think many have figured out Tyron is at the end of the road, if he can gut out another season that would be great but I think if you can find a legit replacement in this draft I would not be opposed to it.

 

[Doomsday101]

Pair any good corner with Moehrig, is a good draft. That would make our secondary very good moving forward.

My concern is we may lose a couple of CB in FA and need more than Diggs and Moehrig in the seconday. Clearly what Dallas does in retaining players and in FA plays a part

 

[Cowboyny]

My concern is we may lose a couple of CB in FA and need more than Diggs and Moehrig in the seconday. Clearly what Dallas does in retaining players and in FA plays a part

We know the front office is going to at least sign placeholders in fa at both positions. Retaining any of our in-house players will come down to cost. I could see 1 out of the 3 resigning in Awuzie (most unlikely), Lewis, Woods. No matter who they sign, it won't stop them for addressing the needs via the draft. They are going to have to address both needs with premium picks. However, this franchise has neglected the safety position for many years, need to see it happen, before I believe it.

 

[Doomsday101]

We know the front office is going to at least sign placeholders in fa at both positions. Retaining any of our in-house players will come down to cost. I could see 1 out of the 3 resigning in Awuzie (most unlikely), Lewis, Woods. No matter who they sign, it won't stop them for addressing the needs via the draft. They are going to have to address both needs with premium picks. However, this franchise has neglected the safety position for many years, need to see it happen, before I believe it.

I think with Quinn as DC that FS will be addressed. The mock draft should it fall as shown I would love it adding 3 defensive players in the 1st 2 rds with CB, FS and DT all being addressed.

 

[Uncle_Hank]

Well, we disagree on Nixon but even if Nixon is brought in we still need a decent money dt signing. You think a dt rotation of gallimore, Nixon and...........Trisha is stopping anybody? Ugh. We need a grown man somewhere in there. Seattle wasnt winning with wet behind the ears defensive tackles.

Trisha lol

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

This would be a dream come true

In this scenario I’m taking Zaven Collins all day over Horn at 18

Me too.

And I’m someone that started a thread on Horn.

 

[Cowboyny]

I think with Quinn as DC that FS will be addressed. The mock draft should it fall as shown I would love it adding 3 defensive players in the 1st 2 rds with CB, FS and DT all being addressed.

Richard ran similar coverage schemes and we still didn't draft a high safety.

 

[Doomsday101]

Richard ran similar coverage schemes and we still didn't draft a high safety.

Will see I think Cowboys will address it. I think after the complete downfall of the defense last year that Jerry will be more willing to give DC what he needs

 

[Cowboyny]

Will see I think Cowboys will address it. I think after the complete downfall of the defense last year that Jerry will be more willing to give DC what he needs

I think the front office overrates their prospects. Heard they decided to take Hill over Thornhill was that they were still high on Xavier Woods.

 

[gimmesix]

I would be willing to go OT depending on who is on the board. I think many have figured out Tyron is at the end of the road, if he can gut out another season that would be great but I think if you can find a legit replacement in this draft I would not be opposed to it.

I think we'd have better luck finding a starting NT type in the third round than starting OT, plus I think our options at OT on the roster are better. (We really haven't done a very good job of finding starting OL or DL in the third round, just rotational players, although McGovern has a chance at guard.)

If Tyron is done, I'd move Collins to left tackle (he was a left tackle in college if I remember correctly) and give Williams at shot at right tackle, with Knight also being a possibility and Martin being the fallback. Unless Collins doesn't come back healthy, the line would be:

LT Collins
LG McGovern
C Biadasz
RG Martin
RT Williams/Knight

OR

LT Collins
LG Williams
C Biadasz
RG McGovern
RT Martin

I think that's better than anything we could currently put out there at DT.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think we'd have better luck finding a starting NT type in the third round than starting OT, plus I think our options at OT on the roster are better. (We really haven't done a very good job of finding starting OL or DL in the third round, just rotational players, although McGovern has a chance at guard.)

If Tyron is done, I'd move Collins to left tackle (he was a left tackle in college if I remember correctly) and give Williams at shot at right tackle, with Knight also being a possibility and Martin being the fallback. Unless Collins doesn't come back healthy, the line would be:

LT Collins
LG McGovern
C Biadasz
RG Martin
RT Williams/Knight

OR

LT Collins
LG Williams
C Biadasz
RG McGovern
RT Martin

I think that's better than anything we could currently put out there at DT.

For me it depends on who is on the board. While 2021 draft for OT is not as strong as last season where 6 OT were taken in the 1st rd, this years crop is not far off in terms of talent. Depends with 3 picks in the 3rd rd I would not pass up a quality OT

 

[gimmesix]

For me it depends on who is on the board. While 2021 draft for OT is not as strong as last season where 6 OT were taken in the 1st rd, this years crop is not far off in terms of talent. Depends with 3 picks in the 3rd rd I would not pass up a quality OT

I'm certainly not saying pass on an OT on our board who is much higher rated than any DT, but all things being equal, I take the DT because the need is greater there.

We've got so much work to do on the defensive side of the ball that it's going to be hard to do it just with draft picks. Hopefully, we're not relying on any third-round pick at any position to be a sure-fire starter.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm certainly not saying pass on an OT on our board who is much higher rated than any DT, but all things being equal, I take the DT because the need is greater there.

We've got so much work to do on the defensive side of the ball that it's going to be hard to do it just with draft picks. Hopefully, we're not relying on any third-round pick at any position to be a sure-fire starter.

I don't disagree and I hope to get a DT within the 1st 3 rds of this draft. If Cowboys can walk away from this draft with DT,CB and FS within the 1st 3 picks then for me that is a big boost to this defense. If Cowboys can make a trade picking up additional pick with in the 1st 3 rds and take an OT then even better. I think the concern I have is there is a possibility of cutting Tyron Smith and if done say after June 1 would be a saving of 10 mill. given the injuries in the last few season I think there is a real possibility that he would be cut loose, if it happens Dallas needs to be able to fill that spot with better players than we saw last year manning that left OT spot.