NFL Total Access. End of Round 1 gems

[Alexander]

Melifonwu is a 3rd round talent. He is the absolute worst case scenario at 28.

If you believe Tony Pauline, 40% of the teams are looking at him as a cornerback.

Just weird.

 

[gmoney112]

Rod is a product of Kiffin. He's just done better adjusting his schemes to the players on board.

The basic staples are pass rush through committee, LBs who can run and zone coverage in the secondary (Whether that be cover-2 or 3 depending on the down/distance, etc.) and producing turnovers.

The scheme has looked different because he didn't have the players he wanted to run it to spec. Hence the entire secondary being allowed to walk in FA. The writing's on the wall, man.

Yeah, I know he changes it up. But, the writing's on the wall for what?

My best guess would actually be a Cover 3 shell, not a Cover 2. He also hasn't run a Tampa 2 centric defense since TB.

There is a difference.

 

[HookEmCowboys]

Yeah, I know he changes it up. But, the writing's on the wall for what?

My best guess would actually be a Cover 3 shell, not a Cover 2. He also hasn't run a Tampa 2 centric defense since TB.

There is a difference.

That perhaps he was unhappy with who he had to run the defense with. But I'm not in Rod's head so idk what his overall plan is.

I understand the difference in coverage schemes. It's not a mirror image but the same prinicples are being applied when it comes to the other units on D. I think we'll see a lot of Nickel sets and would make sense scheme wise if they want to take a player like Baker (as a deep half/middle safety) or Peppers (as a nickel safety/LB) with their first pick. Versatility is gonna be the key because getting quality two-deep depth in one year's draft will be hard.

I guess we'll see. I think a S will be the first pick and the type they take should give some insight of the type of scheme Rod wants to run moving forward.

 

[waving monkey]

It's not. We need a SS that can be filled in middle rounds

wow just wow

 

[gmoney112]

That perhaps he was unhappy with who he had to run the defense with. But I'm not in Rod's head so idk what his overall plan is.

I understand the difference in coverage schemes. It's not a mirror image but the same prinicples are being applied when it comes to the other units on D. I think we'll see a lot of Nickel sets and would make sense scheme wise if they want to take a player like Baker (as a deep half/middle safety) or Peppers (as a nickel safety/LB) with their first pick. Versatility is gonna be the key because getting quality two-deep depth in one year's draft will be hard.

I guess we'll see. I think a S will be the first pick and the type they take should give some insight of the type of scheme Rod wants to run moving forward.

I just think the only way a Safety is first is it we get value over CB.

Regardless of what some think, a 2nd safety is not nearly as important as a starting caliber CB. And zone schemes aren't reliant on the 2nd safety over CB either, especially when you're as weak as we are at the position.

It's just a really strange opinion to assume zone schemes *have* to have a great 2nd safety

 

[stilltheguru88]

Melifonwu, yes.

Baker, no way. That little shrimp can't begin to cover the receivers or TEs in the NFC East. We don't need a run around in the box tackler at #28. Melifonwu, on the other hand, very intriguing as he's an ideal back end S when Jones is covering TEs.

Wow you're clueless

 

[HookEmCowboys]

I just think the only way a Safety is first is it we get value over CB.

Regardless of what some think, a 2nd safety is not nearly as important as a starting caliber CB. And zone schemes aren't reliant on the 2nd safety over CB either, especially when you're as weak as we are at the position.

It's just a really strange opinion to assume zone schemes *have* to have a great 2nd safety

I get what you're saying but I'm not sure there'll be a corner at 28 they like enough to pick over someone like Peppers/Baker or even Obi if they are still available.

I'm thinking from the angle of what it's in the cupboard already and who could be there at 28 that will be able to fit/help right away, which in turn will effect the way they run coverage. There's three corners, a safety and a guy that can play both on the roster currently. Rod can essentially start from scratch reshaping the secondary how he likes in this draft. They can pick a guy like Baker/Obi to play the deep middle and keep Jones as the down safety if they want to run a Cover 3 shell. They could take someone like Peppers and slot him as a Nickel safety and shift Jones over top with Heath to help the corners. There's definitely a few directions they can go in but I am just speculating since I don't know exactly what the plan is.

Appreciate the discussion though. I could theorize about this stuff for days

 

[gmoney112]

I get what you're saying but I'm not sure there'll be a corner at 28 they like enough to pick over someone like Peppers/Baker or even Obi if they are still available.

I'm thinking from the angle of what it's in the cupboard already and who could be there at 28 that will be able to fit/help right away, which in turn will effect the way they run coverage. There's three corners, a safety and a guy that can play both on the roster currently. Rod can essentially start from scratch reshaping the secondary how he likes in this draft. They can pick a guy like Baker/Obi to play the deep middle and keep Jones as the down safety if they want to run a Cover 3 shell. They could take someone like Peppers and slot him as a Nickel safety and shift Jones over top with Heath to help the corners. There's definitely a few directions they can go in but I am just speculating since I don't know exactly what the plan is.

Appreciate the discussion though. I could theorize about this stuff for days

Haha, I agree with you here. Getting guys who can cover in packages nowadays doesn't really have to be a strict position role.

I just mean the way he said it, and it's been said a couple of times, that the zone scheme we want to play relies on a 2nd safety specifically over CB. Which isn't true at all.

Safety is in the discussion sure. I'd be surprised if we don't end up with one because it's deep.

First two rounds are just crazy deep at CB though. There are about 5 CBs I'd take before Obi. I think first round is definitely DE or CB unless someone crazy falls.

I know there's a lot of doom and gloom about it, but I'm pretty amped. Young talent out there that can possibly play the ball? Laaawd. Turnovers turnovers.

 

[HookEmCowboys]

Haha, I agree with you here. Getting guys who can cover in packages nowadays doesn't really have to be a strict position role.

I just mean the way he said it, and it's been said a couple of times, that the zone scheme we want to play relies on a 2nd safety specifically over CB. Which isn't true at all.

Safety is in the discussion sure. I'd be surprised if we don't end up with one because it's deep.

First two rounds are just crazy deep at CB though. There are about 5 CBs I'd take before Obi. I think first round is definitely DE or CB unless someone crazy falls.

I know there's a lot of doom and gloom about it, but I'm pretty amped. Young talent out there that can possibly play the ball? Laaawd. Turnovers turnovers.

I'm pretty stoked too. It'll be a DB heavy draft, no doubt. It's hard to speculate because I don't know exactly what sort of scheme they want to run in the backfield but I think grabbing players who can play multiple roles or allow others to will be more beneficial in the short term just to help cover for the lack of real depth at the moment.

Also I totally agree about Obi, I wouldn't look at him until the 2nd and maybe not even then but I'm just worried JJ is gonna get caught up in his size and combine #'s and fall in love.

All that said /inb4 they take Cam Robinson at 28 if he's there

 

[JoeyBoy718]

If we truly feel like Baker is the best chance we'll get at a true FS who can provide things that Byron Jones can't, then why don't why just draft him, pair him up with Heath, and move Jones back to CB? You don't pass on a player if you think he can make the team better so you don't hurt someone's feelings or backtrack on a plan a bit. I think someone like Baker would have more of an immediate impact than a rookie CB anyway. It's not a given that any CB would win a starting spot. But it is a given that Jones would immediately become our #1 CB and would likely be pretty good.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Honestly, Byron is too stiff to be a cb. Lacks confidence too.

 

[Risen Star]

If we truly feel like Baker is the best chance we'll get at a true FS who can provide things that Byron Jones can't, then why don't why just draft him, pair him up with Heath, and move Jones back to CB? You don't pass on a player if you think he can make the team better so you don't hurt someone's feelings or backtrack on a plan a bit. I think someone like Baker would have more of an immediate impact than a rookie CB anyway. It's not a given that any CB would win a starting spot. But it is a given that Jones would immediately become our #1 CB and would likely be pretty good.

This is my #1 wish for the pick. Budda. Move Jones to CB or even SS. Don't care. He's versatile. I want Baker's ball skills on this defense.

But sadly he doesn't fit the Cowboys template. They like them bigger and less playmakerish.

 

[JohnsKey19]

If we can get a SS who can cover TE's and allow Jones to stay in centerfield, or if we get a centerfielder who allows Jones to be the SS and keep covering TE's, I'll take a safety at #28.

But if we're just looking for another guy like Church who can tackle but can't cover anyone or play in centerfield, then wait till later in the draft.

Also depends what they think Frazier can do in his 2nd year. Everyone assumes he's a forgotten player. Maybe he is...or maybe the coaches believe he can be an adequate box S in base defense for 20-25 snaps.

I'd have no issue taking a dynamic S like Baker at 28. In nickel/dime defense, which is now 65% of snaps, he and Jones can play together in year 1.

 

[Aven8]

People forget, this organization does not value the safety position.

 

[rambo2]

I dont think they will. They value the 5th year option too much

There is a good chance that they will trade down to get more picks that can play now. They can trade back to 30 or 32 and still have a first round pick. Pittsburgh and New Orleans want a qb and would like to trade up to 28.

 

[rambo2]

Josh Jones is a good tackling safety that should go between 28 and 60.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Melifonwu is everyone's workout darling from the Combine and of course there is the assumption that Byron Jones is stumping for him.

That is all fine, but I don't think he is one of the 28 best players in this draft.

He had good production at UConn including 4 picks last year and then had a standout week at the senior bowl. Then he blew up the combine. There are players I like better but I get the impression that the dislike is more about pimping Smurf Baker than it is about Obi's potential.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Rod is a product of Kiffin. He's just done better adjusting his schemes to the players on board.

The basic staples are pass rush through committee, LBs who can run and zone coverage in the secondary (Whether that be cover-2 or 3 depending on the down/distance, etc.) and producing turnovers.

The scheme has looked different because he didn't have the players he wanted to run it to spec. Hence the entire secondary being allowed to walk in FA. The writing's on the wall, man.

The writing on the wall that stands out to me is him and Kiffin saying several times over the years that they want to run a base cover 3 similar to what Seattle does.

 

[reddyuta]

People forget, this organization does not value the safety position.

we spent a 1st Rder on our FS,not sure how we dont value the position.We have coveted top safeties in the draft from Earl thomas ,Reed and even Vaquero.

 

[HookEmCowboys]

The writing on the wall that stands out to me is him and Kiffin saying several times over the years that they want to run a base cover 3 similar to what Seattle does.

Which has been great and just further drives home the point that he wasn't happy with who he had in the secondary, hence them walking instead of Dallas paying to retain them.