People put too much stock in the draft

[Galian Beast]

Looking back at things, despite having a fairly talented team, we historically haven't gotten more than two or three (if we're lucky) good players per year that stick on our team since the Parcells era began.

2003 - 3 players 3 starters
2004 - 1 player 0 starters
2005 - 4 players (probably the best year we've had over the last decade) 4 starter
2006 - 3 players 0 starters
2007 - 4 players 3 starter
2008 - 5 players 2 starter
2009 - 9 players (12 picks latest draft) 1 starter

Starters are based on the current projected depth chart

I would definitely say we've started drafted better. It really helped having 2 first round draft picks in 2008. Which really shows you again that its really not about the quantity of draft picks as much as it is the quality.

We have 13 starters in 7 years of drafting, and 29 players out of 53 who we drafted after 2002.

Of those 13 starters, 5 were drafted in the 1st round, 1 in the 2nd round, and 1 in the 3rd round, 3 in the 4th round.

History shows that we've had little to no success in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the draft.

We've built a pretty strong team, but the idea that you build through the draft and not free agency is over idealized.

Not saying that the draft isn't important, because it really is. But nearly half the team is made up of free agents undrafted or otherwise. Half of our starters are as well.

You can also see where we have focused on drafting, and where we have focused on free agency.

With the defense, it is almost entirely handpicked through the draft.

The offense on the other hand we've been much less nurturing to.

Every first round pick we've had dating back to 1998 has been a defensive pick, with the exception of Felix Jones.

The second round we've generally gone offense.

Hopefully that changes with the fact that our defense is pretty solid. It really only needs to be patched up like the last year.

Our offense on the other hand is much younger, and really just finally being built around Tony Romo with the release of Terrell Owens. And I know I keep saying that, but Felix Jones being the starter will have the same affect as getting rid of Owens (but in our running game).

That said I hope this draft focuses on linemen and receivers.

Lets get our free safety in free agency. We have inside linebackers that we drafted last year, as well as outside linebackers.

Day 1 - 2 OL, 1 WR (maybe 1 DE instead of 2 OL)
Day 2 - CB, HB/FB, OL,

 

[casmith07]

In my opinion, I hope we get a quality CB or CB/S hybrid. We have some interesting financial decisions facing us in 2011 concerning a few players, particularly Terence Newman.

 

[Galian Beast]

Newman is signed until 2014 isn't he?

 

[casmith07]

Newman is signed until 2014 isn't he?

He is, but I believe he is due $11M in 2011 and going on 34.

 

[Kangaroo]

Looking back at things, despite having a fairly talented team, we historically haven't gotten more than two or three (if we're lucky) good players per year that stick on our team since the Parcells era began.

2003 - 3 players 3 starters
2004 - 1 player 0 starters
2005 - 4 players (probably the best year we've had over the last decade) 4 starter
2006 - 3 players 0 starters
2007 - 4 players 3 starter
2008 - 5 players 2 starter
2009 - 9 players (12 picks latest draft) 1 starter

Starters are based on the current projected depth chart

I would definitely say we've started drafted better. It really helped having 2 first round draft picks in 2008. Which really shows you again that its really not about the quantity of draft picks as much as it is the quality.

We have 13 starters in 7 years of drafting, and 29 players out of 53 who we drafted after 2002.

Of those 13 starters, 5 were drafted in the 1st round, 1 in the 2nd round, and 1 in the 3rd round, 3 in the 4th round.

History shows that we've had little to no success in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the draft.

We've built a pretty strong team, but the idea that you build through the draft and not free agency is over idealized.

Not saying that the draft isn't important, because it really is. But nearly half the team is made up of free agents undrafted or otherwise. Half of our starters are as well.

You can also see where we have focused on drafting, and where we have focused on free agency.

With the defense, it is almost entirely handpicked through the draft.

The offense on the other hand we've been much less nurturing to.

Every first round pick we've had dating back to 1998 has been a defensive pick, with the exception of Felix Jones.

The second round we've generally gone offense.

Hopefully that changes with the fact that our defense is pretty solid. It really only needs to be patched up like the last year.

Our offense on the other hand is much younger, and really just finally being built around Tony Romo with the release of Terrell Owens. And I know I keep saying that, but Felix Jones being the starter will have the same affect as getting rid of Owens (but in our running game).

That said I hope this draft focuses on linemen and receivers.

Lets get our free safety in free agency. We have inside linebackers that we drafted last year, as well as outside linebackers.

Day 1 - 2 OL, 1 WR (maybe 1 DE instead of 2 OL)
Day 2 - CB, HB/FB, OL,

It takes at least three years before yo can bash the 09 draft it took Bradie James three years before he was a starter. FA is over rated go ahead and name thestud FA big signing that has really mattered. Nope most teams that sign solid FA to fill holes for a year or two do well. Plus not every draft pick will be a starter oh and did you count Crayton as a starter because he has started for us at times and he was drafted in the 7th round. Depth is built threw the draft so you missed the mark by a mile

 

[speedkilz88]

Looking back at things, despite having a fairly talented team, we historically haven't gotten more than two or three (if we're lucky) good players per year that stick on our team since the Parcells era began.

2003 - 3 players 3 starters (4 starters, Romo still counts undrafted fa)
2004 - 1 player 0 starters (JJ was a starter for 4 years, Crayton up until last season)
2005 - 4 players (probably the best year we've had over the last decade) 4 starter (was 5 before Canty left)
2006 - 3 players 0 starters (Miles Austin)
2007 - 4 players 3 starter
2008 - 5 players 2 starter (Choice and Scandrick have starting ability)
2009 - 9 players (12 picks latest draft) 1 starter (Way too early)

Starters are based on the current projected depth chart

I would definitely say we've started drafted better. It really helped having 2 first round draft picks in 2008. Which really shows you again that its really not about the quantity of draft picks as much as it is the quality.

We have 13 starters in 7 years of drafting, and 29 players out of 53 who we drafted after 2002.

Of those 13 starters, 5 were drafted in the 1st round, 1 in the 2nd round, and 1 in the 3rd round, 3 in the 4th round.

History shows that we've had little to no success in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the draft.

We've built a pretty strong team, but the idea that you build through the draft and not free agency is over idealized.

Not saying that the draft isn't important, because it really is. But nearly half the team is made up of free agents undrafted or otherwise. Half of our starters are as well.

You can also see where we have focused on drafting, and where we have focused on free agency.

With the defense, it is almost entirely handpicked through the draft.

The offense on the other hand we've been much less nurturing to.

Every first round pick we've had dating back to 1998 has been a defensive pick, with the exception of Felix Jones.

The second round we've generally gone offense.

Hopefully that changes with the fact that our defense is pretty solid. It really only needs to be patched up like the last year.

Our offense on the other hand is much younger, and really just finally being built around Tony Romo with the release of Terrell Owens. And I know I keep saying that, but Felix Jones being the starter will have the same affect as getting rid of Owens (but in our running game).

That said I hope this draft focuses on linemen and receivers.

Lets get our free safety in free agency. We have inside linebackers that we drafted last year, as well as outside linebackers.

Day 1 - 2 OL, 1 WR (maybe 1 DE instead of 2 OL)
Day 2 - CB, HB/FB, OL,

******

 

[Galian Beast]

It takes at least three years before yo can bash the 09 draft it took Bradie James three years before he was a starter. FA is over rated go ahead and name thestud FA big signing that has really mattered. Nope most teams that sign solid FA to fill holes for a year or two do well. Plus not every draft pick will be a starter oh and did you count Crayton as a starter because he has started for us at times and he was drafted in the 7th round. Depth is built threw the draft so you missed the mark by a mile

It takes at least three years before yo can bash the 09 draft it took Bradie James three years before he was a starter. FA is over rated go ahead and name thestud FA big signing that has really mattered. Nope most teams that sign solid FA to fill holes for a year or two do well. Plus not every draft pick will be a starter oh and did you count Crayton as a starter because he has started for us at times and he was drafted in the 7th round. Depth is built threw the draft so you missed the mark by a mile

Wasn't bashing the 09 draft.

They don't have to be studs.

But here are our current free agent/trade starters

1. Roy Williams - 2008
2. Kyle Kosier - 2007
3. Leonard Davis - 2007
4. Marc Colombo - 2005
5. Miles Austin - 2006
6. Tony Romo - 2003
7. Igor Olshansky - 2009
8. Keith Brooking - 2009
9. Gerald Sensabaugh - 2009

Point is you need to try adding 1-3 starting caliber free agents every year. Free Agency is just as important as the draft. And not signing any free agents is like not drafting anyone, you aren't trying to improve your team with the available options.

You shouldn't go into the season with a completely unproven player slated to start.

That said you need to at the very least sign a free agent safety.

Then you want to at least draft to supplant weaknesses.

WR, OL, CB, DE

 

[CF74]

He is, but I believe he is due $11M in 2011 and going on 34.

Wow!! Yep CB somewhere in the 1st 4 rounds for sure...

 

[JBS]

undrafted rookie free agents fall under the draft category as opposed to the free agency category because of the compensation involved. You build your team through the draft because it is cheaper, thus limiting the risk and it keeps your team young. You clearly fail to understand the building blocks of developing a long term successful franchise in the NFL. Now this does not mean you do not sign any free agents, it just means you build the bulk of your team through the draft, essentially making it much more important than free agency.

 

[Galian Beast]

2003 - 3 players 3 starters (4 starters, Romo still counts undrafted fa)
2004 - 1 player 0 starters (JJ was a starter for 4 years, Crayton up until last season)
2005 - 4 players (probably the best year we've had over the last decade) 4 starter (was 5 before Canty left)
2006 - 3 players 0 starters (Miles Austin)
2007 - 4 players 3 starter
2008 - 5 players 2 starter (Choice and Scandrick have starting ability)
2009 - 9 players (12 picks latest draft) 1 starter (Way too early)

Romo is undrafted, he doesn't count towards the draft, he was a free agent.

Julius Jones isn't on the team, and Crayton is no longer a starter.

Petitti started, does he count?

Again Canty is no longer with the team, he doesn't count for ****e.

Miles Austin - undrafted

Choice and Scandrick aren't started plain and simple.

Its a draft history, what should I leave it out?

 

[Galian Beast]

undrafted rookie free agents fall under the draft category as opposed to the free agency category because of the compensation involved. You build your team through the draft because it is cheaper, thus limiting the risk and it keeps your team young. You clearly fail to understand the building blocks of developing a long term successful franchise in the NFL. Now this does not mean you do not sign any free agents, it just means you build the bulk of your team through the draft, essentially making it much more important than free agency.

That's a popular misconception. As I've been trying to point out.

An undrafted free agent, has nothing to do with your alotted draft picks, and are freely available to sign with any team, they are still as defined as a free agent. If you sign someone with 1 yr experience in the nfl would that count as a draft pick too? Didn't think so.

I'm not saying the draft isn't important, but there are those out there that make it out to be something that it is not.

9 out of 22 of our starters we didn't draft. Thats nearly half. Of course the majority of our team comes from the draft, thats the nature of the beast, but how many of these players stick, and per year? that simply isn't very high.

Backups are always going to be mostly draft picks, simply because you don't want to pay your entire roster starting caliber money. You don't see us really going after 3rd or 4th receiver in free agency.

Notice how 3/5ths of our offensive line are made up of free agents.

Half of our secondary last year.

 

[JBS]

That's a popular misconception. As I've been trying to point out.

An undrafted free agent, has nothing to do with your alotted draft picks, and are freely available to sign with any team, they are still as defined as a free agent. If you sign someone with 1 yr experience in the nfl would that count as a draft pick too? Didn't think so.

I'm not saying the draft isn't important, but there are those out there that make it out to be something that it is not.

9 out of 22 of our starters we didn't draft. Thats nearly half. Of course the majority of our team comes from the draft, thats the nature of the beast, but how many of these players stick, and per year? that simply isn't very high.

Backups are always going to be mostly draft picks, simply because you don't want to pay your entire roster starting caliber money. You don't see us really going after 3rd or 4th receiver in free agency.

Notice how 3/5ths of our offensive line are made up of free agents.

Half of our secondary last year.

yeah, and what has our team won? NOTHING...

 

[Galian Beast]

yeah, and what has our team won? NOTHING...

We haven't drafted as well as we've needed to, and we've missed on a lot of trades/free agent pick ups.

 

[JBS]

We haven't drafted as well as we've needed to, and we've missed on a lot of trades/free agent pick ups.

lol, so because we haven't drafted as well as we need to, that makes the draft less important? you lost this argument pal

 

[Galian Beast]

lol, so because we haven't drafted as well as we need to, that makes the draft less important? you lost this argument pal

Reading is your friend, pal.

 

[JBS]

Reading is your friend, pal.

your entire theory about a team who hasn't drafted well, who coincidently hasn't won anything in the last 15 years makes your argument look real stupid. Factor in your points about how we have hit on our free agents and you look even more stupid.

 

[speedkilz88]

That's a popular misconception. As I've been trying to point out.

An undrafted free agent, has nothing to do with your alotted draft picks, and are freely available to sign with any team, they are still as defined as a free agent. If you sign someone with 1 yr experience in the nfl would that count as a draft pick too? Didn't think so.

I'm not saying the draft isn't important, but there are those out there that make it out to be something that it is not.

9 out of 22 of our starters we didn't draft. Thats nearly half. Of course the majority of our team comes from the draft, thats the nature of the beast, but how many of these players stick, and per year? that simply isn't very high.

Backups are always going to be mostly draft picks, simply because you don't want to pay your entire roster starting caliber money. You don't see us really going after 3rd or 4th receiver in free agency.

Notice how 3/5ths of our offensive line are made up of free agents.

Half of our secondary last year.

Rookie free agents are still part of the draft class.

 

[AtlCB]

Wasn't bashing the 09 draft.

They don't have to be studs.

But here are our current free agent/trade starters

1. Roy Williams - 2008
2. Kyle Kosier - 2007
3. Leonard Davis - 2007
4. Marc Colombo - 2005
5. Miles Austin - 2006
6. Tony Romo - 2003
7. Igor Olshansky - 2009
8. Keith Brooking - 2009
9. Gerald Sensabaugh - 2009

Point is you need to try adding 1-3 starting caliber free agents every year. Free Agency is just as important as the draft. And not signing any free agents is like not drafting anyone, you aren't trying to improve your team with the available options.

You shouldn't go into the season with a completely unproven player slated to start.

That said you need to at the very least sign a free agent safety.

Then you want to at least draft to supplant weaknesses.

WR, OL, CB, DE

We don't have a weakness a DE. The FS position is a much bigger need than DE. Teams also don't have much luck drafting strictly for need. You wind up reaching for players at certain positions.

 

[UnoDallas]

I guess so

that seems to the the last couple of SB teams have done it

simply amazing

no clue as how to build a footballl team