News: Possible Pick: MSU's Cross Could Be Worth A Trade

morasp

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Where He's Projected:
Cross is definitely a first-round prospect, and probably won't be around when the Cowboys pick at No. 24. But stranger things have happened where a player might slip in the draft and a team decides to moves up a few slots. Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones said just last week that he sees a scenario in which he would trade up in the draft and a player like Cross could be good enough to do that. He's got the size and then a rare combination of experience and youth, having played only 25 games in his career. Still, Cross was an All-Freshman SEC standout in 2020 and then All-American this past season.

How He Helps The Cowboys:
If the Cowboys figured out a way to get Cross, he'd probably be an immediate Day 1 starter. Now, what that does for the rest of linemen remains to be seen. But Cross would be a cornerstone tackle and probably eventually take over for Tyron Smith at some point. Cross would likely develop into an improved run blocker but he's one of the best pass blockers in this draft. His experience in Mike Leach's Air-Raid offense helped him become a dominant blocker in passing situations

Kyle Youmans' Report: One of those players that looks better and better as the game goes along. Take against Texas A&M for instance. DeMarvin Leal got his lumps in early, then Cross really handled the top prospect well the rest of the game. Went against both Alabama and Texas A&M in back to back weeks and still put up great performances. There is a lot to like about Cross as a pro, seeing that he improved so much in just two seasons at the collegiate level.

Possible Pick: MSU’s Cross Could Be Worth A Trade (dallascowboys.com)
 

darthseinfeld

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Good chance he goes inside the top 10. A trade would be pricey, but you would have LT locked up for another 10 years. Cross is good enough to where they could probably move Smith to RT by 2023. Cross could probably start at LT now if you really want to go that route. If probably play him on the right side in 2022
 

Cowboyny

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Like him, but needs to get stronger, might be an average run player at this juncture.
 

darthseinfeld

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Like him, but needs to get stronger, might be an average run player at this juncture.
You're drafting him to be a run blocker though. If you move up for Cross, its to secure your long term future at LT. If you make that move, you still have cap space and players available for immediate help in run blocking
 

darthseinfeld

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You're drafting him to be a run blocker though. If you move up for Cross, its to secure your long term future at LT. If you make that move, you still have cap space and players available for immediate help in run blocking
*not drafting him to be a run blocker
 

CowboyoWales

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You're drafting him to be a run blocker though. If you move up for Cross, its to secure your long term future at LT. If you make that move, you still have cap space and players available for immediate help in run blocking
Can't afford to lose the draft capitol to draft up. I don't get the urgency in fixing a problem that's not critical atm, especially when we potentially lose a 2nd and 3rd Rd that would potentially be close to contributing straight away.
There's a lot of wishful thinking (or possible dread) that we ONLY draft a Guard in the first round.
 

darthseinfeld

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Can't afford to lose the draft capitol to draft up. I don't get the urgency in fixing a problem that's not critical atm, especially when we potentially lose a 2nd and 3rd Rd that would potentially be close to contributing straight away.
There's a lot of wishful thinking (or possible dread) that we ONLY draft a Guard in the first round.
If you are getting a franchise LT, then its definitely worth the cost. LT is one of the more critical spots on team, and one of the hardest to fill. We cant count on Smith playing that side anymore, he has been hurt too much and we have done too poorly without him.
 

Oz-of-Cowboy-Country

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Like I've said in another thread...this draft is a draft and a half, because of so many players coming out. So draft capital is more valuable this year. We should not be trading up, we should be trading down.
 

Majic

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I really think this move is on if he falls out of top 10
 

Cowboyny

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You're drafting him to be a run blocker though. If you move up for Cross, its to secure your long term future at LT. If you make that move, you still have cap space and players available for immediate help in run blocking
Yes, he would be our future LT, but he probably would have to start at Right Tackle in the interim.
 

CowboyoWales

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Maybe, but starting him at RT and signing a G after the draft would be better
...and there lies the problem, which Guard are we signing in free agency, it was hardly the greatest class back a couple of montgs ago.
If you're concerned about drafting a LT, why this year in particular when: we have to give away the whole value of the draft (rounds 2 through 4) and we have a low first round pick.
I get the impression that some people will do anything rather than sign that unsexy Guard in the first.
 

darthseinfeld

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...and there lies the problem, which Guard are we signing in free agency, it was hardly the greatest class back a couple of montgs ago.
If you're concerned about drafting a LT, why this year in particular when: we have to give away the whole value of the draft (rounds 2 through 4) and we have a low first round pick.
I get the impression that some people will do anything rather than sign that unsexy Guard in the first.
Guard is a much easier position to fill than LT. There are still starting caliber OG's on the open market like Trai Turner and Erick Flowers. Im not against taking on OG in the first round, but Im not closed to the idea of being aggressive and securing a far more important peice if the opportunity presents itself. Especially with our current starter breaking down more every year
 

CowboyoWales

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Guard is a much easier position to fill than LT. There are still starting caliber OG's on the open market like Trai Turner and Erick Flowers. Im not against taking on OG in the first round, but Im not closed to the idea of being aggressive and securing a far more important peice if the opportunity presents itself. Especially with our current starter breaking down more every year
Trading away multiple picks, in a deep draft, isn't an "opportunity presents itself" situation, its an overpayment in talent to get a desired (not crucial) upgrade.
If the draft wasn't so deep and/or we only had one position of need then sure, but to trade up, with our roster needs, is fanciful at best.
 

darthseinfeld

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Trading away multiple picks, in a deep draft, isn't an "opportunity presents itself" situation, its an overpayment in talent in getting a desired (not crucial) upgrade.
If the draft wasn't so deep and/or we only had one position of need then sure, but to trade up, with our roster needs, is fanciful at best.
If you watched us play without Smith the last few yours, I dont think you should consider on LT "desired (not crucial)" . In fact that is how I would describe OG. In a draft where people the cost to move isnt as prohibitive as usual, trading up for a critical position shouldnt be ignored
 

CowboyoWales

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If you watched us play without Smith the last few yours, I dont think you should consider on LT "desired (not crucial)" . In fact that is how I would describe OG. In a draft where people the cost to move isnt as prohibitive as usual, trading up for a critical position shouldnt be ignored
But the cost IS more prohibitive (this year) as the deep draft indicates the higher gradings are maintained into the mid-rounds.
 
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