I don’t have as much of an issue with the draft in terms of the players selected as I have with the opportunities that may have been missed.
The Mazi pick was as much of an indictment of a porous run defense as it was a vote of confidence for the player drafted. My biggest concerns with Mazi are the non-transference of his strength and agility testing to the field of play, and what does he offer in two-minute drill situations? Does he see the field during the most critical time of the game? There were rumors that the Cowboys received an offer to trade the pick with KC. If true, was this a swing and a miss? Could have picked up an extra third here in exchange for a fifth?
I think we’re sleeping on Schoon. Playing at Michigan can have a way of masking athletic ability and making you less sexy in general. From what I saw when on campus, it filtered down to the student body, but I digress. Most importantly, when Schoon wants to set an edge, it’s gonna get set (See tape against Iowa). I won’t be surprised if he turns out to be the best selection from this class. As with the Mazi selection, was there a better option? Did the Bills steal the day by getting Torrence with pick 59?
I wrestle with the 3th pick a little as he feels like a utility puzzle piece but with solid options on the board was it too early to play these types of games? A forum member aptly labeled him, “Kearse 2.0”. With already having a very good Kearse 1.0 was Kearse 2.0 necessary here? Like the player, but this one rubs me as being the annoyingly overstated, “a round too soon” type of selection.
Pick four forces me to put my faith in Quinn and Company. Personally, not a fan of positionless D-lineman. Can he be stout enough to play on the interior (Is this room getting crowded?) and definitely not “bendy” enough to be an effective edge rusher. I get it, motor, violent hands, and other fun stuff, but does he find a home? In fairness, I didn’t watch the game at Auburn which may provide the best barometer of the player. Again, I may have preferred other selections that were taken behind us just in this round (Tyler Scott, Cinci.).
I like the unassuming 5th selection. For a guy (Asim) that didn’t start playing offensive line until half-way through his Sr. year in high school, he’s come a long way and got a lot of snaps under his belt in a short amount of time. More comfortable at tackles since that’s where he has started 37 games. Has been working out at guard with the expected move to be kicked inside. Needs work but has room to grow, and since I’ve got no confidence in our pool of O-line reserves, I’m o.k. with the dude.
Can’t convince me giving up a 5th rounder next year for a 6th rounder this year was the move here. Scott reportedly didn’t crack Dane’s Top 300 list and has been listed as UDFA or practice squad player material by other notable draft agencies. Without batting an eye, I can name five other viable options from this round I would have preferred.
Your feeling on the Deuce selection should be based upon one thing and it’s not Deuce. If you believe the running back room is in good shape if/when Pollard goes down this year, then the Deuce selection as a 5-10 touches a game player, is a good pick. If you’re not a fan of Malik Davis as you’re lead back, then it’s not. In recent years I haven’t really witnessed the Cowboys utilizing players that have skill sets such as Deuce’s to their advantage, so I’m naturally skeptical of this polarizing selection.
The 7th round selection doesn’t wow with athleticism but limited catches show a guy that works the middle of field well and looks like a hands catcher. Can’t be too critical in the 7th but I have a feeling this guy’s going to have difficulty fending off Cropper from Fresno State.
Can’t say it’s a top-tier class but then it’s not bad either. I would grade it a “C” with the realistic max. potential being a “B”. I can’t be swayed to believe this draft wasn’t anything but need centric and I think it detracted from this draft’s potential. But if it turns out to be a “B” class there’s nothing wrong with that.