Leadbelly
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We're pretty blessed that our team's front office is dumb and they keep revealing their draft board. In case they do it again, thought I'd take a shot at slotting their first round board ahead of the draft and see how close I get. Interested to see how others might slot the board.
For reference, the Cowboys slotted 23 first rounders in 2010; 18 in 2013. I think 2014 is a much weaker first round than 2010 but slightly better than 2013. I've got 19 guys with first round grades.
2010
2013
Tier 1
01. OT-Jake Matthews
02. OT-Greg Robinson
03. DE-Jadevon Clowney
04. WR-Sammy Watkins
The top of Dallas' board tends to be very safe, highly productive players from top schools/conferences. It's also heavy on linemen unless there's a blue chip QB.
Tier 2
05. DT-Aaron Donald
06. CB-Justin Gilbert
07. DE-Anthony Barr
08. OLB-Ryan Shazier
09. OT-Taylor Lewan
These are all guys just as productive and fairly safe, but each a clear achilles heel -- Donald's size, Gilbert's technique, Barr's softness, and Lewan's behavior. Shazier is probably safest of the group but the concern would be his ability to keep his newly found post-season weight on when it matters. The concern is limited in this D at WLB but it's still there.
Tier 3
10. WR-Mike Evans
11. DT-Dominique Easley
12. QB-Johnny Manziel
13. OLB-C J Mosley
14. OG-Zack Martin
15. WR-Marquise Lee
Evans is a major match up problem with surprising speed but separation is iffy. Manziel and Easley concern the heck out of me, but I think Dallas is pretty enamored with both. Mosley, Martin, and Lee are all kind of the same at their respective positions - mature, NFL-ready guys who will step into a starting role fairly quickly.
Tier 4
16. QB-Teddy Bridgewater
17. CB-Kyle Fuller
18. S-Calvin Pryor
19. DT-Timmy Jernigan
Hard to see Dallas viewing Bridgewater equivalent to a guy like Ryan Nassim from last year, who had a high RD2 grade. Fuller is my 'Novarro Bowman' surprise RD1 guy -- can play tight or off coverage, and might even be a consideration at FS. Pryor is the rare Safety with a complete game, but more of a Kenny Phillips-level player. Sounds like Jernigan is a 1-tech in the team's eyes but one that can be an above average pass rusher and give more consistent effort than Tuitt or Hageman.
The Major Omissions
DE-Khalil Mack -- On the fence with this, but I don't think we'll view him as fitting at 4-3 DE. If we do, top of tier 3.
TE-Eric Ebron -- Top guy in RD2. RD1 as a receiver. RD3 as a blocker. Split the difference.
QB-Blake Bortles -- A lot of 5 yard passes in the UCF offense. Requires too much projecting to slot him as a RD1.
For reference, the Cowboys slotted 23 first rounders in 2010; 18 in 2013. I think 2014 is a much weaker first round than 2010 but slightly better than 2013. I've got 19 guys with first round grades.
2010
2013
Tier 1
01. OT-Jake Matthews
02. OT-Greg Robinson
03. DE-Jadevon Clowney
04. WR-Sammy Watkins
The top of Dallas' board tends to be very safe, highly productive players from top schools/conferences. It's also heavy on linemen unless there's a blue chip QB.
Tier 2
05. DT-Aaron Donald
06. CB-Justin Gilbert
07. DE-Anthony Barr
08. OLB-Ryan Shazier
09. OT-Taylor Lewan
These are all guys just as productive and fairly safe, but each a clear achilles heel -- Donald's size, Gilbert's technique, Barr's softness, and Lewan's behavior. Shazier is probably safest of the group but the concern would be his ability to keep his newly found post-season weight on when it matters. The concern is limited in this D at WLB but it's still there.
Tier 3
10. WR-Mike Evans
11. DT-Dominique Easley
12. QB-Johnny Manziel
13. OLB-C J Mosley
14. OG-Zack Martin
15. WR-Marquise Lee
Evans is a major match up problem with surprising speed but separation is iffy. Manziel and Easley concern the heck out of me, but I think Dallas is pretty enamored with both. Mosley, Martin, and Lee are all kind of the same at their respective positions - mature, NFL-ready guys who will step into a starting role fairly quickly.
Tier 4
16. QB-Teddy Bridgewater
17. CB-Kyle Fuller
18. S-Calvin Pryor
19. DT-Timmy Jernigan
Hard to see Dallas viewing Bridgewater equivalent to a guy like Ryan Nassim from last year, who had a high RD2 grade. Fuller is my 'Novarro Bowman' surprise RD1 guy -- can play tight or off coverage, and might even be a consideration at FS. Pryor is the rare Safety with a complete game, but more of a Kenny Phillips-level player. Sounds like Jernigan is a 1-tech in the team's eyes but one that can be an above average pass rusher and give more consistent effort than Tuitt or Hageman.
The Major Omissions
DE-Khalil Mack -- On the fence with this, but I don't think we'll view him as fitting at 4-3 DE. If we do, top of tier 3.
TE-Eric Ebron -- Top guy in RD2. RD1 as a receiver. RD3 as a blocker. Split the difference.
QB-Blake Bortles -- A lot of 5 yard passes in the UCF offense. Requires too much projecting to slot him as a RD1.
