Rafael Vela: Sometimes the Draft Breaks Go Against You

[Cbz40]

Sometimes the Draft Breaks Go Against You

By Rafael Vela 59 Comments

In the weeks pre-draft 2007 stories broke that Dallas was looking for a fullback. I wrote a story saying the team might consider Rutgers’ Brian Leonard, the top rated RB/FB in the second round.

About the same time, stories broke in the Metroplex press that the team was high on USC WR Steve Smith.

Dallas picked 53rd, or 21st in the second round. Here’s how the second round broke right in front of them:

• 51st — New York Giants — Steve Smith, WR, USC
• 52nd — St. Louis Rams — Brian Leonard, FB, Rutgers

The Cowboys traded out of the 53rd spot with Cleveland, who took UNLV CB Eric Wright (a player I’m told the Cowboys researched heavily but ultimately passed on, probably because his off the field issues were considered too risky). I’ve never received confirmation the team was high on Leonard, but given that the Cowboys selected Deon Anderson in the 6th, I’m guessing there was a lot of teeth gnashing in the war room when the Giants and Rams were done.


This has been a trend of sorts in the second round. In ‘06 Dallas liked Boise State OL Daryn Colledge. They picked 49th. The Packers took Colledge at 47 and the Cowboys moved down several spots in the round, eventually taking Anthony Fasano.


The Giants late surge and the Cowboys playoff fade moved Dallas up to 28th from a projected 31st after the regular season. Lets see if they’re the team breaking the draft hearts of the teams immediately behind them for a change.


– Lastly, let ’07s wish list be your ‘08 guide. Dallas was considering Dwayne Bowe and Robert Meachem in the 1st. It was looking at Smith in the 2nd. It was looking for a FB.


The Cowboys scratched the WR and FB itches but not until the 4th round (Isaiah Stanback) and 6th (Anderson).


I’ll be amazed if one of the three 1st and 2nd round picks isn’t used on a receiver. And keep your eye on guys like Peyton Hillis and Owen Schmitt early in day two.

 

[dmq]

Fasano is a good player. Probably would be great as a starter. However, we have Witten and JG didn't seem to use Fasano much as a second option (I thought he should have been used way more). Eventually, Fasano will be a real find in FA for a team. I thought as did everyone else that taking a TE so early was a mistake when you had a guy like Witten on your team. I liked the drafts under Parcells, but the one problem I had was that we kept drafting the same positions early. That leads to signing problems down the line.

 

[TDHND]

Fasano is a good player. Probably would be great as a starter. However, we have Witten and JG didn't seem to use Fasano much as a second option (I thought he should have been used way more). Eventually, Fasano will be a real find in FA for a team. I thought as did everyone else that taking a TE so early was a mistake when you had a guy like Witten on your team. I liked the drafts under Parcells, but the one problem I had was that we kept drafting the same positions early. That leads to signing problems down the line.

i agree completely with your thoughts on fasano.he's a good te and could have a great career as a starter giving the chance,but of course that won't happen in dallas.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

We are set at the TE position.......Go Cowboys

 

[DaBoys4Life]

leonard would have been huge for us

 

[chinch]

Fasano is a good player. Probably would be great as a starter. However, we have Witten and JG didn't seem to use Fasano much as a second option (I thought he should have been used way more). Eventually, Fasano will be a real find in FA for a team. I thought as did everyone else that taking a TE so early was a mistake when you had a guy like Witten on your team. I liked the drafts under Parcells, but the one problem I had was that we kept drafting the same positions early. That leads to signing problems down the line.

For sure Fasano is an unneeded luxury, made worse watching guys like Boss perform for NYG (5th rounder outperforming shockey) and watching our secondary shredded.

 

[tyke1doe]

Of course, if Witten goes down and Fasano steps in without missing a beat, we're praising the pick. As important as the tight end is to our offense, is it fair to say that Fasano wasn't a good pick? Who else was available that we might have taken?

 

[chinch]

Of course, if Witten goes down and Fasano steps in without missing a beat, we're praising the pick. As important as the tight end is to our offense, is it fair to say that Fasano wasn't a good pick? Who else was available that we might have taken?

Maybe jason g. can google up RUNNING BACK if Witten goes down.

TE is important cause Witten is one of the best. OTOH Fasano has dropped a few TDs this year and isn't someone you want to rely on to run the offense. Simply a gluttonous pick by Tuna.

 

[cnhnyy]

Of course, if Witten goes down and Fasano steps in without missing a beat, we're praising the pick. As important as the tight end is to our offense, is it fair to say that Fasano wasn't a good pick? Who else was available that we might have taken?

Isn't that true for every position? What if Romo goes down? SHould we trade up and grab Matt Ryan as our backup?

The truth is that you do not spend a No.2 on a TE when you already have a pro-bowl TE. You can always find serviceable backups in the later rounds. NY drafted Boss in 5th round last year and Curtis is an UDFA.

As far as who we could have drafted, how about McNeil (SD OT), Greg Jennings, Devin Hester, Mauriuce Jones-drew? These are all later second round picks.

SD drafted one spot behind us in 2006 NFL draft. It sucks to realize their two draftees (Cramatire and McNeil) went to pro-bowel while ours (Carpenter, Fasano) manily played ST. In this case, we have nothing but ourselves to blame.

 

[InmanRoshi]

McNeil was one of the worst starting offensive linemen in the NFL this year, and probably would have been a bench warmer behind Flozell. Meanwhile, if Fasano goes to a team where he gets to start right away, we're complaining that we passed up on Fasano to draft a backup in McNeil.

 

[superpunk]

McNeil was one of the worst starting offensive linemen in the NFL this year, and probably would have been a bench warmer behind Flozell. Meanwhile, if Fasano goes to a team where he gets to start right away, we're complaining that we passed up on Fasano to draft a backup in McNeil.

Maybe.

But I don't think many people would be complaining considering Witten is one of the best in the league.

If we had actually drafted McNeil, and he came in and warmed the bench right away, since that is clearly all he would be doing on this team for the past two years, as both our tackles were superior, you can bet people would find someone to complain about.

Don't even think about what would happen when his spine shuts down.

 

[YosemiteSam]

All you Owen Schmitt lovers. Its not happening. Drugs rott the brain and you're rotting this board with the Schmitt babble.

First, I doubt he will be second day draft prospect. I expect him to go in the first day. Secondly, the Cowboys (2) FBs already. Once serviceable (Hoyte), the other with a lot of untapped talent. (Anderson) Then top that with the fact that we have (3) TEs there is no room for Schmitt unless he is the best available talent ranks above a the combination of a positional talent that is available.

Based on what the Cowboys have and need and the current draft pool. Schmitt is not an option unless the Cowboys acquire more draft choices and perhaps trade a TE or FB.

 

[junk]

McNeil was one of the worst starting offensive linemen in the NFL this year, and probably would have been a bench warmer behind Flozell. Meanwhile, if Fasano goes to a team where he gets to start right away, we're complaining that we passed up on Fasano to draft a backup in McNeil.

Granted, it is easy to cherry pick a draft after the fact. However, Fasano was drafted in an ill advised attempt to keep Bledsoe upright and somewhat functional. Once that plan went out the window with Romo, the draft pick didn't make a lot of sense.

In hindsight, I would have loved Greg Jennings, Hester or Maurice Jones-Drew. However, you could play that game with just about any pick unless you end up with a Ware or Witten.

How good could this team have been with Jennings as a #2 opposite TO and Cromartie, Maroney or Addai instead of what appears to be a big, soft, giant waste of space named Bobby Carpenter? (What a disappointment.....I really thought that guy would be a good fit in the 3-4....apparently, big, fast LBers who spent time with their hand on the ground aren't)

 

[BlueStar II]

Fasano is a good player. Probably would be great as a starter. However, we have Witten and JG didn't seem to use Fasano much as a second option (I thought he should have been used way more). Eventually, Fasano will be a real find in FA for a team. I thought as did everyone else that taking a TE so early was a mistake when you had a guy like Witten on your team. I liked the drafts under Parcells, but the one problem I had was that we kept drafting the same positions early. That leads to signing problems down the line.

:starspin I felt the same way when we took Fasano, he's good, and could become much better, but, in Dallas it will be hard for him to get enough playing time though. While it's nice to have another good TE on board, but I felt we could have gone elsewhere with the pick at that time besides TE. Hopefully, Fasano will be with us long enough to justify taking him where we did.