Scouting chief McClay hit it big with rookie class

[waving monkey]

Bravo to McClay
There has been a lot of talk, and with good reason, about the outstanding play of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. As the fourth overall pick, the Cowboys expect Elliott to be special. He is third in the NFL in rushing with 274 yards. Prescott, picked in the fourth round out of Mississippi State, has been the biggest surprise. A development project for the future who was forced to play because of Tony Romo’s fractured back, Prescott has emerged as one of the best rookies in the entire class. But the impact of scouting chief Will McClay’s rookie draft class goes deeper when you consider defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who is now a starter alongside Terrell McClain with Tyrone Crawford moving to end, and the play of cornerback Anthony Brown. Collins, a third-round pick from Nebraska, was strong in the run game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday while also showing some push in the pass rush. Brown started for an injured Orlando Scandrick against the Bears and stood out for not standing out in a negative way. He looked like he belonged and gave up nothing. The Bears did not exploit the rookie sixth-round pick from Purdue. Add in safety Kavon Frazier, a sixth-round pick from Central Michigan, and running back Darius Jackson, a sixth-round pick from Eastern Michigan, who both made the roster out of training camp, and this class is making an impact. And that’s not even considering fourth-round defensive end Charles Tapper, who has been out with an injury but is someone who is expected to provide juice for the pass rush. Fast forward to next year. If the Cowboys are able to get second-round pick Jaylon Smith on the field at middle linebacker, this rookie class could be the team’s foundation for years to come. Bravo to Will McClay.


Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article104539366.html#storylink=cpy

 

[Daillest88]

Yea it's looking like we had the best draft in the nfl this year. Well so far. I think Anthony brown is going to be a hell of a corner

 

[stilltheguru88]

I want to see Brown tested before I get optimistic. He already gave up a td the one time he was targeted.

 

[Daillest88]

I want to see Brown tested before I get optimistic. He already gave up a td the one time he was targeted.

Vs Eli? Yea but it was good coverage, hell of a tough catch by Shepard

 

[Galian Beast]

They key untold story here and I'm glad they mention it is Jaylon Smith. We're talking about a generational linebacker before his injury. The Cowboys STILL haven't put him on IR...

As much grief as we give the front office for the resources they have put towards our defense (much deserved), they really made a good pick here (potentially). He can advance this defense tremendously.

 

[haleyrules]

Bravo to McClay
There has been a lot of talk, and with good reason, about the outstanding play of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. As the fourth overall pick, the Cowboys expect Elliott to be special. He is third in the NFL in rushing with 274 yards. Prescott, picked in the fourth round out of Mississippi State, has been the biggest surprise. A development project for the future who was forced to play because of Tony Romo’s fractured back, Prescott has emerged as one of the best rookies in the entire class. But the impact of scouting chief Will McClay’s rookie draft class goes deeper when you consider defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who is now a starter alongside Terrell McClain with Tyrone Crawford moving to end, and the play of cornerback Anthony Brown. Collins, a third-round pick from Nebraska, was strong in the run game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday while also showing some push in the pass rush. Brown started for an injured Orlando Scandrick against the Bears and stood out for not standing out in a negative way. He looked like he belonged and gave up nothing. The Bears did not exploit the rookie sixth-round pick from Purdue. Add in safety Kavon Frazier, a sixth-round pick from Central Michigan, and running back Darius Jackson, a sixth-round pick from Eastern Michigan, who both made the roster out of training camp, and this class is making an impact. And that’s not even considering fourth-round defensive end Charles Tapper, who has been out with an injury but is someone who is expected to provide juice for the pass rush. Fast forward to next year. If the Cowboys are able to get second-round pick Jaylon Smith on the field at middle linebacker, this rookie class could be the team’s foundation for years to come. Bravo to Will McClay.


Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article104539366.html#storylink=cpy

Agreed. This draft looks real good. Anytime a club can get a starting QB with their 5 pick someone is doing something right.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Vs Eli? Yea but it was good coverage, hell of a tough catch by Shepard

Brown had his arm inside to pull the ball out until Wilcox landed the boom. Had Wilcox not ran into Brown I don't think Shepard catches that TD

 

[The Quest for Six]

Get back to me in three years, it's ridiculous to make glorious claims after three games....

 

[CATCH17]

Get back to me in three years, it's ridiculous to make glorious claims after three games....

Kinda feel that way too.

We've actually seen rookies like Hitchens regress as players.

It's hard not to be really optimistic about this class though. If nothing else it looks like we found a QB which makes any draft an A++++ in my book.

 

[jazzcat22]

They key untold story here and I'm glad they mention it is Jaylon Smith. We're talking about a generational linebacker before his injury. The Cowboys STILL haven't put him on IR...

As much grief as we give the front office for the resources they have put towards our defense (much deserved), they really made a good pick here (potentially). He can advance this defense tremendously.

I forget how the NFI rules go, but they are similar to PUP. They been posted many times before. So:
They get 6 weeks on NFI, then they get 2 weeks to evaluate, then he can actually practice for a few weeks, then they get another week to make a decision. They can actually stretch this out to 11 or is it 14 weeks before they need to activate him, release him, which we know will not happen, or place him on IR.
So by him not being on IR right now means nothing to his contributing this year or his recovery expectations.

 

[Sydla]

Great draft. Possibly got the franchise QB with a 4th round pick. Collins looks to be progressing. Elliott, as much as I thought it was a waste to use the 4th pick on a TB, will be a very good and productive player. If Smith gets healthy, he might end up being the best player of the bunch. Even Brown, the 6th round pick, has looked good.

Whiffed in FA. Thornton has been a disappointment. And Mayowa turned out to be what most people thought.......... nothing more than a depth guy at best.

That's the story of our offseason.

 

[kevm3]

If Jaylon Smith gets it going, then we could possibly have 4 starters in the top 4 rounds. Dak, Zeke, Jaylon Smith and Maliek Collins

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

This will not make a couple of people happy here...OMG!?!?!! someone is giving McClay some love...circle the wagons.

 

[DFWJC]

I try to stay positive and no doubt Dallas got at least two good ones this year. Maybe even more than that. I generally am in McClay's corner to some degree.

However
Tripping over themselves and taking our 5th or 6th choice at QB--then having him miraculously work out well-- is far more luck than skill. But to their credit...they DID at least draft him (Dak) after not taking him in the 2nd (Smith), 3rd (Collins), and 4th (Tapper). After failing in a attempt to trade up for Lynch and then losing out on Conner Cook--who they preferred over Dak. That's called being a blind squirrel finding a nut.

As for Zeke with the 4th overall pick. I think we can all agree that if you can't get a good player at the top of the draft, you need to be fired.
The bigger question there is could they have gotten more by trading that pick or maybe taking a stud defender. Time will tell...and Zeke will be good anyway.

I think there's actually true credit to be given if Collins and Brown work out.
Maybe Smith will be great to!

 

[The Quest for Six]

Kinda feel that way too.

We've actually seen rookies like Hitchens regress as players.

It's hard not to be really optimistic about this class though. If nothing else it looks like we found a QB which makes any draft an A++++ in my book.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy how the young players have performed but Julius Jones was anointed as the next great thing by fans and in San Francisco, Kapernick was handed those anointing oils and he's barely a backup at this point...

 

[Future]

I think this should start with the word "potentially." Dak was a great pick who would be third on the depth chart if not for injuries, but hitting on a RB at #4 is easy and your second- and third-round picks haven't seen the field. Brown looks the part but hasn't made a play.

At this point, McClay should be getting more credit for last year's draft. Jones, Green and Swaim are already hits. Nzeocha could start eventually and Gregory has the talent to be a very good DE.

 

[Crown Royal]

The Cowboys front office has not been the dumpster fire people like to believe. They aren't perfect, but they aren't bottom of the NFL either.

 

[Alexander]

I forget how the NFI rules go, but they are similar to PUP. They been posted many times before. So:
They get 6 weeks on NFI, then they get 2 weeks to evaluate, then he can actually practice for a few weeks, then they get another week to make a decision. They can actually stretch this out to 11 or is it 14 weeks before they need to activate him, release him, which we know will not happen, or place him on IR.
So by him not being on IR right now means nothing to his contributing this year or his recovery expectations.

Correct. No reason at all to put him on IR.

 

[DBOY3141]

I think this should start with the word "potentially." Dak was a great pick who would be third on the depth chart if not for injuries, but hitting on a RB at #4 is easy and your second- and third-round picks haven't seen the field. Brown looks the part but hasn't made a play.

At this point, McClay should be getting more credit for last year's draft. Jones, Green and Swaim are already hits. Nzeocha could start eventually and Gregory has the talent to be a very good DE.

M. Collins started last week and had 3 tackles in the 2nd game. Can't recall if he played in the 1st game.

 

[Zekeats]

I want to see Brown tested before I get optimistic. He already gave up a td the one time he was targeted.

Would have broken up the pass had Wilcox know who to hit