Smart thing is to take advantage of depth at certain positions, but

[Cowboyny]

In the Taco Charlton draft, there was a deep corner class but shallow DE class. The Cowboys decided to take a 2nd rd player at the shallow position over a 1st rd corner in King due to depth at the position. As we know, they took the wrong pass rusher, but did end up with Awuzie, Lewis in that class.

They can use a similar strategy this year, but must be careful not pass on a better player in the process.

 

[atlantacowboy]

In the Taco Charlton draft, there was a deep corner class but shallow DE class. The Cowboys decided to take a 2nd rd player at the shallow position over a 1st rd corner in King due to depth at the position. As we know, they took the wrong pass rusher, but did end up with Awuzie, Lewis in that class.

They can use a similar strategy this year, but must be careful not pass on a better player in the process.

The Taco pick is all on Marinell (and Jerry for being an ignorant GM and leaving such evaluations to full time coaches who don't have time to watch a lot of college football). TJ Watt should have been the pick but didn't fit Marinelli's physical prototype for a DE. One of the dumbest misses in cowboy history.

 

[Cowboyny]

The Taco pick is all on Marinell (and Jerry for being an ignorant GM and leaving such evaluations to full time coaches who don't have time to watch a lot of college football). TJ Watt should have been the pick but didn't fit Marinelli's physical prototype for a DE. One of the dumbest misses in cowboy history.

Don't disagree, but this is more about their strategy then the player. They overdrafted to take a DE over a 1st rd CB.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Don't disagree, but this is more about their strategy then the player. They overdrafted to take a DE over a 1st rd CB.

I just think they picked the wrong DE. The pick came down to TJ and Taco, and they chose wrong. What CB did you want them to take that was still available?

 

[Cowboyny]

I just think they picked the wrong DE. The pick came down to TJ and Taco, and they chose wrong. What CB did you want them to take that was still available?

I wanted Watt myself, didn't like the corner, but their strategy was to take the lower player on their board due to the depth at the position. King had a higher grade on their board then both Taco/Watt. Watt clearly became the best player of the three. However, my point is, you shouldn't take a lesser player cause the depth is stronger at another position.

 

[gtb1943]

From what I have heard over the years, the scouts did not have TJ Watt all that high. He outperformed what everyone thought he would do

 

[KingintheNorth]

From what I have heard over the years, the scouts did not have TJ Watt all that high. He outperformed what everyone thought he would do

They have discussed many times they were split 50/50 in the room.

The scouts loved Watt's upside. Marinelli was dwelling on archaic thinking. McClay is a yes man, so he leans his "take" on whatever direction the Jones are heading in. The coaches used the injury concern to sway the vote.

 

[Carson]

From what I have heard over the years, the scouts did not have TJ Watt all that high. He outperformed what everyone thought he would do

Charlton was rated higher than watt on pretty much every draft board. You can google the draft rankings that year and Taco will be around 18-27 and Watt is mostly in the 30s

 

[Dalmations202]

Charlton was rated higher than watt on pretty much every draft board. You can google the draft rankings that year and Taco will be around 18-27 and Watt is mostly in the 30s

So what you are saying is that the "professionals" were totally WRONG.

 

[J-man]

So what you are saying is that the "professionals" were totally WRONG.

They are "so called" professionals and they are a lot of the time. They are just guessing same as any of us.

 

[Proof]

The Taco pick is all on Marinell (and Jerry for being an ignorant GM and leaving such evaluations to full time coaches who don't have time to watch a lot of college football). TJ Watt should have been the pick but didn't fit Marinelli's physical prototype for a DE. One of the dumbest misses in cowboy history.

weren't they also concerned about his injury history? had to have major surgery on both knees? not absolving them at all, but i don't think it was strictly scheme.

 

[gtb1943]

weren't they also concerned about his injury history? had to have major surgery on both knees? not absolving them at all, but i don't think it was strictly scheme.

well that is kind of hard to believe with the injury risks we took with Jaylon Smith and LWE

 

[beware_d-ware]

The Cowboys played the situation right, they just drafted the wrong DE.

TJ Watt's injuries were a legit concern, but he was an awesome prospect. He had huge production in his junior season, and just smashed every measurables box you want to see in a pass rusher (1.59 10 yard split vs ~1.60 target, (10'8" broad jump vs high 9s target, 6.79 3-cone vs 7.20 target). His metrics showed that he was a speed-rushing machine who was going to be really productive if he could stay healthy.

Taco was a better prospect than pro, but he shouldn't have been a 1st round prospect to start with. His volume stat production was very good, right in line with Watt, and his pass rush win rate was middle of the road. But his measurables weren't there. He had a 4.92 40 and 1.69 10 yard split, which is just not going to get it done for NFL speed rushing. His 9'6" broad and 33" vert were low for a DE. He did have a 7.17 3-cone, which is good for a big man.

All that says that Taco had some game, but he wasn't fast enough or explosive enough to make it as an NFL edge rusher. In 2000, Bill Parcells might have drafted him to play 5 tech, but in 2017, he was a DE/DT tweener. Kind of like a taller Tyrone Crawford.

Marinelli stuck him at right end, asked him to speed rush, and he flopped.

 

[big dog cowboy]

From what I have heard over the years, the scouts did not have TJ Watt all that high.

There was big concern over his knee and he was viewed as more of a hybred DE/OLB and the Cowboys wanted a bigger more traditional DE.

 

[Cowboyny]

They have discussed many times they were split 50/50 in the room.

The scouts loved Watt's upside. Marinelli was dwelling on archaic thinking. McClay is a yes man, so he leans his "take" on whatever direction the Jones are heading in. The coaches used the injury concern to sway the vote.

Marinelli said he never saw Watt play with his hand on the ground. Also, a big factor at that time was Watt's injury history.

 

[Carson]

Marinelli said he never saw Watt play with his hand on the ground. Also, a big factor at that time was Watt's injury history.

I cannot reiterate this point enough

Watt is a beast moving around and play LB. If he was asked to put his hand in the dirt every snap he would not be the same TJ Watt

 

[KingintheNorth]

Marinelli said he never saw Watt play with his hand on the ground. Also, a big factor at that time was Watt's injury history.

Having your "hand in the ground" is archaic thinking. Pass rushers have a preference. Some like the get off from a 3-point stance, some like the sprinter's stance.

Marinelli was clearly wrong, almost from day one. TJ Watt is a Hall of Famer; Taco Charlton is a Birmingham Stallion.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I cannot reiterate this point enough

Watt is a beast moving around and play LB. If he was asked to put his hand in the dirt every snap he would not be the same TJ Watt

It's 2025. Please let this go.

 

[Carson]

It's 2025. Please let this go.

Nobody is arguing about that.

I am saying Marinell’s ancient scheme would have ruined Watt.

He is not The TJ Watt if he is playing a traditional 4-3 end his first few years here

 

[KingintheNorth]

Nobody is arguing about that.

I am saying Marinell’s ancient scheme would have ruined Watt.

He is not The TJ Watt if he is playing a traditional 4-3 end his first few years here

He is.

A 4-3 RDE and a 3-4 ROLB are the exact same player. See DeMarcus Ware and his constant scheme transition.