The OL v WR debate in the draft

[Batman1980]

Approaching 40 comments; by my quick count, the majority (at least 20) definitely want the 1st pick to be for the OLine.
A good half dozen or so responses are on the fence...they could go either way depending on what player(s) is\are still available at 24.
I viewed two that definitely wanted a WR in the first round.
Saw 3-4 CZers that opted for a pick on defense (DT, DE) instead of OL or WR.

The only way I go WR over OL or DL at 24 is if that WR is a much better player than Lamb. So I mean a DK Metcalf, Calvin Ridley, Justin Jefferson type prospect.

 

[thunderpimp91]

There's an OL vs WR debate? Who the heck think we need to draft a WR in the first? The first is where you want to get your day one starters. A WR isn't starting day one for this offense.

Why not? Are you that confident in James Washington & Noah Brown?

 

[America's Cowboy]

100% agree, CC!

The Cowboys NEED to go WR with their 1st or 2nd round picks, but I would try to trade down into the late 1st round if it will garner me an extra 3rd or 4th & 5th round picks.

Then use that late 1st round pick to pick up:

BRANDON SMITH

HEIGHT
6-3
WEIGHT
241
COLLEGE
Penn State
POSITION
LB
CLASS
Junior
HOME TOWN
Louisa, VA
87.0/100
PLAYER RATING
3
POSITION RANK
4.52
FORTY YD TIME
2
SACKS
1
FUMBLES FORCED
81
TACKLES
45
SOL TACKLES

Strengths & Weaknesses:

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Brandon-Smith-LB-PennState





In the 2nd round, go get a WR that has the size, ability and speed to help Dak and this Offense starting Weak 1:

TYQUAN THORNTON

HEIGHT
6-3
WEIGHT
181
COLLEGE
Baylor
POSITION
WR
CLASS
Senior
HOME TOWN
Miami, FL
4.28
FORTY YD TIME
62
RECEPTIONS
948
REC YDS
10
REC TDS
15.3
REC AVG



Strengths & Weaknesses:

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Tyquan-Thornton-WR-Baylor

Then use the 3rd round to go after a Guard (Oline). Several players potentially to be had here, but I would use a later round pick to move up into the early 3rd round (or use a early 3rd round pick if able to trade down in the 1st round with Detroit from pick #24 to #32 while getting Detroit's early 3rd round pick or swap 3rd round picks) to get a very experienced and proven Guard (both left & right positions experience on Oline) in:

ED INGRAM

HEIGHT
6-3
WEIGHT
317
COLLEGE
LSU
POSITION
OG
CLASS
Senior
HOME TOWN
Desoto, TX
82.2/100
PLAYER RATING
22
POSITIONRANK
5.02
FORTY YD TIME



Strengths & Weaknesses:

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Ed-Ingram-C-LSU

Cowboys should follow my plan. ^^^^

It's the best bang picks for the positions of need and cost.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

Why not? Are you that confident in James Washington & Noah Brown?

In a word... yes. Dak is not the type of QB that would target a single WR 12 times a game. We've had two number one's, Dez and Cooper, that didn't see targets like other number one's. So how much production are you expecting from this 1st Rd... WR?

 

[Motorola]

The only way I go WR over OL or DL at 24 is if that WR is a much better player than Lamb. So I mean a DK Metcalf, Calvin Ridley, Justin Jefferson type prospect.

Although some didn't mention a prospect by name -- these players appear the most in various 1st round mocks:
Wilson, Williams, Olave, London, Dotson, Burks.

 

[kskboys]

Why not? Are you that confident in James Washington & Noah Brown?

As our 3rd and 5th WR's, absolutely. Why wouldn't anyone be?

 

[CT Dal Fan]

If I'm the Cowboys I am going OL in the 1st round and then addressing WR and the OL again in rounds 2-3. These are the biggest holes on the roster as it stands right now.

Though there are (cough cough) three more weeks (cough) to add, um, a free agent (cough) or two that can change the draft plans.

 

[thunderpimp91]

As our 3rd and 5th WR's, absolutely. Why wouldn't anyone be?

That's what I am hoping for as well, but if the season started tomorrow they may be your #2 and #3. A first round WR starts week 1 easily.

 

[kskboys]

If I'm the Cowboys I am going OL in the 1st round and then addressing WR and the OL again in rounds 2-3. These are the biggest holes on the roster as it stands right now.

Though there are (cough cough) three more weeks (cough) to add, um, a free agent (cough) or two that can change the draft plans.

What? WR a need? How do you figure? We have 3 quality starters at WR. How is that a hole? NT is a much bigger hole than both of those put together. We have one backup NT on the roster. One. No starters.

 

[Whyjerry]

Is this a debate? On what planet would you take a WR over OL? In Dallas it would be. Dallas already has 3 good WRs. The OL was terrible last year. There is no decision.

 

[kskboys]

That's what I am hoping for as well, but if the season started tomorrow they may be your #2 and #3. A first round WR starts week 1 easily.

At pick 24? Doubtful. And since it's not a need, we're putting off contention for yet another year.

 

[thunderpimp91]

What? WR a need? How do you figure? We have 3 quality starters at WR. How is that a hole? NT is a much bigger hole than both of those put together. We have one backup NT on the roster. One. No starters.

Who are the 3 quality starters? You have Lamb, a guy who is doubtful to start the season healthy and a FA signing who had 26 catches last year in 15 games. I'm very pro OL round 1, but I dont get the WR isnt a need argument.

 

[America's Cowboy]

In a word... yes. Dak is not the type of QB that would target a single WR 12 times a game. We've had two number one's, Dez and Cooper, that didn't see targets like other number one's. So how much production are you expecting from this 1st Rd... WR?

Not true. Not true at all.

Look at Dez's career stats and the number of times Dak targeted him in 2016 & 2017. Very similar attempts to when Dez was younger and targeted by Romo.

Dez career stats:

https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/dez-bryant-2621

Dez's body simply started coming down with injuries, specifically his foot injury he suffered in 2015 which kept giving him problems through 2017, hence forcing the Cowboys to cut him after 2018.

The same goes for Amari Cooper. Dak heavily targeted Amari ever since the Cowboys traded for him halfway through the 2018 season. Dak passed heavily Amari's way in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Each season easily over 100 targets.

In 2021, Amari's targets decreased to 68, but Amari struggled most of the season to get open since he was playing with plantar fascitiis all season long, plus he missed 2 games of his own will for refusing to get vaxed, hence had to sit out 2 games when he came up cov positive.

https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/amari-cooper-24394/career-stats

It's simply downright untruthful to say Dak refused to target either/both Dez and Amari...and that's why they are no longer here. Just plain false.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

What? WR a need? How do you figure? We have 3 quality starters at WR. How is that a hole? NT is a much bigger hole than both of those put together. We have one backup NT on the roster. One. No starters.

Well at WR there is CeeDee Lamb and a whole lot of questions. Is Michael Gallup going to miss a few games? Is James Washington a suitable starter if he does? Are guys like Simi Fehoku and Noah Brown going to step into the 3rd role if Washington does have to start?

Meanwhile at DT the Cowboys have invested draft picks in Osa Odighizuwa, Quinton Bohanna, Neville Gallimore, and Trysten Hill since 2019 and they also re-signed Carlos Watkins. They have a deep enough rotation there.

WR is super thin.

 

[StuckMojo]

1st round pick on Cooper in 2019 and Lamb in 2020, yeah let’s select another WR in 1st round. Let’s be like the Lions!

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Not true. Not true at all.

Look at Dez's career stats and the number of times Dak targeted him in 2016 & 2017. Very similar attempts to when Dez was younger and targeted by Romo.

Dez career stats:

https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/dez-bryant-2621

Dez's body simply started coming down with injuries, specifically his foot injury he suffered in 2015 which kept giving him problems through 2017, hence forcing the Cowboys to cut him after 2018.

The same goes for Amari Cooper. Dak heavily targeted Amari ever since the Cowboys traded for him halfway through the 2018 season. Dak passed heavily Amari's way in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Each season easily over 100 targets.

In 2021, Amari's targets decreased to 68, but Amari struggled most of the season to get open since he was playing with plantar fascitiis all season long, plus he missed 2 games of his own will for refusing to get vaxed, hence had to sit out 2 games when he came up cov positive.

https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/amari-cooper-24394/career-stats

It's simply downright untruthful to say Dak refused to target either/both Dez and Amari...and that's why they are no longer here. Just plain false.

Actually Cooper had 68 receptions in 2021, not targets. He had 104 targets last season; tied with Dalton Schultz for second on the team behind Lamb's 120.

 

[kskboys]

Well at WR there is CeeDee Lamb and a whole lot of questions. Is Michael Gallup going to miss a few games? Is James Washington a suitable starter if he does? Are guys like Simi Fehoku and Noah Brown going to step into the 3rd role if Washington does have to start?

Meanwhile at DT the Cowboys have invested draft picks in Osa Odighizuwa, Quinton Bohanna, Neville Gallimore, and Trysten Hill since 2019 and they also re-signed Carlos Watkins. They have a deep enough rotation there.

WR is super thin.

You don't know the difference between NT and UT? Crazy stuff.

 

[kskboys]

Who are the 3 quality starters? You have Lamb, a guy who is doubtful to start the season healthy and a FA signing who had 26 catches last year in 15 games. I'm very pro OL round 1, but I dont get the WR isnt a need argument.

We have no NT starter. How do you see NT as not a need?

 

[CT Dal Fan]

You don't know the difference between NT and UT? Crazy stuff.

I know the difference but the Cowboys don't have as urgent a need there, unless one of the top prospects falls to 24 and they can't pass him up. They've drafted five DT's the past three years.

Right now if Gallup isn't ready for week one the Cowboys' WR depth chart reads Lamb, Washington, Brown, and Fehoku. Quite the drop off from Lamb, Cooper, Gallup, and Wilson.

 

[thunderpimp91]

We have no NT starter. How do you see NT as not a need?

When did I ever say that? The debate was WR vs OL?