This draft doesn't do much for me

[Blackspider214]

Having Crawford and Lee healthy again improves this defense.....IMO, Gardner will be a sleeper that will do well

What did Crawford do when he was healthy? He was a spare player from what I recall.

And yes, Lee is good when healthy. Problem is, he will never be healthy. Reason he dropped in the draft from his injuries at Penn St. And it's carried over.

 

[DFWJC]

I would have drafted somewhat differently, but that's every year. Doesn't mean I'm right.

This was not a bad draft, just could have been better...IMO.

I'll say it now..

NO WAY this defense will be worse this year than last.
I'll take any bets on this.

 

[AmishCowboy]

We def improved depth on Defense line and LB, two nice offensive picks in Martin and Street, overall solid draft!

 

[Screw The Hall]

I like the DL they got in this draft. However, even if we had done nothing at all in the draft the defense wasn't going to go backwards. There was a negative synergy that happened last year of historic proportions that led to that defense being as bad as it was. That front seven was supposed to be a team strength. Instead disaster ensued ...

• Spencer with the catastrophic injury
• Ware plays at a pedestrian level
• Ratliff never plays another down
• the two primary backups on the DL, Crawford and Bass, never play a down
• Sean Lee gets injured yet again
• Bruce Carter doesn't pick up the new scheme and plays like a jag
• All of this while trying to integrate a new scheme with new coaches ... yuck

The ship was dead in the water before it even set sail. This is going to be a mediocre to slightly below average defense in all probability, not one of the worst defenses in the history of the league ... that was an aberration in my opinion. The line doesn't have big names splattered across it. But depth wise it sits in a different hemisphere compared to where it was during the season last year. The players who will start and be the primary backups will be legitimate NFL players this year. You couldn't say that last season, not even for the starters. I think Bruce Carter is a different player this year. He didn't pick up things well at all. The extra year in the system should be invaluable to him.

One of the concerns I had last year with the team was the fact that Eberflus was retained to coach the transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3 to the LB core. I like Eberflus as a coach but my concern was that he had been a 3-4 guy himself up to that point. It didn't turn out well. It wasn't just Carter either. Durant nor Ernie Sims played up to their abilities and even Lee got off to a shaky first couple of games. I'm hoping that things come a little more second nature to everyone with a full year under their belts. It can't hurt that's for sure.

 

[ConstantReboot]

My general feeling is it's going to get worse on defense before it gets better. We have been terrible drafting defensive players under Jason Garrett, which is the reason we find ourselves so talent deprived on that side of the ball. We put all our eggs in the Demarcus Lawrence basket this year hoping he can be a premier rusher, I have my doubts that he can be who they think he is, I tend to view him as a nice rotational player, but I guess I'll reserve judgement until we see him develop. I hate the fact we gave up a 3 for him, just don't think his ceiling warrants it.

Martin builds upon a strength, as we have an exciting young OL going forward, so that's nice, but Guard is still one of the least valued positions in the NFL. It was a safe pick, which shouldn't be knocked, but it also doesn't do a lot to make us a better team in 2014 when we are starving for impact players on defense.

Outside of those 2 picks I think the rest of the draft looks a lot like the 2009 class, taking depth/special teams guys who you hope can find a niche to make the roster, but offer little in terms of real impact. Have to be honest and say I'm disappointed considering the depth this draft class offered.

I'm hoping we finally commit to using that OL to ground and pound teams, that's now the bread and butter of this team. I can see us masking our defense using that formula and keeping the D off the field, but I think we're still a couple drafts away from fielding a defense that I have faith in. Just not sure how realistic it is to think we can do anything of significance with the lack of talent we have on that side of the ball. Better put up 30 every week on offense and be able to play keep away.

OMG stop being a negative nanny. Seriously your comparing this class to the 2009 draft? Sheeesh. Luckily your not making the decisions.

 

[RS12]

We def improved depth on Defense line and LB, two nice offensive picks in Martin and Street, overall solid draft!

Eh, where is Bob Lilly in your sig?

 

[xwalker]

My general feeling is it's going to get worse on defense before it gets better. We have been terrible drafting defensive players under Jason Garrett, which is the reason we find ourselves so talent deprived on that side of the ball. We put all our eggs in the Demarcus Lawrence basket this year hoping he can be a premier rusher, I have my doubts that he can be who they think he is, I tend to view him as a nice rotational player, but I guess I'll reserve judgement until we see him develop. I hate the fact we gave up a 3 for him, just don't think his ceiling warrants it.

Martin builds upon a strength, as we have an exciting young OL going forward, so that's nice, but Guard is still one of the least valued positions in the NFL. It was a safe pick, which shouldn't be knocked, but it also doesn't do a lot to make us a better team in 2014 when we are starving for impact players on defense.

Outside of those 2 picks I think the rest of the draft looks a lot like the 2009 class, taking depth/special teams guys who you hope can find a niche to make the roster, but offer little in terms of real impact. Have to be honest and say I'm disappointed considering the depth this draft class offered.

I'm hoping we finally commit to using that OL to ground and pound teams, that's now the bread and butter of this team. I can see us masking our defense using that formula and keeping the D off the field, but I think we're still a couple drafts away from fielding a defense that I have faith in. Just not sure how realistic it is to think we can do anything of significance with the lack of talent we have on that side of the ball. Better put up 30 every week on offense and be able to play keep away.

Back in the days of pay phone, I would just give you a quarter...

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

So you are 100% on board with the Zach Martin pick, the Tyron Smith choice and the Travis Frederick fore sight.

Well good you should be a happy pup after all of the OLine dogging. They have accomplished exactly what you suggested as the #1 priority for the Team, though it took 3 1sts, you were right. They should be worth it.

Congrats and realize that the F.O. addressed our main issues although it took 2 seasons and 3 Drafts to do so...it's done and the benefits that are sewn will soon be reaped as well. That my friends was a minority vote.


You da' Man RS!...I mean...good job, Bill...because if you were luke warm I'd spew you out my mouth.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

You lost me talking about what little value an OG has in the league.

I'll never understand that mindset. This guy basically plays right in front of your QB and is responsible for protecting him. What more needs to be said?

What in Heaven's name are you talking about? My last post above was for you, Butcher.

 

[CF74]

Well even right now he's probably more legit than George Selvie! LOL!

Selvie was awesome before he hurt his shoulder. Then he tried to play thru it after taking some time out. Whatchoo talkin bout Willus?

 

[poost]

If you're going to compare to 2009 draft then you have to compare Zack Martin and Demarcus Lawrence to the Roy Williams trade. On that alone this draft >>>>2009

 

[ConstantReboot]

If you want to believe a crop of 7th rounders is going to make a big impact than be my guest. History proves otherwise. Don't see anything "dramatic" about saying that.

When it comes to drafting late rounders and UDFA I have more trust in what the Cowboys do than any team in the NFL. Jay Ratliff 7th rounder and 4 probowls. How about Romo and Miles Austin? Both probowlers and starters and were UDFA. Our starting guard Leary was an UDFA.

I like what the Cowboys have done in the draft. They have two immediate with their top two picks and several 7th rounders that grade higher than they should have. All or some of them could potentially be starters or contributers in the future. Thus I feel your pessimism is kinda nothing more than hot air. This years drafts is much better than 2009 and could possibly be the turning point in bringing us back to glory once again.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Selvie was awesome before he hurt his shoulder. Then he tried to play thru it after taking some time out. Whatchoo talkin bout Willus?

Oh no disrespect meant for George. I think he did a marvelous job under the circumstances.

He had over 700 snaps last season and that's too many. He needs to be a back up at both the right & left defensive end spot and get like 20 snaps per game rather than the 40-some he received last year.

Bottom line, for this defense to be better the Cowboys need Lawrence, Mincey, Crawford to be better than he is. And it wouldn't hurt to have Spencer out there either.

 

[jnday]

I would have drafted somewhat differently, but that's every year. Doesn't mean I'm right.

This was not a bad draft, just could have been better...IMO.

I'll say it now..

NO WAY this defense will be worse this year than last.
I'll take any bets on this.

I agree. I would have went a different direction, but I disagree with the general way that the team approaches team building. I don't think the defense will be worse, it may not be a improved by much, but it is improved from what they were fielding at the end of the year.

 

[Risen Star]

If you're going to compare to 2009 draft then you have to compare Zack Martin and Demarcus Lawrence to the Roy Williams trade. On that alone this draft >>>>2009

Anybody comparing this class to 2009 is crazy.

 

[KB1122]

I would say that any draft where people are pinning their hopes on the seventh round is suspect.

 

[CATCH17]

It was a solid draft but I'm pretty confident that people on this forum could've came away with a better draft class then the Cowboys did.

We threw away a 3rd rounder and basically put all of our eggs in 1 basket with Demarcus Lawrence.

Then we come back in the 4th and make an absolutely awful selection. The 5th we redeemed ourselves with a prospect that has some upside.

It was an ok draft but we didn't maximize it like we could have. If Lawrence isn't a player then the draft is terrible.

 

[jnday]

It was a solid draft but I'm pretty confident that people on this forum could've came away with a better draft class then the Cowboys did.

We threw away a 3rd rounder and basically put all of our eggs in 1 basket with Demarcus Lawrence.

Then we come back in the 4th and make an absolutely awful selection. The 5th we redeemed ourselves with a prospect that has some upside.

It was an ok draft but we didn't maximize it like we could have. If Lawrence isn't a player then the draft is terrible.

I have said this the last several drafts. Give s fan a copy of Kiper's best available and turn him loose in the warroom. His chances are as good as anybody else.

 

[visionary]

The biggest problem I have is that with supposedly the deepest draft in years and 11 picks (granted half of those were 7th rounders) the team came away with maybe two starters. Should have been more like 3-4. Martin is a great pick. Lawrence really needs show a lot this year. Would really suck if one 7th rounders were the second most productive players from this draft.

This
Trading away a 3 in this description was a huge mistake
Hopefully Lawrence is legit

 

[visionary]

Having Crawford and Lee healthy again improves this defense.....IMO, Gardner will be a sleeper that will do well

When you are excited about a 7th rd pick at a position it tells you 2 things

1. The position is sorely lacking in players
2. The FO has done little in the off season to address the position

The fact that we have all these excited posts about 7th rd players with "the potential to start" is not a good thing