This was a Jerry, not McClay, draft

[NorthwestDallas40]

We had the 4th pick in the first two rounds, and I do not feel like we maximized the value at those picks. I attribute this to Jerry's influence, which seemed to be more prevalent this year than in the last few drafts.

1. In the first round, there was a trade back to be had with Baltimore. We didn't because Jerry did not want to risk losing EE. Even though Baltimore was not taking him. That extra pick from Baltimore could have been key in landing Lynch or Cook, whom we wanted over Dak. Jerry did not maximize the value of the 4th pick. Many will say that the only way to guarantee EE was to pick him at 4 (Baltimore could have been lying all along). That's fine. But it's also fixating on one player to the exclusion of value. But Jerry (and coaches) had to have EE. I like the player, I just don't like the process of getting him.

2. In the late first round, Jerry offered our 2nd and 3rd round picks to Seattle to trade for Lynch. Seattle traded to Denver instead. Jerry couldn't sleep because he thought he should have given more to guarantee he got him. Which affected how he looked at the next pick...

3. The second round was a panic pick. We know this because the original plan was to take Ogbah or Dodd and then trade back up into the 2nd round to take Jaylon Smith. Which means we originally valued Smith at the middle or bottom of the round. When Ogbah and Dodd were taken, we apparently had a deal with Chicago to trade back. But Jerry admitted he did pull the trigger because, again, he feared losing Smith. This was an impulse pick because of where we originally valued Smith and because Jerry couldn't sleep the night before after not giving up a little more to get Lynch. So, instead of sticking to the original valuation, he panicked and took Smith at 34. I'm not debating whether picking a "redshirt" player in the final years of "Romo's window" was the right or wrong move. I'm just saying we did not stick to our original valuation... because of Jerry.

Overall, I do not mind the picks (especially those we took in the later rounds), but this is not the draft I expected with the 4th overall pick. I am not whining, I just thought we'd be in a different place today after sitting out most of free agency.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

We had the 4th pick in the first two rounds, and I do not feel like we maximized the value at those picks. I attribute this to Jerry's influence, which seemed to be more prevalent this year than in the last few drafts.

1. In the first round, there was a trade back to be had with Baltimore. We didn't because Jerry did not want to risk losing EE. Even though Baltimore was not taking him. That extra pick from Baltimore could have been key in landing Lynch or Cook, whom we wanted over Dak. Jerry did not maximize the value of the 4th pick. Many will say that the only way to guarantee EE was to pick him at 4 (Baltimore could have been lying all along). That's fine. But it's also fixating on one player to the exclusion of value. But Jerry (and coaches) had to have EE. I like the player, I just don't like the process of getting him.

2. In the late first round, Jerry offered our 2nd and 3rd round picks to Seattle to trade for Lynch. Seattle traded to Denver instead. Jerry couldn't sleep because he thought he should have given more to guarantee he got him. Which affected how he looked at the next pick...

3. The second round was a panic pick. We know this because the original plan was to take Ogbah or Dodd and then trade back up into the 2nd round to take Jaylon Smith. Which means we originally valued Smith at the middle or bottom of the round. When Ogbah and Dodd were taken, we apparently had a deal with Chicago to trade back. But Jerry admitted he did pull the trigger because, again, he feared losing Smith. This was an impulse pick because of where we originally valued Smith and because Jerry couldn't sleep the night before after not giving up a little more to get Lynch. So, instead of sticking to the original valuation, he panicked and took Smith at 34. I'm not debating whether picking a "redshirt" player in the final years of "Romo's window" was the right or wrong move. I'm just saying we did not stick to our original valuation... because of Jerry.

Overall, I do not mind the picks (especially those we took in the later rounds), but this is not the draft I expected with the 4th overall pick. I am not whining, I just thought we'd be in a different place today after sitting out most of free agency.

I initially felt the same way. I felt more should have been achieved picking near the top of each round. I think zeke will be the ROY. But how long is the shelf life of a RB? I need 7 years out of a top 4 pick with pro bowl level production. And Smith is going to have to become 85% of what people project his ceiling to be...to justify the risk we took

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

How didn't you maximize your value when you got one of the best players in the draft and a position of need?

If you like a guy you don't trade down from him. That's moronic. MAYBE they could've got him in a trade down but then you risk someone trading with Baltimore to get Elliot. It wasn't worth whatever late round pick you would've got.

There was no panic move to get Jaylan. There's no secret the ties he has here. His brother Rod is here. The doctor that did his procedure works for the Cowboys. They didn't just up and decide to take him. They had a plan. If Ogbah or Dodd wasn't there they'd take the next player on their board which was Jaylan.

Let's be honest here. We have NO IDEA who ran this draft. We have no idea what say Garrett had in it. We have no idea what say Stephen had in it. We have no idea what impact McClay had on it or even Jerry himself. Its all pure assumption at this point with nothing to back up that stance.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I initially felt the same way. I felt more should have been achieved picking near the top of each round. I think zeke will be the ROY. But how long is the shelf life of a RB? I need 7 years out of a top 4 pick with pro bowl level production. And Smith is going to have to become 85% of what people project his ceiling to be...to justify the risk we took

Do you care how much shelf life Elliot has if we get ONE Super Bowl? Isn't that what this is about? If we get one ring and only 4 good year from Elliot it would be worth it.

 

[Common Sense]

Here we go. Jerry, bad. McClay, good.

What if this were a McClay draft? This team ranks third to last in drafting late round talent with a spectacular history of second round busts. All on McClay's watch. Is that just Jerry stuff?

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

How didn't you maximize your value when you got one of the best players in the draft and a position of need?

If you like a guy you don't trade down from him. That's moronic. MAYBE they could've got him in a trade down but then you risk someone trading with Baltimore to get Elliot. It wasn't worth whatever late round pick you would've got.

There was no panic move to get Jaylan. There's no secret the ties he has here. His brother Rod is here. The doctor that did his procedure works for the Cowboys. They didn't just up and decide to take him. They had a plan. If Ogbah or Dodd wasn't there they'd take the next player on their board which was Jaylan.

Let's be honest here. We have NO IDEA who ran this draft. We have no idea what say Garrett had in it. We have no idea what say Stephen had in it. We have no idea what impact McClay had on it or even Jerry himself. Its all pure assumption at this point with nothing to back up that stance.

As to Smith, Jerry admitted that they deviate from "the plan," which was to trade back up into the 2nd round to pick Smith, not pick him at 34.

 

[Rogerthat12]

The purported 4th from Baltimore would not have resulted in Lynch. Seattle swapped first rounders with Denver because they wanted the fifth year option and better value.

Denver gave up pick 31 and their 3rd round pick for the 26th pick. Jerry said Dallas offered 2cnd and 3rd round picks but it was not accepted.

The Patriots wanted Smith and Jerry would have lost him if the traded down in all probability because they were moving up.
Ian Rapoport

✔ ‎@RapSheet
If the #Cowboys didn't take #NotreDame LB Jaylon Smith in the 2nd round, the #Patriots would have. Explains why they dealt 1 2nd rounder

11:58 PM - 29 Apr 2016

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Do you care how much shelf life Elliot has if we get ONE Super Bowl? Isn't that what this is about? If we get one ring and only 4 good year from Elliot it would be worth it.

I for one don't think EE's shelf life is limited to 5 years. He's 20 years old. He has good backups in Morris/McFadden to give him a rest. And has never suffered any leg injuries (knock on wood). I see no reason why we wouldn't give him a second contract at age 25.

 

[reddyuta]

I dont think so,If it was upto Jerry he would have drafted Lynch no matter the cost.

 

[calvin]

We had the 4th pick in the first two rounds, and I do not feel like we maximized the value at those picks. I attribute this to Jerry's influence, which seemed to be more prevalent this year than in the last few drafts.

1. In the first round, there was a trade back to be had with Baltimore. We didn't because Jerry did not want to risk losing EE. Even though Baltimore was not taking him. That extra pick from Baltimore could have been key in landing Lynch or Cook, whom we wanted over Dak. Jerry did not maximize the value of the 4th pick. Many will say that the only way to guarantee EE was to pick him at 4 (Baltimore could have been lying all along). That's fine. But it's also fixating on one player to the exclusion of value. But Jerry (and coaches) had to have EE. I like the player, I just don't like the process of getting him.

2. In the late first round, Jerry offered our 2nd and 3rd round picks to Seattle to trade for Lynch. Seattle traded to Denver instead. Jerry couldn't sleep because he thought he should have given more to guarantee he got him. Which affected how he looked at the next pick...

3. The second round was a panic pick. We know this because the original plan was to take Ogbah or Dodd and then trade back up into the 2nd round to take Jaylon Smith. Which means we originally valued Smith at the middle or bottom of the round. When Ogbah and Dodd were taken, we apparently had a deal with Chicago to trade back. But Jerry admitted he did pull the trigger because, again, he feared losing Smith. This was an impulse pick because of where we originally valued Smith and because Jerry couldn't sleep the night before after not giving up a little more to get Lynch. So, instead of sticking to the original valuation, he panicked and took Smith at 34. I'm not debating whether picking a "redshirt" player in the final years of "Romo's window" was the right or wrong move. I'm just saying we did not stick to our original valuation... because of Jerry.

Overall, I do not mind the picks (especially those we took in the later rounds), but this is not the draft I expected with the 4th overall pick. I am not whining, I just thought we'd be in a different place today after sitting out most of free agency.

1. If Jerry was running the draft wouldn't we HAVE gotten Lynch in a trade up? Sounds like Jerry wanted to do the deal but went with the consensus opinion that Sea wanted too much.

2. Myles Jack, who was rated lower than J. Smith, and who's recovery path is far more muddled, went exactly 2 picks after Smith. Now if Jack were still on the board in round 3 or 4 I could buy your argument that Jones & Co. panicked and reached at 34. But the fact that Jack went two picks after Smith tells me that Dallas had Smith's value pegged pretty accurately.

 

[Common Sense]

I for one don't think EE's shelf life is limited to 5 years. He's 20 years old. He has good backups in Morris/McFadden to give him a rest. And has never suffered any leg injuries (knock on wood). I see no reason why we wouldn't give him a second contract at age 25.

If you sign him to a five-year extension in place of his option year, you basically have him until he's McFadden's age now. He won't even be 30 yet.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

The purported 4th from Baltimore would not have resulted in Lynch. Seattle swapped first rounders with Denver because they wanted the fifth year option and better value.

Denver gave up pick 31 and their 3rd round pick for the 26th pick. Jerry said Dallas offered 2cnd and 3rd round picks but it was not accepted.

The Patriots wanted Smith and Jerry would have lost him if the traded down in all probability because they were moving up.
Ian Rapoport

✔ ‎@RapSheet
If the #Cowboys didn't take #NotreDame LB Jaylon Smith in the 2nd round, the #Patriots would have. Explains why they dealt 1 2nd rounder

11:58 PM - 29 Apr 2016

Fair point as to Lynch, but no one has said that the Patriots were trading up for Smith. Just that they would have taken Smith with one of their 2nd round picks - 60 or 61. When we took Smith, they dealt pick 61. There was plenty of room between pick 34 and 60 for us to trade down and take Smith. And even if someone jumped us for him, Smith was a luxury pick for this year. None of us would have cried had we picked a player in mid-2nd rather than taking a gamble on Smith.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

1. If Jerry was running the draft wouldn't we HAVE gotten Lynch in a trade up? Sounds like Jerry wanted to do the deal but went with the consensus opinion that Sea wanted too much.

2. Myles Jack, who was rated lower than J. Smith, and who's recovery path is far more muddled, went exactly 2 picks after Smith. Now if Jack were still on the board in round 3 or 4 I could buy your argument that Jones & Co. panicked and reached at 34. But the fact that Jack went two picks after Smith tells me that Dallas had Smith's value pegged pretty accurately.

I dont understand this at all

 

[Gameover]

I love it. Cowboys' front office is killing it. Will McClay will get a GM job off this draft.

Matt Miller
Nfldraftscout

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Do you care how much shelf life Elliot has if we get ONE Super Bowl? Isn't that what this is about? If we get one ring and only 4 good year from Elliot it would be worth it.

Of course. A super bowl is always worth it...but it is not a smart plan to grind Elliot into sand and be left with nothing after 4 years. You can win a super bowl AND get high level production out of Elliot. Jason just has to COACH it that way. Instead of sticking it in Elliot gut 500 times a year. He's getting 5m a year to coach!

 

[Rogerthat12]

Fair point as to Lynch, but no one has said that the Patriots were trading up for Smith. Just that they would have taken Smith with one of their 2nd round picks - 60 or 61. When we took Smith, they dealt pick 61. There was plenty of room between pick 34 and 60 for us to trade down and take Smith. And even if someone jumped us for him, Smith was a luxury pick for this year. None of us would have cried had we picked a player in mid-2nd rather than taking a gamble on Smith.

You simply have no way of knowing some other team would not have taken Smith in that range.

Smith is a boom or bust calculated risk but if he gets well for next year, this kid is an elite LB that will man the position long term.

I understand wanting the help for this season but Smith is special.

 

[Nightman]

Everyone loves the way the TFred pick worked out but it could have easily blown up in our faces.

It was great we got an extra pick and got TWill and still landed TFred. But what if someone had taken TFred in those 13 spots we moved down and we ended with Zach Ertz or ManteTeo. There was a run on OL and he was the last good one.

It is obvious EE was their guy, so getting cute and losing him is just greed. We could have traded with BAL if we believed them, but we couldn't control what JAX did. We could have lost Ramsey and EE.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

You simply have no way of knowing some other team would not have taken Smith in that range.

Smith is a boom or bust calculated risk but if he gets well for next year, this kid is an elite LB that will man the position long term.

I understand wanting the help for this season but Smith is special.

I agree Smith is special, if he regains his full form. But my point is: maximize the value of pick 34. Even if it means you might lose Smith, you trade down and take your chances. At worst, you lose Smith but gain two top players that can help right now.

 

[calvin]

Fair point as to Lynch, but no one has said that the Patriots were trading up for Smith. Just that they would have taken Smith with one of their 2nd round picks - 60 or 61. When we took Smith, they dealt pick 61. There was plenty of room between pick 34 and 60 for us to trade down and take Smith. And even if someone jumped us for him, Smith was a luxury pick for this year. None of us would have cried had we picked a player in mid-2nd rather than taking a gamble on Smith.

Not with Cleveland lurking with picks 46 and 48. Also who is to say that Jacksonville doesn't take Smith with the 36th pick. They obviously weren't spooked by Jack's knee injury so one has to think that Smith also would have been attractive to them at 36 as well.

In the end I think we (and you with Dallas' FO) disagree over Smith's value. You view him as a luxury pick and you wouldn't have lost any sleep if he went elsewhere and Dallas selected someone who would play next year. Dallas views Smith as not some guy, but a cornerstone guy that can anchor their defense for years to come. They'll have to wait a year, and seemingly they are fine with that, but they placed a far higher value on him than you do.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Everyone loves the way the TFred pick worked out but it could have easily blown up in our faces.

It was great we got an extra pick and got TWill and still landed TFred. But what if someone had taken TFred in those 13 spots we moved down and we ended with Zach Ertz or ManteTeo. There was a run on OL and he was the last good one.

It is obvious EE was their guy, so getting cute and losing him is just greed. We could have traded with BAL if we believed them, but we couldn't control what JAX did. We could have lost Ramsey and EE.

That is fair and I acknowledged that in my original post. I just feel like we were too fixated on EE and not flexible enough. I would have taken the risk that EE was not Balt's target.