Thoughts from 5 days out...

[CowboysLaw87]

Problem is a simple trade down as a solution is not a guaranteed viable option. There is a dead zone in this draft from 9-18, not a lot of teams are going to be drooling trying to move up to #14.

Agreed. Really easy to say "trade down," but if we're so pumped about the prospects of adding a 2nd/3rd rounder to move down 4-10 spots, why would we think other teams would want to do that? If a Michael Floyd is there I can see it... or Kuechly. But in general, we have to be prepared to be stuck at 14 and make a pick. I contend it would be Brockers over DeCastro.

 

[The Realist]

Problem is a simple trade down as a solution is not a guaranteed viable option. There is a dead zone in this draft from 9-18, not a lot of teams are going to be drooling trying to move up to #14.

Well, I'm pulling the trigger on DC or Barron at 14. If both are gone somebody is falling who other teams may want. Not sure who, but if Rodgers, Wilfork, Dez, S Jackson can slide so can Trent, Tannehill, Cox, etc, etc.

To who ever mentioned OLB's at 14. They all have major wharts. No interest.

SDogo......check your inbox.

 

[Manster74]

If we take Brockers over Decastro, I think I may puke. If we stay at 14 and don't come out of this with Barron or Decastro, provided one or both are available, I think it's a huge mistake.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

Barron, Cox or DeCastro will be there at 14, maybe two of them will. What you're seeing is the big bluff that happens every year before the draft. You have guys who have been considered 2rd rounders all off season suddenly being talked about, as not only first rounders, but mid first rounders, (Mclellin).

There are now 45 sure fire first round picks, 25 of them are sure to go between the 10-20 pick. Its all smoke!

The top will have a few changes from where we were a month or so ago, and a surprise or two. There's rumblings of Gilmore moving into the top 10. Seriously, a cover 2 corner is moving fromt he late teens into the top 10. I don't think it will happen but I hope it does, that means that we have a better chance at Cox, Barron or DeCastro.

NFL newtork had a scout the other night on there, Ruskell I think is his name, talking about the DE/OLB. He said that only Ingram is a potential OLB, but didn't like him early because of his height, short arms and very small hands. Coples, Mercilus and Upshaw project to DE in a 4-3 and all would be a liability in the run game.

 

[Wulfman]

The only way I think Brockers is in the picture is in a trade down.

They would like to take Cox, but odds are he'll be gone. At that point, Barron is the pick. If he's gone as well, they could take Ingram, if he's there...but I don't think he will be despite the splinters he's putting in people's backsides. So if the three of them are gone, a trade back is coming.

The reason? Value. If those three are already gone in addition to the "prime 6" that everyone has been talking about, odds are that some guys are sliding, and would be very tempting for a team to trade up and take. For example, maybe Cleveland really wants QB Ryan Tannehill but is afraid that Philly might take him (as they are supposedly interested). Or perhaps WR Michael Floyd is still on the board, and Cleveland needs one of those (having taken Richardson at #4). They could package #22, #67, and #100 to move up and get #14 in return. With that pick, the Cowboys could take someone like McClellan and pick up extra picks at the top of the third and fourth rounds. That might allow them to go after someone like Ryan Broyles when he's a better value pick.

If your short list of guys isn't there, you don't settle for the next best guy unless a) he's worth the pick inherently or b) you can't find a trading partner.

 

[SDogo]

The only way I think Brockers is in the picture is in a trade down.

I don't think he will be, I suspect he will be off the board by then to the relief of many I'm sure.

 

[CCBoy]

The only way I think Brockers is in the picture is in a trade down.

They would like to take Cox, but odds are he'll be gone. At that point, Barron is the pick. If he's gone as well, they could take Ingram, if he's there...but I don't think he will be despite the splinters he's putting in people's backsides. So if the three of them are gone, a trade back is coming.

The reason? Value. If those three are already gone in addition to the "prime 6" that everyone has been talking about, odds are that some guys are sliding, and would be very tempting for a team to trade up and take. For example, maybe Cleveland really wants QB Ryan Tannehill but is afraid that Philly might take him (as they are supposedly interested). Or perhaps WR Michael Floyd is still on the board, and Cleveland needs one of those (having taken Richardson at #4). They could package #22, #67, and #100 to move up and get #14 in return. With that pick, the Cowboys could take someone like McClellan and pick up extra picks at the top of the third and fourth rounds. That might allow them to go after someone like Ryan Broyles when he's a better value pick.

If your short list of guys isn't there, you don't settle for the next best guy unless a) he's worth the pick inherently or b) you can't find a trading partner.

I think this will be a trader's draft for Dallas at it's pick...but the catch here, is that there should be some real talent on the board that could elevate this team quite a bit. And at the pick Dallas currently has. The trade down would have to both ensure a framed player they want in the first, and provide dramatic increase in value below that point.

 

[CCBoy]

Barron, Cox or DeCastro will be there at 14, maybe two of them will. What you're seeing is the big bluff that happens every year before the draft. You have guys who have been considered 2rd rounders all off season suddenly being talked about, as not only first rounders, but mid first rounders, (Mclellin).

There are now 45 sure fire first round picks, 25 of them are sure to go between the 10-20 pick. Its all smoke!

The top will have a few changes from where we were a month or so ago, and a surprise or two. There's rumblings of Gilmore moving into the top 10. Seriously, a cover 2 corner is moving fromt he late teens into the top 10. I don't think it will happen but I hope it does, that means that we have a better chance at Cox, Barron or DeCastro.

NFL newtork had a scout the other night on there, Ruskell I think is his name, talking about the DE/OLB. He said that only Ingram is a potential OLB, but didn't like him early because of his height, short arms and very small hands. Coples, Mercilus and Upshaw project to DE in a 4-3 and all would be a liability in the run game.

Agreed, I think the window of opportunity frames:

DeCastro
Cox
Ingram
Coples
Barron

...but that is some good list.

 

[Risen Star]

I'm loving the uncertainty of it. This thing could shake out 10 different ways and we're only left to guess just days before the draft.

I'll play the percentages and say we trade down.

 

[btcutter]

I don't disagree with any of it. I really don't disagree about Ingram. i said a few days ago I think I have splinter in my butt from sitting on the fence with him after I used to be his biggest fan.

IMO, if we are left with DeCastro and Brockers as our options I would prefer to roll the dice, move down and if we can still get DeCastro fine, if not Whitney or McClellin are grand options.

I agree. I don't want us drafting Brocker at 14. As of now he's a run only DE who has yet to develop a pass rush move. That's too high for him. Trade down if you must. I'll be extremely happy with McClellan or DeCastro in the late teen early twenties.

 

[JBS]

I agree that Brockers is definitely in the picture

My short board keeps changing..it's so hard to get a feel for this..I don't think its likely we trade down..in no order our short board looks like this

Cox
Brockers
Barron
DeCastro

Unless 3/4 are available..I think we stay put and take whoever we have ranked as the bpa

I am also hearing Poe is on our short list..I don't believe it, but that's what I heard

 

[Risen Star]

I am also hearing Poe is on our short list..I don't believe it, but that's what I heard

I don't believe any reports of what our board looks like. I refuse to believe a team would be so dumb as to let that kind of information out.

 

[Mash]

Haha. I was thinking of Tyson Jackson. Not sure why I got the two names mixed up. I just had LSU DE/DTs on the brain. That and the similar first name.

Whoops!

I was like WHAT!!! ......did he just lost his mind :

 

[cdewsxzaq]

Just throwing it out there, what is everybody's opinion on taking Dont'a Hightower (even if Keuchly is still on the board)? I think Hightower could line up at any of the linebacker positions, giving any starter a breather and could possibly apply more pressure on the QB than Spencer from any of the LB positions. This would give Rob Ryan a versatile player he can move around on the field and attack the offense from different looks/angles, causing confusion for opposing offensive line blocking assignments (a big part of RR's defense.)

I assume that everybody thinks it will be a reach at 14, and it very well may be, but the guy is a leader and could be a tremendous addition to RR's defense. Even though we drafted Bruce Carter last year in the 2nd, he hasn't had the chance to be on the field enough yet to prove his worth at ILB. This is no discredit to Bruce Carter, but it shouldn't prevent the front office from taking another talented player at the position. Dan Conner could be a good addition for 1st and 2nd downs at ILB, but I think that Hightower could add an extra dimension to the defense and may have the potential to take over Spencer's position if they let him walk after this overpaid season is over.

 

[cdewsxzaq]

Unless 3/4 are available..I think we stay put and take whoever we have ranked as the bpa

I am also hearing Poe is on our short list..I don't believe it, but that's what I heard

I have so many mixed feelings about taking Poe. On one hand, I think he has the physical tools to be absolutely dominant. His technique would certainly need some work and I guess there are some questions about his effort, but I think the level of coaching he received in college may be the problem with his technique and could be improved upon immensly by NFL coaches. As for the effort issues, if they exist that's on Poe entirely and who knows if that can ever actually be fixed.

On the other hand, he could just be a workout warrior and that's his celing. He could just be a huge guy with nothing to contribute.

He's definitely a gamble in the first round, which sucks because you want to know that you are landing a starter when you draft a guy in the first...

 

[RS12]

I don't think Brockers is in the picture. If Cox and Barron are gone, DeCastro is the guy.

I do and Cox will be gone.

 

[Cowboy Junkie]

I will be surprised if Dallas trades down but I do think trading up is very possible

 

[Risen Star]

I will be surprised if Dallas trades down but I do think trading up is very possible

See, now I think the exact opposite. We aren't trading up.

 

[JBS]

See, now I think the exact opposite. We aren't trading up.

I don't see us moving up either..not at all

 

[DFWJC]

:laugh2: I hear ya...I'm torn on DeCastro, McClellan, and Mercilis at 14

I think you could trade down and still easily get Mercelis and Mclellan....so I sure hope we don't burn the 14th on them. One of those guys will go in the late 20s.

Both good players though.


In any case, a trade UP seems highly unlikely to me with the depth of this draft.