Trading down is the best option

[StanleySpadowski]

I believe that trading down is the only option. Looking at the strengths and weaknesses of this draft, the needs of the Cowboys and the needs/schemes of other teams, the current draft positions in the first round lead to this.

I'm not trying to start another Bledsoe thread but I don't see the offense being a "strength" as long as he's behind center so I really see the shortest path to winning the Super Bowl is building a dominant defense.

Looking at defensive needs then, even though it's the biggest need, I'd be surprised if the 18th pick was a FS. There are several passable FS available in FA who'll only require a relatively modest cap hit and I can't see having the limited cap dollars tied up in two top 10 picks, a high priced FA and now the 18th pick in the secondary, plus there'll be some decent talent available in the later rounds.

The other two "need" areas on the defense are OLB and one ILB. The only predominant 3-4 teams drafting behind Dallas will be SD, NE and Pittsburgh. None of the ILBs are carrying a high enough grade for the 18th pick. Most of the OLB that Dallas will be looking at early won't be the targets of too many other teams. Guys like Lawson or Carpenter don't really fit the 4-3 so those teams are the primary competition for their services if they're availible. OLB is SD's biggest strength, I think almost everyone agrees that NE will be looking for CBs early and often so that really leaves Pittsburgh. Luckily for Dallas, they'll be drafting 31st at best.

This all leads me to believe that unless a targeted player drops to 18, Dallas will attempt to trade in the mid to late 20s. My current best guess is a trade with Carolina if one of the big four RBs is still on the board at 18 and they decide he won't be there at 27.

If Dallas doesn't go LB with their first pick, look for them to trade up a few spots in the 2nd/3rd round to jump Miami.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I believe that trading down is the only option. Looking at the strengths and weaknesses of this draft, the needs of the Cowboys and the needs/schemes of other teams, the current draft positions in the first round lead to this.

I'm not trying to start another Bledsoe thread but I don't see the offense being a "strength" as long as he's behind center so I really see the shortest path to winning the Super Bowl is building a dominant defense.

Looking at defensive needs then, even though it's the biggest need, I'd be surprised if the 18th pick was a FS. There are several passable FS available in FA who'll only require a relatively modest cap hit and I can't see having the limited cap dollars tied up in two top 10 picks, a high priced FA and now the 18th pick in the secondary, plus there'll be some decent talent available in the later rounds.

The other two "need" areas on the defense are OLB and one ILB. The only predominant 3-4 teams drafting behind Dallas will be SD, NE and Pittsburgh. None of the ILBs are carrying a high enough grade for the 18th pick. Most of the OLB that Dallas will be looking at early won't be the targets of too many other teams. Guys like Lawson or Carpenter don't really fit the 4-3 so those teams are the primary competition for their services if they're availible. OLB is SD's biggest strength, I think almost everyone agrees that NE will be looking for CBs early and often so that really leaves Pittsburgh. Luckily for Dallas, they'll be drafting 31st at best.

This all leads me to believe that unless a targeted player drops to 18, Dallas will attempt to trade in the mid to late 20s. My current best guess is a trade with Carolina if one of the big four RBs is still on the board at 18 and they decide he won't be there at 27.

If Dallas doesn't go LB with their first pick, look for them to trade up a few spots in the 2nd/3rd round to jump Miami.

yeah, outside of the top 5 players in this draft, there isn't much seperation between the 1st/2nd round prospects, we could gain an extra pick by trading down, and get just as good a quality talent at pick 25-, as we could at 18, we don't have a 4th, and I'm sure BIll would like to get that one back

 

[Ashwynn]

Well your entitled to your opinion, its still America and we hae that right. But your wrong none the less. Bledsoes about as good a chance as as anyone else in the NFC. Build a damn Oline and see for yourself. Jones/Barber will run all over pple. Bledsoe will be a top 5 passer as he wont be required to play superman every game.

Add a few pieces on Defense, but dont sell out the Oline, or Brady wouldn't win 6 games with this bunch.

If you think the Boys wont concentrate on the oline, your either not looking at the team and seeing them as they are, or you are just hooked on a D Player and refuse to see the reality of the situation. Our biggest liability and the smoking gun to a failed season is the Oline. PERIOD. With this same cast, Bledsoe did as good a anyone could have. Brady, Montana, Young, Favre could not do any better.

 

[ddh33]

I think Dallas will examine all of their options.

My best guess, and this is way too early, is that the kind of guys that Dallas will be most inetersted in will start coming off the board early. I think they will have to take their guy at 18.

 

[speedkilz88]

Jerry seems to be of the opinion that they don't want to go through the ups and downs of a rookie o-linemen again, so they probably don't take one high and instead fill the RT spot with a FA. They also have to make a decision on LA.

 

[Dwight]

If Lendale White drops to Cowboys, I feel that they should select him. I feel he is the best back in this draft and he would make an immediate impact to their offense.

If he is not there when they pick, then they should trade down and either select the best OT or LB available.

 

[CactusCowboy]

If Lendale White drops to Cowboys, I feel that they should select him. I feel he is the best back in this draft and he would make an immediate impact to their offense.

If he is not there when they pick, then they should trade down and either select the best OT or LB available.

I think, unless things have changed we have 2 or 3 decent backs

 

[big dog cowboy]

Depending on who we sign in free agency and who is available when we are on the clock and who is calling with trade offers will determine what we do when we are on the clock. Personally I think it is at least 50/50 we trade down a few spots. Either way I trust the higher ups at Valley Ranch to make the right decision for the Cowboys especially after the brilliant draft last year.

One thing I feel pretty confident about is that we will NOT draft Lendale White. If we draft a RB it won't be until day 2. With Julius and MBIII we have much higher needs.

 

[dwmyers]

Stanley,

Just a note: Pittsburgh has had horrible luck with drafting LBs in the first round. They usually get theirs in the mid rounds and develop them.

And speaking of mid rounders, with the large number of tweener DEs out there, this could be an excellent LB draft, if what we want are 240-255 lb college DEs. The choice out there is pretty good.

In the Jeff Ireland thread, someone (JJ perhaps?) was quoted as saying we're likely to go S or LB with pick 18.

David.

 

[Dwight]

I think, unless things have changed we have 2 or 3 decent backs

I know that Dallas has two decent running backs, but both of them are not productive on a weekly basis(just my opinion). My point is, I feel that White is better than both of them. He would really take the pressure off of Drew Bledsoe(sp). I am not comfortable about their rb situation.

 

[neosapien23]

I know that Dallas has two decent running backs, but both of them are not productive on a weekly basis(just my opinion). My point is, I feel that White is better than both of them. He would really take the pressure off of Drew Bledsoe(sp). I am not comfortable about their rb situation.

Superman couldn't have rushed for more yards behind last years Oline. We had better hope Johnson's performance was the result of an injured knee and Rivera will be better with a season of offseason rehab. Adams is the only consistant factor on our Oline. I know alot of people do not want to draft a tackle in the draft, but I wouldn't mind. If Jon Scott or Winston Justice slip, we could start one of them at LT and move Adams to RT. I am not impressed with this years crop of FA tackles. Wouldn't mind paying Bentley to play LG and letting Allen go either.

 

[Clove]

I think that this is the year of the trade for the Dallas Cowboys. We are in prime position to make several trades. We can trade down to a late 1st. We could trade both Ellis and Glover seperately. Ellis for a late 2 or 3, and if you package some next years draft picks with it, you could pull off a trade to get a late 1st.

I also think it's in our best interest to trade down. We have several prospects in FA for the OLINE - and remember this... We are not looking for an all world Right Tackle, just a savy middle aged vet who can solidify the position. A guy who doesn't need help on every play, just a few times a game vs all game like last season.

If we do trade down, we could easily package a next years mid rounder and grab a late 2 or if we don't want to package picks, we could get a 3 for sure.

We could trade Ellis straight up for a 3 or possibly even a late 2. We could trade Glover for a 4 straight up.

So if ever you were going to make trades, this is the year to do it.

 

[Murph80]

I actually think there is a strong possibilty we move up. Jerry is in a Go For It All mood this year. This is probably Bills last year also so they are really going to make a push in FA and in the Draft.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I know that Dallas has two decent running backs, but both of them are not productive on a weekly basis(just my opinion). My point is, I feel that White is better than both of them. He would really take the pressure off of Drew Bledsoe(sp). I am not comfortable about their rb situation.

I agree we did not get reliable production from our RB's this year. However, the problem was not with them but rather our O-line. White wouldn't have done any better behind that line. He will not be a Cowboy. If you are not confortable with the situation at RB that is to bad because that is what we are bringing next year.

 

[jterrell]

Trading down is almost always the best option.

Problem is thats in a perfect world where you get great trade value and that doesn't always present itself.

If Cutler were to fall we might get a shot to turn that pick into something special but generally teams only wanna pay real value to draft QBs or guys in the top 5.

There's always a chance to drop a few spots but thats reliant on many things which we have no idea of knowing this early such as who takes whom.

I actually like sitting at 18 where it seems our biggest needs can be met easily. Safety, LB, OT are usually excellent choices about 18th. Those positions are also quite strong in this draft, especially LB which has been barren many years.

 

[Dwight]

I agree we did not get reliable production from our RB's this year. However, the problem was not with them but rather our O-line. White wouldn't have done any better behind that line. He will not be a Cowboy. If you are not confortable with the situation at RB that is to bad because that is what we are bringing next year.

I know that some of the problems was oline. However, if you had watch some of the games jj had holes and as soon as he hit them, he would get tackle and he would only gain two to three yards. Most of the time he could not break a tackle. As a running back, you have to break tackles.

I will give him one more season, but for some reason I don't think he will be productive. This is only my opinion based on what I have observed this past season. I am willing to eat my own words if JJ is productive next season. I do agree we must select talented o-linemen this offseason.

 

[Nors]

To say trade down is an easy Cliche.....

JJ's stmt he's drafting Safety or LB in round 1 was such a smoke screen I can't believe anyone took him serious.

Its going to be an impact offensive weapon (RB/TE) or likely a 3-4 NT at #18. This draft is deep at Tackle, DE/LB types and safety can mine a starter in 3rd.

Trades - Glover, Ellis, Henson for picks may figure in as well.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Stanley,

Just a note: Pittsburgh has had horrible luck with drafting LBs in the first round. They usually get theirs in the mid rounds and develop them.

And speaking of mid rounders, with the large number of tweener DEs out there, this could be an excellent LB draft, if what we want are 240-255 lb college DEs. The choice out there is pretty good.

In the Jeff Ireland thread, someone (JJ perhaps?) was quoted as saying we're likely to go S or LB with pick 18.

David.

Pittsurgh was virtually alone in the 3-4 for many years so they could afford to wait. Now with 1/4 of the league playing it, those players won't drop as far as they have in the past. They also haven't gone LB in the first round since Huey Richardson in 1991 so to say they've had "horrible" luck with first round LBs is a misnomer. They have gone LB early in round two and had pretty good success because in the past guys like Levon Kirkland didn't fit most 4-3 philosophies.

Obviously being a Super Bowl team, they also don't have as many holes as most teams and can really go BPA at almost any position. If that's LB they'll do it.

Look at last year, either Ware or Merriman probably drops to a late first rounder if Dallas doesn't change schemes.

 

[Doomsday101]

I would wait to see who is sitting at 18 before trading the pick away I'm not interested in how many picks we get as much as the quality of the picks we get.

 

[marsbennett]

Barring some player dropping to 18 where we cannot pass on him, I think trading down (perhaps out of the first round) may very well be the thing to do.