Viable draft philosophy

[jday]

I think you improve your roster by improving the weakest links.

For me, both DT sports are pretty high on the list in terms of needing an upgrade.

Obviously MLB and LG are up there too.

My point is you "want" an upgrade where you have starters. You need a starter where you don't have one. The Cowboys need a MLB. Need trumps want.

 

[Cowboyny]

Based on all their visits and free agency, I believe their 3 top targets are LB, G/T & WR in no particular order. They are going to select their best available at a need position, unless an unexpected blue chip player at another position slides. LVE/Evans, Ridley/Moore and Hernandez/Connor are my favorites for the 1st pick. Do believe all three positions get addressed by the end of round 4.

 

[cnuball21]

My point is you "want" an upgrade where you have starters. You need a starter where you don't have one. The Cowboys need a MLB. Need trumps want.

As it stands right now Jaylon is likely considered the starter. I think he's a better WILL prospect, but maybe the FO likes him at MLB and feels great about his progress?

I certainly understand what your saying, but if we have a lack of talent at DT I consider that a need and not just a want.

 

[jday]

As it stands right now Jaylon is likely considered the starter. I think he's a better WILL prospect, but maybe the FO likes him at MLB and feels great about his progress?

I certainly understand what your saying, but if we have a lack of talent at DT I consider that a need and not just a want.

You and I are mostly on the same page; though, I see Jaylon as more of a SAM. Vita Vea happens to be the one player I want above all others, so please understand, I too would like to see DT addressed. But I want a 1-tech, not a 3-tech, because while we could likely do better than David Irving / Maliek Collins, right now the alternative at 1-tech is Brian Price. Same scenario among linebackers. I would like a more consistently healthy option over Sean Lee at the WILL and the jury is still out on Jaylon Smith, but Joe Thomas is not a starting-caliber MIKE. And that same scenario in many ways applies to Safety, as well. If the Cowboys move Byron Jones to corner, we are left with Kavon Frazier, Jeff Heath, and Xavier Woods. I really like Frazier and Woods, but I trust DIrving and Maliek more. So if I had to choose a place for an upgrade between 1-tech DT, 3-tech DT, Mlb, and S, I would probably address MLB first, Safety, 1-tech, then 3-tech last. Would I like to see an upgrade at 3-tech? Absolutely...but not at the expense of addressing what I believe to be needs.

I'm a bit under the weather today, so if I'm not making sense, my apologies.

 

[xwalker]

Based on our needs, depth in the draft, and perceived value, here’s what I see happening, perhaps with a combination of trades down and up.

1. OG (any of the top 2-3) unless McClinchy or someone else drops to us as a starting RT
2. LB (maybe Malik Jefferson is the ideal guy who can play inside or outside)
3. DT / WR (maybe both in 3rd round)

Selecting to the draft’s strengths and not entirely BPA (unless 19 is way out of balance) could net 4 players who contribute heavily. Possibly 2 starters and 2 rotational guys for 2018....others to develop.

If they deviate from BPA it will not be for a Guard.

Jefferson is a high probability to be Bruce Carter. A guy that is not a complete bust but also never lives up to 2nd round draft status. Hitchens did more with far less physical ability than Carter.

They are going to be prepared for whatever player falls to them. At #19 there will likely be 1 or 2 players they have rated as 1st rounders that are still available. The Cowboys might only have 15 rated as 1st rounders but some teams will take players the Cowboys didn't have rated that high. That's how it was the year's they had the leaked draft boards.

My opinion is that they will lean towards WR, LB, and DL in the 1st if players are on the same tier of their draft board.

In the 2nd or 3rd is where I see a high probability of a Guard if they didn't draft an OT earlier.

If they have an OT ranked #20 and an OG ranked #19 and both are the remaining choices at #19, they are likely to take the OT, especially if the OT can also play OG.

Obviously they might trade up/down. I don't think they would trade up very far and the most likely trade up target is Ridley.