Walterfootball's newest mock

[CowboysLaw87]

Talent-wise, Lewan would be a total steal at 16. But I don't see it happening.

And in the 2nd round he doesn't differentiate FS and SS, saying Dallas needs a safety. Well, our need is at FS and he has us taking a SS. But again, it would be good value...just don't see us taking him there though.

Ward is a FS, or at least interchangeable. He's one of the better coverage S's of the past few drafts. Exactly the type of guy we need to compliment Church/Wilcox.

 

[Sydla]

Your last few sentences describe Erik Williams to a tee and most folks on this site loved Big E. At the end of the day every team has players with questionable backgrounds and HC/GM have to weigh the pro's and con's of adding that player to the team.

Absolutely. And if Dallas took Lewan, I'd think it was a mistake.

PS - I don't seem to recall Williams having that many off the field issues when he was in college, but I could be wrong.

 

[DFWJC]

Ward is a FS, or at least interchangeable. He's one of the better coverage S's of the past few drafts. Exactly the type of guy we need to compliment Church/Wilcox.

I always considered him a strong safety, but he is a very, very good player. I know he has very good coverage skills for a SS, but maybe I've underestimated him overall in that area. I guess his size may end up limiting him as a SS anyway.

I think, value-wise for Dallas, if I had a choice, I may prefer Terrance Brooks in the 3rd vs Ward in the 2nd.
Thoughts?

If anything, you got me to go back and re-look at Ward--who I already like.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

I always considered him a strong safety, but he is a very, very good player. I know he has very good coverage skills for a SS, but maybe I've underestimated him overall in that area. I guess his size may end up limiting him as a SS anyway.

I think, value-wise for Dallas, if I had a choice, I may prefer Terrance Brooks in the 3rd vs Ward in the 2nd.
Thoughts?

If anything, you got me to go back and re-look at Ward--who I already like.

Good points. I'll describe it like this... Ward is more versatile, because he can play slot CB, play man coverage on TE's and slot WR's, and play the deep center fielder role as well. He's basically a less physical Kenny Vaccaro, but with 100+% of the coverage ability. People call him a SS because it is typically the SS that plays man on guys underneath while the FS roams deep. But his skill set/athleticism is in line with a FS.

Brooks on the other hand can't play the slot CB or man coverage as well as Ward. He is, however, a really nice candidate to play that deep FS who covers the field (a poor man's Earl Thomas role). I feel as though he can play the center fielder role just as well as Ward. Also, Brooks is a really good blitzer, and has a more physical side to his game than Ward.

Overall, the versatility and superior coverage skills of Ward make him the better player. Brooks is a bit more limited in his role, but can do the job at a starter level. I think you've got it right... Ward is a 2nd round guy, Brooks a 3rd round prospect. And at that point it's pick your flavor.