WFAA Blog: Let us review the 2008 draft

[WoodysGirl]

5:26 PM Tue, Jan 13, 2009 | Permalink
Josh Harvey
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1 (22) Felix Jones RB
1 (25) Mike Jenkins CB
2 (61) Martellus Bennett TE
4 (122)Tashard Choice RB
5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB
6 (167) Erik Walden OLB

This was the Cowboys 2008 draft class. Not a horrible class. Someday it might be argued that it's one of Jerry Jones' best classes, but today I'm going to play arm-chair quarterback. This is who the Cowboys could have had instead.

Round 1
Picked: RB.) Felix Jones
Instead: RB.) Chris Johnson- I know everyone in DFW is in love with Felix, but let's face it. He is injury prone. What Chris Johnson did in Tennessee was pretty amazing. Splitting time with Lendale White, Johnson still managed to put up 1,200 yards and 9 touchdowns. He had a legitimate gripe when he was not selected Rookie of the Year. I like Jones, but Johnson is the better all-around player. Not to mention he also ran a better forty-time at the combine than Felix. Jones- 4.49 Johnson- 4.32

Round 1
Picked: CB.) Mike Jenkins
Instead: S.) Kenny Phillips- I would have to consider Jenkins a bust at this point. He didn't have a horrible season, but I can think of at least four rookie corners that were picked after Jenkins that played better. It is no secret that the Cowboys need help in the secondary and Kenny Phillips could have provided that. The Miami Hurricanes product had 67 tackles and 1 interception for the New York Giants this season. His college coaching staff said he had the body of Sean Taylor and the knowledge/quickness of Ed Reed. Sounds like someone I would want in Dallas for a while.

Round 2
Picked: TE.) Martellus Bennett
Instead: RB.) Steve Slaton- I expect to hear some boos around here. Bennett is a good player, but the Cowboys already have the Pro-Bowl version of him. The Cowboys have way to many weapons for Bennett to be really involved in the offense. Practice squad tight end Rodney Hannah would have filled in just fine for the Cowboys in two tight end formations. Taking Slaton was a tough call. I really like Tashard Choice, but Slaton is possibly the next Willie Parker. I can't leave talent like that on the board. Now the Cowboys have their three headed monster. Barber- bruiser, Johnson- speed, Slaton- all

Round 4
Picked: RB.) Tashard Choice
Instead: OT/OG Carl Nicks- I like Choice here. He is a great guy and a great running back, but with taking Slaton in the third round, Choice is no longer needed. Nicks started 13 games for the pass happy New Orleans Saints. Did you see Drew Brees on the ground as much as Tony Romo? He is a big offensive tackle from Nebraska and also has offensive guard experience. Sounds like someone that would have given the Cowboys a little more depth on the line. It's not often you get a starting caliber player in the fourth round. Nicks would have been a great choice.

Round 5
Picked: CB.) Orlando Scandrick
Instead: CB.) Orlando Scandrick- This is already proving to be a huge steal for the Cowboys. Scandrick had a wonderful rookie season and played better than 1st round pick Mike Jenkins. Scandrick had 1st round talent, but dropped because of rumors regarding his attitude. Look for Orlando to be a full-time starter in a few years.

Round 6
Picked: OLB.) Erik Walden
Instead: WR.) Josh Morgan- While Walden never saw the field in a regular season game for the Cowboys, Morgan had a respectable year in San Francisco. The Virginia Tech product had 20 catches and 3 touchdowns in 11 games for the 49ers. A very fast receiver, if Morgan has been drafted by the Cowboys, Roy Williams might not have been needed.


I know the first thing people are going to jump on me about. Where is the other corner? In my opinion after drafting Scandrick you don't need another corner. The Cowboys had a corner already in camp that could have made up the difference. Evan Oglesby was a late cut and picked up by Baltimore. He is now on the active roster for the Ravens defense. That same defense that killed the Cowboys and is mowing over teams in the playoffs. Even TCU product Quincy Butler could have been serviceable. He was released by the Cowboys late preseason and picked up by the St. Louis Rams.

Actual:
1 (22) Felix Jones RB
1 (25) Mike Jenkins CB
2 (61) Martellus Bennett TE
4 (122)Tashard Choice RB
5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB
6 (167) Erik Walden OLB

Mine:
1 (22) Chris Johnson RB
1 (25) Kenny Phillips S
2 (61) Steve Slaton RB
4 (122) Carl Nicks OT/OG
5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB
6 (167) Josh Morgan WR

 

[HanD]

LOL felix is injury prone based on what since he had no injuries in college? based on that, chris johnson is injury prone because he couldn't finish the season either. and to even mention 40 times.... and jenkins is a bust after limited playing time....right.....more knee-jerk "journalism"

did he really mention evan olgelsby? i like the kid but let's be real. he isn't a contributor for the ravens. he's 5th on a cb depth chart that is missing mccallister. get the fock outta here with that trash.

 

[jbz64]

It's easy to say who you would have drafted after you see how productive the players were in their first NFL season.

Make that draft prediction before the draft and then compare it to the actual draft.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Revisionist history at it's absolute finest! Dallas would have been roasted if they had picked two RBs after two rounds. Can we at least let Felix play a full season before labeling him? He was awesome before his toe injury.

Bennett played lights out as the season wore on, so I really think that round two "re-pick" was pretty dumb all the way around.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Wow. Josh Morgan means you don't need Roy Williams? Evan Oglesby means you don't need Mike Jenkins?

Horrible.

 

[superpunk]

The Cowboys have way to many weapons for Bennett to be really involved in the offense.

Kind of stupid to say when the guy had 20 receptions and 4 TDs, can anyone find a #2 TE that put up numbers like that, with a 14 yards per reception average, no less? I mean, Fred Davis was drafted in the same area, plays behind an all star, and only managed 3 receptions all season. On top of that Bennett was an upgrade in blocking, which was primarily why he was drafted IMO.

 

[jterrell]

worst blog post ever.

if you wanna do a redraft there are better fits and much more sensible reasons for the selections.

 

[TheCount]

I understand why he picked the players his did, but his reasoning is just beyond moronic. It was twisted type of logic you'd expect to see here.

 

[joseephuss]

Sometimes it is not about who you pick, but also how you use them. If Dallas had drafted Chris Johnson and Steve Slaton then there would be plenty of threads on this board about why Garrett isn't using these guys. Neither running back would be a 1000 yard rusher in Dallas because the Cowboys have Marion Barber. Both those guys are good, but they just would not have the same opportunities in Dallas.

No one is disappointed in Tashard Choice nor should they be. He is a tremendous #3 running back and did great in what the Cowboys asked him to do.

 

[Doomsay]

Yeah this mulligan process is stupid. That being said, Jones 2 non-contact injuries are a little unsettling + Jenkins was a little disappointing in the toughness department - not just in the Giants game.

 

[jterrell]

how I would done this....


Cowboys Re-Draft.

The 2008 Cowboys draft was a good one is appears but if given the benefit of a re-Draft here's how I'd draft at those spots.

1 (22) Chris Johnson RB --- CJ showed he is eveyr bit as fast on a Pro field as he was in college. The same type lightning back player Felix is and was healthier... this year.

1 (25) Donnie Avery WR --- This means no need to trade for RW11 and also adds more speed to the offense.

2 (61) Martellus Bennett TE --- Keep this pick because this offense is built with a great TE in mind and Bennett gives you protection there. He also allows 2 TE sets to finally become a reality. A better pure athlete than even Witten.

4 (122)Tashard Choice RB --- Why redo this? This guy is only the 3rd back here but 3rd backs are no longer some inactive special teamer. He can get 7 or 8 touches per week and obviously can handle more.

5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB --- Anyone wanna re-pick here? Rookie 5th round starter quality player at CB?

6 (167) Chris Horton SS --- This is about as self-evident as it gets. Solid SS to start all year for us and we make the playoffs. Getting this guy this late is insane.

 

[dmq]

Wow, so this guy can argue what his picks in the draft would be a year later. I want to see what this guy picked as his draft choices before the draft.

 

[tomson75]

how I would done this....


Cowboys Re-Draft.

The 2008 Cowboys draft was a good one is appears but if given the benefit of a re-Draft here's how I'd draft at those spots.

1 (22) Chris Johnson RB --- CJ showed he is eveyr bit as fast on a Pro field as he was in college. The same type lightning back player Felix is and was healthier... this year.

1 (25) Donnie Avery WR --- This means no need to trade for RW11 and also adds more speed to the offense.

2 (61) Martellus Bennett TE --- Keep this pick because this offense is built with a great TE in mind and Bennett gives you protection there. He also allows 2 TE sets to finally become a reality. A better pure athlete than even Witten.

4 (122)Tashard Choice RB --- Why redo this? This guy is only the 3rd back here but 3rd backs are no longer some inactive special teamer. He can get 7 or 8 touches per week and obviously can handle more.

5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB --- Anyone wanna re-pick here? Rookie 5th round starter quality player at CB?

6 (167) Chris Horton SS --- This is about as self-evident as it gets. Solid SS to start all year for us and we make the playoffs. Getting this guy this late is insane.

While that would have been one hell of a draft, it would have left us with a gaping hole at CB this year.

 

[TheCount]

While that would have been one hell of a draft, it would have left us with a gaping hole at CB this year.

Not necessarily, we would have had Scandrick last year and could have drafted another CB or two this year with all our picks.

I like his draft, only thing I might have thrown in there is a guard somehow. I wanted Carl Nicks on draft day, especially after he slid, but it wasn't meant to be.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Wow. Just wow.

 

[tomson75]

Not necessarily, we would have had Scandrick last year and could have drafted another CB or two this year with all our picks.

I like his draft, only thing I might have thrown in there is a guard somehow. I wanted Carl Nicks on draft day, especially after he slid, but it wasn't meant to be.

I meant "last year"....for us that is. "This year" would only pertain to the handful of teams remaining I guess.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

This blog sucks ***.... All of these draft picks played dividends for Dallas, they'll be even better next year.

Weldon didn't make the team so that one pick that didn't pan out but hey 5 out of 6 isn't bad.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I am not a guy that whines about what we could have or should have done after the fact. But I am very bored today so here goes.


1 (22) Felix Jones.

I remember most were calling for Mendenhall, including myself, and were disappointed with the pick. Mendenhall got hurt and never got to do anything so we don't know if he will be good or bad. What we do know is that his HC called him out in training camp or after some preseason games to be tougher and work harder. We never had that question with Felix.

Also looking back we could have went with CJ. I don't think he puts up the same numbers here as he did with the titans so it might be a wash due to playing time with us using Barber. The one thing that could make the difference here is in special teams return yardage. It appears that CJ only had one kick return for 17 yards and I don't see any statistics for punt returns on NFL.com for him. Felix however had 434 yards on 16 returns and one TD for an average of 27.1 yards per kick return.

I guess for what we drafted him for, he filled more of what we were looking for due to his return yardage.


1 (25) Mike Jenkins.

I think he might be all right. He had his up and downs like many rookies will and he shows he has the athletic talent to get it done. What might be worrying is either his lack of getting the scheme or that he might not work 100% of the time. We all remember some missed tackles that looked like he just did not want to tackle at all. So who knows.

IF you wanted to go in a different direction I guess Kenny Phillips might work. I do believe the cowboys had him high on their draft board. But not sure you want to draft a 1st draft pick for FS if you just gave a player on your team a new contract.

Also if you wanted to trade down some to get another pick for later and you wanted to address the WR position I guess you could take Donnie Avery or DeSean Jackson. Not sure the cowboys wanted Jackson due to attitude but he has proven to be a good WR for Philly and has done a decent job in Punt Returns.

Problem with all of this is the CB spot I guess IF you did not take Jenkins and went with the alternatives listed.

People tend to forget that we had injuries with our CBs and pacman getting suspended...good thing we did stick with Jenkins.


2 (61) Martellus Bennett

Most were upset with this pick due to trading our other 2nd round TE and then taking yet another with Witten already on the roster. Of course with that already on our minds and then with Hard Knocks and him looking like some goofball that did not get it. None too happy for many. But he has turned things around and has shown his skill in some games and hopefully will help out in the future with this team.

With all of that, if you wanted to look elsewhere... You could have taken Steve Slaton or Kevin Smith at the RB slot and been done with your rb corp. And again you probably could have gotten another pick to trade down.


4 (122) Tashard Choice

Hard to knock this pick. He played well down the stretch when Felix and Barber went down. Pretty good production from a 4th round pick that was not given a chance to play at all prior to those injuries.

However IF you wanted to change it because you already drafted two RBs. I guess you could trade down again and get a pick or two go with that OT Nicks. You could also consider getting a QB here like Josh David Booty (not what I would do, just giving options).

5 (143) Orlando Scandrick

Would not change this pick...heck you could make the argument that you could have used the 4th round pick on him or traded down some in the 4th and taken him.

6 (167) Erik Walden

I think we all would like a do over with this pick.

So you could have traded down for a pick but I think you could have instead stayed where you were and taken Horton. Sure he was taken much later but he has paid out well.

Remember some of these trade downs would have landed you some extra picks so you might have been able to get someone like Peyton Hillis at FB or maybe Colt Brennen at QB.



Again not one to complain about would of could of type situations with the draft. I am happy with our draft and the way it turned out overall. Just doing this cause I was bored.

 

[Silverstar]

I think this draft class will prove to be one of our best in the past 10 years.

I think Jones and Jenkins are gonna have stellar sophomore seasons and Bennett, Choice and Scandrick have already proven this rookie class was a good one.


:starspin

 

[jterrell]

While that would have been one hell of a draft, it would have left us with a gaping hole at CB this year.

There were a lot of good corners to choose from but the best value is what I tried to go with. I liked basically all the late first round CBs including the one we actually took, but Donnie Avery would have been an ideal fit on this team as the speed threat of Austin with actual WR experience.

The guy had 53 receptions for 674 yards as a rookie in a horrid offense.

We would have had a CB depth chart of TNew, Pac, Henry, Scandrick. I wouldn't say that is a team bereft of corners. Now with Pac suspended or hurt, TNew hurting, Henry getting old ... then you get a bit light but we'd have had a solid 5th corner whoever we kept coming out of camp as the sillyblogger stated.

In my scenario we'd also have our first rounder this year.

Honestly my only regret is that I didn't grab a linebacker that was a great value somewhere. I know we haven't hit on them worth anything but this defense is built around them so they need to be stellar.

I'd have loved an OL as well but there are only so many picks