Who is the best front 7 run defender in this year's class?

[baltcowboy]

That’s fair…but you can get just a run plugger later.

Maybe. The Cowboys are not good at drafting or developing defensive tackles. They need a whole philosophy change. Hopefully the Jets defensive line coach is legit and it wasn’t all Saleh.

 

[cnuball21]

Maybe. The Cowboys are not good at drafting or developing defensive tackles. They need a whole philosophy change. Hopefully the Jets defensive line coach is legit and it wasn’t all Saleh.

The kid from Auburn we took last year is actually just that. Hopefully with a full season of training and new coaches he can help.

 

[Cowboyny]

You know I’ve got Harmon as a 1st
rounder and I think Nolen is too.

I understand it’s not an elite class but this talk of there only being like 11/12 1st rounder grades is quite an exaggeration to me.

I think most teams will have about 15. Also, remember some players ahead of us might not carry that grade like a QB for example.

Based on what Pauline said, who I trust very much throughout the years, we are looking at either WR, DT or LB in rd 1. Question is how will the Cowboys view the prospects? Wide receiver we have Burden Ebuka, Golden. DT-Harmon, Nolen, Grant and Campbell at LB.

 

[Cowboyny]

He’s a good player…but I think Osa is better. Both are stud rushers but Osa is a little better against the run.

I think they’ll get pretty similar contracts.

I remember most, including myself was worried about his competition he faced in college. Osa a the time was more of a 4th rd prospect and many thought we reached a rd higher for. Right now, they are similar players, but Milton is surrounded by far better talent.

 

[stilltheguru]

I see him as a late 1st rounder, probably a 25 pick

Brugler says he'll be a top 12 pick

 

[cnuball21]

I think most teams will have about 15. Also, remember some players ahead of us might not carry that grade like a QB for example.

Based on what Pauline said, who I trust very much throughout the years, we are looking at either WR, DT or LB in rd 1. Question is how will the Cowboys view the prospects? Wide receiver we have Burden Ebuka, Golden. DT-Harmon, Nolen, Grant and Campbell at LB.

I’m closer to 20…I’m going to actually start a thread on it.

 

[Cowboyny]

I’m closer to 20…I’m going to actually start a thread on it.

Think that might be a little higher for this yr

 

[cnuball21]

Think that might be a little higher for this yr

All 1st round grades aren’t created equal…Ex last year there were a lot more top 10ish talents and this year a lot more 15-25ish type talents.

 

[gimmesix]

Even if you resign Osa , Nolen wouid not be a bad pick . Hoping year three Mazi Smith is not Trysten Hill . The Cowboys have got to be better against the run to progress up the NFL ladder .

Yeah, the more I see about Nolen, the more I like him with the 12th pick. Some have him rated lower than that, but others seem to have him rising. He's a strong run stopper with pass rushing ability. May need to develop some as a pass rusher, but the skills are already there.

Mazi is already better than Trysten Hill and this defensive scheme should allow him to build on what Zimmer was having him do. Nolen would be give us a DT who can rotate in for either Mazi or Odig. (I'd actually play him next to Mazi on early downs.)

I'm hopefully we go hard after DTs in this draft (two in the first three picks) instead of bringing in journeymen or players at the end of their career. Maybe Mazi never gets there, but maybe he can be part of a rotation with other quality linemen. Same with Odig in a way. I don't think he's the stud 3-tech you need in this defensive alignment, but he is a very solid rotational piece. Nolen could be that stud.

The other DT I really like is Derrick Harmon, but his value seems to be a little lower still.

 

[RonWashington]

Yeah, the more I see about Nolen, the more I like him with the 12th pick. Some have him rated lower than that, but others seem to have him rising. He's a strong run stopper with pass rushing ability. May need to develop some as a pass rusher, but the skills are already there.

Mazi is already better than Trysten Hill and this defensive scheme should allow him to build on what Zimmer was having him do. Nolen would be give us a DT who can rotate in for either Mazi or Odig. (I'd actually play him next to Mazi on early downs.)

I'm hopefully we go hard after DTs in this draft (two in the first three picks) instead of bringing in journeymen or players at the end of their career. Maybe Mazi never gets there, but maybe he can be part of a rotation with other quality linemen. Same with Odig in a way. I don't think he's the stud 3-tech you need in this defensive alignment, but he is a very solid rotational piece. Nolen could be that stud.

The other DT I really like is Derrick Harmon, but his value seems to be a little lower still.

That whole defense at Ole Miss was attack . Nolen would be a solid hit in round one .

 

[Cowboyny]

All 1st round grades aren’t created equal…Ex last year there were a lot more top 10ish talents and this year a lot more 15-25ish type talents.

Yes, better depth this year, but weaker at the top. Dane said this top 10 might not make an impact that the usual top 10 players at it lacks true blue chip talent. I see about 7 legitimate players you cannot pass on: Hunter, Carter, Graham, T-Mac, Banks, Jeanty and Will Johnson. The rest will have similar grades throughout the rd.

 

[cnuball21]

Yes, better depth this year, but weaker at the top. Dane said this top 10 might not make an impact that the usual top 10 players at it lacks true blue chip talent. I see about 7 legitimate players you cannot pass on: Hunter, Carter, Graham, T-Mac, Banks, Jeanty and Will Johnson. The rest will have similar grades throughout the rd.

I might be generous with 1st round grades but I’m strict with blue chip grades.

In this class I have 1 blue chip prospect in Hunter…and it’s partially b/c of his position flex.

Last year? Probably had like 7/8…that class was unreal.

 

[Cowboyny]

I might be generous with 1st round grades but I’m strict with blue chip grades.

In this class I have 1 blue chip prospect in Hunter…and it’s partially b/c of his position flex.

Last year? Probably had like 7/8…that class was unreal.

I am confident in those listed outside maybe Johnson who I need to watch again as I hear others do think he belongs.

 

[cnuball21]

I am confident in those listed outside maybe Johnson who I need to watch again as I hear others do think he belongs.

Johnson is an easy top 10 prospect for me. Elite size, length and athleticism for his size and battle tested with good tape against the stud WRs from 2023.

He’s one of the easiest evaluations in the class for me. I think a Sauce comp is fair.

 

[Cowboyny]

Johnson is an easy top 10 prospect for me. Elite size, length and athleticism for his size and battle tested with good tape against the stud WRs from 2023.

He’s one of the easiest evaluations in the class for me. I think a Sauce comp is fair.

Some believe he won’t run cause he has average speed

 

[cnuball21]

Some believe he won’t run cause he has average speed

If he breaks 4.5 I’m on board…especially considering we might run more cover 2 zone.

Absolutely perfect fit for our new DC.

 

[stilltheguru]

Some believe he won’t run cause he has average speed

If he doesn't run he'd be off my board. He's not good enough to skip the 40.

 

[TNCowboy]

Tony Pauline stated that the Cowboys are looking for front 7 run defenders, who is the player who can make the biggest impact against the run in this year's class?

-I don't see an elite linebacker this year, Campbell is the closest to that, but still learning the position. Many believe Walker is more of an edge rusher.
-The Michigan DT's are probably the best run defenders, along with Williams from Ohio State at the position. Harmon is probably in the mix as well.
-There are a couple of LE prospects, like Williams from Georgia, but he is more about traits, then production.

JTT from OSU is a great run defender. So is the LB Knight from SC.

IMO, Jihaad Campbell is going to be a beast, a lot more of a 3 down guy that the SC kid.

 

[visionary]

Say Osa/Mazi are our returning starters, but we have nothing behind them. Best way to complete the unit is adding a veteran who can help right away and using a high pick at the position. Allow the rookie to get his feet wet and eventually become the starter.

Sign OSA and draft Grant after a 3-4 place drop to gain a 4th

Now your interior is much better

 

[cnuball21]

Sign OSA and draft Grant after a 3-4 place drop to gain a 4th

Now your interior is much better

Re sign Osa…trade down to around pick 20 adding a 2nd and 4th and take Grant? I could get on board!