RS12
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After publishing my first Cowboys-only mock draft, some of you seemed surprised that I projected a wide receiver to the Cowboys. That one was Elon’s Aaron Mellette in the sixth round, but I think team could target a wide receiver even earlier than that. It’s hardly a necessity, but the need for a third wide receiver with size is underrated. Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley are fine, but what happens if Miles Austin or Dez Bryant go down? Dallas would either need to force Harris into a position on the outside where he’s not suited or start a really sub-optimal wide receiver.
On top of that, the third receiver played a major role in the Cowboys’ offense last year; the ‘Boys lined up with at least three receivers on 56 percent of their offensive snaps. Everyone knows the Cowboys need a backup running back, but the third receiver is arguably a lot more important. Kevin Ogletree, who didn’t start a single game in 2012, played nearly 100 more snaps than Felix Jones, who started seven games. And that’s Kevin Ogletree—hardly an elite option.
When the Cowboys use three receivers, Miles Austin moves into the slot. He gives the team flexibility to equip themselves with the best possible third receiver, regardless of his skill set. There’s no reason to think that player needs to be a small, shifty slot receiver. Based on historical success at the position, that player should actually have elite size.
Today’s feature—Tennessee Tech’s Da’Rick Rogers—has the potential to be a superstar in the NFL. Currently rated in the top 40 on my latest big board, Rogers transferred from Tennessee after a productive sophomore season of 67 catches, 1,040 yards, and nine touchdowns.
Scouting Report
From a purely physical standpoint, Rogers is a very intriguing prospect. At 6-3, 217 pounds, Rogers has “prototypical” wide receiver size. He couples it with 4.52 speed, making him one of the better size-speed combination players available this year. Rogers also recorded a 39.5-inch vertical, 11-0 broad jump, and remarkable 4.06 short shuttle, giving more evidence that he’s an explosive athlete.
Actually, Rogers compares very favorably to a bunch of recent highly-drafted receivers. His closest comp might be Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd. At 220 pounds, Floyd ran a 4.47, but he actually scored a lower percentage of his team’s yards and touchdowns in his best season at Notre Dame than Rogers in his 2011 season at Tennessee. Floyd—a player with the same measurables as Rogers and comparable stats—was drafted at No. 13 overall.
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...d.html/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
On top of that, the third receiver played a major role in the Cowboys’ offense last year; the ‘Boys lined up with at least three receivers on 56 percent of their offensive snaps. Everyone knows the Cowboys need a backup running back, but the third receiver is arguably a lot more important. Kevin Ogletree, who didn’t start a single game in 2012, played nearly 100 more snaps than Felix Jones, who started seven games. And that’s Kevin Ogletree—hardly an elite option.
When the Cowboys use three receivers, Miles Austin moves into the slot. He gives the team flexibility to equip themselves with the best possible third receiver, regardless of his skill set. There’s no reason to think that player needs to be a small, shifty slot receiver. Based on historical success at the position, that player should actually have elite size.
Today’s feature—Tennessee Tech’s Da’Rick Rogers—has the potential to be a superstar in the NFL. Currently rated in the top 40 on my latest big board, Rogers transferred from Tennessee after a productive sophomore season of 67 catches, 1,040 yards, and nine touchdowns.
Scouting Report
From a purely physical standpoint, Rogers is a very intriguing prospect. At 6-3, 217 pounds, Rogers has “prototypical” wide receiver size. He couples it with 4.52 speed, making him one of the better size-speed combination players available this year. Rogers also recorded a 39.5-inch vertical, 11-0 broad jump, and remarkable 4.06 short shuttle, giving more evidence that he’s an explosive athlete.
Actually, Rogers compares very favorably to a bunch of recent highly-drafted receivers. His closest comp might be Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd. At 220 pounds, Floyd ran a 4.47, but he actually scored a lower percentage of his team’s yards and touchdowns in his best season at Notre Dame than Rogers in his 2011 season at Tennessee. Floyd—a player with the same measurables as Rogers and comparable stats—was drafted at No. 13 overall.
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...d.html/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
