Woods
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 12,460
- Reaction score
- 61
Assumptions:
1. No trades in this mock draft version
2. Cowboys pick up a reasonably priced veteran FG kicker in the off-season (i.e., Stover)
Round 1
Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
6-5, 325/330 lbs
First of all, I actually think there is a reasonable chance he drops to 27. Though Iupati has 35" inch arms, has good feet for a big man, etc., he's going to be an OG for at least the next couple of years. Down the line, I think he has the versatility to likely play RT as well. But we all know that OG tend to drop. The first 4-5 OL will probably be OTs, IMO. I think Iupati could drop right to our spot.
The question then is does JJ stay at 27 or does he trade down? Does he trade down for a Safety, for example? If we really like Iupati, an OG, at 27, my guess is that our scouts think he has Pro Bowl potential. And if that's the case, I think we draft him. It will be difficult to turn down a potential Pro Bowl quality player, even though quality OGs can be had in the lower rounds.
Round 2
Morgan Burnett, FS, Georgia Tech
6-1, 210 lbs, 4.54
So, the Cowboys want a playmaker at Safety? Someone with ball skills? Check this out: In 2007 Burnett had 3 ints, in 2008 he had 7 ints, and in 2009 he had 4 ints. In his Georgia Tech career, Burnett has had 14 ints. I believe in 2008 Burnett had more interceptions alone than the remainder of the team's secondary. Also, given Burnett's athleticism, he also played some nickel CB in college. Thus, he offers some versatility which would be useful for the Cowboys secondary. Burnett also had good size for the FS position.
Round 3
J Ford, WR, Clemson
5-09, 185 lbs, 4.3 (maybe faster)
He's not just a track star trying to play WR. Yes, he did win the 60mm NCAA indoor event in 2009. And he does run around a 10.2 sec 100mm. But, as he proved at the Senior Bowl, he does have good hands. In fact, he showed some of the best hands at the Senior Bowl, to the surprise of many. Importantly, he also can return kickoffs. We know that the team is looking for an upgrade in that department. Ford gives the Cowboys another guy who can stretch the field, along with Austin and F Jones.
Interestingly, Ford's legs are built like a RBs. And at Clemson, he was used in a variety of ways, including as a runner (in some formations), etc. I think Ford is the type of player Garrett can put together a set number of plays for in a game and can get a lot out of this player. For example, Ford can be used for reverses, fly patterns, quick WR screens, etc. The opposing defenses will have to respect his speed. And Ford can catch. It's not that he's only a burner.
Round 4
Kyle Calloway, OT, Iowa
6-6, 322 lbs, 5.28
Kyle Calloway is a RT prospect, and he has the size the Cowboys like, along with Iupati. That said, he has also played some LT and OG at Iowa. Personally, I think Calloway can be a starter at RT down the line. If Free is focused on LT, Calloway could eventually be the RT in a couple of years.
Round 6
Walter Thurmond, CB, Oregon
5-11, 182 lbs, 4.53
Walter should be healthy by the Combines (or so he expects). Worst case is that he'll run at his Pro Day in March. Again, here's another guy who was a playmaker in college - until his injury. He had 11 ints in his Oregon career. If not for his injury, Walter could easily have been a Day 1 pick. Also, Walter was the primary kick returner at Oregon in 2008, averaging about 25.1 yards per kickoff. I think this guy is worth the injury risk - so long as the medical staff has checked him out. I'm looking forward to his times at the Combine/Pro Day.
Round 7
Danny Batten, OLB/ILB/DE, South Dakota State
6-4, 252 lbs, 4.68
A couple of people on this board have highlighted this player. I have to admit, he looks like an intriguing prospect. After some preliminary research, it appears that various teams, including the Bears, are intersted in him.
His versatility would help him with a roster spot on the team. I envision him playing ILB in Wade's 34. Our starting 4 LBs are set, we know that V Butler, B Williams, and J Williams make the team. Carpenter probably also makes the team as a nickel LB. That's already 8 LBs. Then there's Octavian, Hodge, etc. Who we keep as the 9th LB, for example, has to be able to play STs and any additional versatilty is critical. Batten has a chance since he can likely play multiple LB positions.
Comments welcome.
1. No trades in this mock draft version
2. Cowboys pick up a reasonably priced veteran FG kicker in the off-season (i.e., Stover)
Round 1
Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
6-5, 325/330 lbs
First of all, I actually think there is a reasonable chance he drops to 27. Though Iupati has 35" inch arms, has good feet for a big man, etc., he's going to be an OG for at least the next couple of years. Down the line, I think he has the versatility to likely play RT as well. But we all know that OG tend to drop. The first 4-5 OL will probably be OTs, IMO. I think Iupati could drop right to our spot.
The question then is does JJ stay at 27 or does he trade down? Does he trade down for a Safety, for example? If we really like Iupati, an OG, at 27, my guess is that our scouts think he has Pro Bowl potential. And if that's the case, I think we draft him. It will be difficult to turn down a potential Pro Bowl quality player, even though quality OGs can be had in the lower rounds.
Round 2
Morgan Burnett, FS, Georgia Tech
6-1, 210 lbs, 4.54
So, the Cowboys want a playmaker at Safety? Someone with ball skills? Check this out: In 2007 Burnett had 3 ints, in 2008 he had 7 ints, and in 2009 he had 4 ints. In his Georgia Tech career, Burnett has had 14 ints. I believe in 2008 Burnett had more interceptions alone than the remainder of the team's secondary. Also, given Burnett's athleticism, he also played some nickel CB in college. Thus, he offers some versatility which would be useful for the Cowboys secondary. Burnett also had good size for the FS position.
Round 3
J Ford, WR, Clemson
5-09, 185 lbs, 4.3 (maybe faster)
He's not just a track star trying to play WR. Yes, he did win the 60mm NCAA indoor event in 2009. And he does run around a 10.2 sec 100mm. But, as he proved at the Senior Bowl, he does have good hands. In fact, he showed some of the best hands at the Senior Bowl, to the surprise of many. Importantly, he also can return kickoffs. We know that the team is looking for an upgrade in that department. Ford gives the Cowboys another guy who can stretch the field, along with Austin and F Jones.
Interestingly, Ford's legs are built like a RBs. And at Clemson, he was used in a variety of ways, including as a runner (in some formations), etc. I think Ford is the type of player Garrett can put together a set number of plays for in a game and can get a lot out of this player. For example, Ford can be used for reverses, fly patterns, quick WR screens, etc. The opposing defenses will have to respect his speed. And Ford can catch. It's not that he's only a burner.
Round 4
Kyle Calloway, OT, Iowa
6-6, 322 lbs, 5.28
Kyle Calloway is a RT prospect, and he has the size the Cowboys like, along with Iupati. That said, he has also played some LT and OG at Iowa. Personally, I think Calloway can be a starter at RT down the line. If Free is focused on LT, Calloway could eventually be the RT in a couple of years.
Round 6
Walter Thurmond, CB, Oregon
5-11, 182 lbs, 4.53
Walter should be healthy by the Combines (or so he expects). Worst case is that he'll run at his Pro Day in March. Again, here's another guy who was a playmaker in college - until his injury. He had 11 ints in his Oregon career. If not for his injury, Walter could easily have been a Day 1 pick. Also, Walter was the primary kick returner at Oregon in 2008, averaging about 25.1 yards per kickoff. I think this guy is worth the injury risk - so long as the medical staff has checked him out. I'm looking forward to his times at the Combine/Pro Day.
Round 7
Danny Batten, OLB/ILB/DE, South Dakota State
6-4, 252 lbs, 4.68
A couple of people on this board have highlighted this player. I have to admit, he looks like an intriguing prospect. After some preliminary research, it appears that various teams, including the Bears, are intersted in him.
His versatility would help him with a roster spot on the team. I envision him playing ILB in Wade's 34. Our starting 4 LBs are set, we know that V Butler, B Williams, and J Williams make the team. Carpenter probably also makes the team as a nickel LB. That's already 8 LBs. Then there's Octavian, Hodge, etc. Who we keep as the 9th LB, for example, has to be able to play STs and any additional versatilty is critical. Batten has a chance since he can likely play multiple LB positions.
Comments welcome.
