It won’t be long before we will be subjected to an endless barrage of continuously changing mock-drafts. In anticipation of the mock draft season, we give you this week’s fan question:
Drew Knight, Ontario,Canada: I know it is difficult to predict the draft this early, most draft projections are not finished and it always depends on who is available. If you PRETENDED that there was a good player with good value at every position when the Cowboys were on the board, what positions would you draft in the first 3 rounds?
As we head into the off-season we may reply to fan questions with less regularity, but we will continue answering as many of your questions as possible. If you have questions for the Landry Hat writers, please email us at cjlandryhat@hotmail.com
Click on the link to read our answers.
Mark Contreras: To me, that’s an easy question as I have thought about this since the first Philadelphia game. In a perfect world, it has to be CB, OL, DL. Maybe even CB, OL, CB. But seeing as this is NOT a perfect world, you really have to play to the VALUE of the pick. The Cowboys are thin at almost every position. The Cowboys don’t need a good cornerback with the 14th overall pick, they need a good football player.
Johnathan Barger: Since we are playing pretend for best case scenario… (I wonder if Jerry does this before each draft with replica action figures of the players in the draft?) We have to decide what came first, the chicken or the egg? Is it the pass rush that lead to the break downs in the secondary, or the bad secondary not giving the pass rush that extra nano second to get to the QB? I believe that after much deliberation that the secondary laid a huge egg, and it wasn’t a golden goose. 1st round: I get a CB or a safety, preferably a CB because this draft is weak in the safety class as of yet. 2nd round: bull dozer NT; I’m talking Vince Wilfork/B.J. Ragi bull dozer (this solves some of our pass rush issues because Ratliff moves to end and earns 4 more Pro Bowls). 3rd round: Center/Guard or depending on the perceived development of Nagy/Arkin/Kowlaski/Costa … pick up a Tight End. Witten is only 30, but Marty B will be gone, and I don’t think the Pats are complaining about the 2 studs they have at the TE spot…
Seth Jones: CENTER. No more Costa, please. Cornerbacks and safeties come next.
Ashley Bolton: Secondary, offensive line and defensive line. Have to protect Romo but defensive holes have to be fixed.
At 6'3" and 337 lbs., Alameda Taamu (Washington Huskies)is one of the few 'true' NT's projected to go in the 1st round.
C. Joseph Wright: I don’t think that the Cowboys will draft an OL in the first round. Tyron Smith was the first OL drafted by Dallas in the 1st round since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989. Moreover, you rarely see a O-Lineman taken in the first round unless it is a tackle. The Cowboys don’t need a tackle. The once exception is a Center that seems ‘NFL-ready’, but that is also fairly rare.
I don’t think the Cowboys will use one of the first 2 picks on the OL, and probably not even the 3rd. I think they will pick up a few inexpensive veterans for depth, but they will likely expect to see significant improvements in the 4 ‘near-rookies’ from this season (Phil Costa, David Arkin, Bill Nagy, and Kevin Kowalaski). Their will be high expectations next season for this group of young lineman. The expectations are undoubtedly based on the benefits of a full off-season with Strength and Conditioning genius Mike Woicik. All 4 of those young players should be much bigger and stronger by September.
Don’t forget that Kyle Kosier is under contract for 2 more years, so they really only need a starting Center and one Guard from the four young O-Lineman.
If there was a quality NT available, I would take him in the 1st round. A traditional 3-4 NT who could clog up the middle would help tremendously against the run. Similarly, moving Jay Ratliff to end for some plays would improve the pass rush. If the Cowboys do get a NT that is good enough to start in September, look for Rob Ryan both both DT’s in some situations, even if it looks more like a 4-3 alignment.
I would take a NT in the first round over a CB because I think a monster DT is more likely to be ‘NFL ready’ than a CB, and a CB is more likely to ‘not live up to’ being a top 15 pick. Look back at how many people wanted the Cowboys to draft Prince Amukamara. I would be shocked if anyone would trade Tyron Smith for Amukamara at this point.
If you spend the first pick on a NT, then the next pick almost has to be used for the secondary, preferably a corner who has the potential to start in September (as difficult as that may be in the middle of the 2nd round).
The third pick should be used to improve the pass-rush with either an OLB or a DE. The status of Anthony Spencer will be important. If he is re-signed, then DE is a higher priority. The DE’s (except for Lissemore) are all close to the 30 years old or older; that unit needs some youthful talent.
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Tags: 2011 NFL Draft, 2012 NFL Draft, Anthony Spencer, Bill Nagy, Cowboys, Dallas Cowboys, David Arkin, Jason Garrett, Jay Ratliff, Jerry Jones, Kevin Kowalski, Kyle Kosier, Mike Woicik, mock drafts, Phil Costa, Rob Ryan, Tyron Smith
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Thank you CJ for not putting CB just because it’s a need. There is a chance the top two CBs are gone by our pick. If that’s the case you don’t just draft the next CB cause you need one. You take a CB if he is worth that 14th pick. If not and there is a good DT you take him. Our pressure was almost as bad as our secondary. The last time I checked also the Giants dont have a Revis in there secondary but they do hit the QB. Don’t get me wrong we do need CB I’m just saying don’t say we need to just draft one with the 14th pick. You are right CJ we need a bigger DT. Ratliff was handled the whole Giants game he didn’t move the middle at all and Manning could move around to the right cause he only had to worry about Ware. I still think DT gives you the quickest fix because you then can get some pressure and pick up a free agent CB maybe.
So many needs where do you start!? RG, C, CB, both FS & SS, NT! Lets not forget depth at LB because after this year Brooking will liekly be doneski & Bradie James is on the decline. Dallas has to acquire a solid playmaker opposite side of D. Ware. It’s just sickening to see the New York Giants D-Line dominant for so many years and they just keep drafting phenominal players along the defensive line (i.e. JPP).
Spencer will likely be resigned to some jaw dropping contract extension as only Jerry Jones does and then will likely end-up providing only depth at the position.
Sean Lee needs a total beast with speed beside him defending the middle of the field. A middle LB who can start from day one & happens to have that killer instinctive mean streak is at the top of my wish list. Who knows if Bruce Carter can be that? Maybe so but in the mean time bring him along at his own pace and he could pan out to be solid depth if nothing else.
Defensively the Cowboys are behind the eightball when it comes to the team speed and toughness needed to compete with the likes of division rivals such as the Eagles and the Giants…and believe me when I say that pains me to no end to admit.
My guess is Jerry will take a punter in the 1st and a backup kicker in the second and possibly water boy in the 3rd followed by a guy in the 4th to tag a long behind Garrett in case the batteries in his headset run out. We may even draft a cheerleader. Im just kidding, but whats sad is those picks would be about as valuable as what jerry has accomplished over the years.
Cj i like your points. My opinion is if kirkpatrick is there at 14 that he would be a solid draft , but as you said if he isnt there you cannot reach because it is a need. We could possibly land a NT or pass rushing LB in that spot and find a CB in a later round.
I am not sure about this but i heard stephen jones say the other day that the cowboys will have money this offseason and can make any move they want. I am not sure how but whatever, if that is the case then maybe drafting a CB later and signing one of the FA corners to a descent deal could be an option. My opinion, the secondary has a lot of holes and the quickest way to close the holes a little bit is to create more pressure. Obviously that would cause them to not be in coverage as long. So depending on how the draft plays out if there is a more valuable NT and Pass rushing LB i like that idea. We 100% need a CB but i said draft what brings the most value. We can find a CB off the street to play as well as everybody we have with the exception of jenkins.
@jamesabel7 With McBriar’s uncertain future and only one other punter on the current roster, I can’t believe I overlooked the need for a punter, thanks for the insight! lol
It would not surprise me to see a CB in the first round either. I don’t know much about Kirkpatrick yet, but he certainly has the size you want at 6’2”. I can’t see spending a 1st rounder on a CB under 6 foot; too many of the receivers are 6’4” and 6’5” these days.
I also heard that about Stephen Jones; it will certainly add to the excitement of free agency.
@j0eo1s I think the Cowboys need to re-sign Spencer, but it should not be a longer than 2 or 3 years, and it must be fairly priced (i.e. not Marion Barber or T-New, or even Miles Austin).
You are right about the ILB’s; they are putting a lot of faith in Bruce Carter; I think they will part ways with Brooking and probably James, but they will bring in some moderately priced vets to give Sean Lee and Carter some depth. Having spent early round draft choices in consecutive years at ILB, you would hope to not need to use another high draft choice on that position for a few years.
@jbbravo Thanks. I am not sure that a monster DT will be a ‘quick fix’, but I am sure that it is the simplest way to fundamentally change/improve this defense. I agree that a mammoth NT will have far more of an impact in general with the defense than adding a Pro-Bowl corner.
Rob Ryan’s version of the 3-4 really requires a huge NT who can plug up the middle of the line of scrimmage; I fully expect Jerry Jones to get Ryan what he needs to run his defense.
@jbbravo
The question said in a “PRETEND” perfect world which is assuming there would be a great value pick for said positions.
Don’t pound on the contributors for assuming the “perfect world” scenario and picking a CB.
I see what you’re saying but the contributors were merely following the boundaries laid out by the question.
@MrCowboy74 Yea I just re read the question but I wasn’t exactly pounding anyone just tired of hearing CB!CB!CB! everytime the discussion comes up what to do with the 14th pick. Sorry the question threw me off since I didn’t expect someone to ask to pretend like madden or something. The only way I use that pick on a CB is if Dre falls that far other wise I go DT,OL or OLB.
@jbbravo@MrCowboy74 I would personally still take a NT who had top-15 talent over a CB with top-15 talent.
@cjwright@jbbravo
Check my latest e-mail, CJ and you’ll see why the playoffs are making me agree with you
@cjwright I don’t know it would depend. If I knew Dre was sitting there and would be a great player I might want him more. Just because it seems to be harder to find great CBs. Now if I knew he would be just good and there was a good DT I might consider a DT instead I just would hate to use a 14th pick and end up with a Jenkins instead of big DT. I do want someone on that line that is just plain mean. Always pushing players and talking crap and actually backing up not a Crayton in other words.
Then again a great pass rush can cause a QB to throw turnovers making the secondary look good.
@jbbravo One of the needs that often gets overlooked is a real swing-tackle. As of right now, the Cowboys have only Jeremy Parnell at Tackle if Doug Free or Tyron Smith goes down. Parnell only played one year at the U of Mississippi and it was as a DE. Electing to not have a veteran (or reliable) swing-tackle is a huge risk to take. I don’t think that either Tackle missed a game last year, but I would hate to see Parnell dealing with the Giants or Eagles pass-rush on a week’s notice. The need for a back-up tackle is probably better addressed through free agency though.
needs corner backs, QB to push Romo, his window is closing, plus need two good QB,S one is hard to get thru a season without injury, should give a draft pick,and send knucklehead Dez Bryant away, He is a train wreck waiting to happen
CORNERBACK!!!
Mess it up!!
lol….anytime, to think like Jerry you just have to think of the dumbest possible idea and then there you will find your self looking through his eyes
I agree Kirkpatrick is a bug guy i watched him play several games on TV of course, he looks like he is going to be really good. But if he doesnt fall to us then i totally agree with you we need to look else where there is no need to reach for a position when we have so many holes. I pray we dont end up with the guy from north alabama…looks to be a really good talent but he is just a hoodlum we do not need that on our team.
Hilarious!!
DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Cowboys need to hire players of substance! Who the heck is in charge?!…And why do we keep bringing in losers?!?!
CB, DL, OLB or Center! Only a few quality CB’s, good DL’s into the second, but Costa has to go! Free agent Center or OLB, then draft the other. FA center is more ideal!! IMO
Dre Kirkpatrick
We need to finalize the offensive line transformation and if Dave DeCastro is available with our 1st pick he should be selected. The remaining draft should focus on the defense. The defense will require 2 drafts. The playoffs this year has taught us some important changes. Offensive is important more so than defense. Look at the Packers and Patriots. Large TE and WR are key so why should we be drafting 5’10″ DB’s? Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama or Stephon Gilmore CB from South Carolina who is 6’1″ is a strong candidate. Our focus should be on larger DB’s. Speed is essential. Look what Sproles did for the Saints. Dallas should look at LaMichael James RB from Oregon to provide that kind of spark.
Go Cowboys!
@jrcowboy Kirkpatrick seems to be NFL quality talent but after his recent bust for possession of the sticky icky would the Cowboys be better suited to look elsewhere? That leaves to quality NFL talents at CB with J. Jenkins & Kirkpatrick that should eliminate themselves from teh Dallas draft board but likely won’t.
Dre Kirkpatrick’s recent issue with wacky tobacky should not neccessarily preclude this pick. However there needs to be a ” personal behavior” clause in his contract that adjusts his salary for violating the league and Cowboys rules. The pocket book is a strong motivator and character developer. This should be standard operating proceedure for all contracts.