The Past
2012
1 6 Morris Claiborne DB
3 81 Tyrone Crawford DE
4 113 Kyle Wilber LB
4 135 Matt Johnson DB
5 152 Danny Coale WR
6 186 James Hanna TE
7 222 Caleb McSurdy LB
2011
1 9 Tyron Smith OT
2 40 Bruce Carter LB
3 71 DeMarco Murray RB
4 110 David Arkin G
5 143 Josh Thomas DB
6 176 Dwayne Harris WR
7 220 Shaun Chapas RB
7 252 Bill Nagy C
2010
1 24 Dez Bryant WR
2 55 Sean Lee LB
4 126 Akwasi Owusu-Ansah DB
6 179 Sam Young OT
6 196 Jamar Wall DB
7 234 Sean Lissemore DT
The Cowboys have improved their draft strategy of late. The 2009 draft will be one that fans will tell their children about. Since then, Jason Garrett has done a nice job with his talent evaluation landing seven starters and three key role players.
If the Cowboys keep drafting this successfully, their cap problems will sort themselves out.
The Picks
Round 1 – 18 overall
Round 2 – 47 overall
Round 3 – 80 overall
Round 4 – 114 overall
Round 5 – 151 overall
Round 6 – 185 overall
The Needs
OG/OT- The Cowboys offensive line is need of serious repair. If the Cowboys hope to protect their investment in Tony Romo and increase the effectiveness of their run game, the offensive line needs some very large upgrades.
Defensive Tackle- Badly the Cowboys need to add a versatile 1-technique. Jay Ratliff is aging and Josh Brent is on his way to prison. While Ratliff can hold down the 3-technique position, the Cowboys could use a 1-tech who can play both interior positions. A “rushman” is the target here.
Safety- The transition to the Tampa 2 defense has left some wondering what the Cowboys will do at the free safety position. They just drafted Matt Johnson who was injured his rookie season but has solid all-around ability especially where coverage is concerned. Will they look for a prototypical Tampa 2 guy?
Running Back- Say what you want about DeMarco Murray, he’s a great guy with solid potential. He just can’t stay healthy! That’s an issue when you have an offense that relies on a productive run game to take the pressure off the receivers. A good spell guy and eventual replacement for Murray is a good idea here.
Depth at WR/DE/LB- The Cowboys need to build competition at these three positions where successors aren’t locks. The team would like to see Dwayne Harris, Tyrone Crawford and Kyle Wilbur emerge as players but they can get some insurance by drafting upside guys who can push for playing time.
The Prospects (Courtesy Scouts Inc. Draft Board):
First Round:
WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia – Would anyone rule out a pick like this? A bonafide gamebreaker.
OG Chance Warmack, Alabama – An elite road-grader with extreme potential.
OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina – Elite prospect w/ incredible and smooth technique. Very athletic.
OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama – A big right tackle with a nasty streak.
DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State – Pass rushing defense end with upside. Raw but J.J. Watt like ability.
DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri – Explosive 3-tech with non-stop motor.
DT Sylvester Williams, North Carolina – Versatile DT who can play all positions. Great work ethic.
S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas – Great speed and technique. Could solidify position for future.
Second Round:
WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson – Outside guy that would allow Austin to slot
WR Terrance Williams, Baylor – Speed reliant guy, needs coaching but solid potential
OT Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff – Athletic guy who would give Cowboys quick right tackle
OG Kyle Long, Oregon – Raw prospect with good work ethic. Needs coaching
OG Larry Warford, Kentucky – Power house prospect. Limited athleticism, elite strength and anchor.
DE DaMontre Moore, Texas A&M – Speed Rusher who saw stock fall.
DT Kawann Short, Purdue – Explosive guy who has been very underrated. Position versatile.
DT Jesse Williams, Alabama – 1-tech anchor who can establish LOS
OLB Sio Moore, UCONN – Great all-around player with versatile skill set.
S Eric Reid, LSU – Tampa 2 prototype?
S Jonathan Cyprien, Florida Int’l – Solid skill set, dangerous in all aspects of game.
Third Round
RB Giovani Bernard, North Carolina – Shifty all-around back with potential to be top-10 NFL back.
RB Andre Ellington, Clemson – Scat back with upside, can he be three down back?
RB Le’Veon Bell, Mich St – Tough back, deceptively explosive.
OT Brennan Williams, North Carolina – Athletic and strong. Injury leaves questions.
OG Brian Winters, Kent St. – Fast riser, good consolation prize.
OG Justin Pugh, Syracuse – 2nd/3rd tweener, would be first rounder in less deep class.
OC Barrett Jones, Alabama – Versatile lineman with good position flex. Very high football IQ.
S Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse – Good ball skills, needs to work on instincts.
S Phillip Thomas, Fresno St. – Rover type strong safety
Fourth Round
RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina – Top-10 ability, injury clouds future. I’d bet on him.
WR Ryan Swope, Texas A&M – Slot receiver with playmaking ability.
OT Jordan Mills, La Tech – Turning heads with impressive offseason workouts
OT/OG David Quessenberry, San Jose St. – Versatile guy, flashes solid play.
DE Devin Taylor, South Carolina – Freakish athlete. Big sleeper.
DT Jordan Hill, Penn State – 3-tech who can be disruptive as a pass-rusher.
DT Montori Hughes, Tenn-Martin – Huge 1-tech with good pass-rushing skills.
OLB Sean Porter, Texas A&M – SAM backer with all-around skill set.
S J.J. Wilcox, Georgia Southern – Sleeper prospect, excellent ball skills.
S Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma – Good ball skills, not good size.
Fifth/Sixth Rounds:
RB Stepfan Taylor, Stanford – Underrated balanced running back with good vision
RB Joseph Randle, Ok St. – See Stepfan Taylor
WR Conner Vernon, Duke – Good height, weight, speed guy.
WR Josh Boyce, TCU – Speed receiver with flashy playmaking skills. Must improve hands.
TE Philip Lutzenkrichen, Auburn – Excellent blocker with decent hands.
OG Alvin Bailey, Arkansas– Once an elite guard prospect, Bailey might be worth a look late.
OC Khaled Holmes, USC – Need something for the future at the position.
DE Joe Kruger, Utah – Balanced guy with good size and potential. Brother is in NFL.
OLB Gerald Hodges, Penn State – Penn State linebacker, need I say more?
OLB Michael Mauti, Penn State – See above
CB Micah Hyde, Iowa – Underrated corner. Good cover skills, willing tackler.
S Earl Wolff, North Carolina St. – Good ball skills, well-disciplined with good instincts.
S T.J. McDonald, USC – Bad coverage skills, dynamic in run support.
What To Watch For:
– Watch for the Cowboys to trade down in the first or second. They will be targeting specific players but if those players are gone or someone really falls, the Cowboys will be able to get value by trading
– The Cowboys won’t be afraid to take early skill players. If they feel like that player, whether a RB or WR, can be an asset moving forward they won’t hesitate.
– Going through my and Scouts Inc.’s Big Boards I’m starting to see that the Cowboy will likely need to have their offensive guard by the second round. If they wait till the third round they better hope they’re right in guessing that their target will fall to them.
– Two transaction situations to watch heading toward and into the draft: 1) Anthony Spencer and 2) Eric Winston. The Cowboys may look to deal Spencer if they feel like his $10+ million cap hit isn’t worth it. Additionally, the Cowboys are said to be interested in adding Winston. I expect that he may be added before the draft even begins.
The Mock
Round 1 (Trade 18 to Minnesota for 25 and 83): Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC
Round 2: Justin Pugh, OG, Syracuse
Round 3: Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama
Round 3 (From Minn): Sean Porter, OLB, Texas A&M
Round 4: Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford
Round 5: Earl Wolf, S, North Carolina State
Round 6: Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa
