2008 NFL Draft

by orangeblood1 on Dec 1, 2007 6:55 PM CST Comment 33 comments

Ok, I know that the draft is quite a ways away still, and the 'Boys have, eh-hem, Super things to care of this season. Still, this being championship Sat. in college football, along with the other diary posted earlier, has got me thinking about the draft.

I just want to get a feel for what everyone thinks the team's needs are. Who do you think we should go after to fill said needs.

Also, are those needs bad enough to trade both 1st round picks to move up into the top 5 or 10, or do we keep them?

Personally, I think we need to pick up either a S or CB, but it's a weak year for the secondary, so I think this can be addressed in rounds 2-3. I think Trae Williams or Marcus Griffin would be a good pickup.

We also could use a QB to backup The Franchise, but definately don't want to use a 1st rounder on the guy. If Dixon or Flynn fall far enough, I think they'd be good fits.

I still can't decide on what to do with those almost pesky 1s though. If they aren't planning on keeping both JJ and MB3, I think they should take a look at Mike Hart or Allen Patrick. In that scenerio, I say take a OL with the other 1. It wouldn't hurt to build some depth on this prize O-line Dallas has put together.

If they do plan on keeping both Barber and Jones, I think that pick should be a WR & OL. Unless they want to target a top line WR to compliment TO, then they should trade up and take a shot at Sweed, though he might fall anyway, and Bowman is a good consolation.

If it were up to me, I say don't trade up, keep what they have and start building some major depth.

What's everyone else think?

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CB and WR in the first round...

Running Back in the second. Aside from that, there aren't a ton of holes to fill, so they can just go for the best player available with the rest of the picks.

I see no reason to trade up. Plenty of bargains to be had in the later part of the first round... damn you, Derek Anderson!

I'd hire Jason Garrett. He is the only guy I have ever met who, no matter what business I was involved in, I'd hire. -Troy Aikman

by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 1, 2007 11:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

No trade ups

Just get a solid CB in round 1 (and the argument against taking a CB worthy of starting right away doesn't hold any weight, if the Cowboys went by that mentality we'd have to wait until we have another top 10 pick).

The 2 CB's I've actually seen play that impressed me are Aqib Talib from Kansas and Reggie Smith of Oklahoma. If anyone else has seen some impressive CB's, let's hear about them.

I think we could trade down with one of our 1st rounders if there isn't anyone worth the pick. But we'll need a RB if JuJo leaves (which is 50/50, IMO)

Oh, yeah, and damn Derek Anderson!

by APerfectStar on Dec 1, 2007 11:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

no CB or corner in the first round

I want you to go look back at the past ten years worth of drafts and look at the success rate for CBs and WRs chosen from picks 22-30, which is where ours is going to be. Expand it a little...go from 18-40 if you will.

It's abysmal. Best case scenario for a receiver is Reggie Wayne, who, while great now, didn't contribute for the first 2 years, was OK in year 3, and didn't become a really good play until year 4.

The success rate for RBs, DTs and safeties is much better.

by TimSchultz36 on Dec 2, 2007 12:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I pick one up in the second

CB Dwight Lowery – 6- 1 #190 San Jose St
CB Terrell Thomas 6-1 #200 USC

by Arkcowboys on Dec 2, 2007 12:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So we have to wait another year(s)???

CB is our top need, and I trust Jeff Ireland to scout them all. I'm not saying take one to just take one, but if there's a good CB there, Dallas is taking him.
I don't need to look at the past 10 years of Cowboys draft to tell me that.

by APerfectStar on Dec 2, 2007 12:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm...

My opinion of the best from each year. WR (Pick); CB (Pick)

Dennis Northcutt (32); Ahmed Plummer (24)

Ocho Cinco (36) [also Reggie Wayne (30)]; Nate Clements (21) [also Will Allen (22), Ken Lucas (40)]

Javon Walker (20); Lito Sheppard (26)

Bryant Johnson (17-closest to 18-40); Nnamdi. Asomugha (31) [also Charles Tillman (35), Rashaun Mathis (39)]

Michael Jenkins (29-only one taken between 18-40, but Michael Clayton (15) and Devery Henderson (50) were that year); Chris Gamble (28)

R. White (27) [also Mark Clayton (22)]; Marlin Jackson (29) [also Fabian Washington (23)]

Santonio Holmes (25); A. Cromartie (19)

In looking at it, it seems like instead of saying there is a poor success rate overall, I would say it depends on the strength of the class. I mean, if this is like 2004, then it may not make sense to take a WR. But if it's 2001, I'd love to have to decide between Reggie Wayne and Chad Johnson.

I do agree with you that it seems like safeties who are picked from this range seem to work out well (Ed Reed, Troy Palumalu(16), Reggie Nelson), but it's not 100%. The thing with RB is that it seems like you can get an NFL average starter from any round, but I think most would agree that the chances are better of ending up with a Pro-Bowl caliber RB from the 1st round.

"It was a 4-yard run taking the scenic route." -Joe Buck on Romo's Run

by GhettoBear04 on Dec 2, 2007 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

not Hart or Allen

OL pick up

Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
Height: 6-6. Weight: 340.
40 Time: 5.24.
Projected Round: 2-3.
Started every game for Pittsburgh in 2006, protecting Tyler Palko. Not a bad 40 considering his 340-pound frame

he is as big as Flo right now

by Arkcowboys on Dec 2, 2007 12:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Where are you going to play him?

The O-line is pretty much set for the next couple of years, even if Flozell leaves.

I'd hire Jason Garrett. He is the only guy I have ever met who, no matter what business I was involved in, I'd hire. -Troy Aikman

by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 2, 2007 9:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

drafting a OL high in this years draft is not going to happen. We have plenty of depth on the OL.

by Cowboys81 on Dec 2, 2007 1:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

WR, RB, DB

Round 1: Malcolm Kelly
Felix Jones
Round 2: Terrell Thomas

Done deal...

by N41D on Dec 2, 2007 12:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Or...

Reggie Smith
Felix Jones
Adarius Bowman/Limas Sweed/Darius Heyward-Bey

by N41D on Dec 2, 2007 12:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely not sweed

He was supposed to be a Roy Williams prototype at Texas and he underachieved. Maybe I'm wrong and he could be good in the league, but i'd rather take someone else at WR

by groves on Dec 2, 2007 5:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sweed

I'll grant you that Sweed did underperform a bit. That said, you have to wonder how he would have done if he hadn't had a completely incompetant offensive coordinator at the helm. As someone who has seen the longhorns first hand for the past three years, I can't understate just how awful the coaching has been this year (both Mack and Greg Davis). Plus, he had a wrist injury that he was playing through for the whole year. He's a big, fast receiver who projects well to the NFL. He might not be an impact player immediately, but I think he'll turn into an asset given a couple of years.

by Hookem on Dec 2, 2007 10:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hes to slow

Limas Sweed, Texas (7/31)
Height: 6-5. Weight: 218.
40 Time: 4.54.

by Arkcowboys on Dec 2, 2007 11:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

why waste that pick on a WR

when you could a top notch OT

take a WR in the third

WR Steve Johnson 6-3 #200 Kentucky - He has game-winning catches against Louisville and LSU

WR Lavelle Hawkins 6 - 2 #190 Cal

WR Marcus Henry 6 – 4 #210 Kansas

WR Darius Rynaud 6 – 2 #205 West Vir

by Arkcowboys on Dec 2, 2007 12:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn straight!

I like your first 2 picks, especially Malcolm Kelly

The dudes legit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9W7n...

I don't know if any of you have seen his freestyle he does with his teamates. Some random youtube guy tossed a beat behind it. Kinda cool.

original:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9Rii...

revised:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE6qX...

by sublimezg on Dec 2, 2007 9:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

If he really does this all the time (his hands) he is a real gem. He looks faster than most of the DBs in the video. Draft Scout lists him at 4.54 but he looked faster on the field. He is ranked 2nd in the junior class by NFL Draft Scout behind DeSean Jackson. I have seen Jackson play several times (on TV) and he might be the fastest starter I have seen and pure raw speed - he will run around 4.3 in the Combine I expect and with some coaching and prep maybe better. The one player replaces Terrell and the other replaces Terry.

The question we should ask on drafting a high round receiver is: is he appreciably better than Austin or Hurd?

by lee3022 on Dec 2, 2007 10:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll bet Jackson runs a 4.1 - 4.2 at the Combine

I like him as well but I really think larger receivers have so much of an advantage in most situations. I initially really wanted to draft Jackson because his receiver/return guy potential, and of course his speed. The scouts know what's best and I'm sure whoever we wind up with will do well here.

by sublimezg on Dec 3, 2007 8:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow I think you really overrate his speed

Ted Ginn is faster than Desean. Jackson probably runs in the high 4.3's at best. And he hasn't really been that good at all this year. I am so baffled why people like him so much.

Burt-D

by Burt D on Dec 3, 2007 12:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps

But if he get higher than a 4.3 I'll be surprised.

by sublimezg on Dec 3, 2007 1:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's a really in depth draft site

Just in case anyone is interested. All you could ever want to know about college players and then some.

http://www.cfbstats.com/

by APerfectStar on Dec 2, 2007 1:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Trade Down Again

I hope we get the opportunity to trade down and pick up another 1st rounder next year. If we keep doing that, eventually one of those picks will end up being pretty high. I thought this one would be but freaking Cleveland is playing out of their minds right now.

Anyway, if we can trade down with one of those two picks I say we do it.

by Richard Joke on Dec 2, 2007 7:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Easy: RB

Jammal Charles.

by Longhorn on Dec 2, 2007 12:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He would be a nice compliment to MB3...

Lots of speed to counter The Barbarian's... barbarism.

I'd hire Jason Garrett. He is the only guy I have ever met who, no matter what business I was involved in, I'd hire. -Troy Aikman

by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 3, 2007 9:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it all depends how the draft plays out

We're going to have 2 picks at the end of 1st rd so there is a chance we could trade out with one of those picks and maybe pick up an extra second or third.

CB, WR, RB are obvious needs, but it all depends who is available when we're picking.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 2, 2007 12:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jason Rivers

Hawaii reciever. He could probably be had late. WR is a concern, with the age on that side, but I really don't see a game changer this year worth using a 1st round pick on. Kelly/Doucet/Sweed, look like they can be had when the Cowboys late 1, and you could make cases about all of them being better than each other. I'd like to see them go CB and RB, respectively. Preferably, Talib/Jenkins and Rice/Slaton.

by sprite on Dec 2, 2007 1:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Trade with Miami

Miami is gonna suck for the next couple of years, they need help now, I say we trade both of our first round picks this year for a second rounder and Miami's first rounders the next two years.....seriously, why are we still talking about the draft, its months away, the dead horse has beaten enough!

Super Bowl party at my place, Dallas vs. ?, who's in?

by stevefs12 on Dec 2, 2007 8:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

heres how the teams stack up

still a cahnce at Dmac

Maimi - 0-11 most of the boards have them picking Dorsey

SF 3-9 - have F Gore - which is NE pick

St Louis 3-9 - have Steve Jackson

Alanta 3-9 - will go after Brohm

by Arkcowboys on Dec 2, 2007 11:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

no chance at DMac

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 3, 2007 7:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would think getting dmac unlikely also but

if there is one player that might make a difference on this team next year it would be dmac. A CB might need a little more seasoning (but would be our biggest need) and a WR is a gamble (but needed again). We may not need a big time RB but he would probably give us the biggest impact.

If Jones really wants him, I wouldn't count the deal maker out, but I do think MB3 has earned a shot as the starter and drafting dmac is a little of a shitty move on a guy whose play this team thrives on.

by BigE on Dec 3, 2007 8:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm

not getting into it, but there is a better chance of Jerry making a move for DMAC or another first round RB than drafting a CB. Like you said e and you have the right attitude that a rookie CB will need more seasoning. For anyone to think a rookie CB can come in here and make a difference doesn't know what they are talking about. CB is one of the toughest positions on the field to learn as a rookie. If we want a CB that can come in and make a difference than signing a veteran FA is the route to go. Shawn Springs for example would ideal for the right price. He could come in a play the nickel or slot.

WR is not a priority, not with the depth we have. Because the position is so hit or miss, I would be more willing to sign a FA WR, like Hackett (Seattle) or Johnson (Arizona) than blow a first round draft pick.

by Cowboys81 on Dec 3, 2007 5:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs