The Valley Ranch Review: Draft Talk for the Cowboys

Mel Kiper mocked the first four rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft. Here's who he has the Cowboys taking.
51. Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
69. Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly
101. LaDarius Webb, DB, Nicholls State
117. Herman Johnson, OG, LSU

The DMN blog features another offensive lineman in their Cowboys draft series. This time it's the 6' 7" 364-pound guard from LSU, Herman Johnson.

Safety seems to be a sure draft need for Dallas. Coach Wade's former team may be looking to upgrade their secondary as well. Scout.com's Adam Caplin confirmed that several safeties will visit the Chargers. Although San Diego does not have a second rounder this year, their receiving two 4th-round compensatory picks will allow them more room to wiggle around their original six picks. Assuming the Cowboys are going safety in the draft, the Bolts may just try to get into Dallas' way.
The Chargers' pre-draft visits include Oregon safety Patrick Chung, Marshall safety C.J. Spillman and Missouri safety William Moore.

Let's all keep an eye on the deal going down between the Steelers and linebacker James Harrison. It could be a gauge for re-signing Demarcus Ware.

Another Folk hero? Nick's little brother, Eric, is kicking it with the Washington Huskies.
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Comments
The Chargers.....
For some weird reason, this decade, are always picking right before us. I remember in the ’03 draft they picked Quienton Jammer, a CB that was really wanted by the Cowboys. In disbelief, he actually fell into the range of the Cowboys at about pick #22 (yearly, the Cowboys have always picked at no. 22, could going 9-7 alot of years have something to do with that?), Lo an behold, the Chargers picked our man at pick #21 (right before us) and we were then “stuck” with picking Roy Williams. So as far as the Chargers go, they always have seemed to be interested in the players we want to pick. There have been alot of other instances where the Chargers have picked right before us. It really is a weird occurance, and I have no reasonable explanation for it. Yes, I would definitely watch what the Chargers are doing, and give them false smoke signals as to what we are interested in.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
by DallasPalace on Apr 11, 2009 2:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I've noticed the parallels with the Chargers the last couple drafts
They are always picking close to Dallas, and they are in need of the same positions. Strange coincidence.
Feb. 27 -- Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.
April 25-26 -- NFL Draft
by APerfectStar on Apr 11, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought...
Jammer was the #5 pick in the draft that year….
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on Apr 11, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think his draft numbers are off, but Jammer #5 Roy * whatever that draft
then theres Luis Castelio vs Marcus Spears… right?
by AustonianAggie on Apr 11, 2009 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Spears
went 8 spots before Castillo at #20. He fell because he tested positive for steroids.
by DoomsdayD75 on Apr 11, 2009 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and as far as Mel Kiper's mock draft....
Delmas is OK, but not much different than other safeties than can be had in later rounds too. I believe the Cowboys have specific needs out of the players, and surprisingly the players in the first and second round don’t always address that need.
My point is, if you know you need a safety with skills against the pass, you are foolish to go get one with average pass defense, and is good against the run. I’m not saying Delmas is average against the pass, but there are better safeties against the pass than he (in my opinion). Delmas would not be a bad pick, but my gut feeeling is that we need to Bolster our offensive line. William Beatty would be an awesome pick by us at #51 if he fell. It’s really about value AND availability of players to play the position your looking for at the spot you are picking. This is why I think we will not draft William Moore, especially in the 2nd & 3rd round. There are other fish to fry that would help us out greatly in “Narrowing the gap”.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
by DallasPalace on Apr 11, 2009 2:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ohter than Delmas that mock sucks.
Louis Delmas is probably the best safety in the group, it isn’t a great group but Delmas should be a decent player. His strength is tackling so he will be a good special teams player. He hits hard so he might have short career as he beats himself out of the league. The thing is if Sean Smith falls out of the first then that’s somebody worth trading up for.
Barden is a huge reach unless Jerry really feels the need for big slow WRs. He should be able to get Patrick Turner from USC, in the 7th. Actually, I would like to see if Mike Thomas lasts into the 4th has he would bring something different to the Boys WRs. I don’t expect Delmas at #51 so a quality safety makes sense here.
Likewise Webb can be had much later. Kipper sent him to the Boys because Webb had a fast 40 at the combine. Jerry isn’t Al Davis, he drafts CBs not 40 times.
Hermann Johnson would be an acceptable risk at 117, maybe even a requirement if Jerry hasn’t picked O-line earlier.
by birdness on Apr 11, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would be disappointed if we went safety with our first pick.
I think Sensebaugh and Scandrick will combine to do a fine job.
I would prefer if we focused on the line of scrimmage early on.
by connery on Apr 11, 2009 3:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You're predicting Scandrick takes over Hamlin's spot?
Hamlin is only one season removed from a Pro Bowl, and is being paid to be the starter. We haven’t even seen Scandrick tried at the position yet. I’d rather keep him right where he is, covering the slot WR.
Feb. 27 -- Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.
April 25-26 -- NFL Draft
by APerfectStar on Apr 11, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was assuming...
that he meant that they would rotate on situations.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on Apr 11, 2009 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the real deal
On the SD and DAL drafts over the last few years:
2008
22nd DAL – Felix Jones (RB)
25th DAL – Mike Jenkins (CB)
27th SD – Antoine Cason (CB)
2007
26th DAL – Anthony Spencer (LB)
30th SD – Craig Davis (TE)
2006
18th DAL – Bobby Carpenter (LB)
19th SD – Antonio Cromartie (CB)
2005
11th DAL – DeMarcus Ware (LB)
12th SD – Shawne Merriman (LB)
2004
1st SD – Eli Manning (QB)
43rd DAL – Julius Jones (RB)
2003
5th DAL – Terrence Newman (CB)
30th SD – Sammy Davis (CB)
2002
5th SD – Quentin Jammer (DB)
8th DAL – Roy Williams (FS)
2001
5th SD – LaDainian Tomlinson (RB)
32nd SD – Drew Brees (QB)
53rd DAL – Quincy Carter (QB)
Only in 2002 so I really see SD JUST BEFORE DAL taking a similar player
by BishopWest on Apr 11, 2009 4:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The better argument
would that DAL seems to pick right before SD 4 out of the last 5 years
by BishopWest on Apr 11, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
2006 result is painful to look at
Feb. 27 -- Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.
April 25-26 -- NFL Draft
by APerfectStar on Apr 11, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
2001 Pisses me off - Quincy Carter!
to think we could have had LT and Drew Brees.
by birdness on Apr 11, 2009 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
2006 Is The Posterchild For Why Dallas Is Hurting Now on Defense
Can’t make mistakes like that at the top of the draft. Painful is the right word.
by Iowacowboy on Apr 12, 2009 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
2006
Could and has happened to alot of teams.
Some team was going to whiff on carpenter, he was projected as a first rounder and Dallas didn’t reach for him.
He just ended up sucking, happens all the time.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on Apr 12, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hamlin will continue to start. Sensebaugh and Scandrick will man the other position based on the situation.
by connery on Apr 11, 2009 4:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I gotcha
Feb. 27 -- Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.
April 25-26 -- NFL Draft
by APerfectStar on Apr 11, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ramses Barden
mmmmm…….. Didnt someone talk about him awhile ago…….
09+24+28+23+82+11+94+41+26+31+90+32+56=2009 Success!!!!
by regaberto on Apr 11, 2009 5:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I won't be watching the draft this year. I'll get the info from this blog after I get home.
Ill be working a booth at our local Home & Garden show over the draft weekend. I’d try to go in late if we had a 1st rounder, but it takes too long to get to 51.
Family, Friends, Cowboys, Beer & BBQ. Life is good!
by CowboyMan on Apr 11, 2009 6:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If Kiper gets it right
I’ll be tickled pink. (and amazemed—he’s usually not even close). Delmas is exactly the thing the defense has been lacking, and Ramses is worth it just for the Keyshawn-lookalike factor. Throw in a mauler to replace Procter as the backup, and I’m happy. Ramses isn’t a burner though, too similar to Roy to be a good complement at #2… but at least Kiper has been paying attention to our areas of need.
by greatwhitenorth on Apr 11, 2009 6:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What are you talking about?
Ramses is a lanky second day WR while Roy ran sub 4.4 and was selected in the top 10 – there’s nothing similar about them.
by birdness on Apr 11, 2009 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Regarding Ramses Barden
He isn’t similar to Roy Williams. Watch Hakeem Nicks from UNC if you want to watch a Roy clone. He is compact-Roy.
The problem found when evaluating him, is that he was such a mismatch he’d often be used a homerun hitter. I cannot recall, off of the top of my head, seeing him run an short in pattern. Fair or not, I hold it against him. I also would argue that his jumping ability and athletic ability might be a bit overrated: he was so much taller than the CBs that covered him, he rarely had to snag the ball at it’s highest point.
I’m not saying he can’t be good or great. I’m just saying it’s very, very difficult to tell. The big question is, is he more Calvin Johnson or more Mike Williams. Oh! And, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders.
by falconPUNCH on Apr 11, 2009 6:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Aaaah
Good analysis.
Almost every WR is hard to tell. I think Calvin Johnson was probably the most full proof WR that has ever come out of the draft.
There honestly wasn’t one part of his game where I was like “he sucks”.
But good post regardless.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on Apr 11, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
I didn’t realize how big he was.
Six foot six, what was his 40?
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on Apr 11, 2009 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
about the same as a DE
He’s a skinny TE.
by birdness on Apr 11, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eh...
You really can’t say that.
40 times in all honesty mean about zilch to me.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on Apr 11, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well..
not zilch, or obviously I wouldn’t have asked, but I don’t think a couple of tenths matters that much.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on Apr 11, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The guy has the same measurements as Mike Williams
Maybe he’s a top ten pick but don’t we have greater needs with the 3rd round pick than a guy that won’t see the field unless two other guys get hurt.
by birdness on Apr 11, 2009 8:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TATE!!!!!
PR/WR avg 26 per punt and 23 per catch…the only reason we will have a shot in the third is because of an injury which he is projected to fully recover from
by nicholas.rodriguez on Apr 12, 2009 8:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Let's Forget the S in the Second
I realize the help the Boys need at Safety, but really, I am not overly impressed with the ones who seem to be dropping to 51. Delmas is the best I have seen slide so far, but God help us if it is Patrick Chung. I think there is value at the position in the 3 and 4. I would rather see the Boys take Brian Robiskie, WR OSU, if he slides. He is a big body, a polished route runner and has had solid workouts. Will be a great #2 to allow, Crayton to go back to the slot. Otherwise, I prefer Eron Riley the WR from Duke or Dillard the WR out of Rice in the middle rounds. Saw one mock draft on the fan posts wiht Stephen Magee in the 6th. Love that pick even if he is an Aggie.
by WhatsUpPorkchop on Apr 12, 2009 11:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
All in all, I like Kipers picks
From other ratings I have seen, there should be two or three excellent safeties available when the Cowboys pick comes up in round two. Yes, Delmas would be nice, but my personal preference, if he is healthy, would be William Moore. However, throughout the first 4-5 rounds, except for TE and RB, I hope we go strictly with the best player on the board. There are needs, though not urgent needs, everywhere.
Let’s take receivers for instance, considering all receivers on the roster, not just the wide outs. Which list of receivers below would you prefer? As just about any Cowboys fan can tell you, the top list was last year’s roster, minus Terrell Owens, whereas, the lower list was the last Cowboys Super Bowl championship team. Yes, the ’95 team had one HOFer in Michael Irvin, but the current roster may include one as well with Jason Witten. Jay Novacek was a pro bowl player, but Roy Williams also has one pro bowl as well—so far.
The point I am trying to make is, how much better, if any, were the receivers on that super bowl champion than the players on today’s roster? And if the answer is, “Not much,” then why is WR so high on a lot of peoples lists? The current roster is certainly just as deep.
2008
Miles Austin
Martellus Bennett
Patrick Crayton
Tony Curtis
Sam Hurd
Isaiah Stanback
Roy Williams
Jason Witten
1995
Eric Bjornson
Billy Davis
Cory Fleming
Michael Irvin
Jay Novacek
Kendell Watkins
Kevin Williams
Unlike a Cowboys' season, in life, there may not be a next year.
by Reno Cowboy on Apr 12, 2009 7:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
1995 Easily
With Irvin and Novacek, you could take the other 5 names of the list and I’d still prefer 1995 to 2008
by BishopWest on Apr 13, 2009 12:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
James Harrison 6yr-51.7 million contract.....just in from ESPN
by Boyzfan94 on Apr 13, 2009 10:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not bad!
That’s not a bad contract at all. That makes me feel better about what Ware will get. That stupid deal the Skins (yes, I know it was heavily front loaded) gave Haynesworth scared me. I still think he’s looking in the range of something close to $10M per year.
by TCBinNYC on Apr 13, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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