Trade Up, Trade Down, or Stand Pat?

by jdg4660 on Mar 6, 2011 1:39 PM CST

There should be one guiding principle that answers this question this year: can the Cowboys find a difference maker at number 9? We all know the priorities. The cowboys need someone to replace Newman soon. They need help at both safety positions (Lord knows Alan Ball is not the answer). The right side of the line needs to be replaced. Then there are the defensive ends. Replacements for Marian the Librarian would be good. Ditto for Roy Williams if he doesn't return, especially if Hurd leaves.

You wish Jerry Jones had about 9 picks in the top 10.

But he doesn't and won't, and I pray he doesn't have one again, at least not as a result of the Cowboys losing a lot of games.

I'm split a lot on the priorities. On the one hand, with an upgraded offensive line, the Cowboys have an opportunity to be the most explosive offense in the NFL. Would it surprise anyone if Dez and Miles each had 1k yards or more? Or if Romo had 40+ TDs? Or if the team averaged more than 30 points a game? Wouldn't it be great to see Romo sit back in the pocket and pick teams apart now and then (rather than get pounded into hamburger)? How about an actual hole for Jones now and then?

The reason the team is so good is that there are at least five and maybe six difference makers on offense. There's Dez. There's Miles. There's Romo and Witten. And maybe there's Jones (I sure thought so after 2009). So if Romo has time and the line can open actual holes for Jones, watch out.

On the other hand, there doesn't appear to be a hall of fame type offensive line talent. And Dallas has been aweful at drafting lineman, period.

Plus, who on the defense is really a difference maker? Certainly, there's Ware. No question. Right now, he's on track for a first ballot Hall of Fame entry.

In 2009, Spencer in the last half of the season was a difference maker. Jenkins was on the verge. And that was all it took for the D to really clamp down. But would anyone bank on either of those guys for next year? Sure, they might. But they might not. Another maybe is Sean Lee. But can he stay healthy?

Maybe Bryan McCann or Akwasi Owusu-Ansah can step up. Both have skills and you have to like McCann's ability to step up and make game changing plays. Still, you really see that there are way too many prayers and not enough answers.

So you look at number 9 and you ask, can the Cowboys find a difference maker? I'd trade Spencer to move up a few spots. I'd even trade my third or even second round pick. But they have to find a difference maker. And there appear to be more of those on defense than offense this year. That's where they just might find someone besides Ware who puts gray hairs in the head of the opposition offensive coordinator and QB. It's that simple. And that hard.

Because you hope they don't have this high a pick again for a while.

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Comments

Who’s left? Did all the blue chip players get taken early and now both wrs and qbs sit there with teams looking to move up? Id say trade down get premium in return for your pick. Move down and select bpa. If we moved down a few picks watt and prince and most likely the number 1 ot will still be there.
What If theres a abundance of players available like Von miller and watt and smith. Tyron smith fills a huge hole but miller is the type of player who other offenses plan games around. So really I think you have to plan for every scenario and not one. But I totally agree with trading spencer and selecting miller if we could would be a game changer and still get to keep all our picks.

Envy Us!!

by regaberto on Mar 6, 2011 4:04 PM CST reply actions

It could make sense to trade up, down, or pick at 9

…depending on who’s there when we’re on the clock.

I would trade up a spot or two to get Peterson, since he’s the “cleanest” player in the draft without flaws, as long as the price isn’t too high. (I wouldn’t trade spencer, but I would trade a later round pick.)

Otherwise, sit tight and hope that 1-2 QBs and WRs each get taken in the top 8, and push down one of the other blue chip defensive players to us at 9.

And failing that, for example if one of the WRs (Jones or Green) is still on the board at 9, trade back toward the middle of the first round with one of the many teams who need a WR and get one of the OTs for like an extra 2nd round pick.

by scottmaui on Mar 6, 2011 4:19 PM CST reply actions

this is my point

you take Tyron Smith and the offensive line is better
if Romo gets time to throw, omg this offense would be SICK
and if we can fix the run game imagine that!

I still say getting our RT should be our main focus and then focus on defense and adding a guard with the rest of the picks

a fast shifty slot WR would set our new offense over the top, seriously

by Archie Barberio on Mar 6, 2011 10:07 PM CST reply actions

Trading up

Trading Up would hurt the teams chances at drafting more players. Why waste draft picks / players for just one higher pick? Consequently in a not-so-deep draft.

by Zeno on Mar 7, 2011 8:28 AM CST reply actions

Stay put and let the draft come to you

Jerry loves to trade though That man is not gonna be able to help himself

by Antonio S on Mar 7, 2011 10:02 AM CST reply actions

I think I'm going to put up an anti Tyron Smith Fan Post.

F**** establishing a culture, we need to establish dominance...

by Holchr31 on Mar 7, 2011 5:12 PM CST reply actions

I'll be the first to read it. :)

by Jes2red on Mar 8, 2011 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

don't trade up

with so many needs and wholes i do not even see trading up as feasible. trading up for a patrick peterson would ruin this whole draft. i’d really rather trade down for another 2nd round pick, but would be ok with amukamara. if he is not available at 9, trade down, get our Oline in the 1st round and a corner and safety in round 2. but jerry hasn’t asked me yet.

by hfd14c on Mar 8, 2011 2:51 PM CST reply actions

Drafting for need is a big mistake

If you can land a player like Peterson, do it. Players like him don’t come around very often. A great cover corner with outstanding ball skills who can also return kicks/punts. Remind you of any former Cowboys? I won’t make any comparisons until he proves himself in the NFL, but Deion Sanders comes to mind.

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." –Vince Lombardi

by ProBowlFactory on Mar 8, 2011 4:38 PM CST up reply actions

And if he sprains a ankle returning kicks people will start screaming to have him not do it as it is to dangerous.

by Rena on Mar 10, 2011 12:56 PM CST up reply actions

One of the Screamers

A Dez Bryant isn’t exactly spectacular on IR with a broken leg.. Take him our of the offense, or a starting corner, away from the defense, cripples the team.
Weighing risk vs reward depends on the situation. A shot for a Super Bowl win…well then I’m all in.

We have many needs, and good position, in a deep draft. It would be hard to justify trading up…even for (dumberlick) Peterson. imo

Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules.

by 1Bullseye on Mar 21, 2011 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions