More mock drafting

by Dave Halprin on Feb 14, 2007 1:50 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys News

Time for another spin around the mock draft world.

22. Dallas Cowboys Reggie Nelson DB Florida

AARON ROSS CB | Texas |

The Cowboys have two clearly defined needs at offensive guard and free safety so some may be surprised to see a cornerback here but there is a logical explanation. Word has it that Anthony Henry will be moving to free safety, which is probably a good thing since both Reggie Nelson and LaRon Landry figure to be gone by this point. However by filling one hole with that move they create another at cornerback opposite Terence Newman, which is where Aaron Ross comes in. After biding his time behind a talented stable of Longhorn defensive backs for most of his career Ross finally got a chance to start as a senior and boy did he take advantage of the opportunity, coming through with a number of impact plays and winning the Thorpe Award in the process. A great athlete who can also contribute as a return man, Ross will need to run well in workouts to secure a spot in round one but as of now all signs point to him going higher than some would expect. A guard like Ben Grubbs or Arron Sears could both be options here as well.

FOX Sports:

22. Cowboys Justin Blalock OT Texas Senior

Dallas will look to upgrade their spotty offensive line with the best available lineman on the board. Tony Romo was a man on the run all season. Blalock, a two-time All-American, can play both the tackle and guard positions. At 6-4, 330, he's surprisingly quick on his feet. A Texas guy, this seems like the logical pick.

Sportsline/Sports Xchange:

22. Dallas Cowboys Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami

Off-field red flags will be enough to scare off some teams, but the Cowboys have always shown a willingness to gamble on greatness. Due to the press given to LaRon Landry and Reggie Nelson, Meriweather doesn't always get his due, but the former Hurricane is among this draft's top defenders and would fill a huge need as a coverage safety to pair with Roy Williams.

Footballs Future:

22. Dallas - Justin Blalock, OL, Texas

Should step in and help immediately.

War Room Report:

22. Dallas Cowboys - Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU

Another player who is moving up the draft boards rapidly is the physical Bowe. He reminds some of current Cowboy Terrell Owens, in the way he uses his body to go after the ball. It may be surprising to see Dallas select a wide receiver in round 1, but both receivers are over 33, and there will always be questions with Terrell Owens. Dallas could use a nose tackle here also, but like Denver, finds an absence of an impact player at that position.

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yahoo sports

John Murphy at yahoo sports has us taking Brandon Meriweather too.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Brandon Meriweather, safety, Miami. The leak in their defensive unit starts over the top in pass coverage. That's why Meriweather, with his all-around play, would be a huge difference-maker for a team that still has its eyes on a Super Bowl berth next season.

Derek

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Feb 14, 2007 2:17 PM CST reply actions

dallas wont be drafting a corner or a safety

in the first round

by Deke on Feb 14, 2007 5:06 PM CST up reply actions

Another for Meriweather

James Alder at about.com is another vote for Merriweather.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Brandon Meriweather, FS Miami
Free safety was a big problem for the Cowboys defense this year, and although Meriweather has some character concerns, he would be a good value and fit for the Cowboys here assuming his problems are a thing of the past.

Of course if that many people are picking Meriweather, it probably means the Cowboys will pick someone else.

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Feb 14, 2007 2:23 PM CST reply actions

WELL

I like Aaron Ross at this pick or an OG like Levi Brown or convert Arron Sears. This is a deep WR class, and with Anthony Henry possibly moving to FS those to positions work best. I think Pat Watkins could turn out to be a pretty good FS.

by bryangene on Feb 14, 2007 2:53 PM CST reply actions

Michael Griffin, S Texas

Says thehuddlereport.com

by boysandbosox on Feb 14, 2007 2:56 PM CST reply actions

We are not picking defense

by Longhorn @ Blogging The Boys on Feb 14, 2007 3:00 PM CST reply actions

All Bullshiznit Anyway

First off, I am a devout draftnik. I love the talent evaluation/acquisition aspect of the NFL. What cracks me up is the so-called experts trying to guess who will get picked by whom. All you have to do is see how many times these guys put players from U.T. in the Dallas slot. "He's from Texas so it's a natural fit."

What they should be doing is trying to determine which players will succeed in the NFL and which will be busts. Trying to determine which team will pick which player before free agency is a complete joke.

by Richard Joke @ Blogging The Boys on Feb 14, 2007 3:02 PM CST reply actions

Party pooper!

If you're reading this, you could be commenting, too. Sign up for a free account on Blogging The Boys.

by Dave Halprin on Feb 14, 2007 3:09 PM CST up reply actions

He is

but you gotta love the Snoop Dogg-Willie Nelson fusion thing he had going on...

by dunkman on Feb 15, 2007 6:54 AM CST up reply actions

That is

the funniest thing I have read in quite sometime!
Willie-snoop fusion!

Redskin & Eagles fans are like slinkies........not much good for anything but they still put a smile on your face when you push them down a flight of stairs

by jbratch on Feb 15, 2007 9:52 AM CST up reply actions

I'm rooting for Nelson

that guy would make our defense complete, hiding Roy's coverage weaknesses. In the end, I think the only way we get him is to trade up and i don't think Jones is willing to do that.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 14, 2007 3:23 PM CST reply actions

The hardest positions

to fill in the draft (IMO) are CB, WR, QB and pass rusher. It seems like good cover corners are high 1st round only. Good WRs are sometimes found in lower rounds but have issues such as lack of size, speed or poor hands. QBs are 1st round or bust. Occasionally a lower round or free agent project eventually becomes a starter but it is rare and will not save a coach's job.

The age of our WRs is ominous and the guys behind them are undrafted rookies (plus Patrick Crayton).

We have two pass rushers (assuming Ellis returns to form) and Coach Phillips will generate more from the great athletes we already have. Since he tailors the defense to the talent he can draft a pass rusher (ala Merriman) who does little else and turn him loose on 3rd and long.

Arron Glenn appeared to have lost a step last year. We are in need of a CB for nickel and depth purposes. A good cover safety may help if versatile to play nickel.

I doubt we draft a QB unless it is 2nd day. We will more likely look to free agency for a backup (Joey Harrington anyone?).

Of course we have needs on the O-Line. Perhaps they can be filled with free agency. If not a 2nd round is more likely to me. But available O-lineman when there is no good value CB or WR available is a good choice.

by lee3022 on Feb 14, 2007 3:24 PM CST reply actions

Merriweather

At the senior bowl, he was worked at both safety and corner. It would be great to have a player that can cover the slot receiver when teams go to the three receiver set. Hey, go to the 4-3 when teams do that, with Ware at DE, move Roy to WSB and bring in Watkins at safety.

MWB

by MWB on Feb 14, 2007 4:12 PM CST up reply actions

I don't see how Reggie Nelson helps Roy

He can't cover both safety positions. Unless you move Roy to MLB in the nickel and dime and move Watkins back with Nelson.

i do think Nelson is a hell of a player. maybe sean taylor without the baggage.

by bob maplethorpe on Feb 14, 2007 4:40 PM CST reply actions

The only way to help Roy Williams

in coverage is to put him on the bench, I dont think we'll be taking a defensive player in the first round unless a really good Defensive end/outside linebacker drops. I'll put my two cent on Justin Blalock, move him to Guard where he's better suited, say bye bye to Rivera and thats one position you wont have to worry about for ten years.

by Deke on Feb 14, 2007 5:02 PM CST reply actions

agree

I have to say I agree with Deke on this one. The number of talented defensive backs in this draft is much more than the number of talented offensive lineman. You're going to be able to get a very good db in the second round. I don't think that's the case with lineman.

Derek

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Feb 14, 2007 5:26 PM CST up reply actions

Blaylock would be a great pick, if we trade down

#22 is too high for a guard.
It all depends on who we sign in FA, who drops down the boards on draft day, who is the BPA, and who would fill a need (or fill a spot that allows us to trade a player with value, perhaps)
You just don't want to reach for a need, or overpay for a position that you have a lot of $$ tied up in already.

by APerfectStar on Feb 14, 2007 6:07 PM CST up reply actions

Rarely

Do the Cowboys draft an O-lineman in the first round.

Maybe the second round, but usually not Round 1.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" - Ric Flair

by kcbrett5 on Feb 15, 2007 10:19 AM CST up reply actions

Manuel Ramirez from Texas Tech

This guy is a beast. He more than likely will still be around in the 3rd. We can pick up a WR in the first. If we don't get a CB in free agency, CB is a good possibility. As I said before, I wouldn't mind Levi Brown or Arron Sears as our first round pick.

by bryangene on Feb 14, 2007 5:52 PM CST reply actions

hmm

WR in the 2nd rather.

by bryangene on Feb 14, 2007 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

I like Ramirez also

He might be there in the second round or even the 3rd.

by APerfectStar on Feb 14, 2007 6:08 PM CST up reply actions

O-line 1st rd

DB 2nd rd
WR 3rd rd
O-line 4th rd
DL - 5th rd

Ok, that's crazy but good WRs can be found late and BUSTS are all had early.

by Doomsday on Feb 14, 2007 6:02 PM CST reply actions

For the most impact

I'd look for a pass rusher at either end or LB. Next would be a DB (depending on Henry's position, either S or CB), then O-line. O-line is the greatest need, but only a very few are able to contribute as rookies, so FA is a better option.
I agree with the posters who are wary of WR in early rounds. Just like QB, they're expensive and hard to judge. Jones has typically avoided the more expensive positions early during drafts, preferring to go FA or late rounds for more known players, and drafting defensive players who are easier to assess, cost less and contribute sooner. And keep in mind, we have some up and comers in Hurd and Austin.

by dunkman on Feb 15, 2007 7:14 AM CST reply actions

We need to get Justin!

We need to trade down, and get a late first rounder and early second rounder.

Then we need to get Justin with our first pick, and a decent cover corner with our 2nd.

I'm reluctant to draft a receiver 1st round because they're all crapshoots. We've been blessed with having a good recent run of early picks that contributed, but the list of WR's picked in the past few years that have been busts is incredibly long.

by unexpected on Feb 15, 2007 9:43 AM CST reply actions