Cowboys draft grades

by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Apr 30, 2007 2:16 AM CDT in News Comment 20 comments

I gave the Cowboys draft a B- on the DCFanatic Radio Show on Sunday night. I decided to grab some draft grades from different sources purely for entertainment purposes. Feel free to rip them at will.

Mel Kiper

Dallas Cowboys: GRADE: B
Purdue's Anthony Spencer -- who I think has a chance to be the rookie of the year -- gives Dallas a great pass-rusher opposite DeMarcus Ware. James Marten provides good security behind tackle Flozell Adams, who will be a free agent after next season. Isaiah Stanback will move from QB to wide receiver, and I really liked the pick of tackle Doug Free in the fourth round because he has a lot of talent. Dallas took place-kicker Nick Folk when Mason Crosby was still on the board; Deon Anderson will be an excellent lead blocker at fullback, and Courtney Brown has the necessary skills to be a developmental cornerback.

Pete Prisco

Dallas Cowboys
Best pick: I love Anthony Spencer. Wade Phillips will turn him into another Shawne Merriman, especially teaming with DeMarcus Ware.
Questionable move: Using a third-round pick on converted quarterback Isaiah Stanback is something that will be watched closely. (ed. note - don't you hate when they can't even get the basic facts right?) Is he another Antwaan Randle El?
Second-day gem: Fourth-round pick Doug Free is a quality tackle who will push Flozell Adams to play better.
Overall grade: B. I like Spencer and Free, but third-round pick James Marten probably went a round too high.

John Czarnacki

Czar's breakdown: This draft was basically about grabbing Purdue pass rusher Anthony Spencer in the first round and acquiring Cleveland's first-round pick next year while helping them land quarterback Brady Quinn. New head coach Wade Phillips compares Spencer favorably to San Diego's Shaun Phillips. Spencer did give Wisconsin's Joe Thomas trouble. Boston College's James Marten has a chance to make the team as an offensive tackle as does fourth-round pick Isaiah Stanback, who figures to be a receiver in the NFL. Stanback played quarterback at the U. of Washington. The rest of the draft appeared pretty shaky.
Grade: C

Some random New Jersey paper.

Cowboys: C-plus -- Like them making the move up into Round 1 to add pass-rushing DE Anthony Spencer. OTs James Marten and Doug Free aren't considered instant-impact players. QB Isaiah Stanback will be moved to receiver.

A Detroit paper.

Dallas Cowboys: C-
Owner/GM Jerry Jones has trades involving eight draft slots. LB/DE Anthony Spencer fits the 3-4 defense, and OT Doug Free of Northern Illinois is a good fourth-round prospect. There was more smoke than fire.

Check out Peter King’s detailed story about the Cleveland/Dallas trade for Brady Quinn. It’s interesting.

Let the McFadden rumors begin!

Go ahead and pencil Arkansas RB Darren McFadden as Julius Jones' replacement in 2008. Jerry Jones said his scouts are already working on next year's draft, but he declined to discuss specific prospects. He was asked if the Cowboys might be targeting McFadden with the pick they got from the Browns in the Brady Quinn deal. "Darren McFadden? Who's he play for?" Jerry said with a wink.

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draft thoughts

To me, this draft is definitely all about getting Cleveland's #1 pick next season, which will almost assuredly be a top 5 pick and even possibility the #1 pick overall, especially if Quinn plays the majority of the games. I actually put this trade on par with the Hershel Walker trade because Quinn is nothing more than a system QB who will be mediocre at best in the NFL. If he would have played anywhere other than ND, you'd be looking at a 5th rd talent. Jones got away with grand theft larceny and I love it.

Anthony Spencer - I'm not as high on this guy as most of you guys, I thought Joe Staley, Brandon Meriweather and Dwayne Bowe presented better value. I actually thought Spencer would have been there at pick 36, so I wasn't to thrilled with the trade up, but Phillips must like him and if he can turn him into another Shawn Merriman, good. I'm just skeptical seeing him nothing more than a career backup to Ware and situational pass rusher, but I hope I'm wrong.

James Marten and Doug Free - These picks were great because they give us solid backups this season and possible starters in the future. Free might turn out to be a real stud.

Isaiah Stanback - I really like this pick a lot because he has the potential to be really special whatever position he plays, I'm thinking WR and kick returner. Since we don't have any real needs, great pick to roll the dice on.

Nick Folk - I think we drafted this guy as a kickoff specialist more than anything. He might push Gramatica as the FG kicker, but I personally feel automatic touchbacks are worth a 6th rd pick.

Anderson, Brown and Ball - these guys are more than likely special teamers who will have difficulty making the team.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 30, 2007 7:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Draft

Getting the Browns #1 next year gives us the opportunity to draft the highest need next year. RB, left OT, CB, FS, even QB if Romo bombs. What I saw of McFadden last year was outstanding.

I think Spencer will start. That lets Ellis come in fresh just to rush the passer. Carpenter and Burnett will be the nickle LB's.

The two tackles go back to the 2006 season. After Flozell was hurt, we had a 6th round and UFA as our starting tackles, both who were not on the team in 2007.

If Stanback is returning punts instead of Newman, thats worth the 4th right there. Plus Crayton is a FA next year and who knows about Ownens. I agree, good gamble.

Carry Folk for a year as the KO specialist. Browns measurables are what you want in the late rounds. Plus there is always an UFA or two who ends up making the team.

MWB

by MWB on Apr 30, 2007 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure about Carpenter

This will be one of the interesting things to watch. I'm really wondering if Spencer is indirectly the result of Bradie James under-performing late last season. Is Carp moving inside? Is Carp starting at OLB and Ellis/Spencer coming in for passing situations? Is Carp the third down guy?

You have to wonder because Carp seemed to improve while James declined.

by dunkman on Apr 30, 2007 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

my take on this

the Cowboys drafted Carpenter last season as the future pressure player off the edge opposite Ware. Apparently, Phillips doesn't think Bobby has those type of skills, hence the reason for drafting Spencer.

I personally feel if given a shot, Carpenter can be just as good, if not better than Spencer coming off the edge as a pressure player. thats why I see Spencer as just a backup to Ware and situational pass rusher. I don't see him beating out Carpenter, or even Ellis this season.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 30, 2007 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You might be right

but James is "lost in space" for sure, so I think the whole LB situation will bear watching.

by dunkman on Apr 30, 2007 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spencer will Start

I believe this is the Cowboys thinking:

Ellis wont be ready to go at the start of the season. He may be on the PUP until after the 6th game.

Although Carpenter showed improvement, he isnt the pure pass rusher that Spencer is. Draft Spencer and start him at OLB.

Bradie James will be toast in the Phillips-34. Phillips likes to send the kitchen sink after the QB, especially from the OLB's (ie. both at the same time). This requires the ILB's to drop into coverage.

Carpenter will be moved back to ILB and replace Bradie James (at least on passing downs).

by DeRat on Apr 30, 2007 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no way Spencer starts

he'll see time as a 3rd down pass rusher and thats it. Ellis will be fully recovered by training camp and will be the starter opening day.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 1, 2007 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt he'll be ready to start

but it's possible. Ware was awfully good in his first season.

But I think that having Spencer will let them (1) rest Ellis on some plays (2) Get Spencer ready without all the pressure of playing every down (3) Replace Ellis if he can't perform like he did pre-injury.

I really can see Carp replacing James for exactly the reasons DeRat mentioned.

by dunkman on May 3, 2007 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't forget

Ware wasn't replacing anyone as his rookie year was the first year we used the 3-4 under Parcells. Seriously doubt Ware would have started his rookie year if we had someboby as good as Elllis playing that position.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 3, 2007 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really like the Stanback move

And he is much lees of a risk than Crayton and randal el. He does have good hands and was a WR before Washington converted him to a QB because they were desperately in need of one. He is supposedly a very hard worker and a leader. With those kinds of quality I don't see why he shouldn't be able to go back to WR.

Burt-D

by Burt D on Apr 30, 2007 7:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh and he did returns in high school

so he does have limited experience

Burt-D

by Burt D on Apr 30, 2007 7:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Stanback that is

Burt-D

by Burt D on Apr 30, 2007 7:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The first three picks

sure don't look like the kind of picks Jerry Jones use to make in the draft. A speed rusher, two huge offensive tackles, a WR/PR in the fourth and two late round CB's ... did the Tuna hide in the war room during the draft?

I guess Jerry did learn something from ol'Bill.

Stanback was a fourth ... didn't we cut our forth round pick from last year? Seriously, I don't pretend to be a professional evaluator of talent so I'm o.k. with most of the picks.

But I have to ask: How are we going to fix our pass defense because we sure didn't address that issue in the draft? I don't buy that one more speed rusher (which will help) is going to fix the problem. If we can't stop a dump off pass to an RB from turning into a 50 yard touchdown we won't be much better in '07 then we were in '06.

This draft leads me to believe Jerry and Wade have more faith in the pass coverage skills in our current crop of inside linebackers and safeties then I do.

by JJshairgel on Apr 30, 2007 8:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

not getting Nelson or Meriweather will really hurt if Hamlin isn't the answer at FS. I really feel we needed a great cover FS much more than another pass rusher.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 30, 2007 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Washington Post:B+

The Cowboys traded out of the first round, then back into it, and emerged with the Browns' first round selection next year in the Quinn deal. That could be a high pick indeed if the Browns decide to stick Quinn in the lineup and take their lumps with a rookie QB.

by mlibbey on Apr 30, 2007 9:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

not "could", "will" be a very high pick

The Brownies suck especially with Quinn at the helm.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 30, 2007 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully they'll at least lose all 6 in div

you know, with Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh returning most of their respective skill players.

"Beware of D-Ware!"

by kcbrett5 on Apr 30, 2007 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

can't see them winning more than 4 or 5 games

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 30, 2007 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

GLASS HALF-EMPTY

I just hate being a glass half empty kinda guy, but....has any one looked at the offseason moves Cleveland made to their O-line (including drafting Joe Thomas). They signed Jamal Lewis from Baltimore.

Consider a good O-line blocking for Jamal Lewis and they may have taken the QB out of the equation.

Run the ball 40 times a game, use the play action pass to keep the D honest, and they may win more games than people think.

I still think it was a good move by JJ to pick up another 2k8 1st rounder, but dont count your chickens before they hatch as to where that extra pick will be.

by DeRat on Apr 30, 2007 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs