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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.