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Wide receiver could be too difficult for Cowboys to pass up | Seahawks Draft Blog
Rob Staton takes a look at the glut of quality wide receivers likely to be available in the #10-25 portion of the draft, and uses the Cowboys as an example of what choices teams could face in the middle rounds of the draft. Here's a shortened version of what Rob writes:
The Cowboys could consider trading up. Going after Aaron Donald would make some sense for the Cowboys. Yet they have so many needs on defense I’m not convinced giving up a boat load of picks would be a wise idea. They could trade down, but if no deal is forthcoming, who do they take?
The receiver position is so rich in quality at the top end, you might as well consider it. Just add a really good player to your team. The Cowboys could add Odell Beckham Jr or Marqise Lee and feel very satisfied that they added a really dynamic weapon.
When you’re faced with a Marqise Lee or Odell Beckham Jr sitting there as a fall back — it’s going to be really difficult to pass.
Changing Tune Somewhat On Drafting WR Early - Nick Eatman, DallasCowboys.com
Eatman is kind of lukewarm on the whole idea of a wide receiver and grudgingly concedes that he's changed his stance on taking a wide receiver, but he's still opposed to taking one in the first round.
Again, I’m not saying first round. There are just too many needs on defense for me to justify that. But after the first round, I say wide receiver becomes somewhat of a priority.
BPA approach could net a team five starters in this draft - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bob McGinn explains what having a deep draft could mean for a team like the Packers that's known for sticking to a BPA approach:
"I told the head coach, there will be a team that comes out of this thing with five starters in the next three years," an executive in personnel said. "I'd pay attention to this one in Green Bay with his simple philosophy of sticking to the board and the best player.
"If there's ever a situation where you pick the best player available, it's this year. There's that many good players. So just pick the best player and, if you've got 10 picks, we're only talking about five starters."
The Packers have nine picks in the draft, the Cowboys have 11. Could the Cowboys come away with five starters in the next three years from this draft?
Gosselin: Cowboys need handful of 'walk-in' starters from upcoming NFL draft | DMN
Here's an excerpt from some chat highlights with Rick Gosselin, in which he also espouses the target of getting 4-5 starters from this draft.
Question: With 11 picks in this years' draft - How many need to be Day 1 starters, future projects, etc. In your opinion?
Gosselin: "The Cowboys need a home run draft that can produce 4-5 short term -- and long-term -- starters. I think they need two walk-in starters on the defensive line, a walk-in starter at guard and another at safety. You can find starters in every round of every draft. The Cowboys need to find at least four of them. Soon."
What the Cowboys should do with their bundle of seventh-round picks | Rick Gosselin, DMN
Gosselin argues that the Cowboys shouldn't treat their final-round picks as longshots.
They have a chance to create a more salary cap-friendly roster and greatly enhance their depth if they value those draft picks and not treat them as long shots.
There’s a simple way to do that. Take players who were big-time producers at big-time programs, such as Wells and Strief. Look for players in the seventh round from the power conferences — the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12 and SEC.
Cowboys begin Phase 2 of off-season program; first chance Scott Linehan can work with offense on field | David Moore, Dallas Morning News
For the first time this offseason, coaches were allowed to join the players for practice at Valley Ranch yesterday.
Today begins Phase 2 of the NFL’s off-season program. Coaches can now work with the players individually and as a group on the field. The offense and defense can diagram and run plays as long as long as the other unit is not lined up across from them. Call it a walk-thru against air. No drills are allowed.
Is trading up in draft worth risk? - ESPN
John Clayton doesn't expect a lot of trades on draft weekend. Why? Because of the quality and depth of this draft.
Trading up in a draft this rich costs too much if teams are giving up second-, third- and fourth-round choices, because players picked at those spots could be potential starters.
From 2004 through last year, there was an average of 26.8 draft day trades. The 2010 draft had the most during that time with 33. The 2005 draft had the fewest with 20. Because this year's draft is so rich, I think the trade number might be around the 22 that were brokered in 2011.
LA Times beat writer mock draft - latimes.com
The LA Times assembled beat writers from all 32 NFL teams to had them make the selections for the teams they cover. Todd Archer of ESPNDallas did the honors for the Cowboys after the Titans picked Anthony Barr (No. 11) and Chicago picked Aaron Donald (No. 14). Here's Archer's pick:
OG Zack Martin, Notre Dame — "The Cowboys would like to add to their last-ranked defense, but Martin shores up the offensive line and they can address the defense later."
NFL Draft: Round-by-Round QB Study - Football Outsiders
Scott Kacsmar reconfirms the exponential decay of draft curves as they pertain to quarterbacks: "Things start off high, but by the third round value is very hard to find and anything later than that is a real triumph." Kacsmar's 20-Year Quarterback Draft Study (1994-2013) goes to great lengths to prove the above point.
2014 NFL Draft rumors: Buffalo Bills thinking Zack Martin? - Buffalo Rumblings
Brian Galliford writes that Zack Martin could be in play for the Bills at No. 9:
WGR 550's Joe Buscaglia reported last week, citing a league source, that the Bills are very high on Martin, a senior captain for the Irish that played left tackle for the team in 2013. Peter King of Sports Illustrated added to the notion this morning, writing that he knows of one Top 10 team seriously considering Martin with the first round just days away. Mike Mayock of NFL Network told King that he believes Martin will be off the board between picks 9-13.
Marcus Allen: Run game will regain prominence in NFL - NFL.com
Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen understands the devaluation of the running game. However, Allen believes the NFL will return to a ground emphasis again.
Me, I drive a 6.4 liter (392 cubic-inch) HEMI engine. I understand that car manufacturers are currently focused on fuel economy. However, I believe the car industry will emphasize V8 power again.