Around The NFL: Players Coveted For Dallas

Avid Dallas fans were excited about this year's draft. Lots of talented running backs and defensive tackles - perceived needs on the team - appeared ready to fall into the laps of our favorite team. And many did, but the front office had other plans. Very few fans would complain about the players actually taken. Nonetheless, the team passed on many players coveted by fans, and some wish for those picks back. What are those passed over players up to at the moment?

Malcom Brown, DT, Patriots

Brown was a highly coveted, big (6'3", 320 lb) defensive tackle from the University of Texas. When chosen by the Patriots with the 32nd pick of the 2015 draft, he promised they'd get "the best player they ever picked." Given some of the people currently wearing that uniform, that was a steep boast. According to one ESPN writer it's been a "thumbs up" pick for the Patriots, though when it comes down to the actual assessment, rather than the headline, the review is much more lukewarm. Some good. Some bad. Still learning like any rookie. He currently has three tackles in the preseason.

Tevin Coleman, RB, Falcons

While Randy Gregory seems like a no-brainer pick, many favored running back Tevin Coleman, who was still available at the time Gregory was taken. Coleman has been out with a hamstring injury and has yet to see action in the preseason.

Carl Davis, DT, Ravens

Davis has been fairly active for the Ravens, taking a number of snaps while Tim Jernigan nurses an injury. He was the highest-rated defender in their first preseason game (according to Pro Football Focus)  and has been getting good reviews. He has six tackles and a pass defensed on the preseason.

Xavier Cooper, DT, Browns

This Yard Barker article credits Cooper's quickness with the three sacks Cooper has registered in this preseason. Cooper was taken shortly after Dallas picked injured offensive lineman, Chaz Green. Cooper, however, has not accumulated a stat outside those three.  I watched the two he registered against the Bills the other day and on one he was stoned at the line (albeit by a double team) and other players flushed the quarterback towards him. The other was a heavy blitz and the guard chose to pick up the Mike linebacker, leaving Cooper unblocked, which situation he dutifully and quickly converted into a sack.

My personal picks ignored by Dallas were Chris Conley (who was actually gone quite early), Grady Jarrett (who fell to the fifth round), and Zach Zenner (who went undrafted). Conley has apparently impressed coaches and took more reps at WR (where he is currently third on the depth chart) than any other player. Unfortunately he has yet to be targeted this preseason. Jarrett appears to have been something of a disappointment, though he was reportedly better in his second game. Zenner has had a lot of success running (17 attempts for 77 yards) and receiving (6 catches for 60 yards and a TD) but is currently sharing fourth place on the Lions' depth chart. Should the Lions waive Zenner and Dallas continue to have trouble with tweaked and/or hampered running backs, I would seriously consider poaching him.

What have you heard about other players that you wanted to see in Dallas?