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Bracie Smathers March 22nd mock (1 Viewer)

Bracie Smathers

Footballguy
The free agency tsunami has swept my first mock to oblivion so I'm updating to include the impact of free agency signings and losses and factoring in Pro Day results, latest rumors, and in this draft I include four trades.

1. Kansas City: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M.

Letting go of OT Eric Winston while not extending but only franchising Brandon Albert at OLT creates a hole both short term and long term. After Albert signed his tender KC announced he was available for trade. All of that wrangling points that the Chiefs pick a long-term answer at OLT.

2. Jacksonville: Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida.

Many expect the Jags to take an edge pass rusher because they only racked up 20 sacks which was the worst in the league last year but they also surrendered the 3rd most rushing yards per game (141). With the second pick, the top edge pass rushers who rate that high of a selection dont project as stout run-stuffing 4-3 defensive ends. I havent been shy expressing that my favorite player from this draft is Sharriff Floyd. He penetrates and blows up blocking schemes and his football smarts are evident as he instantly reads and reacts to plays. In addition he brings a pass rush from inside that few teams boast. That fact he played at Florida might fill some of those empty seats in Jacksonville.

3. Oakland: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah.

Star got rave reviews on his recent Pro Day where the 6-foot-3, 311-pound Lotulelei put up 38 reps on the 225-pound bench press, had a 30-inch vertical leap, ran the three-cone drill in 7.76 seconds, and the short shuttle in 4.65 seconds. Details leaked which might have been a factor in his heart condition. Star lost ten pounds in three days before the Combine so dehydration may have been the culprit, he might not have heart condition at all. The Raiders still havent made any moves to re-sign DT Richard Seymour and lost their other starting DT Desmond Bryant in free agency so defensive tackle is, one of many, dire needs for Oakland.

4. Philadelphia: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia.

Hmmnn very interesting. The Eagles held a private workout with Geno where owner Jeffrey Laurie was in attendance. The free agent signings addressed many top needs. They landed pass rushing OLB/DE Connor Barwin to add on top of current players, OLB/DE Brandon Graham, OLB/DE Vinnie Curry, and OLB/DE Trent Cole so they can cross pass rusher off their top pick. They revamped the secondary signing, safties Kenny Phillips and Patrick Chung, then at CB they landed Cary Williams and CB Bradley Fletcher so that negates the need to grab Milliner. They got their NT in Isasc Sogoaga and both DTs are gone in this scenario so that leaves the pick up between OT and QB. The Eagles get starting OLT Jason Peters back and their OG which boosts their O-Line and they only signed Michael Vick to a one-year contract. The Eagles went out and hand picked Chip Kelly so he can run his offense. Smiths completion percentage has gone up steadily each year from 64.8 to 65.8 to 71.2 the last three years. His TD to INT ratio has increased each year from 24-7 to 31-7 to 42-6 which ties in well with his film-rat reputation. Then he smoked a 4.59 forty at the combine which really opened some eyes. Geno has his detractors but he could go as high as #2 or #3 but I feel he wont make it past #4, either the Eagles take him or some team moves up but I dont see him dropping any further.

5. Detroit: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan.

OT Jeff Backus retired and the Lions lost OT Gosder Cherlis in free agency. OT Rielly Rieff might be a better fit at OG so OT becomes a dire need that trumps CB.

***TRADE*** MIAMI trades up from the 12th pick to Cleveland's 6th pick. Reasoning - Miami lost OT Jake Long and owns two second-round draft picks paving the way to land an OLT to seal QB Ryan Tannenhill's blind side...

6. Miami: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma.

They commit to QB Ryan Tannehill and build the team around him by signing WR Mike Wallace and move up to get the last of the top-three OLTs from this draft.

7. Arizona: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama.

The Cards offensive line (OLT Nate Potter, LG Darvn Colledge, C Scott Wedge, RG Adam Snyder, RT Bobby Massie) is the worst in the league. They ranked dead last rushing the football, top rusher ran for only 357 yards. They have a dire need which matches the BPA of the draft in Warmack. Durability (never missed a snap) and dependability (only missed 7 out of his 728 assignments - success rate 99%) Four year starter, simply a perfect player that fits dire need. With Geno Smith and the top-three OLTs off the board coach Arians could be tempted to over draft his QB but with Warmack there he has to take him.

8. Buffalo: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee.

Very tempted to go with Matt Barkley or Ryan Nassib but feel one of the QBs, likely Nassib, should drop to their second round pick. The Bills lost OG Levitre but Warmack is off the board and they get back OT Zebrie Sanders. Theyve drafted two cornerbacks last year, in the first and fourth rounds last year so they skip Milliner. Easily could go pass rusher but they had 36 sacks last year, not bad. The Bills have needed someone opposite of WR Stevie Johnson since he started churing out 1,000 yard seasons three years ago and just lost WR Donald Jones in free agency. Players like Patterson are difficult to find so this pick should help whomever the Bills get to play QB in the second round.

9. N.Y. Jets: Dion Jordan, DE-LB, Oregon.

Rex Ryan is like a grizzly bear sitting on top of a waterfall in the perfect spot to catch salmon spawning upstream where he takes his pick of the biggest juiciest pass rushing fish that jumps in his paws.

10. Tennessee: Ezekiel Ziggy Ansah, DE-LB, Brigham Young.

The Titans gave up too many points last year. They have Derreck Morgan (296 lbs) at one DE position but in free agency last year they signed undersized pass rushing DE Kamerion Wimbley (245 lbs) to play on the opposite side. They need to get bigger and stronger at that position so enters Ansah.

11. San Diego: Barkevious Mingo, LB, Louisiana State.

Chargers are good at corner with Antone Cason and Quentin Jammer or Milliner would go here. They could use O-Line help but Mingo is BPA and too good to pass up. OLB Shuan Phillips had 9.5 sacks on one side with virtually no pass rush help from the backside. Adding a pass rusher like Mingo creates backside pressure which would open up the Chargers pass rush.

***TRADE*** Cleveland trades down from 6th pick to Miami's 12th pick. Reasoning - Cleveland lacked a sencond round pick having used it to select WR Josh Gordon in last year's supplemental draft and acquires one of the two second-round picks that Miami had...

12. Cleveland : Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama.

Cleveland misses out on top pass rushers so fill a need at corner while talking BPA at this point in the draft.

***TRADE*** Tampa Bay trades 13th pick in the draft to New York Jets for CB Darrelle Revis..

13. New York Jets : Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State.

The trade of Revis to Tampa Bay will eventually go through so the Jets land a corner to try and replace him.

14. Carolina: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri.

The Panthers continue to build the defense around MLB Luke Keuchly by taking a DT to cement the middle of the D-Line in front of him.

15. New Orleans: Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia

Dire need meets falling player, right into the lap of Rob Ryan who desperately needs LBers to run his 3-4 defense.

16. St. Louis: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia.

The Rams need offensive weapons and Austin is rapidly rising up draft boards.

17. Pittsburgh: Bjoern Werner, DE/OLB, Florida State.

Let the rebuild begin.

18. Dallas: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State.

The Cowboys are switching to the 4-3 and New DC Monte Kiffin gets a bedrock to build his defense and starts with Hankins. Dallas needs defensive tackles so they add the versatile 63, 335 lb Junior who can play a number of positions on the line.

19. N.Y. Giants: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame.

Lost Martellus Bennett in free agency and his 55 receptions.

***TRADE*** Arizona Cardnals trade-up from the second round sending a 2014 firs round pick to Chicago. Reasoning - Arizona desperately needs a starting caliber QB and don't want to risk losing Barkley to another team moving up for him. Chicago probably re-signs LB Brian Urlacher to a one-year contract so they decide to move-down thinking they can find a LB in the second round.

20. ARIZONA : QB Matt Barkley, USC

Bruce Arians needs a quarterback and cant afford the outside chance that Minnesota takes their guy.

21. Cincinnati: Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas.

Vaccaro easily could go higher. Bengals solid defense gets even stronger.

22. St. Louis: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina.

The Rams QB were hit 116 times last year so they signed OLT Jake Long but they still need to upgrade that line so they get a solid OG who should become a fixture on their offensive line.

23. Minnesota: Keenan Allen, WR, California.

The Vikes land Greg Jennings and get a big fast WR who should start opposite him as a rookie.

24. Indianapolis: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama.

The Colts current RT is Winston Juctice, a guy who Philadelphia drafted in the second round but traded just to move-up in the sixth round last year. If the Eagles didnt want him on their offensive line then I think its safe to say the Colts would probably want an upgrade on the right side, enter Fluker.

25. Minnesota: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina.

Could go LB but Kevin Williams is wearing down and needs to eventually get replaced.

26. Green Bay: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

Yeah, I know, the Pack doesnt draft RBs in the first round. The last RB taken in the first round by GB was Brent Fullwood back in 1987 but the Pack has a glaring need. The piece-meal RBs havent worked. Its time to think inside the box for a change. Rodgers has faced undue pressure because teams laugh at the lack of a rushing game Green Bay puts on the field. The Pack put up over 430 points but didnt win any low scoring tight games last year, why? Because they cant, not with those RBs. Point is every NFL team needs to line up in the I and just play smash-mouth and force their will running the football in a low-scoring tight game at least once during the season,. See Seattle and SF. Oh and the RB taken in the first round back in 1979 by the Pack? EDDIE Lee Harvey so EDDIE Lacy, kismet?

27. Houston: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson.

Cut Walters increasing need for WR opposite Andre Johnson.

28. Denver: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M.

With Elvis Dumervil possibly gone they would need a pass rusher. Von Miller has been coaching up Moore through the draft proccess so I'm sure he has mentioned Damontre a few times to the Broncos.

***TRADE*** Jcksonville Jaguars trade-up from the second round to New England's first round selection, 29th pick of first round giving their 2014 second-round pick. Reasoning - Jacksonville needs a QB. New England is forward thinking with draft trades and can find starters in this year's second round...

29. Jacksonville : QB EJ Manuel, Florida State

Some team is going to trade-up for Manuel. EJs stock has risen to the point that he has been invited to New York City to attend the draft. The NFL doesnt typically invite second round picks to Music City to sit in the green room and there are teams in dire need so someone is likely to move-up and Belichick has been accommodating in moving down so I think it happens here. Jacksonville is loosing fans in droves. They need a dynamic leader, Gabbert and Henne dont cut it but at the combine Manuel nailed his visit with the media. Manuel had a solid Senior Bowl, including the week of practice. At 65 and 237 lbs hes got great size and in his Pro Day his people not only showcased is big arm they also highlighted his mobility. He has his flaws but hes the only QB from this class who can run the read-option. Oh and Ill throw this out there, one thing pointed out by Chip Kelly is he likes QBs with large hands. Manuel has 10.38 inch hands which were the largest of the 2013 QB class.

30. Atlanta: Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State.

Falcons have to find a replacement for loss of DE John Abraham.

31. San Francisco: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama.

6-foot-4, 323-pound Williams was a moveable chess piece for Nick Saban, but found his real role as a game-changing nose tackle in 2012 after moving from five-tech defensive end. You'll also see him as a goal-line fullback

6-foot-4, 323-pound with remarkable 40-yard dash times in the 4.84/4.92 range

They lost NT Isaac Sopoaga,62, 330 lbs, but signed DT Glenn Dorsey, 61 and 297 lbs, to take his place. They lose an inch and 33 pounds in the middle of their D-Line. Williams was moved around by Saban who had him playing five-tech 3-4 DE and even lined him up at FB before Jesse found his home at nose tackle. So Williams brings versatility. Last year when DE Justin Smith went down last year the sack tear that OLB/DE Aldon Smith was on dried up so adding a big man who can play both nose and end probably is a better use of their top pick over a safety since there are still plenty of DBs left in free agency and the draft class is deep enough where they could land a very good safety at the end of round two.

32. Baltimore: Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State.

They've lost so many starters but the biggest loss is LB Ray Lewis and choose Brown.

 
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26. Green Bay: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

Yeah, I know, the Pack doesn’t draft RBs in the first round. The last RB taken in the first round by GB was Brent Fullwood back in 1987 but the Pack has a glaring need. The piece-meal RBs haven’t worked. Its time to think inside the box for a change. Rodgers has faced undue pressure because teams laugh at the lack of a rushing game Green Bay puts on the field. The Pack put up over 430 points but didn’t win any low scoring tight games last year, why? Because they can’t, not with those RBs. Point is every NFL team needs to line up in the I and just play smash-mouth and force their will running the football in a low-scoring tight game at least once during the season,. See Seattle and SF. Oh and the RB taken in the first round back in 1979 by the Pack? EDDIE Lee Harvey so EDDIE Lacy, kismet?
Enjoyed the read Bracie. Would be thrilled if the Pack select Eddie Lacy, so really like the pick.Sorry to nitpick, but two things about your GB history lesson:

1. the last RB taken in the 1st rd by GB was Darrell Thompson in 1990. He was abysmal. (at least Fullwood showed flashes of brilliance - such as his rookie pre-season game when he took a kickoff to the house.....wait, no, he fumbled on the goalline, thus earning the nickname Fumblewood)

2. the Packer RB selected in 1979 was Eddie Lee Ivery......not Harvey, or even Oswald. ;)

Again, great read.

 
Solid mock, I hope you're wrong about Geno to the Eagles though. I'm just not sold on him as a franchise QB that can be drafted in the top 10, let alone top 5.

 
Nice work.....Austin and Cooper(or Warmack) is my ist round dream draft for the Rams. I also think it is fairly likely to happen.

 
The Giants signed TE Brandon Myers and I think they are pretty open about a philosophy of drafting the best available player. I personally think the best player available given the mock up to their pick is J. Cooper.

I wouldn't be surprised to see an innovative team trade up into the top 10 to draft Tavon Austin, he's worth it.

 
I like the pick for the Raiders. Star would be a great selection and will help tremendously. Plus he can play DT in the 4-3 and DE in the 3-4, the new Raiders regime love players that can be multiple.

That being said I think the Raiders will be working the phone lines like their lives depend on it to try and trade down for more draft picks since they don't have a 2nd round pick this year.

Nice Job on the mock Bracie. :thumbup:

 
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11. San Diego: Barkevious Mingo, LB, Louisiana State.Chargers are good at corner with Antone Cason and Quentin Jammer or Milliner would go here. They could use O-Line help but Mingo is BPA and too good to pass up. OLB Shuan Phillips had 9.5 sacks on one side with virtually no pass rush help from the backside. Adding a pass rusher like Mingo creates backside pressure which would open up the Chargers pass rush.
FYI, Cason signed as a free agent in Arizona. Jammer is being moved to saftey.They signed Cox from JacksonvilleIMO if by some miracle Dee Milliner is there (which he wont be Detroit is going to take him at 5) no way in Hades the Bolts pass on him.
 
11. San Diego: Barkevious Mingo, LB, Louisiana State.Chargers are good at corner with Antone Cason and Quentin Jammer or Milliner would go here. They could use O-Line help but Mingo is BPA and too good to pass up. OLB Shuan Phillips had 9.5 sacks on one side with virtually no pass rush help from the backside. Adding a pass rusher like Mingo creates backside pressure which would open up the Chargers pass rush.
FYI, Cason signed as a free agent in Arizona. Jammer is being moved to saftey.They signed Cox from JacksonvilleIMO if by some miracle Dee Milliner is there (which he wont be Detroit is going to take him at 5) no way in Hades the Bolts pass on him.
And if not Millner which I can agree with, Cooper is not dropping past this spot. They drafted Ingram and English and with losing Vasquez, they could also use Cooper who is rising in drafts. Warmack is choice 1 and Cooper 2. I do think it is OL unless a Millner was to drop and than they jump all over him or someone moves up for him. I dont like the Lacy pick for the Packers at allJags have too many needs to worry about Manuel. It is either Gabbert or Bridgewater in a year. They got to draft help instead of taking another maybe QB.
 
I doubt Milliner makes it that far but good read
Agreed. He's the new age safety that can also come up and cover, with blazing speed and versatility. Any team would kill for that kind of flexibility. Defenses never get caught off guard and can instantly switch from Nickel to base and back. He's a top 5 pick, IMO.
 
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The Pats dealing a pick is never a surprise...this year if they do it they may pass on grabbing a 2014 pick and try to re-coup some 2013 picks as they don't have a #4, #5 and #6...all that being said I would rather they focus on quality rather than quantity in the draft...they need more playmakers...

 
Always fun to read these. I know they take a lot of work. Appreciaate the effort.

I doubt that Dallas would pass on Vacarro and Cooper for a 1-tech DT. The key DT in the Tampa2 is the 3 tech. Hankins isnt that guy. Meanwhile, Dallas has visits scheduled with Vacarro. The majority of Dallas' picks over the last few yearsr had visited, so that's always a good clue for them.

 
26. Green Bay: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

Yeah, I know, the Pack doesn’t draft RBs in the first round. The last RB taken in the first round by GB was Brent Fullwood back in 1987 but the Pack has a glaring need. The piece-meal RBs haven’t worked. Its time to think inside the box for a change. Rodgers has faced undue pressure because teams laugh at the lack of a rushing game Green Bay puts on the field. The Pack put up over 430 points but didn’t win any low scoring tight games last year, why? Because they can’t, not with those RBs. Point is every NFL team needs to line up in the I and just play smash-mouth and force their will running the football in a low-scoring tight game at least once during the season,. See Seattle and SF. Oh and the RB taken in the first round back in 1979 by the Pack? EDDIE Lee Harvey so EDDIE Lacy, kismet?
Enjoyed the read Bracie. Would be thrilled if the Pack select Eddie Lacy, so really like the pick.Sorry to nitpick, but two things about your GB history lesson:

1. the last RB taken in the 1st rd by GB was Darrell Thompson in 1990. He was abysmal. (at least Fullwood showed flashes of brilliance - such as his rookie pre-season game when he took a kickoff to the house.....wait, no, he fumbled on the goalline, thus earning the nickname Fumblewood)

2. the Packer RB selected in 1979 was Eddie Lee Ivery......not Harvey, or even Oswald. ;)

Again, great read.
Yeah, I was getting tired at that point and didn't fact-check. I think I mixed up an old KC RB from that era with Ivery.+One of the fun all-time names EDDIE-Lee-Ivery so I can easily see Berman thundering in with the EDDIE-Lacey-IVERY nick along with the Pack faithful.

Running backs are plentiful but Lacey seems like thee-guy that the Pack has been looking for, a tough hard nosed runner, nice feet, can catch. He had great blocking but he showed patience and timing with ability to read blocks.

Green Bay has a lot in place offensively but have lacked a runner like this for a long time.

 
The Giants signed TE Brandon Myers and I think they are pretty open about a philosophy of drafting the best available player. I personally think the best player available given the mock up to their pick is J. Cooper.I wouldn't be surprised to see an innovative team trade up into the top 10 to draft Tavon Austin, he's worth it.
Myers is a guy I was shocked was getting any free agency play. It seemed to me he did most of his damage in garbage time where safeties were deep and they let him run underneath covering the track-team WRs deep. Carson Palmer didn't have any reliable weapons but found easy pickings at the end of halfs or games with Myers.I guess I was and still am biased against him since I didn't see him until the game was out of reach and he faced soft or no coverage.When Martellus Bennett was in Dallas he had Jason Witten in front of him. I thought he was an athletic un-tapped talent but how often Eli found him and his production last year even surprised me. I think Myers is the anti-Martellus Bennett. Not athletic, no-one was hindering his production but I think he had artifically inflated numbers.Eifert seems like a bargain at that point in the draft and although the G-Men got a TE I am not sold on Myers.Cooper may not be as dominant of a straight run blocker, he's great atheletically, moving and getting out but if you look at where top guards go historically the mid-late twenties is about the ball-park. Warmack is a stretch where I have him but it made too much sense at that point should the draft go as I see it.I agree on Tavon Austin but I have four projected trades already. We know that trades will be made so I tried to project the most reasonable I could manage.
 
11. San Diego: Barkevious Mingo, LB, Louisiana State.Chargers are good at corner with Antone Cason and Quentin Jammer or Milliner would go here. They could use O-Line help but Mingo is BPA and too good to pass up. OLB Shuan Phillips had 9.5 sacks on one side with virtually no pass rush help from the backside. Adding a pass rusher like Mingo creates backside pressure which would open up the Chargers pass rush.
FYI, Cason signed as a free agent in Arizona. Jammer is being moved to saftey.They signed Cox from JacksonvilleIMO if by some miracle Dee Milliner is there (which he wont be Detroit is going to take him at 5) no way in Hades the Bolts pass on him.
I wanted to put Milliner higher and kept trying but I think Detroit has to go OT and then it was tough to plug him in up to San Diego. I agree with you that San Diego would be the spot should he fall that far and I'm flip-flopping on Jarvis Jones and Mingo flipping places so Milliner would go to the Chargers and Jones would either go to the Jets or Browns and Mingo would fall to the Saints. I still feel SD would like a pass rusher opposite Phillips though so it would suprise me if they went pass rusher instead of corner if the choice came down to that.
 
11. San Diego: Barkevious Mingo, LB, Louisiana State.Chargers are good at corner with Antone Cason and Quentin Jammer or Milliner would go here. They could use O-Line help but Mingo is BPA and too good to pass up. OLB Shuan Phillips had 9.5 sacks on one side with virtually no pass rush help from the backside. Adding a pass rusher like Mingo creates backside pressure which would open up the Chargers pass rush.
FYI, Cason signed as a free agent in Arizona. Jammer is being moved to saftey.They signed Cox from JacksonvilleIMO if by some miracle Dee Milliner is there (which he wont be Detroit is going to take him at 5) no way in Hades the Bolts pass on him.
I wanted to put Milliner higher and kept trying but I think Detroit has to go OT and then it was tough to plug him in up to San Diego. I agree with you that San Diego would be the spot should he fall that far and I'm flip-flopping on Jarvis Jones and Mingo flipping places so Milliner would go to the Chargers and Jones would either go to the Jets or Browns and Mingo would fall to the Saints. I still feel SD would like a pass rusher opposite Phillips though so it would suprise me if they went pass rusher instead of corner if the choice came down to that.
everyone needs a Pass rushers, Philips is a UFA and has garnered no interest. So he might return, he might not. They have melvin Ingram and need to see if the coaches can get anything out of Larry English
 
Appreciate the effort as always. I feel like, if Miami is going to trade up, it will be for Dee Milliner.
I have had the feeling that someone would trade-up for the last of the top-three OTs, Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher, and Lane Johnson. Orignally I felt the Rams would have to move-up since Bradford has been getting killed but they made the move for Jake Long and I think they'll get a OG to help boost that line.Long has been slipping and his departure creates a big hole. The Phins probably won't look to get a second-tier guy to replace Long since they weren't willing to pay Jake to stay so I don't think they trade for an Albert or anyone else who wouldn't be a long-term fix.Lance Johnson probably isn't ready to plug in right away because right now he's kinda weak in the run game but he can pass protect and projects as a top OLT in a year. Miami has the extra second, Cleveland lacks a second. It made sense to me but then I saw Daniel Jeremiah projected the EXACT SAME TRADE for the EXACT SAME PLAYER, Lance Johnson, to Miami where they'd move up with Cleveland for one of those second round picks. It made sense to me and when Jeremiah saw the EXACT same scenario I decided I would include projected trades in this mock since I'm sure we will see trades in this draft.
 
everyone needs a Pass rushers, Philips is a UFA and has garnered no interest. So he might return, he might not. They have melvin Ingram and need to see if the coaches can get anything out of Larry English
I have to ask.What happeed with Mel Ingram?I was soo high on that guy last year and was hoping to hear or see something of him but then... :tumbleweed: I can't fathom why we never heard from him.Injuries? Coaches? The Bolts didn't have anyone other than Phillips getting sacks and when I saw Ingram on the rare occasions he was in there he didn't do much. I actually forgot about him so is he that bad or???
 
Always fun to read these. I know they take a lot of work. Appreciaate the effort.

I doubt that Dallas would pass on Vacarro and Cooper for a 1-tech DT. The key DT in the Tampa2 is the 3 tech. Hankins isnt that guy. Meanwhile, Dallas has visits scheduled with Vacarro. The majority of Dallas' picks over the last few yearsr had visited, so that's always a good clue for them.
I've mentioned Cooper in another response, I like Vaccaro, he's the only safety I have going in the first round and do feel he could go higher but don't over look Hankins.Scott Pioli released a list of his top-ten underclassmen that he put together in early Januray when he was still the GM of the Chiefs and I made a special note of that list.

Here is the top-four of that list:

1. Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M.

2. Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama. One of the youngest players in the draft (20), but a very experienced corner from the best-coached DB group in the country. Milliner has the flexibility, intelligence and experience to play outside corner and also line up in the slot. Should contribute on special teams early in his career.

3. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida. Also 20, Floyd is a strong, athletic defensive lineman who, at 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, has position and scheme versatility. Good competitor and tough player against the run and pass. Not great sack numbers, but consistently disruptive in the pass rush, and the type of player who makes those around him better by making the offense concentrate so much on stopping him.

4. Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State. Born in Germany, Werner learned football while at a Connecticut prep school as an exchange student. Played just two prep years before signing with Florida State. Two-year starter at left end in FSU's base and sub packages who shows surprising natural instincts, good hand strength and athletic ability. Pretty impressive to see he had 13 sacks in the ACC in the 2012 season.

5. Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State. At 6-3 and 335, he still has the athleticism to line up at multiple positions on the line -- not just at the nose. Active and instinctive, and showed improvement from 2011. Very good player versus the run that needs to continue to improve his every-down consistency.
He released that list from December scouting reports and he cautioned that it would change. Also the above are only the underclassmen so its taken out of context but Hankins is versatile and has upside. I think Kiffin is a great coach to develop him.

 
everyone needs a Pass rushers, Philips is a UFA and has garnered no interest. So he might return, he might not. They have melvin Ingram and need to see if the coaches can get anything out of Larry English
I have to ask.What happeed with Mel Ingram?I was soo high on that guy last year and was hoping to hear or see something of him but then... :tumbleweed: I can't fathom why we never heard from him.Injuries? Coaches? The Bolts didn't have anyone other than Phillips getting sacks and when I saw Ingram on the rare occasions he was in there he didn't do much. I actually forgot about him so is he that bad or???
No idea, looked good at times/ looked bad a t times. remember he is just a rookie.John Pagano is still the DC, but without Norv there lets see how it goes, Im willing to give the kid a mulligan
 
24. Indianapolis: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama.

The Colts current RT is Winston Juctice, a guy who Philadelphia drafted in the second round but traded just to move-up in the sixth round last year. If the Eagles didn’t want him on their offensive line then I think its safe to say the Colts would probably want an upgrade on the right side, enter Fluker.
Unless we're drafting Fluker to be an offensive guard, there is no way we're taking him. As referenced earlier in your draft, we made Gosder Cherlis the second highest paid RT in all of football. Whether he's worth that is irrelevant. It would also indicate given the amount of money they spent on Cherlis to be their RT that the Colts are also happy with Anthony Castonzo as their LT. Otherwise, they would have spent that $7 million a year (or whatever it was) to bring in a LT instead.My gut feeling based on our free agent moves so far is that we draft a WR though I wouldn't be surprised with us drafting a 3-4 OLB, NT, or 3-4 DE. I think it's also possible (although less likely) that could take a RB, G, or ILB.



WR Reggie Wayne will be 35 in November. They lost Donnie Avery (who wasn't good in the first place) to Kansas City. They have T.Y. Hilton, but I think they used him primarily in the slot last year.

3-4 OLB The Colts signed Erik Walden to be a 1st and 2nd down OLB only. Based on what I've read in the Indy Star, I think the Colts understand that he's not a stud pass rusher and don't intend to play him in passing situations. Robert Mathis, meanwhile, is 32 and will need to be replaced at some point. They gave Lawrence Sidbury the league minimum. I could see us taking a 3-4 OLB.

NT The Colts haven't addressed this position.



3-4 DEThe Colts have Cory Redding, resigned Filia Moalia, and signed Ricky Jean-Francois so I think it's unlikely the Colts take a 3-4 DE but I don't think it's impossible either.

G The Colts signed Donald Thomas compete for a starting guard spot. He hasn't been given a starting spot unlike Cherlis. I don't think you can completely rule out the Colts selecting a guard.

RB - The Colts haven't done anything in free agency at RB. That being said, I don't know that there are any RBs worth the 24th overall pick in this draft. Further, they still have their top two rushers from last year as well. Maybe they're happy with them?



ILB Despite recording 100+ tackles in 2011, Pat Angerer didn't get a ton of playing time last year even when healthy. Either he isn't a great fit for the 3-4 defense or the new coaching stuff doesn't like him that much. Jerrell Freeman is locked into one of the 3-4 ILB starting positions, but I don't know that Angerer or Kavell Conner has the other spot locked up.

If I had to give odds, I'd say

WR - 45%

3-4 OLB - 25%

NT - 30%

another position - 10%

 
Not sure I see a fit for Lacy other than the 49ers in the first. A big bruising back just doesn't seem like a good match for the Packers, especially with their run blocking problems.

 
Matt Barkley just doesn't seem like a good fit for Arians vertical offense to me.
He's not a good fit but the saying 'any port in a storm' fits.Arians lacks a legit NFL starting QB.

Barkley is, insert NFL-cliche here, the 'most NFL ready' to start of this class.

Glennon has the arm to fit any verticle offense but he's a string-bean who looks like Ichabob Craine. He's at least one year away from getting on the field simply due to physically lacking ability to absorb hits even before we get into his lack of mobility where he'd require a strong offensive line, something the Cards lack. Or his troubles with turning the ball over.

Arians said he wants a starter ASAP.

My link

12:51p.m. EDT March 21, 2013

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians wants to create fierce competition for starting jobs everywhere, especially on the offensive line. But for the guy who lines up directly behind them, the quarterback, Arians wants him to have the job security of a Supreme Court justice.

"If we're out there competing to see who the quarterback is, we've got a problem," Arians said Wednesday at the NFL owners meetings at the Biltmore.

... He plans to name a starter this spring, and while that person can lose the job, there won't be an "open" competition for it.

"We need leadership on that side of the football and in our whole locker room," Arians said. "We don't want different factions of the locker room politicking for guys. I've always been a one-quarterback guy.

"When you've got two, you don't have one. That's been my philosophy all these years."

Drew Stanton, who signed a three-year deal last week, is the favorite for that role, even though he hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game since 2010.

... Stanton has started just four games in five seasons, so it's an obvious question: Is he the quarterback who finally can successfully replace Kurt Warner?
My link
-Arians said there isn’t a QB in this draft that makes him go “wow.” But he did say there are six quarterbacks, at least, who can have good careers, either as starters or backups. Arians chose his words carefully but, reading between the lines, it sure sounds doubtful the Cardinals take a QB with the seventh overall pick.

Taking a guard there is possible, he said.

–Arians said the Cardinals don’t “need” a quarterback and won’t reach in the draft for one. Teams that draft according to need make mistakes, he said. Arians said he’s comfortable starting the season with Stanton. He also said he has evaluated John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer on tape but is anxious to sit down with them to delve into their decision-making. Coaches can’t do that until next month.
I have the Cards taking OG Chance Warmack with the seventh pick and not reaching but they simply can't go into the season with Stanton as the only guy to start at QB, hence I have them moving up for Barkley who can start right away.

Is he the perfect fit for Arians offense? Nope, neither is Stanton but the options are limited to Stanton or basically less than perfect fits.

I would imagine any USC QB causes Cardinal fans to cringe after Lienart but I understand why some like Barkley better than any of the QBs from this class and I see him as Arizona's 'best' option.

 
everyone needs a Pass rushers, Philips is a UFA and has garnered no interest. So he might return, he might not. They have melvin Ingram and need to see if the coaches can get anything out of Larry English
I have to ask.What happeed with Mel Ingram?I was soo high on that guy last year and was hoping to hear or see something of him but then... :tumbleweed: I can't fathom why we never heard from him.Injuries? Coaches? The Bolts didn't have anyone other than Phillips getting sacks and when I saw Ingram on the rare occasions he was in there he didn't do much. I actually forgot about him so is he that bad or???
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/02/15/the-idp-metric-system-qb-pressure-frequency/
 
24. Indianapolis: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama.

The Colts current RT is Winston Juctice, a guy who Philadelphia drafted in the second round but traded just to move-up in the sixth round last year. If the Eagles didn’t want him on their offensive line then I think its safe to say the Colts would probably want an upgrade on the right side, enter Fluker.
Unless we're drafting Fluker to be an offensive guard, there is no way we're taking him. As referenced earlier in your draft, we made Gosder Cherlis the second highest paid RT in all of football. Whether he's worth that is irrelevant. It would also indicate given the amount of money they spent on Cherlis to be their RT that the Colts are also happy with Anthony Castonzo as their LT. Otherwise, they would have spent that $7 million a year (or whatever it was) to bring in a LT instead.My gut feeling based on our free agent moves so far is that we draft a WR though I wouldn't be surprised with us drafting a 3-4 OLB, NT, or 3-4 DE. I think it's also possible (although less likely) that could take a RB, G, or ILB.



WR Reggie Wayne will be 35 in November. They lost Donnie Avery (who wasn't good in the first place) to Kansas City. They have T.Y. Hilton, but I think they used him primarily in the slot last year.

3-4 OLB The Colts signed Erik Walden to be a 1st and 2nd down OLB only. Based on what I've read in the Indy Star, I think the Colts understand that he's not a stud pass rusher and don't intend to play him in passing situations. Robert Mathis, meanwhile, is 32 and will need to be replaced at some point. They gave Lawrence Sidbury the league minimum. I could see us taking a 3-4 OLB.

NT The Colts haven't addressed this position.



3-4 DEThe Colts have Cory Redding, resigned Filia Moalia, and signed Ricky Jean-Francois so I think it's unlikely the Colts take a 3-4 DE but I don't think it's impossible either.

G The Colts signed Donald Thomas compete for a starting guard spot. He hasn't been given a starting spot unlike Cherlis. I don't think you can completely rule out the Colts selecting a guard.

RB - The Colts haven't done anything in free agency at RB. That being said, I don't know that there are any RBs worth the 24th overall pick in this draft. Further, they still have their top two rushers from last year as well. Maybe they're happy with them?



ILB Despite recording 100+ tackles in 2011, Pat Angerer didn't get a ton of playing time last year even when healthy. Either he isn't a great fit for the 3-4 defense or the new coaching stuff doesn't like him that much. Jerrell Freeman is locked into one of the 3-4 ILB starting positions, but I don't know that Angerer or Kavell Conner has the other spot locked up.

If I had to give odds, I'd say

WR - 45%

3-4 OLB - 25%

NT - 30%

another position - 10%
The Colts were a very difficult team to peg down to one position/player.I looked over the WRs and didn't see a glaring need but you can argue loading the chamber behind Wayne. I think Luck can turn marginal WRs like TJ into highly productive receivers so I decided to hold off on addressing that need with the Colts top pick.

Its possible they go NT but I thought Filia Moalia was, or could be, the nose.

You make a good case for ILB and their are a couple I wanted to put in the first round but didn't see great fits. I agree they can use an upgrade here.

In my original mock I had an OT going to the Colts. Fluker can play OG and many project him to OG but I had forgoten about Cherlis signing. The Colts could still build up that offensive line and I cannot make a great case for or against Fluker but I had him as BPA where I wanted to match him to a team higher in the first round so I think he's a bargain at that point in the draft.

In the end I went O-Line due to protecting a young franchise QB. I think that is the way to go and consistently use the same logic with Miami moving up for the last of the top-three OLTs to protect Tannenhill. I think its a mistake to overlook protecting a young QB and allowing them to get beat up or try to develop under durress like the Rams let happen with Sam Bradford. He's gotten the snot kicked out of him and I think it set him back and puts his long-term career at risk so I put a lot of emphasis on building a solid wall around any young franchise QB.

 
Always fun to read these. I know they take a lot of work. Appreciaate the effort.

I doubt that Dallas would pass on Vacarro and Cooper for a 1-tech DT. The key DT in the Tampa2 is the 3 tech. Hankins isnt that guy. Meanwhile, Dallas has visits scheduled with Vacarro. The majority of Dallas' picks over the last few yearsr had visited, so that's always a good clue for them.
I've mentioned Cooper in another response, I like Vaccaro, he's the only safety I have going in the first round and do feel he could go higher but don't over look Hankins.Scott Pioli released a list of his top-ten underclassmen that he put together in early Januray when he was still the GM of the Chiefs and I made a special note of that list.

Here is the top-four of that list:

1. Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M.

2. Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama. One of the youngest players in the draft (20), but a very experienced corner from the best-coached DB group in the country. Milliner has the flexibility, intelligence and experience to play outside corner and also line up in the slot. Should contribute on special teams early in his career.

3. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida. Also 20, Floyd is a strong, athletic defensive lineman who, at 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, has position and scheme versatility. Good competitor and tough player against the run and pass. Not great sack numbers, but consistently disruptive in the pass rush, and the type of player who makes those around him better by making the offense concentrate so much on stopping him.

4. Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State. Born in Germany, Werner learned football while at a Connecticut prep school as an exchange student. Played just two prep years before signing with Florida State. Two-year starter at left end in FSU's base and sub packages who shows surprising natural instincts, good hand strength and athletic ability. Pretty impressive to see he had 13 sacks in the ACC in the 2012 season.

5. Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State. At 6-3 and 335, he still has the athleticism to line up at multiple positions on the line -- not just at the nose. Active and instinctive, and showed improvement from 2011. Very good player versus the run that needs to continue to improve his every-down consistency.
He released that list from December scouting reports and he cautioned that it would change. Also the above are only the underclassmen so its taken out of context but Hankins is versatile and has upside. I think Kiffin is a great coach to develop him.
If Hankins is the top guy on their board, then I'm pretty sure Dallas would take him. DL is a position of eed for them, but not quite as high in the short term as OL and S. I'm not sure he's as highly rated as, say, Vacarro, so I'd guess they'd go another direction. Also, Dallas needs passrushers at DL, moreso than run stuffers. This would suggest Hankins would be a bit lower on their board, given the description you posted of him.
 
Not sure I see a fit for Lacy other than the 49ers in the first. A big bruising back just doesn't seem like a good match for the Packers, especially with their run blocking problems.
- The Packers have not had a good rushing attack.- The Packers haven't invested a first round pick on a RB in decades.

- Fans would immediately 'not see a fit' of a big bruising back like Lacey to GB.

All true.

Unti the Packers draft a RB like Lacey in the first round giving them a back to develop a bruising rushing attack.

Fan reactions catch up to developments which is fine but when making a mock and seeing talent available you have to ask why in hell haven't the Packers taken a big strong bruising RB when they have a need?

I couldn't reply to that question by saying, 'well they haven't done in the past' .

I just could not accept that as an honest answer when putting together my mock.

 
Melvin Ingram, OLB

Draft: First round, 18th overall

Snaps/Usage: 475 snaps, 281 rushing the passer

Notes: Despite his first-round status, Ingram was eased into the mix at outside linebacker with Shaun Phillips and Jarret Johnson already entrenched as starters. He spent most of his time rushing the passer where he graded at +1.4 after picking up 33 pressures on his 281 rushes, good for a Pass Rush Productivity of 9.7. That mark ranked eighth among 32 qualifiers at 3-4 outside linebacker, so look for an increased role for Ingram in 2013.

source: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/02/14/rookie-recap-afc-west/2/

 
If Hankins is the top guy on their board, then I'm pretty sure Dallas would take him. DL is a position of eed for them, but not quite as high in the short term as OL and S. I'm not sure he's as highly rated as, say, Vacarro, so I'd guess they'd go another direction. Also, Dallas needs passrushers at DL, moreso than run stuffers. This would suggest Hankins would be a bit lower on their board, given the description you posted of him.
I agree that Vaccaro is higher on my list but I have to default to Bill Belechick whose defense building philosophy is you build from the inside-out. Meaning you take bigger guys closer to the ball before addressing your outside positions.Why? The guys closer to the ball are playing up on the LOS so they are actively engaged in physical contact and are closer to the ball, when snapped, than the other guys on your defense. He felt they were literally the first line of defense and if you look historically at NFL drafts you won't see cornerbacks and safeties and few outside linebackers taken first or in the top-five picks but you'll find plenty of DTs and DEs.Others have said basically the same thing, Parcells 'Planet Theory' where their are only so many big men who can move created on the planet so if you find them then take them, etc.Last year only two safeties went in the first round, one near the top of the first round and one late in the first round.In my mock I only have Vaccaro who I like a lot but with Dallas needing a starting DT I went Hankins.
 
Melvin Ingram, OLB

Draft: First round, 18th overall

Snaps/Usage: 475 snaps, 281 rushing the passer

Notes: Despite his first-round status, Ingram was eased into the mix at outside linebacker with Shaun Phillips and Jarret Johnson already entrenched as starters. He spent most of his time rushing the passer where he graded at +1.4 after picking up 33 pressures on his 281 rushes, good for a Pass Rush Productivity of 9.7. That mark ranked eighth among 32 qualifiers at 3-4 outside linebacker, so look for an increased role for Ingram in 2013.

source: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/02/14/rookie-recap-afc-west/2/
PFF is a great site.They create their stats by having people watch NFL Network's game rewind and logging their interpretations of what they see and numerically their interpetations.

Not a perfect system but quite frankly even the most devote NFL fan isn't sitting down and isolating every snap of Melvin Ingram so we have to defer to PFF's numbers since real NFL teams aren't releasing their scouting porfolios on players but we get some nice analysis from former scouts who keep on top of things or who iso on a guy if they are doing an article, etc.

I tried to iso on Ingram early last year and saw a guy who did get some heat on the QB but got few sacks and seemed a bit lost.

Then I didn't see or notice him much after than so I lost interest and didn't keep track of how many pressures he had.

When doing my mock I saw 9.5 sacks from Phillips and nothing from the other side of the field, sacks were the only stat I had readily available and if Phillips is getting take downs you would expect sacks or pressure from the backside.

It does make sense for the Bolts to take Milliner if he's there and I have already noted that correction where the Browns would then take the best available pass rushing OLB/DE Mingo or Jarvis Jones so I am paying attention to the feedback. :banned:

 
'bicycle_seat_sniffer said:
'Bracie Smathers said:
'bicycle_seat_sniffer said:
everyone needs a Pass rushers, Philips is a UFA and has garnered no interest. So he might return, he might not. They have melvin Ingram and need to see if the coaches can get anything out of Larry English
I have to ask.What happeed with Mel Ingram?I was soo high on that guy last year and was hoping to hear or see something of him but then... :tumbleweed: I can't fathom why we never heard from him.Injuries? Coaches? The Bolts didn't have anyone other than Phillips getting sacks and when I saw Ingram on the rare occasions he was in there he didn't do much. I actually forgot about him so is he that bad or???
No idea, looked good at times/ looked bad a t times. remember he is just a rookie.John Pagano is still the DC, but without Norv there lets see how it goes, Im willing to give the kid a mulligan
He did make a lot of rookie mistakes and looked hesitant making the adjustment to the pro game. Easily got through the line but avoided blocked punts in fear of getting a roughing call, other times got a roughing call when he just missed getting a sack. I think he demonstrated the physical ability to penetrate the OL so I'm hoping he'll develop a better feel in '13. Another thing most people don't realize is there was a logjam at OLB in SD last year. Obviously Phillips was going to play most downs. They over-payed for Jarret Johnson so you knew he was going to be on the field a great deal. When Barnes was healthy he had a very similar role on the defense as Ingram so probably took snaps away. There has always been a hope English would contribute in some way after being drafted very high. Barnes is already gone(JETS) and I wouldn't be surprised if Phillips/English aren't on the opening day roster so Ingram will get a much expanded role in '13 whether he's ready for it or not.I think Butler/Ingram will be the cornerstone of the LB's moving forward and it's not nearly as big an area of need as OT/OG/C/CB/SS. That's a pretty big list of dire needs that really haven't been addressed in FA other than the signing of Cox. People say Hardwick is locked in at C but I don't know why.
 
'Bracie Smathers said:
'Ridgelake said:
If Hankins is the top guy on their board, then I'm pretty sure Dallas would take him. DL is a position of eed for them, but not quite as high in the short term as OL and S. I'm not sure he's as highly rated as, say, Vacarro, so I'd guess they'd go another direction. Also, Dallas needs passrushers at DL, moreso than run stuffers. This would suggest Hankins would be a bit lower on their board, given the description you posted of him.
I agree that Vaccaro is higher on my list but I have to default to Bill Belechick whose defense building philosophy is you build from the inside-out. Meaning you take bigger guys closer to the ball before addressing your outside positions.Why? The guys closer to the ball are playing up on the LOS so they are actively engaged in physical contact and are closer to the ball, when snapped, than the other guys on your defense. He felt they were literally the first line of defense and if you look historically at NFL drafts you won't see cornerbacks and safeties and few outside linebackers taken first or in the top-five picks but you'll find plenty of DTs and DEs.Others have said basically the same thing, Parcells 'Planet Theory' where their are only so many big men who can move created on the planet so if you find them then take them, etc.Last year only two safeties went in the first round, one near the top of the first round and one late in the first round.In my mock I only have Vaccaro who I like a lot but with Dallas needing a starting DT I went Hankins.
No disagreement on planet theory and the like. I, along with many other long time Cowboy followers, have been frustrated to no end at the lack of investment along the lines over the last few years. Dallas' needs are OL, DL, and S. The Tampa 2 D is predicated upon getting pressure from the front 4. Dallas has 30+ year old rushers in Ware, Spencer, Ratliff, and Hatcher. None of the newer guys are very good passrushers. So yes, Dallas needs young talent on this front 4. They have only average-at-best young DL on the team. Especially guys who can rush the passer. They've got plugger, run-stuffers.My question on the pick was more about Hankins' talent. Hankins appears to be a good run stuffer, but isnt a natural passrusher. While this is a developing skill for him, I'm not sure that his skill set is what the Boys are looking for, i.e., a passrusher. Dallas, for all its faults, does tend to follow its board when it comes to drafting. In that Hankins' grade on their board likely isnt as high as other candidates at positions of need, I question the likelihood of that pick.
 
No disagreement on planet theory and the like. I, along with many other long time Cowboy followers, have been frustrated to no end at the lack of investment along the lines over the last few years. Dallas' needs are OL, DL, and S. The Tampa 2 D is predicated upon getting pressure from the front 4. Dallas has 30+ year old rushers in Ware, Spencer, Ratliff, and Hatcher. None of the newer guys are very good passrushers. So yes, Dallas needs young talent on this front 4. They have only average-at-best young DL on the team. Especially guys who can rush the passer. They've got plugger, run-stuffers.My question on the pick was more about Hankins' talent. Hankins appears to be a good run stuffer, but isnt a natural passrusher. While this is a developing skill for him, I'm not sure that his skill set is what the Boys are looking for, i.e., a passrusher. Dallas, for all its faults, does tend to follow its board when it comes to drafting. In that Hankins' grade on their board likely isnt as high as other candidates at positions of need, I question the likelihood of that pick.
At the point Dallas is selecting they likely won't have a shot at the top three DTs.The biggest needs IMHO are DT and the interior of the O-Line.I feel adding a DT can create more synergy since they already have Ratliff who can play 3 tech DT since he was more of a penetrating NT than a traditional nose.With two DTs in front of MLB Sean Lee it creates a 4-3 'triangle' where the middle linebacker is 'covered' from having to take on pulling guards. Lee is a talent but has gotten hurt and its due to having to take on pulling guards un-covered because the aggressive form of the 3-4 played in Dallas had Ratliff penetrating.So by adding one big and talented, albeit raw DT who would have to be coached-up. I think it gives the Boys an opportunity to create a 4-3 'triangle' to cover MLB Sean Lee.I wouldn't worry too much about an interior pass rush with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer an the edges. I also think adding a stout DT helps those undersized DE's quite a bit but if Dallas drafted one OG they'd still need to upgrade at least one of the other OGs or the C position before you could expect to see an improvement there and if they go safety they'd definitely the back end but at the expense of both DEs and MLB and the other DT wouldn't be free to penetrate without a block gobbling DT with the base to hold up in the run game. They could easily double Ratliff if they don't upgrade the other DT spot so I feel you'd get more bang for your buck by getting a DT there so that was my reasoning behind that pick.
 
18. Dallas: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State.

The Cowboys are switching to the 4-3 and New DC Monte Kiffin gets a bedrock to build his defense and starts with Hankins. Dallas needs defensive tackles so they add the versatile 6’3, 335 lb Junior who can play a number of positions on the line.

21. Cincinnati: Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas.

Vaccaro easily could go higher. Bengals solid defense gets even stronger.

22. St. Louis: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina.

The Rams QB were hit 116 times last year so they signed OLT Jake Long but they still need to upgrade that line so they get a solid OG who should become a fixture on their offensive line.
If Cooper or Vaccaro are there at 18, I think the cowboys go with either of them, not DT.
 
18. Dallas: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State.

The Cowboys are switching to the 4-3 and New DC Monte Kiffin gets a bedrock to build his defense and starts with Hankins. Dallas needs defensive tackles so they add the versatile 6’3, 335 lb Junior who can play a number of positions on the line.

21. Cincinnati: Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas.

Vaccaro easily could go higher. Bengals solid defense gets even stronger.

22. St. Louis: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina.

The Rams QB were hit 116 times last year so they signed OLT Jake Long but they still need to upgrade that line so they get a solid OG who should become a fixture on their offensive line.
If Cooper or Vaccaro are there at 18, I think the cowboys go with either of them, not DT.
This draft class is deep at DB where starting caliber safeties should be found into the top of the third round and their are still some safeties still unsigned in free agency like Charles Woodson who can come in and start immediately and play solidly to act as a bridge as a rookie develops.Guards typically do not get taken high in the draft, not even top prospects like last year when David DeCastro was thought to be the best guard to enter the draft in a decade but he went 24th, the Cowboys select 18th. Guards have not been taken nearly as high in the draft as top DT prospects.

Last year three DTs went off the board before DeCastro: Dontari Poe (11th to KC), Fletcher Cox (12th to PHI), Michael Brockers(15th to STL).

The year prior the top three drafted DTs: Marcell Dareus (2nd to BUF), Nick Fairley (13th DET), Corey Liuget (18th SD).

The year before that two DTs went 2nd and 3rd off the board: Ndamukong Suh DET, and Gerald McCoy TB.

Point being, DTs are valued more and taken higher than OGs in the draft and DTs are taken more often and higher than top safeties in typical drafts as well. Its just the nature of the position and how difficult it is to find big men who can move and run like Hankins and how much a DT could improve the players on the Cowboys defense.

I'm sure you see it differently but if you look at how the NFL has gone it speaks of how NFL teams see and value certain positions over others.

I agree they could use both a S and definitely could use an interior O-Lineman but I think they can get quality players at both of those positions in rounds 2 and 3 but that they conjoled Monte Kiffin out of retirement to install his system and I think he'll priortitize the DT position over safety is he has any say with the top pick and I would imagine he does.

 
18. Dallas: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State.

The Cowboys are switching to the 4-3 and New DC Monte Kiffin gets a bedrock to build his defense and starts with Hankins. Dallas needs defensive tackles so they add the versatile 6’3, 335 lb Junior who can play a number of positions on the line.

21. Cincinnati: Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas.

Vaccaro easily could go higher. Bengals solid defense gets even stronger.

22. St. Louis: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina.

The Rams QB were hit 116 times last year so they signed OLT Jake Long but they still need to upgrade that line so they get a solid OG who should become a fixture on their offensive line.
If Cooper or Vaccaro are there at 18, I think the cowboys go with either of them, not DT.
This draft class is deep at DB where starting caliber safeties should be found into the top of the third round and their are still some safeties still unsigned in free agency like Charles Woodson who can come in and start immediately and play solidly to act as a bridge as a rookie develops.Guards typically do not get taken high in the draft, not even top prospects like last year when David DeCastro was thought to be the best guard to enter the draft in a decade but he went 24th, the Cowboys select 18th. Guards have not been taken nearly as high in the draft as top DT prospects.

Last year three DTs went off the board before DeCastro: Dontari Poe (11th to KC), Fletcher Cox (12th to PHI), Michael Brockers(15th to STL).

The year prior the top three drafted DTs: Marcell Dareus (2nd to BUF), Nick Fairley (13th DET), Corey Liuget (18th SD).

The year before that two DTs went 2nd and 3rd off the board: Ndamukong Suh DET, and Gerald McCoy TB.

Point being, DTs are valued more and taken higher than OGs in the draft and DTs are taken more often and higher than top safeties in typical drafts as well. Its just the nature of the position and how difficult it is to find big men who can move and run like Hankins and how much a DT could improve the players on the Cowboys defense.

I'm sure you see it differently but if you look at how the NFL has gone it speaks of how NFL teams see and value certain positions over others.

I agree they could use both a S and definitely could use an interior O-Lineman but I think they can get quality players at both of those positions in rounds 2 and 3 but that they conjoled Monte Kiffin out of retirement to install his system and I think he'll priortitize the DT position over safety is he has any say with the top pick and I would imagine he does.
I'm going to continue this discussion some. Not to be a jerk or to suggest that you havent defended your position well. But more from the perspective of expanding knowledge and understanding of how certain teams (Dallas) works.I'm going to quote from one of my favorite Cowboy writers, Rafael Vela. He has put together a very good post comparing this draft to the 2010 draft wherein Dallas had Mike Iupati, Dez Bryant, Earl Thomas, Sean Lee, and Pittsburgh's Pouncey rated very high.

http://www.cowboysnation.com/2013/03/cowboys-draft-2013-its-like-2010-all.html

Let's take a refresher on 2010. On draft weekend, images of the team's draft board made their way into the internet food chain, allowing fans to reconstruct the board. Dallas had 23 players with 1st round grades that year. The 10th though 16th slots, with eventual draft slot in parenthesis:

1-10 Mike Iupati, G, Montana (17)

1-11 Earl Thomas, FS, Texas (14)

1-12 Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma St. (24)

1-13 Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa (23)

1-14 Sean Lee, ILB, Penn St. (55)

1-15 Jared Odrick, DE, Penn St. (28)

1-16 Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF, (15)

(Note: the Cowboys use two numbers in a player's grade. The first indicates the round in which he's graded and the second is his overall number on Dallas' board. It's possible to see two players in sequence be rated, say, 1-20 and 2-21. This means that the latter player has the highest second round grade and the first one the lowest first round grade.)

As draft day approached, rumors began swirling that Dallas was working hard with Miami, then owners of the 12th pick, to work out a deal which would let the Cowboys draft Texas safety Earl Thomas. On draft morning, I spoke with Wes Bunting, then with the National Football Post, who relayed that their people were hearing this story from several sources.

That deal did not come to pass. Thomas slid past the 12th spot to 14, where the Seahawks picked him up. In the market's aftermath, Cowboys officials relayed that Iupati, Thomas and Bryant had been targeted as priority players. The breakdowns pushed them to make a deal with New England, jumping from 27th to 24, where they took Bryant. Dallas' fear was that Baltimore, picking just ahead of them, and needed a recever, would pick Dez.

The scarcity of top players also dictated the move. Iupati was picked 17th. Bulaga, a right tackle prospect, lasted a bit longer but was picked 23rd by the Packers. His selection may also have forced the Jones' hand. When the Packers came on the board, the Cowboys board looked like this:

1-12 Bryant

1-13 Bulaga

1-14 Lee

Bryant and Bulaga play what are frequently referred to as "priority positions." They're skill positions, offensive tackles and rush and coverage spots on defense.) When Bulaga left the board, Dallas had only one priority player with a high first round grade. It did have other priority positions, most notably cornerback Kyle Wilson, but his grade was 1-18, much lower than Bryant's 1-12. For Dallas, the choice was making the deal and assuring the top rated player, at a priority position, or risking losing him and settling for Sean Lee.

As things turned out, Dallas got both Bryant and Lee, and both have at times, lived up to the grades. Dallas' assessment of their peak levels of play has been on the mark.

But that's getting ahead of things. This short list shows that Dallas would in fact draft a 1st round guard if he reached them, and was rated highly enough. Iupati's top-ten ranking put squarely him in the 2010 discussion. I am fairly certain David DeCastro's grade got him into last year's discussion, but the Cowboys, picking 14th, got a shot at a much higher rated player in Morris Claiborne. If Chance Warmack has a top 10, Iupati-like grade, and he's the highest rated player when the Cowboys go on the clock, that could well put him in Cowboys silver.

The notion that Dallas simply won't pick a 1st round guard is not true.

On the other hand, being a highly-rated guard does not mean Dallas will automatically pick you if you're the highest player left. It instead raises several questions. Where do Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper rank on Dallas' board? Where does Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker rate on their board? Where does this year's Thomas wannabe, Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro, rate on the board? And how do they grade relative to each other? That last question may dictate which player the Cowboys select when the 18th spot rolls around.

Guard isnt a priority position for Dallas. A PASSRUSHING DL is priority. A run plugger is not. So as Dr. Vela indicated, the ratings for guys like Warmack and Cooper, if they are high enough, would push Dallas into that direction over a lower rated DT. Especially one that isnt a strong passrusher. But if the DL is a passrusher, something Dallas believes is priority, you could see a modest push up their board. But as the Iupati story indicates, they won't stray too far from their board.

 
I'm going to continue this discussion some. Not to be a jerk or to suggest that you havent defended your position well. But more from the perspective of expanding knowledge and understanding of how certain teams (Dallas) works.

I'm going to quote from one of my favorite Cowboy writers, Rafael Vela. He has put together a very good post comparing this draft to the 2010 draft wherein Dallas had Mike Iupati, Dez Bryant, Earl Thomas, Sean Lee, and Pittsburgh's Pouncey rated very high.

http://www.cowboysnation.com/2013/03/cowboys-draft-2013-its-like-2010-all.html

Let's take a refresher on 2010. On draft weekend, images of the team's draft board made their way into the internet food chain, allowing fans to reconstruct the board. Dallas had 23 players with 1st round grades that year. The 10th though 16th slots, with eventual draft slot in parenthesis:

1-10 Mike Iupati, G, Montana (17)

1-11 Earl Thomas, FS, Texas (14)

1-12 Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma St. (24)

1-13 Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa (23)

1-14 Sean Lee, ILB, Penn St. (55)

1-15 Jared Odrick, DE, Penn St. (28)

1-16 Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF, (15)

(Note: the Cowboys use two numbers in a player's grade. The first indicates the round in which he's graded and the second is his overall number on Dallas' board. It's possible to see two players in sequence be rated, say, 1-20 and 2-21. This means that the latter player has the highest second round grade and the first one the lowest first round grade.)
First off, this is fascinating. And good explanation of their numeric grading system.One question.

How in the world did they get this information?

As draft day approached, rumors began swirling that Dallas was working hard with Miami, then owners of the 12th pick, to work out a deal which would let the Cowboys draft Texas safety Earl Thomas. On draft morning, I spoke with Wes Bunting, then with the National Football Post, who relayed that their people were hearing this story from several sources.

That deal did not come to pass. Thomas slid past the 12th spot to 14, where the Seahawks picked him up. In the market's aftermath, Cowboys officials relayed that Iupati, Thomas and Bryant had been targeted as priority players. The breakdowns pushed them to make a deal with New England, jumping from 27th to 24, where they took Bryant. Dallas' fear was that Baltimore, picking just ahead of them, and needed a recever, would pick Dez.
I recall Earl Thomas sliding that year because the Browns were rumored to be taking him with the 7th pick but went with some CB who ran a slow forty by the name of Joe Haden so it worked out pretty well for the Browns. Also his slow forty was the result of a pulled hammy but he improved on his Pro Day so if you hear of a guy running a slow forty at the Combine check to see if he had any minor muscle pulls and if he improved at his Pro Day.
The scarcity of top players also dictated the move. Iupati was picked 17th. Bulaga, a right tackle prospect, lasted a bit longer but was picked 23rd by the Packers. His selection may also have forced the Jones' hand. When the Packers came on the board, the Cowboys board looked like this:

1-12 Bryant

1-13 Bulaga

1-14 Lee

Bryant and Bulaga play what are frequently referred to as "priority positions." They're skill positions, offensive tackles and rush and coverage spots on defense.) When Bulaga left the board, Dallas had only one priority player with a high first round grade. It did have other priority positions, most notably cornerback Kyle Wilson, but his grade was 1-18, much lower than Bryant's 1-12. For Dallas, the choice was making the deal and assuring the top rated player, at a priority position, or risking losing him and settling for Sean Lee.

As things turned out, Dallas got both Bryant and Lee, and both have at times, lived up to the grades. Dallas' assessment of their peak levels of play has been on the mark.
Well, scouts know what they are doing but we all know their are errors made on draft day even with solid scouting reports.
But that's getting ahead of things. This short list shows that Dallas would in fact draft a 1st round guard if he reached them, and was rated highly enough. Iupati's top-ten ranking put squarely him in the 2010 discussion. I am fairly certain David DeCastro's grade got him into last year's discussion, but the Cowboys, picking 14th, got a shot at a much higher rated player in Morris Claiborne. If Chance Warmack has a top 10, Iupati-like grade, and he's the highest rated player when the Cowboys go on the clock, that could well put him in Cowboys silver.

The notion that Dallas simply won't pick a 1st round guard is not true.
That is not what I said or my point. I was talking about 'best pick' not 'best player'. Best pick for the team and how much MORE of an impact they can make either singularly as you will find with players who can make singular impact, i.e., QB, DE, LB, WR, CB, RB. You know OLT's are taken higher in drafts but OLT and C are typically valued higher than OG even if the top OGs are typically taken higher than the highest rated C but depending on matchups, say if you are in a division with 3-4 teams who have dominating nose tackles you will want and may NEED to get a big strong center to make your blocking schemes work. Its a bit deeper of a discussion but I think you get the gist of what I'm saying.
On the other hand, being a highly-rated guard does not mean Dallas will automatically pick you if you're the highest player left. It instead raises several questions. Where do Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper rank on Dallas' board? Where does Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker rate on their board? Where does this year's Thomas wannabe, Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro, rate on the board? And how do they grade relative to each other? That last question may dictate which player the Cowboys select when the 18th spot rolls around.

Guard isnt a priority position for Dallas. A PASSRUSHING DL is priority. A run plugger is not. So as Dr. Vela indicated, the ratings for guys like Warmack and Cooper, if they are high enough, would push Dallas into that direction over a lower rated DT. Especially one that isnt a strong passrusher. But if the DL is a passrusher, something Dallas believes is priority, you could see a modest push up their board. But as the Iupati story indicates, they won't stray too far from their board.
Oh I agree that Dallas really needs to upgrade and revamp the interior of that offensive line and as a RB DeMarco Murray owner I wholeheartedly want them to take Cooper so I went against my personal bias when making the Dallas pick.I just think Monte Kiffin is the difference in this instance sine he needs a DT to make the D-Line and his middle linebaker effective.

Basically I see more bang for the buck by taking the best DT on the board when Dallas selects.

I do understand your reasoning and I like Cooper but feel he will go a few picks later, right about where DeCastro and other top OGs have gone.

Oh and Iupati went to a team with many pieces in place to turn into a strong O-line. He was the finishing touch thus he was able to make a STRONG IMPACT. Basically think of it like chemistry where you keep adding chemicals to a mixture and the last drop can make it begin a chemical reaction.

I feel the Cowboys would need at least one to two solid starters already in place on their O-Line before adding a top OG would have a noticeable IMPACT, or continuing the science analogy a chemical reaction.

I can see where a solid DT can have that sort of impact on the D-Line and more importantly, the ABSENCE of a solid DT in front of Sean Lee can HURT him and thus hinder the LBer position for Dallas.

So when I say, more bang for your draft buck, by taking a DT. I mean both positively and avoiding a negative aspect of having suspect DTs in front of that linebacking group.

I wasn't making a dogmatic-robtic argument of 'You must take defensive tackle because defensive tackle has been taken higher historically over guards and safeties'.

I couldn't go teet-deep into every selection or the reasoning and believe me, for the Dallas pick I had to hunker-down and go against my personal best interests and by-pass Cooper and Vaccaro. It would have been much easier if I had one of the other DTs dropping but I didn't.

Their is more that can be addressed on each of those picks, Iupati and Earl Thomas, but it boiled down to Monte Kiffin and most synergy with the pick, oh and Scott Pioli's list of top-underclassmen also swayed my reasoning as well.

 
Some good discussion here, Bracie. :thumbup: I do like your thought process and understand well what you';re saying. I like your chemistry analogy, particularly as a former college chemistry major. Not sure its the most comparable analogy, but it can work. I can see the O-ring theory working well too. That your _____ unit is only as strong as its weakest link. The O ring. The one substandard part in a whole complex system that caused the Space Shuttle to explode on takeoff.

Anyway, we've go a month to go and then we'll see the real thing.

 
Some good discussion here, Bracie. :thumbup: I do like your thought process and understand well what you';re saying. I like your chemistry analogy, particularly as a former college chemistry major. Not sure its the most comparable analogy, but it can work. I can see the O-ring theory working well too. That your _____ unit is only as strong as its weakest link. The O ring. The one substandard part in a whole complex system that caused the Space Shuttle to explode on takeoff.Anyway, we've go a month to go and then we'll see the real thing.
Agreed. For all we know, they may trade out of that damn pick. Personally...philosophically...I'd rather take the top 1 or 2 guy at his position as opposed to the #4 or 5 rated player, even if he is at a higher impact position. We need both OL and DL help (and safety too)...but I just don't want them to overlook superior talent just because of its low impact factor. For Dallas, my god, the impact factor of a mauling guard would be tremendous.ETA I think the philosophy of taking studs at lower impact positions over lesser players at higher impact positions is ripe for discussion with any team, not just the Cowboys, which has been the focus here in this discussion.
 
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I have a few picks I don't totally agree with, but rather than quibble, let me just say this is a really well thought-out mock with a lot of stuff I really like. Very nicely done, Bracie. :thumbup:

 
18. Dallas: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State.

The Cowboys are switching to the 4-3 and New DC Monte Kiffin gets a bedrock to build his defense and starts with Hankins. Dallas needs defensive tackles so they add the versatile 6’3, 335 lb Junior who can play a number of positions on the line.

I can see this pick happening but in the mid twenties. Dallas needs help at OG,OT,DT & S. IF they can slide back to say 23-25 and pickup another mid to late 3rd rounder then HELL YES! :thumbup:

 
As a Bear fan, I would be thrilled with your scenario. I think that the Bears will try to trade down if they can. I don't think there is a huge difference between the player they would get at 20 and the player they would get at 2.6. However, if Jonathan Cooper was there at 20 I would guess they would think long and hard about him. But if they had a chance to move down, and get the Cards #1 in 2014, I would be all over that. I think that 2014 AZ pick will be in the top ten. Probably the biggest obstacle to that actually happening is I find it hard to imagine the Cards giving up that much to take another USC QB. I think they got burned by Leinart, and I can't see them going to that well again. Particularly when you have to give up so much to get Barkley.

 
Guard isnt a priority position for Dallas. A PASSRUSHING DL is priority. A run plugger is not. So as Dr. Vela indicated, the ratings for guys like Warmack and Cooper, if they are high enough, would push Dallas into that direction over a lower rated DT. Especially one that isnt a strong passrusher. But if the DL is a passrusher, something Dallas believes is priority, you could see a modest push up their board. But as the Iupati story indicates, they won't stray too far from their board.
Last year, our defense played the 3-4 with garbage up front and decent linebacking (when not hurt). Aside from the "name" in Ratliff, who had an awful season for his standards, we were starting guys like Josh Brent, Sean Lissimore, Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher. That 5 man rotation playing the "front-3" totaled 7.5 sacks combined. Not overly shocking considering their assignments in the 3-4 front.On the flipside, our OLB rotation in the 3-4, Ware, Spencer and Butler accounted for 24.5 sacks.

With the move to the 4-3, everything I have read says both Ware and Spencer will be moving to hands-down DE positions; we'll need a backups to spell those 2 and in case of injury, but aside from getting lucky and finding a quality, penetrating interior defensive lineman, I don't see the Cowboys looking at any more DEs; unless the values is overwhelming (I.e., Ansah, Jordan...).

LB also looks stout with Carter and Lee returning and some combination of Sims/Durant for the 3rd spot.

IMO the priority positions on the defense the team will look to draft will be at interior DL (would love Sheldon Richardson) or safety (Vaccaro is fine at #18 with me too).

I think Bracie did a good mock, but from the interwebs and the talking heads, it seems like Vaccaro, Cooper and possibly even Fluker are much higher valued prospects than Hankins and all seem to fit needs we have. If I was making the pick, I'd probably have gone:

1. Cooper - The interior of the Dallas line has to be the worst in the NFL; Cooper seems like an elite prospect regardless of position, and I see some ranking him with or above Warmack based on having more athleticism. Will Shields, Steve Hutchinson type player impact IMO.

2. Vaccaro - This team has needed a ball hawk safety since rookie Roy and Woodson; save the one year of Ken Hamlin. He may not be the elite playmaker Earl Thomas is, but this defense needs to stop allowing the big play (seems like it's been 10 years of saying this) and I'm willing to take the chance Vaccaro is that guy. Texas defensive backs are hit or miss though.

3. Fluker - Move him to guard; get rid of Doug Free and play him at RT; move Free to guard and play Fluker at RT. I'd rather see the team go OL earlier than DT if a better prospect is available. I think we can handle an interior of Spears/Lissimore/Ratliff for another year if necessary.

4+. Hankins - We could use a DT; don't know a ton about him other than he seems to be getting a late 1st, early 2nd grade.

 
Guard isnt a priority position for Dallas. A PASSRUSHING DL is priority. A run plugger is not. So as Dr. Vela indicated, the ratings for guys like Warmack and Cooper, if they are high enough, would push Dallas into that direction over a lower rated DT. Especially one that isnt a strong passrusher. But if the DL is a passrusher, something Dallas believes is priority, you could see a modest push up their board. But as the Iupati story indicates, they won't stray too far from their board.
Last year, our defense played the 3-4 with garbage up front and decent linebacking (when not hurt). Aside from the "name" in Ratliff, who had an awful season for his standards, we were starting guys like Josh Brent, Sean Lissimore, Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher. That 5 man rotation playing the "front-3" totaled 7.5 sacks combined. Not overly shocking considering their assignments in the 3-4 front.On the flipside, our OLB rotation in the 3-4, Ware, Spencer and Butler accounted for 24.5 sacks.

With the move to the 4-3, everything I have read says both Ware and Spencer will be moving to hands-down DE positions; we'll need a backups to spell those 2 and in case of injury, but aside from getting lucky and finding a quality, penetrating interior defensive lineman, I don't see the Cowboys looking at any more DEs; unless the values is overwhelming (I.e., Ansah, Jordan...).

LB also looks stout with Carter and Lee returning and some combination of Sims/Durant for the 3rd spot.

IMO the priority positions on the defense the team will look to draft will be at interior DL (would love Sheldon Richardson) or safety (Vaccaro is fine at #18 with me too).

I think Bracie did a good mock, but from the interwebs and the talking heads, it seems like Vaccaro, Cooper and possibly even Fluker are much higher valued prospects than Hankins and all seem to fit needs we have. If I was making the pick, I'd probably have gone:

1. Cooper - The interior of the Dallas line has to be the worst in the NFL; Cooper seems like an elite prospect regardless of position, and I see some ranking him with or above Warmack based on having more athleticism. Will Shields, Steve Hutchinson type player impact IMO.

2. Vaccaro - This team has needed a ball hawk safety since rookie Roy and Woodson; save the one year of Ken Hamlin. He may not be the elite playmaker Earl Thomas is, but this defense needs to stop allowing the big play (seems like it's been 10 years of saying this) and I'm willing to take the chance Vaccaro is that guy. Texas defensive backs are hit or miss though.

3. Fluker - Move him to guard; get rid of Doug Free and play him at RT; move Free to guard and play Fluker at RT. I'd rather see the team go OL earlier than DT if a better prospect is available. I think we can handle an interior of Spears/Lissimore/Ratliff for another year if necessary.

4+. Hankins - We could use a DT; don't know a ton about him other than he seems to be getting a late 1st, early 2nd grade.
Hey Larry,I agree with you wholehearedly on clearing up the need for the Cowboys to prioritize the DT position in this draft.

I also agree with the four names you came up with because those were the names I came up with for Dallas' 18th pick in the first round.

I've already gone over the micro issues which can be considered a preamble to why I zeroed in on defensive tackle. I won't rehash any the micro issues like, impact and synergy, etc, but will look at the macro issue which is looking at the first pick as part of an over-arching draft strategy to fill team needs so when making a first round pick you factor in how it sets up your second and third round picks.

Dallas has three top needs, DT, S, and interior of the O-Line.

- I think the most impact can be found from DT so I wouldn't want to chance waiting to the second round to fill that dire need. I based the first pick on not being able to find a starting caliber DT in the second or third rounds.

- I think Dallas will find a quality interior O-Lineman in the second round and probably will also have to try and find at least one other interior O-Lineman later in the draft. That need will not be able to be filled with one player so I felt the impact of using the top pick on an interior O-Lineman would not be felt nearly as much as DT.

- This is a deep class of DBs and their still is some quality out in free agency so I think they could find a starting caliber safety in the third round. Safeties historically are found later in the draft, i.e., starters are typically not found in the first round, so I felt it a wiser decision to target safeties in the third round.

I agree with the names you came up with, I had those exact same players to choose from but I made the first round pick to set-up Dallas' second and third round selections.

It was an over-arching attack plan in the back of my mind for Dallas' draft war room so that is why I made the pick of Hankins.

 

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