2016 NFL Draft Thread...

[MrB]

Reports say Eagles desperately trying to trade up to #2 now

Without a 2nd rd pick, they'll have to part with basically most of this years draft and probably some serious picks in future drafts too, or some combination of significant picks plus a couple of quality players.

Their next two 1st round pick would be the start of any conversation with the Eagles.

 

[MrB]

Probably going through the motions for nothing at this point, but they are interested apparently:

That's just in case the Browns decide to Ramsey instead of Goff. Or if someone REALLY wants Tunsil (Giants) and wants to jump in front of San Diego.

 

[MrB]

Where is all the love for Prescott coming from? Did everyone miss the Combine? What highlight reel shows a QB that's competent?

Basically there are two QBs who should be automatic UFDAs because their mechanics and most important parts of being a passing QB are so flawed that it really makes no sense for them to be anything but a future Cowboy head coach. It's Hogan who will fumble anytime there is an edge pass rush and Prescott who has no timing, accuracy, presence, height, or brain. Why all the love for Prescott?

Prescott has Quincy Carter written all over him, no thanks.

 

[NoShame]

There is no way there arnt other players at 4 worthy of that pick for us. Tunsil is not THAT elite of a prospect to make us ignore the multitude of other areas of this team dying for help. If Tunsil WERE that good, there's no way in hell the three teams picking ahead of us (all with OL's nowhere near as good as ours today) would pass on him either.

Exactly. If Tunsil is as elite as some here are making him out to be then Tennessee never takes that trade with that oline being in the shape that its in and having drafted their franchise QB last year.

Not saying Tunsil isn't any good or that its not debatable whether or not he's the #1 prospect in this draft but clearly its a lot closer than what people here think.

Matter of fact, just within this last week there was a rumor going around that Tennessee feels there isn't much difference between Tunsil and Stanley.

 

[NoShame]

Man, something odd is going on with the QB position this year, Goff & Wentz may be turn out to be some of the best that have ever played but they don't strike me as worthy of trading the slew of picks that the Rams used or what Philly may give up.

Rams are desperate. Fisher and Snead are on the hot seat. The move to LA. Rams needed to make that trade.

As for Philly, I think that owner is tired of trotting out bums year after year.

But I agree, they're good but I don't think either of them are worth multiple first round picks.

 

[MrB]

MUCH better player....

If we go defense at #4, it needs to be this guy

Myles Jack || "Maniac" || UCLA Highlights - YouTube

How did the checkup on his knee come out today? Even if the knee is fine right now though this is likely to be a reoccurring thing. That is the only thing that worries me about Jack.

 

[MrB]

Drunk Jerry speaks on draft, only logical thing he says is about OL.


Jones: Drafting a quarterback could be 'problematic,' but Cowboys will visit Jared Goff this weekend

The Dallas Morning News

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones discusses the team's picks in the second and third rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft at their Valley Ranch training facility on Friday, May 1, 2015, in Irving. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)


By Kate Hairopoulos , Staff Writer Contact Kate Hairopoulos on Twitter: @khairopoulos


Ah, draft season. It's the time when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones can wonder aloud one minute about how drafting a quarterback this year could be "problematic," and the next mention that he's heading out to watch Cal quarterback Jared Goff's workout this weekend. Goff is projected as one of the top picks and could be gone even before the Cowboys pick at No. 4.

Two weeks ahead of the draft, Jones shared his thoughts Thursday on a number of issues before the Nancy Lieberman Charities Dream Ball at the Dallas Omni.

On possibly taking a quarterback in the draft: "I don't know. I don't know. I can give you a real scenario where it can be real problematic if we do what we want to do and that's have [Tony] Romo play fairly injury free and uninterrupted for the next three, four, five years. Let's just go three, four five. If he plays uninterrupted then you've got a problem if you've picked quarterback this year because you don't know what you got really at a time when he may be entering the markets. There's an example of that this year and so that's one of the things you weigh if you're in our shoes about whether to get interested in a quarterback this early in Romo's career. It can be distorted by the fact that he has had some injury two of the last three years but it's something that I don't have the answer to right now. I'm really hoping that really just the dynamics of the draft and the dynamics of the opportunity will help make this decision."

On going to see Goff: "We're doing a quarterback workout this weekend so we're going to be very hard at it here. ...He operates in a pretty place. I like to have that excuse to go out there. No seriously, we are going to do a workout this weekend. It'll be Goff. Out there before their spring game."

On the Rams moving up for the No. 1 pick: I was surprised but knowing the organization I'm not surprised. They're really showing their colors, step out there and go to Los Angeles and then when you look at how they're setting their sails and it doesn't surprise me at all with what they're looking for in the future. It goes to show you certainly need to be thinking about your moves way in advance of the draft if you're going to go this early. I applaud 'em. It sounds like they got they wanted. Then you've got to look at Tennessee and see all those draft picks. I didn't know Herschel Walker was still around."

How does it affect the Cowboys?: "I don't want to make any assumptions, but yeah, it does impact because that kind of movement up ahead of you in a lot of different ways it took a lot of the consideration out of the marketplace. If you think draft picks are consideration than it is. It certainly made a difference below that No. 1 pick as to what might be available trading or in terms of making a decision with a player. It took two commodities out. It took picks, it took a player."

Could the Cowboys consider picking another lineman (if Ole Miss' Laremy Tunsil is now available): "It doesn't look logical. But sometimes it can become just so obvious as to the value that I wouldn't rule out anything relative to an offensive lineman. But that's probably where we're strongest right now and that doesn't look like the best use of a draft pick at any high level but sometimes that is just overshadowed."

Which one of you guys said earlier that Jerry is probably happy that the Rams made the trade because it likely means he does have to draft a QB now? That's exactly what he sounds like in that article.

I think it was Mike Fisher on the Fan saying Monday or Tuesday that the Cowboys have started to put their board together and they had Ramsey, Wentz, and Elliott (in that order) at the top of their board. That's what makes me think of QB's go 1 & 2 and the Chargers take Ramsey that the Cowboys will draft Elliott if they can find a trade they like.

 

[MrB]

Rams are desperate. Fisher and Snead are on the hot seat. The move to LA. Rams needed to make that trade.

As for Philly, I think that owner is tired of trotting out bums year after year.

But I agree, they're good but I don't think either of them are worth multiple first round picks.

That's why I think Goff will be their guy. Homegrown kid, the city wants him, he wants to play there. Makes too much sense. Plus the Rams are not your typical team picking #1. They have a really good team. They need to find a way to get him and Gurley some help on the OL though.

 

[Midswat]

Really enjoyed this.

ESPN E60 Ezekiel Elliott - YouTube

On the EE bandwagon. Like his attitude, humility, good family, good background... always liked him as a player but questioned the value taking a RB at 4, but honestly if it'll bring the power run game back then he'll likely be the most impactful rookie for the team.

 

[dbair1967]

Really enjoyed this.

ESPN E60 Ezekiel Elliott - YouTube

On the EE bandwagon. Like his attitude, humility, good family, good background... always liked him as a player but questioned the value taking a RB at 4, but honestly if it'll bring the power run game back then he'll likely be the most impactful rookie for the team.

I don't think there's any question that of all the players we could pick with our 1st, EE barring injury is absolutely the biggest impact player in the draft for us. He's going to be good regardless of where he goes probably, but here behind this OL and with a healthy Romo & Dez, he could be a probowler and maybe even all-pro as a rookie. Might get 1500+ yds and 15 or so tds every year under his rookie contract.

Do it all RB too.

 

[dbair1967]

Dane Brugler breaks down Ezekiel Elliott as a Cowboy; mid-to-late round possibilities for Dallas

By Jon Machota , Staff Writer Contact Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota


CBS Sports and NFLDraftScout analyst Dane Brugler recently released his annual NFL Draft Guide. Click here to download the package that profiles and grades of over 400 prospects.

Brugler spent some time Tuesday answering Dallas Cowboys related draft questions. Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott and UCLA linebacker Myles Jack were among the first-round picks he discussed.

Brugler also shared his thoughts on some mid-to-late round possibilities for Dallas.

What are your thoughts on the Cowboys potentially picking Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4?

Brugler: "I would love to see Ezekiel Elliott with the Cowboys, just because of the things he could do behind that offensive line, the way he would impact the offense. I just don't think this team will do that. I don't think they'll see the value in taking a running back at No. 4. But I hope I'm wrong because I would love to see Elliott with the Cowboys. They've built so much into this offensive line that I think they feel like they can get a running back in the second, third or fourth round. They don't need to use a top five resource at the position. Hopefully I'm wrong."

Of this group of Cowboys pre-draft visitors (Jacoby Brissett, Connor McGovern, Cory James, Deon King, Isaac Seumalo), which intrigues you most?

Brugler: "There's something intriguing about each, but Seumalo is really intriguing to me because I see a future NFL starter at center. He was at center most of his career. He got hurt towards the end of his sophomore season. So he missed all of his junior year and then he returned in 2015 and the new coaching staff moved him to guard and he even played some left tackle. Everything was just a little different than what we saw in his early trajectory as a prospect. I think he can get back to playing center, he can provide value as a potential guard. If you can get him even as late as the fourth round, that to me is a steal. He's a top 100 talent and a future NFL starter.

"The other name you mentioned that is intriguing to me is Brissett. I'm not as high on Brissett as others. The big reason is just I don't see the downfield confidence as a passer. Traditionally that's not something that's easy to fix with a player, but I'm eager to find out if a team can develop his downfield passing ability. He has the arm to do it. He's built well, almost 6-4, 230 pounds. He has a lot of things you look for, but he just an inconsistent downfield passer. I think a lot of it has to do with his confidence, trusting what he's seeing, anticipating passing windows. I want to see him develop that downfield passing game. Can a team really work on that and develop that part of his game? I have my doubts, but if a team is able to do that, they could have a really intriguing passer."

What are you hearing about Myles Jack and his possibilities of being a fit for the Cowboys at No. 4?

Brugler: "We haven't seen his name as one of their top 30 visits, which is a little surprising, but maybe he can be a late addition based on what the medical re-checks say. Talking to some teams, they're optimistic. Talking to other teams, they're a little pessimistic about Jack's knee. It's a little more than just a meniscus tear, so some teams are worried about long-term health and how that could affect it. Unless the doctors come back and give you two thumbs up and say, 'We have no concerns. His knee is progressing well. He should be at full health before training camp, and we shouldn't have any long-term issues,' then Myles Jack is a top seven, top eight player. That's where he's going to go. But if the doctors come back with any doubt, I'm not sure how you can take him that early. That's what teams are worried about, just a little bit of doubt. Because at the combine, the doctors found a little bit of doubt with that knee, so what the re-checks say will really be the key variable that's missing right now for Jack's stock."

If the Cowboys don't get a pass rusher in the first round and they are looking for one at No. 34, who could be a good fit there?

Brugler: "Kevin Dodd, the Clemson defensive end, would make some sense. To me, he's not as talented as his teammate Shaq Lawson, but there is stuff to like about Kevin Dodd. He's 6-5, 277 pounds. He really took advantage of his opportunity to start in 2015. His numbers were kind of overlooked because they were second on the team to Shaq Lawson, but he still had 23.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks. You could tell as the season went on, that light bulb started to illuminate more and more as he started to figure things out and he became more comfortable. With more and more playing time he became more and more comfortable on the field. You saw that on tape throughout the second half of the year. I think that will continue once he gets into training camp and is given a chance to develop in the NFL. He can be a solid starting defensive end and I think he would fit the Cowboys scheme fairly well."

Who is a middle-to-late round player that would be a good fit for the Cowboys at quarterback, running back, defensive end or cornerback?

Brugler: "Kenyan Drake from Alabama is interesting. He's six-foot and a half, 210 pounds. He's almost a running back trapped in a wide receiver's body with the way he plays the game. But he brings a little bit of juice to the backfield. He has the versatility to help on special teams. So if you can harness his athleticism and let him help out in the passing game as a receiver, I think Kenyan Drake can be an interesting guy. Similar to the way the Lions use Theo Riddick (2015 stats: 43 carries, 80 receptions), I think Drake could be that type of player for the Cowboys. If you could get him in the fourth or fifth round, he would kind of round out that running back backfield."

 

[onlyonenow]

Tunsil at 4 for us= MONUMENTAL WASTE OF RESOURCES

Period. End of discussion.

you seem to have this delusion that your opinion is more valuable then anyone elses. Opinions are like assholes: everyone has one and some like you stink more than others

 

[dbair1967]

you seem to have this delusion that your opinion is more valuable then anyone elses. Opinions are like assholes: everyone has one and some like you stink more than others

Right, like you said we all have opinions.

Mine is drafting a RT with the 4th pick overall when you already have 3 all pro/pro bowl caliber OL, plus another one who looks like he could develop into that type player and ALSO needing to have cap funds in the future to keep 3 of them with upcoming contracts running out is a massive waste of resources, both from a draft pick used and cap.

Especially when you also consider the shape other areas of the team are in. It seems like a no brainer to me, but not surprised you don't get that.

 

[ZeroClub]

When you look back through past seasons in the NFL there have been some game-changing innovations ... out-of-the-box creativity that really shook up the league, at least until opposing coaches found a fix. Buddy Ryan and the Bears' 46 defense would be one. Maybe the Rams and their Greatest Show on Turf would be another.

In the last day or so, I've allowed myself the daydream of what it might be like for an innovative coach to build an offense around the finest OL ever assembled. Say the Cowboys drafted Tunsil and put him at right tackle. The Cowboys would have an OL with virtually no weak link. All stars at every position. And the Cowboys pick up another running back in the 2nd or 3rd round. Someone with real talent who can break long runs if given the blocking. Next year's draft is supposed to have a lots of top RB talent. Maybe you pick up another top RB next year.

Get me another Emmitt Smith. In fact, I'll take two of them.

And then you run the snot out of the ball ... against today's defenses that have been built primarily to stop the passing game. These defenses would have to sell out against the run. Undersized LBs would be overpowered, routinely. And from time to time, you throw it to Dez, who is the ever present mismatch that defenses simply don't have enough players to cover effectively.

I don't know how well it would work, but I'd love to see it .... as an experiment, if nothing else.

But regardless as to whether this run heavy offense would be a good idea or horrible idea, I don't think that it is realistic to expect the current Cowboys coaching staff to come up with any sort of game-changing innovations. Not on defense. Not on offense. I don't see any evidence that the current crew of coaches will ever come up with a philosophy or scheme that somehow outsmarts and dominates the rest of the league.

That's disappointing.

 

[MrB]

I want them to get a quality RB so bad. One of my biggest fears with this team is that they're going to waist this OL by not putting a top notch RB behind it.

 

[dbair1967]

When you look back through past seasons in the NFL there have been some game-changing innovations ... out-of-the-box creativity that really shook up the league, at least until opposing coaches found a fix. Buddy Ryan and the Bears' 46 defense would be one. Maybe the Rams and their Greatest Show on Turf would be another.

In the last day or so, I've allowed myself the daydream of what it might be like for an innovative coach to build an offense around the finest OL ever assembled. Say the Cowboys drafted Tunsil and put him at right tackle. The Cowboys would have an OL with virtually no weak link. All stars at every position. And the Cowboys pick up another running back in the 2nd or 3rd round. Someone with real talent who can break long runs if given the blocking. Next year's draft is supposed to have a lots of top RB talent. Maybe you pick up another top RB next year.

Get me another Emmitt Smith. In fact, I'll take two of them.

And then you run the snot out of the ball ... against today's defenses that have been built primarily to stop the passing game. These defenses would have to sell out against the run. Undersized LBs would be overpowered, routinely. And from time to time, you throw it to Dez, who is the ever present mismatch that defenses simply don't have enough players to cover effectively.

I don't know how well it would work, but I'd love to see it .... as an experiment, if nothing else.

But regardless as to whether this run heavy offense would be a good idea or horrible idea, I don't think that it is realistic to expect the current Cowboys coaching staff to come up with any sort of game-changing innovations. Not on defense. Not on offense. I don't see any evidence that the current crew of coaches will ever come up with a philosophy or scheme that somehow outsmarts and dominates the rest of the league.

That's disappointing.

Isn't that basically what we did in 2014 though?

How much running are you advocating? Is the belief that adding Tunsil would somehow add another half yard or more to our average yds per attempt? It seems that some people believe Free is a sieve or something and that any negative or bad play (run or pass) is somehow his fault alone.

I'd rather add Zeke Elliott to our existing line then draft an OT at 4 and then try to get by with lesser guys (like the two we have currently, or even a mid round pick).

It just seems so obvious that with the team having holes at pass rush, pass coverage, backup QB (and future starter), primary RB and probably WR & LB that adding a RT at 4 just to upgrade Doug Free is a waste. If he's THAT bad, then virtually any draft pick in the middle rounds is going to be able to replace him and be an upgrade anyway. I also think they need to see what Chaz Green can do before deciding to invest a primo draft pick into a position on the OL that by itself is really not that important.

 

[ZeroClub]

Isn't that basically what we did in 2014 though?

How much running are you advocating? Is the belief that adding Tunsil would somehow add another half yard or more to our average yds per attempt? It seems that some people believe Free is a sieve or something and that any negative or bad play (run or pass) is somehow his fault alone.

I'd rather add Zeke Elliott to our existing line then draft an OT at 4 and then try to get by with lesser guys (like the two we have currently, or even a mid round pick).

It just seems so obvious that with the team having holes at pass rush, pass coverage, backup QB (and future starter), primary RB and probably WR & LB that adding a RT at 4 just to upgrade Doug Free is a waste. If he's THAT bad, then virtually any draft pick in the middle rounds is going to be able to replace him and be an upgrade anyway. I also think they need to see what Chaz Green can do before deciding to invest a primo draft pick into a position on the OL that by itself is really not that important.

Oh, I agree that drafting Zeke is a more straightforward approach. The other route, the one I mentioned earlier, is more of a thought experiment than anything else.

The 2016 Dallas OL should be better than it was in 2014. Zeke is probably better than Murray. So the 2016 version could/should be better than 2014's.

But the idea of maximizing the competitive advantage provided by a truly top notch OL .... that's exactly what I wish the Cowboys front office and coaching staff would do. ... not by taking average RBs and making them above average, but by using the OL and a top notch RB to bring fear and despair to opponents.

 

[dbair1967]

Oh, I agree that drafting Zeke is a more straightforward approach. The other route, the one I mentioned earlier, is more of a thought experiment than anything else.

The 2016 Dallas OL should be better than it was in 2014. Zeke is probably better than Murray. So the 2016 version could/should be better than 2014's.

But the idea of maximizing the competitive advantage provided by a truly top notch OL .... that's exactly what I wish the Cowboys front office and coaching staff would do. ... not by taking average RBs and making them above average, but by using the OL and a top notch RB to bring fear and despair to opponents.

I think adding Zeke does just that. I think he'd be perfect here and not only improve the offense, but would help our defense even more than what Murray did in 2014.

I think Zeke is quite a bit more talented than Murray was, and Murray was really good here. But many of those 15-20-30 yd runs Murray (and McFadden last yr) had would be 40-50-length of field plays with Elliott. He's also a sensational receiver out of the backfield.

Other than QB (which is looking like a longshot now) Elliott is probably the guy I'd most want us to draft. Ideally maybe we could move down a few spots and get him, but even if its at 4 I'm good with that. He'll be a huge difference maker here.

 

[Doomsday]

I think adding Zeke does just that. I think he'd be perfect here and not only improve the offense, but would help our defense even more than what Murray did in 2014.

I think Zeke is quite a bit more talented than Murray was, and Murray was really good here. But many of those 15-20-30 yd runs Murray (and McFadden last yr) had would be 40-50-length of field plays with Elliott. He's also a sensational receiver out of the backfield.

Plus, he is already a polished pass blocker. Very rare to see that in a back just coming out of college.

 

[MrB]

Plus, he is already a polished pass blocker. Very rare to see that in a back just coming out of college.

This may be a stupid reason for liking Elliott but I also factor in the school he went to. OSU has a long reputation for sending quality RB's to the NFL. So I would be less worried about Elliott being a bust because of that. It's the main reason I didn't really like Melvin Gordon last year. Wisconsin is not exactly known for producing top NFL running backs. It's like when Paterno was still coaching Penn St. If you needed a LB that's where you went. Again that may be a really stupid reason for liking Elliott but for me it is a factor.