By Barry Horn , Staff Writer Contact Barry Horn on Twitter: @bhorn55
Planning on a career as a television draft expert? Take a page from NFL Network's Mike Mayock -- and disregard Thursday night's dancing exhibition put on by ESPN's Mel Kiper.
It all happened as the Cowboys prepared to make Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott the fourth selection in the draft.
Mayock managed to cover all his bases when he said the Cowboys have "nothing" at defensive end. Then he mentioned that defensive back Jalen Ramsey "may be the cleanest player in the draft." And finally, he mentioned that Elliott was the Cowboys' pick in his mock draft. See what he did there? He covered all his bases.
Meanwhile Kiper was defending himself against fellow ESPNer Jon Gruden, playing prosecutor. One minute Kiper was saying Elliott would be a good pick for the Cowboys. The next minute, Gruden guided him into declaring, "If I was a general manager I'd never take a running back in the first round." All Gruden could do was smirk.
It was left to Louis Riddick, the third analyst on ESPN's panel, to clean up the mess.
"Ezekiel Elliott would be my guy here, regardless," said the former front office executive for the Philadelphia Eagles.