I think the debate is foolish. The fact is the Cowboys paid peanuts to move up into a premium draft slot to select a guy their scouts rated as the #2 prospect in the draft, and it came at a position sorely needing upgrading. Ultimately the only debate over whether it was worth it will be a few seasons down the road, when we see what type of player Claiborne turns out to be. If he's a probowl calibar CB, the trade up was a coup.
We disagree on this and that's o.k.
For me, the Carr Claiborne acquisitions remind me of the guy who really wants a luxury car. The guy goes out and buys a great Mercedes. He pays market value. And it is a truly wonderful car (Carr).
Then a few days later, the same guy finds out he can get a decent deal on a Porsche (Claiborne). Actually, the Porsche is discounted slightly.
Now the guy doesn't really need another luxury car, but he REALLY likes it. ... it's an rkc (right kind of car). So although he could get by just fine with a Corolla as a second car, he buys a second luxury car.
A Porsche is more desirable than a Corolla. No doubt about it.
In the meantime, the guy doesn't have enough resources left to fix the cracked foundation of his house. He gathers a few of his drinking buddies to apply some bubble gum and band-aids to try to rig his foundation so it won't crack even more. He doesn't have enough money left to actually fix the foundation.
He's got a very nice Mercedes and a very nice Porsche in his driveway though. And he didn't overpay for the Porsche.