With the NFL draft just a few weeks away, I thought I would start looking at the prospects that could be donning the star on the side of their helmet. I will do a first round mock the day of the draft (to get all the trades and pro days done with) but first I will take a couple of looks at who the Cowboys should might be targeting in rounds 2-6 (7th round pick was traded for Ryan Cook…. D’oh!). You will see a theme with versatile offensive linemen. If I was drafting for the Cowboys, I might take 6 offensive linemen that can play multiple positions and hope that three, maybe four hit and you can then fill the good ones in without positional obligation. Now I know that there are holes at safety and defensive tackle as well, but the offensive line is much more important, no matter what Jerry wants to say. Today, I will look at the second round and third rounds. A few of the guys at the end of the second rounders could very easily end up in the third round as well, hence the lower amount in that category. With that said, after the first round the NFL draft is really a crap shoot: every team's board is different so guys could get taken a round or two later or before everyone thinks.
Second Round:
Kyle Long, OG/OT, Oregon
6-6, 313, 4.94
Even if Dallas gets Warmack or Cooper in the first round, Kyle Long should be the aim for the second. A former baseball star that ran into some trouble at Florida State, Long decided the right path for him was in football and transferred to a junior college before Oregon. Long had been a defensive linemen like father Howie and brother Chris, but Chip Kelly slid him in on the Ducks’ O-Line and he performed without missing a beat.
Long played both guard and tackle in the fast-paced Oregon attack and could play either at the next level. His skill-set and technique are advanced for someone who is so new to the positions, which I think helps his versatility since he was never entrenched at one spot on the line. He would give the Cowboys flexibility with the rest of their picks as they could go either guard or tackle depending on the best available.
The off the field issues (grades, DUI) would normally be red flags, but they happened almost five years ago and he has not had trouble since. His NFL pedigree helps with the issues as well. While Long could be slotted into the third round and could be a bit of a reach at 47, I seriously doubt he would still be there at 80. Hopefully, Jerry will like the “splash” of signing a Hall of Famer’s son and pull the trigger.
Larry Warford, G, Kentucky
6-3,332, 5.58
Warford was easily the best player on a terrible Wildcats’ team, but his brightness could be seen against the best of competition too. Against two of the top three defensive tackles in the draft (Florida’s Sharrif Floyd and Missouri’s Sheldon Richardson) Warford was dominant not allowing a single tackle for a loss and adding a combined four pancakes. Warford continued his dominance at the Senior Bowl in which he handled Jonathan Jenkins in one-on-one drills when no one could. His skill-set is quite similar to Chance Warmack, just not as much power/explosion.
The problem with Warford is nothing to do with him as a player, it will be the fact he probably will not make it to 47. If he does, Dallas will should not hesitate to sprint to the podium and select him. If he had played on a better team then he would be a sure-fire first rounder.
Matt Elam, FS, Florida
5-10, 208, 4.54
The younger brother of Abe Elam, Matt is a versatile safety who has started at both strong and free in his three years at Florida. During his sophomore year, he led the team in tackles for a loss as well as forced fumbles when he started a strong safety. Elam moved to free safety for the majority of this past year and showed a strong ability at preventing big plays in the passing game (!!!!!) while still making big hits.
Elam’s biggest weakness is in the run game in which he seemed to lack assertiveness in getting upfield. This would fit well with the Cowboys in that they have the best run defending DE/OLB in the league (Spencer) and two linebackers that get to the ball quickly (should they stay on the field). Elam’s other detraction is his height. He makes up for this by having the uncanny ability to get his hand/arm in the line of sight of the taller receivers and tight ends.
Elam could easily go in the first round should the dominoes fall a certain way, so the odds of him lasting to 47 are not great. I also am worried about putting another strong safety-type with Barry Church. I think Dallas could wait a couple of more rounds and get almost the same level of player at the same position.
Eric Reid, FS, LSU
6-2, 212, 4.53
Eric Reid is a bigger, faster, more athletic version of Matt Elam who just did not make as many plays in college. Reid has the prototypical NFL safety size and has good top-end speed. He is an aggressive tackler that wraps up well, an area that cost the Cowboys a couple of games last season. He would also bring familiarity to both Morris Claiborne and himself as they started in the LSU secondary for two seasons together.
As great of an athlete as Reid is, I am not sold that he can be a starting free safety. One of his biggest weaknesses appears to be his catch-up speed (which yes, is different than top-end because when catching up you have to change direction and explode) something that the Cowboys desperately need in a Tampa 2 defense. He also saw his production take a huge hit without Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu and Brandon Taylor, but then again I am sure almost any safety would take a hit in production after losing three All-Americans.
As I said with Elam, I think that Dallas can get similar production a couple of rounds later. I also do not like that Reid’s weakness is the same weakness that was exposed all of last season with the deep ball. With the new scheme that Monte Kiffin is bringing in, the free safety with need to be able to recover over the top of his corners and I am not sure Reid can do that.
Jonathan Cyprien, FS, Florida International
6-0, 209, 4.56
Cyprien left FIU as the all-time leading tackler and helped the Panthers make the first two bowls in their existence. While Cyprien was a star at FIU, I think he might end up as a better pro if put in the right situation. In college, Cyprien was asked to be a single-deep safety and play man coverage because he was easily the best player on his defense. Ironically, these are Cyprien’s weaknesses as he is more of an athletic safety that sees the outside of the field well and can come up to make plays on the screen game.
Cyprien would be a perfect fit in the Tampa 2 because of his sideline range. His athleticism would allow him to cover from hash mark to sideline and allocate the Dallas corners to create havoc in the short to mid range. His weakness against tight ends going down the middle would be covered by the middle linebacker in the Tampa 2. He also is a sure tackler that does not go for the big hit.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys (but fortunate for Cyprien’s wallet) Cyprien has been steadily moving up draft boards. He surprised scouts with his speed and athleticism (38.5 inch vertical at the Combine) and was the best safety at the Senior Bowl. If Cyprien falls to 47, the Cowboys will kick themselves if they have taken Vaccaro in the first round.
Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
6-8, 227, 4.60
The Estonian-bred Mustang might not come up in association with the Cowboys, but he is definitely worth the look. After his impressive combine with the 4.6 forty and 38 reps on the bench, Hunt confirmed his elite athleticism that was already widely thought (he was a junior world champion in the discus/shot put/hammer throw). While some project Hunt as a 3-4 defensive end, I think that the raw-nature of his game at this point allows him to play in any scheme.
I think Hunt could have the type of game-changing presence that J.J. Watt has in Houston. Hunt blocked 17 kicks in his career (2 short of the NCAA record) due to his height, 3-foot long arms and 36-inch vertical jump. While defensive end is not a need with both DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in place, Spencer will more than likely be gone after this season. Depth is also an issue, but the Cowboys have too many other holes to worry about depth at their strongest position on the field. However, Hunt could be worth it should he mold himself into a J.J. Watt type of player.
Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
6-3, 308, 5.08
Short is the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in the draft which is quite an accomplishment with possibly five DT’s going in the first round. Short recorded 7 sacks (and did not get credit for at least two that I’ve seen), 15.5 tackles for a loss, batted down four passes and blocked four kicks. His sack total increased each year as a starter from 6 to 6.5 to 7. Short also has the athletic versatility to play anywhere on the D-line in either a 3-4 or 4-3, making him an ideal fit for the Cowboys as they change systems.
Short has gotten overlooked because of the depth at the top of the draft board for defensive tackles this year, but I think he would be a top-15 pick in previous drafts. If his talents fall to the Cowboys in the second round, they would need to take a hard look at him. His skills would fit better than almost any other DT in the draft for what Dallas needs on their line.
Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
6-3, 320, 5.31
Hankins is another multitalented tackle in that he could play in both defensive fronts. Once thought of as a surefire first rounder, Hankins has fallen due to the other DT’s (Floyd, Richardson, Sylvester Williams) looking better in spandex. Because of this, a player that the Cowboys were once thinking about in the first round could very well be there in the second.
Hankins one flaw is that his ceiling is not as high as the other top tackles in this draft class. However, Hankins counters that flaw with probably the highest floor of any of the prospects. He will be a solid pro for years, but never spectacular. He will control the point of attack at the line of scrimmage, but never provide more than a handful of sacks. For a team that has had more busts and flameouts from the draft than almost anyone, Dallas could use a sure thing to slide into the middle of their D-line for years to come.
Tweener
Barrett Jones, C/G/T, Alabama
6-4, 306, 5.2
Barrett Jones might be the most intriguing prospect in the draft, and I think should be the Cowboys’ number one target regardless of round. Not since Bruce Matthews has there been such an adaptable offensive linemen. Do you realize that his kid started as a freshman at Alabama, was an All-American at right guard as a sophomore, won the Outland trophy at left tackle as a junior, then won the Rimington as the best center in the nation as a senior. Oh, and the teams he played on THREE national champions that went a combined 49-5 in games that he started (not to mention paving the way for a Heisman trophy winner, as well as two other first round NFL backs and having the nation’s lowest sack rate over the time period).
Jones has the size and instincts to play anywhere, but will be best suited in the middle due to his average athleticism. Nevertheless, should Dallas come up with two quality guards in the first two rounds (let’s say Warmack and Long) then Jones falls to them in the third, they could then put Doug Free on the bench and go with Jones at right tackle. The options that Jones would give this team are too valuable to pass up. I do not know as much about who might go where as the Dallas war room, but if Jones is not going to get back to them in the third round at 80, then they should take him at 47. He could be the key to their draft.
Third Round
Travis Frederick, C/G, Wisconsin
6-4, 312, 5.58
Frederick is regarded as the best center in the draft, although he might project better as a guard. Overlooked during his first few years on campus by top 60 picks Bill Nagy and Peter Konz, Frederick shined during his senior year showing great technique and instincts. Most importantly, he did not have a bad snap all season! (cut to Tony Romo nodding his head) His ability to play both guard and center continue with my theme of versatility that the Cowboys need.
The one downside I see with Frederick is overall strength. He only managed 21 reps at 225 at the Combine, which is a little concerning to me (for reference, my max was 19 as a receiver). While this may limit him from being an All-Pro, Frederick still looks like a sure thing as a better-than-the-crap-Dallas-has-now starter.
Justin Pugh, G/OT, Syracuse
6-4, 301, 5.05
Pugh was a solid left tackle for the Orange last season, but has seen his tackle-stock plummet due to short arms and smaller size than anticipated. While these may seem like detriments to his overall draft stock, I see it as positive spins. Should his arms have been 2 or 3 inches longer and he was 2 or 3 inches taller, he would be gone by the middle of the second round. However, Pugh is now projected as a guard and will likely be around at pick 80.
There are not many weaknesses to be found on film with Pugh which shows that he has the technique and ability to perform. His versatility could be used to start him at guard and if he can overcome his size limitations, project to a right tackle. Pugh is another guy that could help the team immediately.
Dallas Thomas, G/OT, Tennessee
6-5, 306, 5.15
Thomas is another lineman that has played both guard and tackle. Honestly, he is almost the identical prospect to Justin Pugh: started at left tackle, played well, a little undersized as an NFL tackle. Thomas would help in the same way as Pugh in that he could start at guard and transition to tackle if the need arose or his skills provided the change.
The difference between Thomas and Pugh is that Thomas will likely be gone first. Some experts think he will not last to the third round, but from what I have seen the past couple of years, guys like Thomas will slip due to the other linemen being overvalued in the top round and a half.
Bennie Logan, DT, LSU
6-2, 309, 5.08
Logan is a solid, run-stuffing three-technique defensive tackle, that could probably start for the Cowboys right now. How often can you say that about a third rounder? He almost certainly will be available when the Cowboys draft as he projects to fit better in a 4-3 rather than a 3-4. His pass-rushing will never be a plus attribute, but he keeps a wide base in the run game and plugs gaps well.
Logan’s surprising quickness in both his forty and a 4.67 shuttle show that he will be able to get down the line at the next level without getting carried by bigger offensive linemen. He was a solid producer in college that projects to be a solid contributor in the NFL. With the expected absence of Jay Ratliff for at least a few games, Logan could be a must-have.
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