Draft Day Wrap-up: Cowboys Address RB, TE and CB Concerns
All good things must come to and end, and the Cowboys finally ended the day after accomplishing some goals and raising a couple of questions. Overall, the Cowboys had a great draft and walk away with a boatload of talent highlighted by first round picks Felix Jones - RB and Mike Jenkins - CB. Here is a recap of the weekend's haul with ESPN analisys and mine as well...
2008 Draft Selections
1. Felix Jones (RB) - Jerry Jones may not have gotten Darren McFadden, but he did get an Arkansas running back. Felix Jones is not a power back who is going to consistently push the pile in short-yardage situations, and the fact that he shared carries with McFadden in college and lacks elite size raise concerns about his ability to carry a heavy workload. However, he is a big play waiting to happen; he's quick around the corner, shifty enough to make the first defender miss and turns on the jets in the open field.
2. Mike Jenkins (CB) - Jenkins doesn't have a great deal of upper-body strength and struggles to reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage. You'd also like to see him capitalize on more opportunities to make big plays. That said, he has the potential to develop excellent man-to-man cover skills because he opens his hips well and is a quick, fast athlete. There's also a lot to like about his versatility; he can line up at safety and can make an impact as a kick returner.
3. Martellus Bennett (TE) - Bennett isn't an elite run-blocker and doesn't have great top-end speed. However, he's a great value. Watching him on film and knowing that he played college basketball for two seasons, it's hard not to compare him to San Diego tight end Antonio Gates. Much like Gates, Bennett knows how to use his size to box defenders out and he can make tough catches in traffic. Taking the comparison even further, Bennett is versatile enough to flex out wide as Gates does in the Chargers' offense.
4. Tashard Choice (RB) - Choice doesn't have breakaway speed and will put the ball on the ground, but he reads his blocks well and is a north-south runner who falls forward. He is the second running back the Cowboys have drafted and will provide depth. Also, there may be concern about getting Marion Barber signed long term.
5. Orlando Scandrick (CB) - Scandrick probably would've been better off returning for his senior year to work on his footwork and add some weight to his frame. On the other hand, he's fast enough to run with receivers downfield and he opens his hips quickly. He also has shown a knack for blocking kicks and he can make an impact in the return game.
6. Erik Walden (DE) - Walden excels at getting to the quarterback and has experience lining up at linebacker and end. This is the second pick in a row on which we feel Dallas has reached; Walden isn't big enough to hold his ground at defensive end position and his speed will make it difficult for him to be effective in coverage as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
My Analysis
Let me begin by saying I love Felix Jones and that was the running back I thought the Cowboys would get, but that was assuming Rashard Mendenhall was off the table. I can't believe we didn't draft Mendenhall. Given the choice between the powerful and speedy Mendenhall and Felix Jones, you HAVE to take Mendenhall. He is faster and a more powerful and skilled runner than Jones. While Jones has to utilize his speed to evade defenders, Mendenhall can do the same thing and also take a hit, break tackles, and keep running. Felix Jones will compliment Marion Barber well, but since when do you draft complimentary players with your first round pick? And one more thing, Mendenhall would have given the team great leverage in contract negotiations with Marion Barber who is now in the drivers seat.
My little tirade aside, I thought the Cowboys rebounded well from the first pick blunder. We picked up an excellent coverage cornerback in Mike Jenkins which is something we sorely lacked all season on the other side of Terrence Newman. Jenkin's speed will definitely upgrade the secondary this season. The Cowboy's football lines for those who are into football betting, will surely be in our favor.
Martellus Bennett has an outside shot at becoming a future star. He is an explosive tight-end with great hands and excellent blocking ability. In two tight end sets, the Cowboys now have yet another offensive weapon who can shine.
Tashard Choice will add some depth if he even makes the team out of training camp. He is a marginal runner with a skills set that makes a great NFL career highly unlikely. I could not believe the Cowboys didn't draft a wide receiver with this pick. I was hoping for Mario Mannington to be quite honest and was disappointed to see him go next to the Giants. If we don't add some depth to the pair of 34-year old starting receivers we have now... then when?
Scandrick and Walden were the final selections and the next few months will tell us if they fit in. Consider them secondary options to make the team at this point, but most late draft picks are. As far as I'm concerned, anything after the fourth round is usually a crap shoot and more akin to online football betting.
Overall I would grade this draft a solid B-. Mendenhall would have made it an A- and adding a wide receiver would have further raised the grade to an A+.
Comments
whats with everyone needing a WR? What about Craytons contract extension? he drops a couple balls and you all hate on him when all season you loved him and commended him filling TG's role. Also, I though Miles Austin has great breakaway speed and I liked him taking kick offs. Hurd is a good 3rd or 4th WR and dont forget about Isiah. WR is not as big of a need as everyone thinks! Good draft.
Posted by: Danny | April 27, 2008 03:30 PM
I think the thing that shocks me most, is that we didn't pick up a wide receiver. Two RB's and no WR???...I just don't get that.
Posted by: Angel | April 27, 2008 04:31 PM
I don't understand not getting a WR while we have TO and Terry Glenn to help develop the youngin!
Posted by: Raina | April 27, 2008 05:52 PM
I'll have plenty to say about this soon but for now let's just say I'm not happy with this year's draft. AT ALL.
Posted by: Cowboy Bill | April 27, 2008 06:42 PM
Look Joe we saw F. Jones dominate the SEC this season. Mendenhall is a good back. Jones would have been a starter anywhere else. Plus I really don't trust Big 10 players. I give Dallas a B. Oh something else on the draft. I think Dallas sent a message to Barber by drafting not 1 to help take the load off but 2 to say we can replace you!
Posted by: Jacob | April 27, 2008 08:08 PM
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Posted by: Juliuxxx | April 28, 2008 07:27 AM
I have to say that I agree that the WR thing is not for the draft. We have Hurd and Crayton. I think Jerry is looking for a veteran and I think that's the smart thing to do. We have back up strength in WR but not in RB.
I think every body needs to calm dawn and hide and wait. Jerry isn't finished yet. The draft is not the be all end all folks!
Posted by: Tiffany | April 28, 2008 08:41 AM
By the way.....
My compliments to Joe D for outstanding draft coverage and analyzation.
**kudos**
Posted by: Tiffany | April 28, 2008 08:45 AM
Excellent analysis Joe! I would have definately chosen Mendenhall with the 22nd pick also, however, since it was a given they'd select Felix, it would've been nice to use the 28th pick on him as I'm not sure if other teams had him rated as high as the Cowboys. We could've taken Jenkins at 22. I'm original from Big Ten country so I may be biased but, Larry Johnson, Tom Brady, Braylon Edwards, Bob Sanders, Joe Thomas, Plaxico Burress and several others have and are doing VERY well in the NFL. I give the 'Boys an A grade. I love what they did at corner and RB. Teams trying to create matchup problems will increasing start to use 4-5 reciever sets as it is assumed that at best, a team will have 3 good corners--we will be in the position to matchup now. As for RB, we had absolutely no one behind MBIII--Julius is gone as well as Tyson Thompson. That position had to be addressed.
Posted by: Marvin | April 28, 2008 09:10 AM
Welp, it's a new day. I think we did o.k for the most part. I too was kinda shocked to see that the COWBOYS had a shot at pickin up Mendenhall. It would have been a no brainer to me to take him first. Then again, I got to watch Mendenhall just about every weekend. "alittle bias" I guess. Still...I dont think Felix is that bad of a choice. Im not surprised to see that the COWBOYS did'nt grab a WR. We have Austin,Hurd and St????Shoot I cant think of the other kids name? Anyways We have young guys that when givin the chance who knows? Austin and Hurd had a couple of good plays. Besides after the third round you show me a "GREAT" WR that was left? Well the kids are yelling for lunch. Got to go. Talk more about this later. Take care everybody.
My grade for the draft..B
Posted by: Jason aka Big.J.74 | April 28, 2008 12:02 PM
I agree with your assessment of the draft. I am very happy with the pick ups but a receiver would have made it a perfect day. Hopefully we can find a fit there elsewhere! Grade it a "B"
http://myteamrivals.typepad.com/cowboyscorner/
Posted by: Bill | April 28, 2008 01:20 PM
First round pick by the Cowboys will be Felix Jones I told my brother over the phone and by now we all know that became a reality. I believe the Cowboys had a good draft and addressed all their needs however I would have liked to see a wide receiver coming to Dallas. On the contrary Jerry Jones publicly has stated that at some point during the off-season he’ll inquire about acquiring a veteran receiver to play opposite Terrell Owens, a lot depends on Terry Glenn being healthy and ready when the season starts, we’ll have to wait and see. I don’t dislike Patrick Crayton but I don’t see him as a starter in these high-powered offense nor is he a clutch receiver, Sam Hurd and/or Mile Austin will need to step up to the plate this coming season otherwise expect the Cowboys to definitely draft a wider receiver next year. Some fans are asking, “Why didn’t the Cowboys draft Rashard Mendenhall?” My guess would be because the Boys don’t need another player that resembles Marion Barber's III running abilities and style. With Barber’s contract situation I believe the Cowboys are going to play out the same scenario as with Tony Romo, if he produces both sides will come to terms (Barber will always be in the driver’s seat…it’s like buying a new car, you can either sign on the dotted line or walk-away knowing that there are numerous dealerships that would love to have your business). The Barber/Jones combination will undoubtedly compliment each other’s running abilities very nicely and yes the days of having a lone star running back are gone.
Posted by: Cowboy | April 28, 2008 10:05 PM