LoneStarStruck.com - The Home For Die Hard Cowboys Fans

With the 2008 NFL draft being just a couple days away, I'm having a difficult time controlling my excitement, wondering which elite college players will be welcomed into the Cowboy Family. With Dallas having 2 picks in the 1st Round, most believe we won't have too long to wait to hear the names of our "New Cowboys."
 
I personally feel that the Cowboys will trade out of the First Round with one or both picks to secure more picks in this draft, unless one of the elite CBs or OTs fall to them. With the proliferation of multiple reciever offenses, it is essential that the Cowboys make a position of weakness one of their strengths. With Flozell Adams nearing the end of his career, it isn't too soon to draft and start grooming a stud OT to protect our Franchise QB's blindside.
 
Sure, there's obvious need at RB and WR, but I feel there are players that grade in Rounds 2-4 that can provide immediate help.

Here are a few players that I feel can potentially be available for the Cowboys to draft at the RB and WR positions:

Matt Forte/Tulane - A big back, who actually ran faster (4.46  at 217lbs) than most scouts thought he would. He's also an excellent reciever out of the backfield. I saw his performance at the Senior Bowl and was very impressed. I think he'd compliment MBIII well. Has round 2-3 grade.

 

 

Ray Rice/Rutgers - Doesn't have ideal size at 5'8" 200lbs, but had a highly productive collegiate career. He's noted to have great vision and instincts--qualities you look for in a back. He also is a good reciever out of the backfield. Projected round 2-3 grade.

 

 

 

Kevin Smith/Central Florida - An extremely athletic 6'1" 217lb back that plays faster than 4.58 forty would suggest. An extremely punishing runner that gets stronger with every carry. He's also a good reciever and is solid in pass protection. Has 3rd round grade.

 

 

 

Recievers that should be availible are:

Malcolm Kelly/Oklahoma - A 6'3" 224lb wideout with sure hands and great body control. Has definate 1st round talent but his 4.6/forty has some teams shying away. That being said, don't expect this guy to be around too long!

 

 

 

Mario Manningham/Michigan - Being a Michigan fan, I've had the opportunity to see him in action the past three years. He runs excellent routes and has sure hands. Another wideout with 1st round talent, but has seen his stock drop after lying to teams at the Combine about drug tests he'd failed at Michigan due to marijuana use. His skill set reminds me of Terry Glenn.

 

 

Jordy Nelson/Kansas State - In my opinion, Jordy has "steal of the draft" written all over him. At 6'2" 217lbs, 4.51 forty. 206 career receptions and 19 TDs, one would think that Jordy would be rated higher than his 3-4 round projection.  He's viewed as a possession reciever by most scouts, what stands out to me is how he abused Kansas' Aqib Talib, considered one of the talented cover guys in the draft.

 

Obviously, there are elite players like McFadden and Mendenhall that are considered to be clearly a notch above the other backs, but I'm not so sure there's a considerable gap, from a talent stand point for the elite recievers, Devin Thomas, Limas Sweed, and James Hardy as compared to the guys I've mentioned and others that I didn't mention.
 
For the first time since the early 1990's, I feel Dallas is in a position to draft for depth, securing a talent base that will allow little drop off in talent from starter to backup. The key is to get great value with every selection!
 
My hope is that the class that the Cowboys draft can provide the productivity on the field as well as off!

***Live and die bleeding silver and blue***