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Staff Writers Lay Out Early Expectations
DallasCowboys.com Report
The Cowboys are already penciling in Smith as their starting right tackle.
IRVING, Texas - At this point, it's impossible to make a worthwhile effort at grading last weekend's draft.
It'll be years before the success or failure of all eight picks can be evaluated properly, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to discuss. While it's difficult to predict how each player will progress in his career, seeing into the immediate future isn't so tough.
Here, DallasCowboys.com's three-man writing staff lends its perspective on the team's draft haul, with a special emphasis on the initial contributions the newbies can provide.
What are your expectations for Tyron Smith this season?
Nick Eatman: Regardless of the personnel come training camp or the start of the season, Smith will be starting for the Cowboys in Week 1, barring any injury. But even if he shows the slightest hint that he's not ready, the Cowboys will likely throw him to the wolves and give him plenty of help as well. But as the No. 9 overall pick, there is little time for training. Smith has to be ready. Now, I'm not one who thinks a high pick has to play left tackle. He seems better-suited for the right side at the moment and once Free is re-signed, he can go back to his left-tackle duties. But I think Smith will play early and often and he'll be pretty good even as a rookie.
Rob Phillips: Starting right tackle. Smith has the skills to eventually become a starter on the left side, but it's not necessary next season as long as Doug Free's playing well (assuming he's re-signed). Smith was a right tackle at USC, so it makes sense to start the 20-year-old where he's most comfortable. Most defenses move around their best pass rushers (like the Cowboys do with DeMarcus Ware), so Free and Smith would each get their share of challenges. Interested to see how well he run blocks, but he has the length, strength and feet to upgrade pass protection.
Josh Ellis: I think he's going to be pretty good as the starting right tackle from the first day of training camp. He's going to get plenty of opportunities to line up against DeMarcus Ware in practice, and if he's dominant against him, I wouldn't rule out the idea that he could play the left side this season. It won't be long until he's over there anyway, unless he just can't pick up the offense. But he seems very at ease with everything, so I think he'll take to the NFL game fairly well. You've got to love how much he talks about his willingness to work. That's what separates good draft picks from bad ones.
Which pick, other than Smith, will contribute the most in 2011?
Nick Eatman: I think Murray would be an easy answer, but I'm going with sixth-round pick Dwayne Harris, from East Carolina. I have a feeling he's going to be a cross between Sam Hurd and Patrick Crayton. He's tough and willing to play on special teams like Hurd, but he can also contribute as a slot receiver and possible punt-return specialist like Crayton. While he might not give the team a consistent "wow" factor, I think Harris contributes the most on both offense and special teams.
Rob Phillips: DeMarco Murray. Time will tell how quickly second-round pick Bruce Carter gets healthy and acclimated to the defense. If Murray stays healthy, the third-round back will challenge whoever's behind Felix Jones (Marion Barber, Tashard Choice) for touches. And he could pitch in as a kick/punt returner.
Josh Ellis: I could see there being a point this year when DeMarco Murray is the Cowboys' lead back. It happened to Tashard Choice when he was a rookie, despite being an afterthought at the beginning of the year. Running back is a demanding position, and Jones has missed some games in the past. If Murray can show more toughness running inside than Choice, I wouldn't be surprised to see him getting the second back's share of the load by midseason, if not earlier. Jones should be their main guy when healthy, though.
Making the roster will be difficult for ...
Nick Eatman: It won't be a slam dunk for any of the players past the fourth round. Typically, fifth-round picks at least make it to the start of the season, but it won't be easy for Buffalo cornerback Josh Thomas. Regardless of what happens in free agency, there should at least be four or five corners ahead of him. Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick should all return as the top three corners and now it seems as if Alan Ball will go back to cornerback as well. Then you've got Bryan McCann, who at least figures to enter camp ahead of Thomas. Obviously, Thomas will probably get the edge between those two if it's close, but you have to wonder what kind of learning curve there will be for an undersized cornerback from Buffalo.
Rob Phillips: Josh Thomas. The fifth-round pick certainly has a shot, and the team does need cornerback depth. But think how many defensive backs (corners and safeties) already have jobs: Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Bryan McCann, Alan Ball (likely moving back to corner), Gerald Sensabaugh (if re-signed), Danny McCray, Barry Church, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah. That's nine. As a fifth-rounder, Thomas will really have to earn a spot on special teams.
Josh Ellis: I don't think Josh Thomas, Dwayne Harris, Shaun Chapas or Bill Nagy have spots sewed up by any means. Each is probably in a direct competition with a veteran. For Thomas, it's Bryan McCann. For Harris, it's Kevin Ogletree or perhaps Jesse Holley. For Chapas, it's incumbent fullback Chris Gronkowski. And for Nagy, it's probably Phil Costa. My guess is that Nagy would be the easiest to slip onto the practice squad, so I'll say him. If I were betting, I would take Thomas, Harris and Chapas to win their camp battles against those vets.
Don't be surprised if ...
Nick Eatman: Wisconsin center Bill Nagy becomes the second-best lineman drafted in this class. And that's really nothing against fourth-rounder David Arkin. But Nagy has a legitimate chance to unseat Phil Costa as the backup center in the first season. The Cowboys have toyed with the idea of moving Andre Gurode out to guard, assuming of course there is a viable replacement in the works. While Nagy is a seventh-rounder who didn't even start every game the last two years at Wisconsin, he has enough smarts and toughness to possibly be the answer inside in the next few years.
Rob Phillips: Wide receiver Dwayne Harris becomes a late-round steal like Patrick Crayton in 2004. It might not happen this year, because at best Harris is the fourth receiver behind Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Roy Williams. And at 5-10, he isn't the biggest wideout. But other than Smith, I liked this pick most because he was highly productive at East Carolina and he fills a need in the passing and return game. In the sixth-round, can't ask for more than that.
Josh Ellis: I could see Shaun Chapas overtaking Chris Gronkowski this year and becoming a mainstay at fullback on this team. When you look at his background, all the awards and honors that were given to him by coaches and teammates at Georgia, it's clear that this is the kind of guy you want on your team. If he's athletic enough to play in the SEC, he should be able to compete here. I'm not saying his going to be Daryl Johnston or anything, but I could definitely see the guy sticking around and having a very good run here.
DallasCowboys.com Report
The Cowboys are already penciling in Smith as their starting right tackle.
IRVING, Texas - At this point, it's impossible to make a worthwhile effort at grading last weekend's draft.
It'll be years before the success or failure of all eight picks can be evaluated properly, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to discuss. While it's difficult to predict how each player will progress in his career, seeing into the immediate future isn't so tough.
Here, DallasCowboys.com's three-man writing staff lends its perspective on the team's draft haul, with a special emphasis on the initial contributions the newbies can provide.
What are your expectations for Tyron Smith this season?
Nick Eatman: Regardless of the personnel come training camp or the start of the season, Smith will be starting for the Cowboys in Week 1, barring any injury. But even if he shows the slightest hint that he's not ready, the Cowboys will likely throw him to the wolves and give him plenty of help as well. But as the No. 9 overall pick, there is little time for training. Smith has to be ready. Now, I'm not one who thinks a high pick has to play left tackle. He seems better-suited for the right side at the moment and once Free is re-signed, he can go back to his left-tackle duties. But I think Smith will play early and often and he'll be pretty good even as a rookie.
Rob Phillips: Starting right tackle. Smith has the skills to eventually become a starter on the left side, but it's not necessary next season as long as Doug Free's playing well (assuming he's re-signed). Smith was a right tackle at USC, so it makes sense to start the 20-year-old where he's most comfortable. Most defenses move around their best pass rushers (like the Cowboys do with DeMarcus Ware), so Free and Smith would each get their share of challenges. Interested to see how well he run blocks, but he has the length, strength and feet to upgrade pass protection.
Josh Ellis: I think he's going to be pretty good as the starting right tackle from the first day of training camp. He's going to get plenty of opportunities to line up against DeMarcus Ware in practice, and if he's dominant against him, I wouldn't rule out the idea that he could play the left side this season. It won't be long until he's over there anyway, unless he just can't pick up the offense. But he seems very at ease with everything, so I think he'll take to the NFL game fairly well. You've got to love how much he talks about his willingness to work. That's what separates good draft picks from bad ones.
Which pick, other than Smith, will contribute the most in 2011?
Nick Eatman: I think Murray would be an easy answer, but I'm going with sixth-round pick Dwayne Harris, from East Carolina. I have a feeling he's going to be a cross between Sam Hurd and Patrick Crayton. He's tough and willing to play on special teams like Hurd, but he can also contribute as a slot receiver and possible punt-return specialist like Crayton. While he might not give the team a consistent "wow" factor, I think Harris contributes the most on both offense and special teams.
Rob Phillips: DeMarco Murray. Time will tell how quickly second-round pick Bruce Carter gets healthy and acclimated to the defense. If Murray stays healthy, the third-round back will challenge whoever's behind Felix Jones (Marion Barber, Tashard Choice) for touches. And he could pitch in as a kick/punt returner.
Josh Ellis: I could see there being a point this year when DeMarco Murray is the Cowboys' lead back. It happened to Tashard Choice when he was a rookie, despite being an afterthought at the beginning of the year. Running back is a demanding position, and Jones has missed some games in the past. If Murray can show more toughness running inside than Choice, I wouldn't be surprised to see him getting the second back's share of the load by midseason, if not earlier. Jones should be their main guy when healthy, though.
Making the roster will be difficult for ...
Nick Eatman: It won't be a slam dunk for any of the players past the fourth round. Typically, fifth-round picks at least make it to the start of the season, but it won't be easy for Buffalo cornerback Josh Thomas. Regardless of what happens in free agency, there should at least be four or five corners ahead of him. Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick should all return as the top three corners and now it seems as if Alan Ball will go back to cornerback as well. Then you've got Bryan McCann, who at least figures to enter camp ahead of Thomas. Obviously, Thomas will probably get the edge between those two if it's close, but you have to wonder what kind of learning curve there will be for an undersized cornerback from Buffalo.
Rob Phillips: Josh Thomas. The fifth-round pick certainly has a shot, and the team does need cornerback depth. But think how many defensive backs (corners and safeties) already have jobs: Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Bryan McCann, Alan Ball (likely moving back to corner), Gerald Sensabaugh (if re-signed), Danny McCray, Barry Church, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah. That's nine. As a fifth-rounder, Thomas will really have to earn a spot on special teams.
Josh Ellis: I don't think Josh Thomas, Dwayne Harris, Shaun Chapas or Bill Nagy have spots sewed up by any means. Each is probably in a direct competition with a veteran. For Thomas, it's Bryan McCann. For Harris, it's Kevin Ogletree or perhaps Jesse Holley. For Chapas, it's incumbent fullback Chris Gronkowski. And for Nagy, it's probably Phil Costa. My guess is that Nagy would be the easiest to slip onto the practice squad, so I'll say him. If I were betting, I would take Thomas, Harris and Chapas to win their camp battles against those vets.
Don't be surprised if ...
Nick Eatman: Wisconsin center Bill Nagy becomes the second-best lineman drafted in this class. And that's really nothing against fourth-rounder David Arkin. But Nagy has a legitimate chance to unseat Phil Costa as the backup center in the first season. The Cowboys have toyed with the idea of moving Andre Gurode out to guard, assuming of course there is a viable replacement in the works. While Nagy is a seventh-rounder who didn't even start every game the last two years at Wisconsin, he has enough smarts and toughness to possibly be the answer inside in the next few years.
Rob Phillips: Wide receiver Dwayne Harris becomes a late-round steal like Patrick Crayton in 2004. It might not happen this year, because at best Harris is the fourth receiver behind Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Roy Williams. And at 5-10, he isn't the biggest wideout. But other than Smith, I liked this pick most because he was highly productive at East Carolina and he fills a need in the passing and return game. In the sixth-round, can't ask for more than that.
Josh Ellis: I could see Shaun Chapas overtaking Chris Gronkowski this year and becoming a mainstay at fullback on this team. When you look at his background, all the awards and honors that were given to him by coaches and teammates at Georgia, it's clear that this is the kind of guy you want on your team. If he's athletic enough to play in the SEC, he should be able to compete here. I'm not saying his going to be Daryl Johnston or anything, but I could definitely see the guy sticking around and having a very good run here.