New idea for Cowboys at No. 9

[sbk92]

The Mike Pouncey incident late last week -- where the OL prospect claimed that he was going to be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys -- was an interesting discussion topic for several hours, but generally, it's not believed that the 'Boys would take Pouncey unless they trade back. Instead, it's generally been believed that the team would address either offensive tackle or cornerback with that pick. However, a new name is gaining steam as a possibility as their first-rounder.

According to Wes Bunting of National Football Post, Missouri DE/OLB Aldon Smith's name has been rising, as the team sees him as a nice complement to DeMarcus Ware.

As with Pouncey, Smith has generally graded out a bit lower than ninth overall in this draft class. The rub on him is that he's a raw prospect, and might not be able to contribute right away. In that sense, the Cowboys will have to decide whether it's more important to draft a player that can contribute right away or to select a player with a high ceiling.

 

[sbk92]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFL-draft-rumors-6551.html

NFL draft rumors

The latest buzz we are hearing throughout the NFL draft landscape.

Wes Bunting


• The one prospect at the quarterback position who really seems to be heating up is TCU’s Andy Dalton. From a scout we spoke with he said his team has Dalton rated higher than Jake Locker and that he could get late first round interest.

• The Seahawks are also one of the teams, as well as the Dolphins and Bills, that are putting in a lot of time researching/investigating the background of Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett.

• Southern Cal OT Tyron Smith is getting a lot of interest from the Cowboys at nine, but I am also hearing they like Missouri DE Aldon Smith a lot and would love to pair him opposite DeMarcus Ware off the edge.

• UCLA safety Rahim Moore is getting a lot of attention from a number of NFC teams. I’m hearing both the Cowboys and Bears have a lot of interest in the center field standout and he could be an option for both in round two.

• Talked with a scout Friday who believes that the idea of Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers falling into the mid 1st is crazy. He said that it’s all about misinformation at this time and he believes the teams that really want him outside the top-10 are the ones at the head of putting all this information out there.

• However, one scout I did talk with does think that a number of teams believe that Bowers could in fact need microfracture surgery,

• Hearing from sources the Raiders have a legit interest in Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick if they decide to go signal caller early. He’s a tall, strong-armed kid who runs well for his size and fits the kind of prospect mold the Raiders like.

• A scout this week said he would take LSU CB Patrick Peterson over New York Jets star Darrelle Revis if he had to pick one of the two right now. Same scout also said he believes Peterson and Alabama DL Marcell Dareus are the two best defensive players in the 2011 NFL Draft.

• On the injury front, hearing there is one highly rated prospect who is really liked by just about every NFL team and was at the NFL Combine that failed a number of medical evaluations because of a back issue, which was deemed potentially career threatening.

• Finally, hearing the Panthers’ ideal plan would be to not select anyone at all with the first pick and simply trade out in order to add a second rounder — something they don’t have in this year’s draft.

 

[sbk92]

I would be totally against this. I think Smith is more of a 4-3 end. He's this year's Jason Pierre-Paul.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Was Aldon Smith bought in? I'm against it. I'd prefer like a D'Aundre Reed from Arizona in maybe the 6th or 7th.

 

[sbk92]

I don't believe Smith came in for a visit.

But it's not like that eliminates him from consideration. Sometimes teams don't have guys in they already know and feel good about.

 

[Midswat]

I think Aldon Smith is an interesting prospect. Very long and lean. I think he's going to cause a lot of fumbles and knock a lot of balls down. His arms are about 5 foot long.

I wouldn't hate the selection, but of course, I'm hoping it's after a trade down.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I don't believe Smith came in for a visit.

But it's not like that eliminates him from consideration. Sometimes teams don't have guys in they already know and feel good about.

But do they feel better about Aldon Smith than they do about Tyron Smith?

 

[sbk92]

But do they feel better about Aldon Smith than they do about Tyron Smith?

I doubt it.

Especially when they keep talking about instant impact. Smith is buried behind Spencer next year. Tyron Smith has an immediate starting spot waiting for him.

 

[ravidubey]

I prefer Quinn, a trade down, or the best true 3-4 DE prospect available to Smith.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I prefer Quinn, a trade down, or the best true 3-4 DE prospect available to Smith.

Well some of us happen to value Romo's protection more than you. And no to Quinn.

 

[sbk92]

Quinn's a beast. He'd be my favorite player in this draft if it weren't for the brain tumor.

 

[ravidubey]

Well some of us happen to value Romo's protection more than you. And no to Quinn.

Of course the #1 need on this team is OL, but the draft is what you use to build your team, not fix immediate problems. Sometimes you can do both, but this year's draft class has below average quality on the OL. We can't force the draft to produce something it can't.

The best value is in the 2nd round, and that would be if a guy like Ijalana falls.

 

[NoShame]

Quinn's a beast. He'd be my favorite player in this draft if it weren't for the brain tumor.

It still doesn't bother me.

My dream scenario has us landing him at 9. I think he's gonna be the next dominant 3-4 OLB.

Paired with Ware, another NT, Ratliff at DE, Rob Ryan... our defense would shit on the Steelers.

 

[sbk92]

It still doesn't bother me.

My dream scenario has us landing him at 9. I think he's gonna be the next dominant 3-4 OLB.

Paired with Ware, another NT, Ratliff at DE, Rob Ryan... our defense would shit on the Steelers.

I don't know how having a brain tumor that has to be monitored doesn't bother you when you're talking about making a pick in the top 10 of the draft.

 

[sbk92]

I think the talent is good along both lines. It's the strength of this draft and it works perfectly to the needs of this team.

Now QB, RB, WR are shat. The LBs are average at best.

 

[NoShame]

I don't know how having a brain tumor that has to be monitored doesn't bother you when you're talking about making a pick in the top 10 of the draft.

From what I know (and I did look into it) he had it diagnosed back in high school and it has to be monitored once every 6 months. It was diagnosed benign, meaning it can't threaten his life or health and become cancerous.

Its no doubt a serious matter but I think people hear "brain tumor" and naturally think the worse.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Of course the #1 need on this team is OL, but the draft is what you use to build your team, not fix immediate problems. Sometimes you can do both, but this year's draft class has below average quality on the OL. We can't force the draft to produce something it can't.

The best value is in the 2nd round, and that would be if a guy like Ijalana falls.

What would a Redskins' fan know about building a team through the draft? I think drafting a young OT like Smith accomplishes both.

 

[sbk92]

From what I know (and I did look into it) he had it diagnosed back in high school and it has to be monitored once every 6 months. It was diagnosed benign, meaning it can't threaten his life or health and become cancerous.

Its no doubt a serious matter but I think people hear "brain tumor" and naturally think the worse.

The fact that it has to be monitored can't mean it's not a big deal.

I just wouldn't risk a top 10 pick on someone with that condition.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Offensive line. Defensive line. Safety.

Fix'em.

 

[sbk92]

You're not gonna fix safety in this draft. Nor should you try. The talent isn't there.