Post-Combine mock

[Bob Sacamano]

1(14) -- Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Versatile defensive lineman who has been slowly moving up the draft rankings. Excelled in a top-notch conference using a mixture of strength, explosion and tenacity. Of all the DTs in the draft, Fletcher Cox has the potential to be the best pass-rusher among the group. Standing 6'4" with nearly 35" arms, he's going to be a terror for OTs to handle.

2(45) -- Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State

High effort, high energy player with underrated athleticism. Since the Cowboys seem set on retaining Anthony Spencer for at least 2012, we could use the rush from the nickel that Shea McClellin would provide, and a role that the coaches don't seem willing to give to Victor Butler. In the future, Shea McClellin takes over the SOLB role.

Chill, Laz. Andre Branch and Bruce Irvin are long gone by this point.

3(82) -- Brandon Washingon, OG, Miami

We add another big, athletic piece to the offensive line with the selection of Brandon Washington.

4(113) -- Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

Poor man's Ray Lewis. His attitude is a bit of a concern, but a few minutes spent with Sean Lee, I believe, changes all that. Potential steal in the 4th round, despite the rather offensive guard like 40 time.

5(144) -- Akiem Hicks, DT, Regina

Props to cmd to turning me onto this guy. Saw a tape on YouTube, and this big boy can move. Just another piece on the defensive line for Rob Ryan to play with. Could be a Haloti Ngata-type player at end in the 3-4 (6'5" 318, 35 1/8" arms)

6(175) -- Olivier Vernon, DE, Miami (FL)

Project pass-rusher for outside linebacker with some good measurables (187.5 explosion factor). A little stiff though (4.50 short-shuttle, 7.39 3-cone drill) and very raw. So worth a late-round gamble.

7(206) -- Paul Cornick, OT, North Dakota State

Standard fare for the Cowboys to pick a player you never heard of with their seventh round pick. Small school prospect who is fairly strong already, having put up 25 reps on the bench at the Combine possessing 35" arms. Able to swing between guard and tackle.

 

[cmd34]

Cox isn't worthy of the 14th pick IMO. McClellin is a solid football player but I think we can do better at 45. Washington is lazy and I don't want any part of him. There isn't a lot of athleticism there. I think someone will gamble on Burfict before the 4th but that would be a steal. Problem is I don't think we (currently) have the defensive leadership that's going to be needed to get Burfict on track. Love the 5th round pick.

If we ended up with this overall draft I'd give us a C-, maybe a D+, since we ignored our biggest weak spot from last year, the Secondary.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Regarding Burfict, there seems to be an aura surrounding Sean Lee that I believe will tame that attitude.

As to the secondary, I strongly believe an improved front 7 will change that. Plus I'm under the idea that we'll be signing Brandon Carr in free agency to short up the other corner spot, opposite Mike Jenkins. There just isn't any safety of note this year. No Rahim Moore.

There was buzz that Orlando Franklin was a lazy player and he turned out alright with the Broncos. I think the same will be for Brandon Washington. I think his struggles appear from not being very smart, but I'm sure Bill Callahan can alleviate that problem.

Why do you think Fletcher Cox won't be worth the 14th pick? He grades out really well.

 

[cmd34]

Regarding Burfict, there seems to be an aura surrounding Sean Lee that I believe will tame that attitude.

As to the secondary, I strongly believe an improved front 7 will change that. Plus I'm under the idea that we'll be signing Brandon Carr in free agency to short up the other corner spot, opposite Mike Jenkins. There just isn't any safety of note this year. No Rahim Moore.

There was buzz that Orlando Franklin was a lazy player and he turned out alright with the Broncos. I think the same will be for Brandon Washington. I think his struggles appear from not being very smart, but I'm sure Bill Callahan can alleviate that problem.

Why do you think Fletcher Cox won't be worth the 14th pick? He grades out really well.

To me, Fletcher Cox is very raw. He needs to greatly improve his technique. I think of him as a top 20 to 25 guy and needing to go to a team where he can sit and learn for a year. With the 14th pick, a very shallow roster, and not a ton of leadership, I need a guy who can come in and have an impact on this team. Not necessarily a star but someone who is going to take over a starting job and be instantly better than the Cowboy player that started in that spot last year. I don't see Cox as doing that.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I thought the idea was to draft a blue-chipper in the 1st round? You want to draft someone who may be physically maxed out already?

 

[cmd34]

I thought the idea was to draft a blue-chipper in the 1st round? You want to draft someone who may be physically maxed out already?

Not at all. I want to draft someone who will come in and instantly improve the 2012 team.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Not at all. I want to draft someone who will come in and instantly improve the 2012 team.

Ok, Jerry. Let's pass up what could be the best 5-technique DE in this draft so we can win a Super Bowl in 2012.

 

[cmd34]

Ok, Jerry. Let's pass up what could be the best 5-technique DE in this draft so we can win a Super Bowl in 2012.

I don't think he's the best 5-tech so that's probably the biggest issue. I think I'd take Coples over him even though I feel Coples is better suited for the 4-3. I'd take Brockers over him and I'm not a Brockers fan at all.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

lol Brockers? Besides being 7' tall, he has nothing.

 

[dbair1967]

Cox isn't worthy of the 14th pick IMO. .

You are going to be surprised on draft day then, he's going to go pretty early.

PFW now has Cox as their 7th highest rated prospect.

 

[Cr122]

Haters gonna hate.

Cox is the real deal.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Fletcher Cox had a 1.63 10-yard split. Like a boss.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I think your mock sucks. You're on the flavor for the moment. Last week it was Poe, not it's Cox. Any player taken in the first aside from either DeCastro or Glenn, doesn't appeal to me.


How do you know whether Branch or Irvin will be long gone come our pick at #45? I've seen a few mocks with Branch breaking into the late 1st, most mocks had Irvin holding steady at mid-2nd to early 3rd round. But the wildcard is Nick Perry. Most mocks have him falling into the 2nd. Many draft 'gurus' don't even have him in their top 32. So what we have is Branch, Perry, and Irvin. Not all 3 will be gone by #45. I'd be just as happy with Perry as I would with the other two. But if by chance all three are gone by #45, I damn sure do not want that McClellin. I'd rather go with a CB like Gilmore or Minnifield.


Brandon Washington for OG. Not thank you. You just threw him in their because we need an OG and he happend to be the biggest. Not worth a 3rd rounder.


Cox may or may not be the best 5-technique, but that's not what we need. Is a 5-technique going to help the offense sustain drives? Have a better 3rd down coversion? Increase our red zone efficiency, to where we will not just have to settle for FGs? We have the skill set to where we should theoretically score on every possession, but we stall in the red zone way too much, and have trouble converting 3rd and 1, which is basically automatic for other teams.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think your mock sucks. You're on the flavor for the moment. Last week it was Poe, not it's Cox. Any player taken in the first aside from either DeCastro or Glenn, doesn't appeal to me.

I knew you'd say it sucks. It doesn't have Andre Branch or Bruce Irvin on it.

Anyways, I like to keep my options open and I must admit that I was sort of blinded by Poe's Combine performance. Which I've since come down off of.

How do you know whether Branch or Irvin will be long gone come our pick at #45? I've seen a few mocks with Branch breaking into the late 1st, most mocks had Irvin holding steady at mid-2nd to early 3rd round. But the wildcard is Nick Perry. Most mocks have him falling into the 2nd. Many draft 'gurus' don't even have him in their top 32. So what we have is Branch, Perry, and Irvin. Not all 3 will be gone by #45. I'd be just as happy with Perry as I would with the other two. But if by chance all three are gone by #45, I damn sure do not want that McClellin. I'd rather go with a CB like Gilmore or Minnifield.

Ok.

Brandon Washington for OG. Not thank you. You just threw him in their because we need an OG and he happend to be the biggest. Not worth a 3rd rounder.

He just doesn't happen to be the biggest. Dude is athletic enough to start at OT in college. Shuffles his feet better than Cordy Glenn, as evidenced by his better 20 yard shuttle time.

Cox may or may not be the best 5-technique, but that's not what we need. Is a 5-technique going to help the offense sustain drives? Have a better 3rd down coversion? Increase our red zone efficiency, to where we will not just have to settle for FGs? We have the skill set to where we should theoretically score on every possession, but we stall in the red zone way too much, and have trouble converting 3rd and 1, which is basically automatic for other teams.

lol 2 weeks ago you were beating the, "need to improve the pass-rush", drum. Improving the front 3 will go a long ways towards accomplishing that, and Cox would be a big part.

And what if we sign Brandon Carr to a big deal? Want to maximize that choice of contract, by improving the protection he'll receive with the front 7 applying consistent pressure on the QB? Think about it.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I knew you'd say it sucks. It doesn't have Andre Branch or Bruce Irvin on it.

Well if you would read, that's not the sole reason for why I think it sucks. In fact. that reason doesn't even register as much. Even if you had either of those two, I'd still hate your draft overall---I would basically just like that particular pick.

There are a few other people that also thinks it sucks. #1 I am not high on Cox or Poe like you. I've been on DeCastro from day 1, and if not DeCastro, then Glenn. Those two would help the Cowboys moreso than either Cox or Poe.

Anyways, I like to keep my options open and I must admit that I was sort of blinded by Poe's Combine performance. Which I've since come down off of.

And maybe the same with Cox's performance?

He just doesn't happen to be the biggest. Dude is athletic enough to start at OT in college. Shuffles his feet better than Cordy Glenn, as evidenced by his better 20 yard shuttle time.

So let me get this straight. You claim that Washington shuffles his feet better than Glenn because his 20-shuttle time was faster? Maybe Glenn being 2 inches taller and 25 lbs. heavier than Washington. Glenn also can play OT. If we are putting so much weight on combine results, then it is even more imperative to get either DeCastro or Glenn, because they also performed in actual game time. Just like you to put a premium on combine results for certain players but ignore it for players like Konz, eho so far has performed poorly at the combine.

lol 2 weeks ago you were beating the, "need to improve the pass-rush", drum. Improving the front 3 will go a long ways towards accomplishing that, and Cox would be a big part.

Copy-n-paste. I've ALWAYS maintained fixing the Oline first and foremost. I've mentioned fixing the pass rush by 1.) moving Ratliff to DE, 2.) getting rid of Spencer and drafting an OLB (preferably Irvin, Branch, or Perrry). Yes we need to fix the pass rush, and it can be done in the 2nd round. But just fixing the pass rush, still is not going to help us have a better 3rd down coversion, nor will it increase our red zone efficiency. Tasking care of this will go further to help the pass rush and defense overall, than just one player like Cox.

And what if we sign Brandon Carr to a big deal? Want to maximize that choice of contract, by improving the protection he'll receive with the front 7 applying consistent pressure on the QB? Think about it.

If the defense is TIRED and worn down from being on the field too much, as a result of the offense unable to sustain drives and thereby score, and constantly have 3 and outs, the pressure will NOT be ther from the defense. Now think about that. That's why I am not big on signing Mario Williams like most, if it means we lose out on Nicks.


And you keep talking about the pass rush that Cox would bring, but have you seen him play fully outside of youtube clips? Have you watched him against the run? You wear a player down with the run, you neutralize their pass rush.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Well if you would read, that's not the sole reason for why I think it sucks. In fact. that reason doesn't even register as much. Even if you had either of those two, I'd still hate your draft overall---I would basically just like that particular pick.

There are a few other people that also thinks it sucks. #1 I am not high on Cox or Poe like you. I've been on DeCastro from day 1, and if not DeCastro, then Glenn. Those two would help the Cowboys moreso than either Cox or Poe.

That's fine, I don't really care. I don't come here for board appreciation.

And maybe the same with Cox's performance?

I've seen Cox play, and he looks every bit the part that performed so well at the Combine. Plus he was an All SEC 1st teamer. That counts for something. Poe I believe was a 2nd team, All CSA.

So let me get this straight. You claim that Washington shuffles his feet better than Glenn because his 20-shuttle time was faster? Maybe Glenn being 2 inches taller and 25 lbs. heavier than Washington.

I doubt it has much of a factor because Glenn had a better 3-cone time.

ANYWAYS! the point is, I didn't just throw Brandon Washington in there because he's fat and we need a OG at that point. The fact that we would need to draft a OG at some time is true, but Washington is a nice looking prospect because he's big, strong and can move.

Glenn also can play OT. If we are putting so much weight on combine results, then it is even more imperative to get either DeCastro or Glenn, because they also performed in actual game time. Just like you to put a premium on combine results for certain players but ignore it for players like Konz, eho so far has performed poorly at the combine.

DeCastro didn't have a great Combine as far as measurables go. But I'd take either DeCastro, Glenn or Konz. Because they all played great in college and don't suck as athletes.

Copy-n-paste. I've ALWAYS maintained fixing the Oline first and foremost. I've mentioned fixing the pass rush by 1.) moving Ratliff to DE, 2.) getting rid of Spencer and drafting an OLB (preferably Irvin, Branch, or Perrry). Yes we need to fix the pass rush, and it can be done in the 2nd round. But just fixing the pass rush, still is not going to help us have a better 3rd down coversion, nor will it increase our red zone efficiency. Tasking care of this will go further to help the pass rush and defense overall, than just one player like Cox.

Of course, defensive line play has no bearing on our Oline play. That's not the issue here. But we need to focus on both units: DE play, and interior Oline play. I want to go with Cox at 14, and you want to go with DeCastro or Glenn there. None of those are wrong. It's just personal preference.

If the defense is TIRED and worn down from being on the field too much, as a result of the offense unable to sustain drives and thereby score, and constantly have 3 and outs, the pressure will NOT be ther from the defense. Now think about that. That's why I am not big on signing Mario Williams like most, if it means we lose out on Nicks.

I could just as easily switch it around and say the O doesn't produce because the D isn't giving them the ball back via turnovers. Or they aren't protecting 14 point leads. Again, either Cox in the 1st or between DeCastro/Glenn isn't the wrong way to go about it.

And you keep talking about the pass rush that Cox would bring, but have you seen him play fully outside of youtube clips? Have you watched him against the run? You wear a player down with the run, you neutralize their pass rush.

And what if DTs have a field day against Cordy Glenn because he's a nearly 6'6" guard? blah blah blah . You're nit-picking.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

That's fine, I don't really care. I don't come here for board appreciation.

Typical non-responsive answer.

I've seen Cox play, and he looks every bit the part that performed so well at the Combine. Plus he was an All SEC 1st teamer. That counts for something. Poe I believe was a 2nd team, All CSA.

Sure you have. Hence why you're just now mentioning him for the first time about a week or so after the combine. How many mocks have you done, before this most recent one where you mentioned Cox? Cox, just recently shot up the board. You were first on Michael Brockers, then Vinny Curry---you thought that you were in love with him, then Brandon Thompson's knob, then Poe, and now Cox. I mean, you actually salivate over the arm lengths of players. You pick McClellin as our 2nd rounder, but before that, you stated that "[you] didn't see a pass-rusher good enough to take at our spot in the 2nd round". So what changed?

ANYWAYS! the point is, I didn't just throw Brandon Washington in there because he's fat and we need a OG at that point. The fact that we would need to draft a OG at some time is true, but Washington is a nice looking prospect because he's big, strong and can move.

But we should be trying to draft the BEST OG, and not settling, which is what we would be doing with Washington. DeCastro and Glenn are stronger, and Glenn is bigger.

DeCastro didn't have a great Combine as far as measurables go. But I'd take either DeCastro, Glenn or Konz. Because they all played great in college and don't suck as athletes.

He didn't? He was #1 in the bench press at 34 reps. He was #1 in the cone drill with 7.30. He was #2 in the shuttle with 4.56. And he was #5 in the verticle jump with 29.5. I do not believe he participated in the 40, but other than that, he has either been tops overall or in the top 5 for the other combine workouts. If he didn't have 'great" combine measurables, then nobody had good combine measuarables at the OG spot. So once again, you don't have a clue as to what you are talking about. In fact, weren't you the one that said that DeCastro would shoot up the board beyond our reach at #14 because of his bench press?

Of course, defensive line play has no bearing on our Oline play. That's not the issue here. But we need to focus on both units: DE play, and interior Oline play. I want to go with Cox at 14, and you want to go with DeCastro or Glenn there. None of those are wrong. It's just personal preference.

It IS the issue. And while defensive line play does not have any bearing on the Oline play, the Oline play does have a bearing on the entire offense, which consequently has a bearing on the entire defense. And sure it's a personal preference, so why are you upset because I said your mock sucks?

I could just as easily switch it around and say the O doesn't produce because the D isn't giving them the ball back via turnovers. Or they aren't protecting 14 point leads.

You could say that, but it wouldn't be the truth. You're talking about turnovers as in fumbles loss and INTs, but forcing an opposing offense to PUNT the ball is the same as a turnover, and I definitely will settle for that as much as either a fumble rexcovery or a INT. Our defense forced alot of 3 and outs on teams and got the offense the ball, only to have the offense go and stall on drives, and the defense going right back out after they made a stop.

And that 14 point lead agaisnt the Giants with 5 minutes left... that was more on the secondary, primarily the CB---Newman, than on the front seven.

Again, either Cox in the 1st or between DeCastro/Glenn isn't the wrong way to go about it.

It is the wrong way to go with Cox. Or are you saying that Romo's protection is not paramount? We need better protection for Romo on the interior, plain and simple.

And what if DTs have a field day against Cordy Glenn because he's a nearly 6'6" guard? blah blah blah . You're nit-picking.

As usual, you're arguments are getting weaker and thus becoming more inane and non-responsive. How am I nit-picking?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Typical non-responsive answer.

Don't you mean, non specific? There's no such thing as a non-responsive response lol

Smart guy.

Sure you have. Hence why you're just now mentioning him for the first time about a week or so after the combine. How many mocks have you done, before this most recent one where you mentioned Cox? Cox, just recently shot up the board. You were first on Michael Brockers, then Vinny Curry---you thought that you were in love with him, then Brandon Thompson's knob, then Poe, and now Cox. I mean, you actually salivate over the arm lengths of players. You pick McClellin as our 2nd rounder, but before that, you stated that "[you] didn't see a pass-rusher good enough to take at our spot in the 2nd round". So what changed?

Dude, you're all over the place here. I suggest you try Ritalin.

But we should be trying to draft the BEST OG, and not settling, which is what we would be doing with Washington. DeCastro and Glenn are stronger, and Glenn is bigger.

Settling, or pursuing players for other needs first and getting value later?

He didn't? He was #1 in the bench press at 34 reps. He was #1 in the cone drill with 7.30. He was #2 in the shuttle with 4.56. And he was #5 in the verticle jump with 29.5. I do not believe he participated in the 40, but other than that, he has either been tops overall or in the top 5 for the other combine workouts. If he didn't have 'great" combine measurables, then nobody had good combine measuarables at the OG spot. So once again, you don't have a clue as to what you are talking about. In fact, weren't you the one that said that DeCastro would shoot up the board beyond our reach at #14 because of his bench press?

Hmmm, I must have him confused with someone else, but no matter, the point still remains, I would be happy with either DeCastro at 14, or Cordy Glenn and Pete Konz if we trade down in the 1st.

FYI, David Molk was 1st in the bench press.

It IS the issue. And while defensive line play does not have any bearing on the Oline play, the Oline play does have a bearing on the entire offense, which consequently has a bearing on the entire defense. And sure it's a personal preference, so why are you upset because I said your mock sucks?

The defense also has a bearing on how the offense performs ie. protecting leads, creating turnovers to give the O a short field to work with, etc.

You could say that, but it wouldn't be the truth. You're talking about turnovers as in fumbles loss and INTs, but forcing an opposing offense to PUNT the ball is the same as a turnover, and I definitely will settle for that as much as either a fumble rexcovery or a INT. Our defense forced alot of 3 and outs on teams and got the offense the ball, only to have the offense go and stall on drives, and the defense going right back out after they made a stop.

And that 14 point lead agaisnt the Giants with 5 minutes left... that was more on the secondary, primarily the CB---Newman, than on the front seven.

You're right, what was I thinking? The front 7 is fine. It's pristine. A pass-rush has no correlation whatsoever with a good secondary.

It is the wrong way to go with Cox. Or are you saying that Romo's protection is not paramount? We need better protection for Romo on the interior, plain and simple.

The draft is knee deep in interior line players, not so in Dline players.

And I've already said I'd be fine with a top interior player in the 1st round.

As usual, you're arguments are getting weaker and thus becoming more inane and non-responsive. How am I nit-picking?

And yet you keep responding!

 

[cmd34]

Get a room.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Get a room.

I could say the sky is blue, and Laz would jump in and disagree saying that it's aqua marine. :laz