sbk92
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- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
Dallas 1(9) Tyron Smith OT USC
What he brings: The biggest concerns with Smith are instincts and weight. He misses assignments on occasion and has to show he can maintain the 20-pound weight gain he has had since the end of the regular season. He is coming off a minor knee injury but it does not appear to be a concern going forward, and he has the highest ceiling of any tackle prospect in this class. Smith has excellent foot speed, long arms and good flexibility, and when he becomes more polished he is the hard-to-find player you want protecting your quarterback's blind side. And it's important to point out that the reason he did not play on the left side in college is because USC had Ryan Kalil at left tackle, who projects as a future top-5 pick. It wasn't because the coaches thought he couldn't handle it.
How he fits: This is clearly the Cowboys' biggest need and they now have bookend tackles as long as they retain Doug Free. Their edge pass protection has been the Achillees heel of this offense and now they have two guys who can really get the job done. Right now, Free is solid at LT but with the addition of Smith he could slide to RT. This pick also takes away aging Marc Colombo, who was a liability at RT. The Cowboys will expect him to step in and play immediately and that is going to force him to improve his consistency from down to down.
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Dallas 2(40) Bruce Carter OLB North Carolina
What he brings: Carter has had problems holding ground when teams run at him but he has the quick feet and lateral agility to slip blocks. He is a sideline-to-sideline run defender and has potential in coverage, and he could become a valuable special teams contributor. He is coming off a season-ending knee injury, but the fact that Dallas took him this early is an indication that they are comfortable with him.
How he fits: This looks like an excellent need selection. Both inside starters, Bradie James and Keith Brooking, were just average last year and Carter should be able to step in at RILB as Brooking is near the end of a great career. Young Sean Lee looks like a developing player and the future duo of Carter and Lee at ILB really makes this position look good.
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Dallas 3(71) DeMarco Murray RB Oklahoma
What he brings: Murray's greatest strength is his versatility. He is an efficient runner, can work out of the slot and is effective in blitz pickup. He doesn't have any elite characteristics as a runner and could have better pad level, but he utilizes his blocks well and get what he can.
How he fits: This is an interesting pick because it appears RB is not a need for the Cowboys with Marion Barber III, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice on the roster. However, Barber could leave in the offseason, Jones has fought injury problems and Choice has been inconsistent. In the past, we have though of this position as a strong unit, but obviously the Cowboys don't feel the same and they added a versatile guy who can help on third down and in the passing game.
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Dallas 4(110) David Arkin G Missouri State
What he brings: Arkin is a physical, mean lineman who played tackle in college but will be a guard in the NFL. He doesn't have elite athleticism but does show enough foot quickness to become a solid starter at the next level.
How he fits: Both starters Leonard Davis and Kyle Kosier could easily be replaced and there is not much depth behind them. This OL could use a complete makeover and Arkin should start as a swing OG but it will be disappointing if he doesn't eventually move into a starting role.
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Dallas 5(143) Joshua Thomas CB Buffalo
There are some durability concerns when it comes to Thomas and he doesn't have great ball skills, but he does have enough speed and fluidity to develop into a No. 2 CB in time. In the meantime, he could contribute in sub packages and on special teams.
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Dallas 6(176) Dwayne Harris WR East Carolina
Harris is not a home run hitter but there's a lot to like about his quickness, ball skills, competitiveness and toughness.
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Dallas 7(220) Shaun Chapas FB Georgia
Chapas may not have elite power for a fullback but he is a tough lead blocker and between-the-tackles runner for his size. He also has the potential to develop into a reliable receiver and valuable special teams contributor.
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Dallas 7(252) Bill Nagy C Wisconsin
He didn't really contribute significantly in college until 2010 due to injury but he has range for his size and is tenacious.
What he brings: The biggest concerns with Smith are instincts and weight. He misses assignments on occasion and has to show he can maintain the 20-pound weight gain he has had since the end of the regular season. He is coming off a minor knee injury but it does not appear to be a concern going forward, and he has the highest ceiling of any tackle prospect in this class. Smith has excellent foot speed, long arms and good flexibility, and when he becomes more polished he is the hard-to-find player you want protecting your quarterback's blind side. And it's important to point out that the reason he did not play on the left side in college is because USC had Ryan Kalil at left tackle, who projects as a future top-5 pick. It wasn't because the coaches thought he couldn't handle it.
How he fits: This is clearly the Cowboys' biggest need and they now have bookend tackles as long as they retain Doug Free. Their edge pass protection has been the Achillees heel of this offense and now they have two guys who can really get the job done. Right now, Free is solid at LT but with the addition of Smith he could slide to RT. This pick also takes away aging Marc Colombo, who was a liability at RT. The Cowboys will expect him to step in and play immediately and that is going to force him to improve his consistency from down to down.
-
Dallas 2(40) Bruce Carter OLB North Carolina
What he brings: Carter has had problems holding ground when teams run at him but he has the quick feet and lateral agility to slip blocks. He is a sideline-to-sideline run defender and has potential in coverage, and he could become a valuable special teams contributor. He is coming off a season-ending knee injury, but the fact that Dallas took him this early is an indication that they are comfortable with him.
How he fits: This looks like an excellent need selection. Both inside starters, Bradie James and Keith Brooking, were just average last year and Carter should be able to step in at RILB as Brooking is near the end of a great career. Young Sean Lee looks like a developing player and the future duo of Carter and Lee at ILB really makes this position look good.
-
Dallas 3(71) DeMarco Murray RB Oklahoma
What he brings: Murray's greatest strength is his versatility. He is an efficient runner, can work out of the slot and is effective in blitz pickup. He doesn't have any elite characteristics as a runner and could have better pad level, but he utilizes his blocks well and get what he can.
How he fits: This is an interesting pick because it appears RB is not a need for the Cowboys with Marion Barber III, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice on the roster. However, Barber could leave in the offseason, Jones has fought injury problems and Choice has been inconsistent. In the past, we have though of this position as a strong unit, but obviously the Cowboys don't feel the same and they added a versatile guy who can help on third down and in the passing game.
-
Dallas 4(110) David Arkin G Missouri State
What he brings: Arkin is a physical, mean lineman who played tackle in college but will be a guard in the NFL. He doesn't have elite athleticism but does show enough foot quickness to become a solid starter at the next level.
How he fits: Both starters Leonard Davis and Kyle Kosier could easily be replaced and there is not much depth behind them. This OL could use a complete makeover and Arkin should start as a swing OG but it will be disappointing if he doesn't eventually move into a starting role.
-
Dallas 5(143) Joshua Thomas CB Buffalo
There are some durability concerns when it comes to Thomas and he doesn't have great ball skills, but he does have enough speed and fluidity to develop into a No. 2 CB in time. In the meantime, he could contribute in sub packages and on special teams.
-
Dallas 6(176) Dwayne Harris WR East Carolina
Harris is not a home run hitter but there's a lot to like about his quickness, ball skills, competitiveness and toughness.
-
Dallas 7(220) Shaun Chapas FB Georgia
Chapas may not have elite power for a fullback but he is a tough lead blocker and between-the-tackles runner for his size. He also has the potential to develop into a reliable receiver and valuable special teams contributor.
-
Dallas 7(252) Bill Nagy C Wisconsin
He didn't really contribute significantly in college until 2010 due to injury but he has range for his size and is tenacious.