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Evaluating How Each Draft Pick Fits Into Their Respective Spot
Posted 27 minutes ago
Nick EatmanDallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas – Now that the NFL Draft has come and gone, the roster has a different look and feel than it did just a few days ago.
The Cowboys had seven draft picks and selected seven different positions. Of course, they are expected to add more than 15 undrafted rookie free agents for likely every position on the field.
So the biggest and most obvious question must be asked: Have the Cowboys gotten better? They certainly hope so, and only time will tell for sure, but let’s now break down the seven draft picks, relative to their new roles within the team and their respective positions.
Travis Frederick – Jerry Jones has stuck to his rule that first-round picks come in and start. Despite taking a center in the first round for the first time since 1979, the Cowboys will play Frederick right away, presumably at center but it could be guard, depending on the rest of the line. While the team is still intrigued by Phil Costa, drafting Frederick suggests he will start out at center. Jones called him a “foundation player” for the offensive line so without a doubt, Frederick will get every opportunity to start.
Gavin Escobar – The San Diego State tight end was a surprise pick, but then again, we’ve seen this before. In 2006, the Cowboys drafted Anthony Fasano to pair up with Jason Witten and then did it again in 2008 with Martellus Bennett. Obviously, the pick means the Cowboys are looking to trying to this again with Escobar, who is another Bennett-type with a big frame and athletic ability. He will likely compete with James Hanna for the No. 2 spot but his playmaking skills, along with his draft status, should give Escobar the advantage to be Witten’s primary backup.
Terrance Williams – The Cowboys nearly drafted Williams with the 31[SUP]st[/SUP] pick and then considered him even more at No. 47. So getting him with the 74[SUP]th[/SUP]pick is a big-time steal in their minds. While he will probably jump into the No. 3 role, he’s only an injury away from starting. And playing behindDez Bryant and Miles Austin has proven that to be a strong possibility. More than anything, Williams’ selection is one for the future as he could be one of the two starters as early as 2014.
J.J. Wilcox – Another interesting pick because he addresses a need at safety, but is probably the most inexperienced safety in the entire draft. He played just one year at Georgia Southern at safety, after three years at running back. Wilcox is raw, but is a physical player who might compete pretty early for the starting job, simply because of the competition he’ll have to beat out. Guys like Barry Church, Matt Johnson,Will Allen and Danny McCray make up the position now. And watch out for rookie Jekar Hamilton, another small-school priority free agent who could sneak into the mix.
B.W. Webb – The Cowboys didn’t have a strong need at corner, but then again, the position can look vastly different pretty quick with a couple of injuries. We saw that in the 2011 season opener against the Jets when Church and Bryan McCann were forced to play on the outside. So Webb should come in and compete for spots on the nickel and dime packages, along with special teams. He’s a small-school player who was dominant on a lower level, but if he can produce anything like his former college teammate, Sean Lissemore, he should have a nice role.
Joseph Randle– This could be a high-value pick, especially if he steps in as the No. 2 tailback behind DeMarco Murray. Randle will likely jump both Phillip Tanner and Lance Dunbar on the depth chart, but then again, nothing is guaranteed. Randle does have a similar running style to Murray and in the last two years, he’s shown a nose for the end zone, scoring 40 times.
DeVonte Holloman – He’ll be listed as an outside linebacker but he also played safety in college. Holloman is a classic “tweener” and since he’s a sixth-round pick, it is likely his role will consist mainly of special teams. There’s nothing wrong with that if he can prove to be a valuable contributor to all teams. As for the outside linebacker spot, he’ll have to beat out guys like Alex Albright, Ernie Sims and maybe a few undrafted rookies, including priority free agent Brandon Magee.
Posted 27 minutes ago
IRVING, Texas – Now that the NFL Draft has come and gone, the roster has a different look and feel than it did just a few days ago.
The Cowboys had seven draft picks and selected seven different positions. Of course, they are expected to add more than 15 undrafted rookie free agents for likely every position on the field.
So the biggest and most obvious question must be asked: Have the Cowboys gotten better? They certainly hope so, and only time will tell for sure, but let’s now break down the seven draft picks, relative to their new roles within the team and their respective positions.
Travis Frederick – Jerry Jones has stuck to his rule that first-round picks come in and start. Despite taking a center in the first round for the first time since 1979, the Cowboys will play Frederick right away, presumably at center but it could be guard, depending on the rest of the line. While the team is still intrigued by Phil Costa, drafting Frederick suggests he will start out at center. Jones called him a “foundation player” for the offensive line so without a doubt, Frederick will get every opportunity to start.
Gavin Escobar – The San Diego State tight end was a surprise pick, but then again, we’ve seen this before. In 2006, the Cowboys drafted Anthony Fasano to pair up with Jason Witten and then did it again in 2008 with Martellus Bennett. Obviously, the pick means the Cowboys are looking to trying to this again with Escobar, who is another Bennett-type with a big frame and athletic ability. He will likely compete with James Hanna for the No. 2 spot but his playmaking skills, along with his draft status, should give Escobar the advantage to be Witten’s primary backup.
Terrance Williams – The Cowboys nearly drafted Williams with the 31[SUP]st[/SUP] pick and then considered him even more at No. 47. So getting him with the 74[SUP]th[/SUP]pick is a big-time steal in their minds. While he will probably jump into the No. 3 role, he’s only an injury away from starting. And playing behindDez Bryant and Miles Austin has proven that to be a strong possibility. More than anything, Williams’ selection is one for the future as he could be one of the two starters as early as 2014.
J.J. Wilcox – Another interesting pick because he addresses a need at safety, but is probably the most inexperienced safety in the entire draft. He played just one year at Georgia Southern at safety, after three years at running back. Wilcox is raw, but is a physical player who might compete pretty early for the starting job, simply because of the competition he’ll have to beat out. Guys like Barry Church, Matt Johnson,Will Allen and Danny McCray make up the position now. And watch out for rookie Jekar Hamilton, another small-school priority free agent who could sneak into the mix.
B.W. Webb – The Cowboys didn’t have a strong need at corner, but then again, the position can look vastly different pretty quick with a couple of injuries. We saw that in the 2011 season opener against the Jets when Church and Bryan McCann were forced to play on the outside. So Webb should come in and compete for spots on the nickel and dime packages, along with special teams. He’s a small-school player who was dominant on a lower level, but if he can produce anything like his former college teammate, Sean Lissemore, he should have a nice role.
Joseph Randle– This could be a high-value pick, especially if he steps in as the No. 2 tailback behind DeMarco Murray. Randle will likely jump both Phillip Tanner and Lance Dunbar on the depth chart, but then again, nothing is guaranteed. Randle does have a similar running style to Murray and in the last two years, he’s shown a nose for the end zone, scoring 40 times.
DeVonte Holloman – He’ll be listed as an outside linebacker but he also played safety in college. Holloman is a classic “tweener” and since he’s a sixth-round pick, it is likely his role will consist mainly of special teams. There’s nothing wrong with that if he can prove to be a valuable contributor to all teams. As for the outside linebacker spot, he’ll have to beat out guys like Alex Albright, Ernie Sims and maybe a few undrafted rookies, including priority free agent Brandon Magee.
