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Todd McShay's first mock draft has Cowboys taking cornerback
December, 18, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas – ESPN Insider Todd McShay offered up his first mock draft for 2015 on Wednesday and he has the Dallas Cowboys leaning defensively.
Smart move.
With the 25th pick in the first round, McShay had the Cowboys taking Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson. You have to be an Insider to read the full mock, but here is McShay's breakdown:
The Dallas defense held up better this season with the help of a dominant running game and ball-control offense, but corner is still a position of need for the Cowboys. Former first-round pick Morris Claiborne was benched this season prior to his season-ending injury, and the Cowboys could use an infusion of youth and talent at the position. Johnson doesn't have elite physical traits, but he's fast and fluid enough as an athlete to keep up with most receivers and is physical and aggressive as a press corner despite his lean frame and shorter arms. His instincts and awareness are excellent.
When McShay says “doesn’t have elite physical traits,” it makes me want to turn the page a little bit. I’m not going to pretend I know a thing about Johnson at this time. I have a hard enough time keeping up with the players currently on the Cowboys’ roster, let alone players who might never put on the star, in the middle of December.
Cornerback will be a huge need. McShay mentioned Claiborne, who will be entering the final year of his deal and will be coming back from major knee surgery. Brandon Carr’s future is also up in the air because of a $12.717 million salary-cap figure in 2015. The Cowboys won’t keep him at that price and will likely ask him to take a major paycut.
If Carr refuses, then they’ll likely let him go, which adds more to the need of getting a cornerback or three in the offseason.
I wondered earlier in the week whether the Cowboys’ 2015 draft would solely be about the defense. The Cowboys have obvious defensive line needs. George Selvie, Anthony Spencer and Nick Hayden are set to be free agents. As of now, the Cowboys will decline the option on Henry Melton’s contract that would guarantee him another $9 million.
To me, I think defensive line is more of a need. By a smidge. You can have the best cornerbacks in the world, but if the quarterback is not affected, then it won’t much matter. Pressure makes a secondary. A secondary doesn’t make pressure.
December, 18, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas – ESPN Insider Todd McShay offered up his first mock draft for 2015 on Wednesday and he has the Dallas Cowboys leaning defensively.
Smart move.
With the 25th pick in the first round, McShay had the Cowboys taking Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson. You have to be an Insider to read the full mock, but here is McShay's breakdown:
The Dallas defense held up better this season with the help of a dominant running game and ball-control offense, but corner is still a position of need for the Cowboys. Former first-round pick Morris Claiborne was benched this season prior to his season-ending injury, and the Cowboys could use an infusion of youth and talent at the position. Johnson doesn't have elite physical traits, but he's fast and fluid enough as an athlete to keep up with most receivers and is physical and aggressive as a press corner despite his lean frame and shorter arms. His instincts and awareness are excellent.
When McShay says “doesn’t have elite physical traits,” it makes me want to turn the page a little bit. I’m not going to pretend I know a thing about Johnson at this time. I have a hard enough time keeping up with the players currently on the Cowboys’ roster, let alone players who might never put on the star, in the middle of December.
Cornerback will be a huge need. McShay mentioned Claiborne, who will be entering the final year of his deal and will be coming back from major knee surgery. Brandon Carr’s future is also up in the air because of a $12.717 million salary-cap figure in 2015. The Cowboys won’t keep him at that price and will likely ask him to take a major paycut.
If Carr refuses, then they’ll likely let him go, which adds more to the need of getting a cornerback or three in the offseason.
I wondered earlier in the week whether the Cowboys’ 2015 draft would solely be about the defense. The Cowboys have obvious defensive line needs. George Selvie, Anthony Spencer and Nick Hayden are set to be free agents. As of now, the Cowboys will decline the option on Henry Melton’s contract that would guarantee him another $9 million.
To me, I think defensive line is more of a need. By a smidge. You can have the best cornerbacks in the world, but if the quarterback is not affected, then it won’t much matter. Pressure makes a secondary. A secondary doesn’t make pressure.
