p1_
DCC 4Life
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2013
- Messages
- 26,719
ND doesn’t look to have been an above average rushing offense. I dont want more Schultz level blocking in my reformed run game, Pollard coming back from a solid injury.
**2023 Cowboys Pre-Draft Thread**
- Thread starter mcnuttz
- Start date
- Status
Simpleton
DCC 4Life
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2013
- Messages
- 17,575
This is what I've been saying, McCarthy made this exact statement multiple times throughout the season and loved talking about how important it is to build your running game outside-in, starting from the edge with your TE's.
It's why I think if Mayer is there he's the pick.
Simpleton
DCC 4Life
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2013
- Messages
- 17,575
Anybody want to guess who those are?
I'd say the locks are:
QB - Young, Stroud
RB - Robinson
OL - Skoronski, Jones, Wright, Johnson
WR - Njigba
Edge - Anderson, Wilson, Van Ness
DT - Carter
CB - Witherspoon, Gonzalez, Porter
That's 15, I think the other possibles (if they have Carter off the board for off-field stuff) are Nolan Smith, Deonte Banks, Myles Murphy, Branch and Mayer.
p1_
DCC 4Life
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2013
- Messages
- 26,719
Yeah WTF, suckwad GM?
Chocolate Lab
Mere Commoner
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 20,415
Actually I got the impression that Jerry is happier with Mike than he's ever been. Remember before last year how he seemed iffy on him, he made the comments about how Mike knows he won't be here forever and lots of coaches would love to have this job... well today he was giving him lots of praise, joking with him, etc. Said Mike had contributed lots of little tips on things to look for in players that maybe they didn't before.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 123,386
Cowboys 7-round mock draft: Dallas makes first-round trade, selects 8 players
By Jon Machota
Apr 24, 2023
34
With the NFL Draft only three days away, this will be our final Cowboys mock draft. Dallas enters the week with seven total picks, one in each round.
While using the mock draft simulator at Pro Football Network, the Cowboys were offered an interesting trade when going on the clock at Pick 26 in the first round. The New Orleans Saints offered the 29th pick and their fourth-round pick (No. 115 overall) in exchange for Pick 26.
The best players available at the time were Clemson DE Myles Murphy, Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer, Clemson LB Trenton Simpson, Iowa State DE Will McDonald, Utah TE Dalton Kincaid, Pittsburgh DT Calijah Kancey, Boston College WR Zay Flowers, Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt, Georgia TE Darnell Washington, Florida OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Arkansas LB Drew Sanders, Michigan DT Mazi Smith, Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes and Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
With so much talent still available, we accepted the trade. Murphy, Simpson and Kancey were the next three picks.
Round 1, No. 29: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Cowboys add an immediate starting tight end to replace the loss of Dalton Schultz and add an early fourth-round pick. In this scenario, it’s possible that Dallas rejects the trade and just picks Mayer at 26. Considering roster needs and what was available, this wasn’t a difficult decision.
Mayer has the ability to be a Day 1 starter and a player who spends the next decade in Dallas. He’s not as fast as some of the other top tight end prospects in this class but he is a quality player in every aspect of the game. Notre Dame has a strong history at the position and most believe Mayer is the best of the impressive group.
“It’s obviously a pretty crazy comparison, but he just reminds me of (Rob Gronkowski) in a lot of ways,” former NFL tight end Tyler Eifert told The Athletic in November. “If you watch Gronk, he actually doesn’t run very good routes, at all. But he just knows how to use his body. Some guys try to create separation at the top of the route by running away or putting like some juke or head fake or something. But the bigger tight ends, they want you to be close to them so they can use their body to create separation. And I think Mike does a really good job of that. For how big he is, he can also go up and get the ball and make those really tough contested catches, too.”
Round 2, No. 58: Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech
Edge rusher isn’t a significant need for the Cowboys, but White is ranked as the 47th-best player in this class. By trading for WR Brandin Cooks and CB Stephon Gilmore and re-signing several of their own top free agents, the Cowboys put themselves in position to draft the best player available in these types of situations.
Although a left guard was a bigger need, Torrence, TCU’s Steve Avila and North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch were all selected before this pick.
The best available players were White, Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson, South Dakota TE Tucker Kraft, Florida DT Gervon Dexter, Auburn DE Derick Hall, Baylor DT Siaki Ika, Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton, Ohio State DE Zach Harrison and Iowa TE Sam LaPorta.
White would put Dallas in a good spot with DeMarcus Lawrence turning 31 this week and Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler being free agents at the end of the 2023 season.
“White is still developing his craft and pass-rush technique/instincts, but he is a high-motor height/weight/speed edge player with power as a bull rusher and the mass to anchor versus the run,” Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert, wrote in The Beast. “Similar to Datone Jones, he is a scheme-proof prospect and projects as a rotational base end as an NFL rookie.”
Round 3, No. 90: Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
Gilmore is only under contract for one year. The Cowboys also need to work out a long-term deal with Trevon Diggs. Another starting-caliber cornerback is needed to pair with Diggs and DaRon Bland for the future, and Rush fits with what Dallas prefers at the position. He is 6-1 with over 33-inch arms. Brugler ranks Rush as the ninth-best cornerback and 63rd overall player in this class.
“Rush is not a secure tackler and must continue developing his instincts in off coverage,” Brugler wrote, “but he has the fluidity and length to turn, run and stay stride-for-stride with receivers. His athletic cover traits give him NFL starting potential as a man-to-man corner.”
Other top players available at this pick were Tulane RB Tyjae Spears, Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo, Auburn RB Tank Bigsby, Wake Forest WR A.T. Perry, Texas RB Roschon Johnson, Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker and Ole Miss RB Zach Evans.
Round 4, No. 115: Zach Evans, RB, Ole Miss
This is the pick the Cowboys added on the trade back in the first round with the Saints. Evans ended up being the pick over Iowa State WR Xavier Hutchinson, LSU WR Kayshon Boutte and Tennessee DE Byron Young.
With Ezekiel Elliott no longer on the roster, another starting-caliber running back is of interest to the Cowboys. Brugler ranks Evans as the 10th-best RB in this class. At 5-11, 202 pounds, Evans rushed for 936 yards and nine touchdowns on 144 carries last season, his lone year at Ole Miss after transferring from TCU. He was one of Dallas’ official pre-draft visitors.
“Evans has some baggage and a few undeveloped areas on his NFL résumé, but there is no denying his burst and balance to create explosive plays in different ways,” Brugler wrote. “A boom-or-bust prospect, he has the athletic talent to be a dynamic change-of-pace option and offers RB1 potential for an NFL offense.”
https://theathletic.com/4418557/2023/04/17/cowboys-nfl-mock-draft-reaction-dane-brugler/
This pick came down to two LSU players, Bradford and DT Jaquelin Roy. Both areas could use some help on the Cowboys’ roster. The decision was similar to Dallas’ decision last year in the second round. The Cowboys considered drafting WR Jalen Tolbert over DE Sam Williams with the 56th pick but decided there was a better chance of Tolbert still being there in the third round, and they were right.
Although he played right guard in college, Bradford would immediately compete for the starting left guard job in Dallas. If the season started today, that spot would likely be filled by veteran Chuma Edoga, who Dallas signed in March. There has also been some consideration to seeing right tackle Terence Steele get work at left guard. The Cowboys are expected to address the position at some point in the draft.
Round 5, No. 169: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
This worked out very well for the Cowboys, allowing them to add help to the middle of their defensive line. Much like left guard, defensive tackle should be addressed. The top of their current depth chart consists of Osa Odighizuwa, Johnathan Hankins, Quinton Bohanna and Neville Gallimore.
This pick came down to Roy and Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell.
“Roy is a complicated evaluation — he flashes promise because of his power, but his movement skills are average, and it will take time for him to adjust to pro blockers,” Brugler wrote. “He is a draft-and-develop tackle who can work his way into an NFL rotation as a rookie.”
Round 6, No. 212 Max Duggan, QB, TCU
He isn’t a great passer, but Duggan showed mobility and impressive playmaking ability while leading TCU to the national championship game. The Cowboys are looking to add a developmental QB from this class. Any player drafted at this point is going to need some time to get acclimated to the NFL game. Maybe he develops into a backup or maybe he ends up playing in the XFL.
“Duggan’s pocket skills and downfield passing lack the necessary refinement for the NFL game, but he is a courageous competitor with dual-threat talent and calm confidence,” Brugler wrote. “He is an intriguing project for a patient NFL coaching staff.”
Round 7, No. 244: Jake Moody, K, Michigan
The player who will be kicking for the Cowboys during the 2023 season is not on the current roster. Brugler believes Moody is the best in this draft class. This seemed like a good value pick considering the draft spot.
Looking back on all eight picks, there are two positions that the Cowboys would probably like to address but weren’t here, linebacker and wide receiver. The linebacker options late in the draft didn’t seem much more intriguing than what could be there for Dallas in undrafted free agency. After not getting a wide receiver in the first few rounds, it seemed foolish to reach and add a player who might not be better than Tolbert. The Cowboys set themselves up to draft best player available, so that’s what we attempted to do with each of these picks.
By Jon Machota
Apr 24, 2023
34
With the NFL Draft only three days away, this will be our final Cowboys mock draft. Dallas enters the week with seven total picks, one in each round.
While using the mock draft simulator at Pro Football Network, the Cowboys were offered an interesting trade when going on the clock at Pick 26 in the first round. The New Orleans Saints offered the 29th pick and their fourth-round pick (No. 115 overall) in exchange for Pick 26.
The best players available at the time were Clemson DE Myles Murphy, Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer, Clemson LB Trenton Simpson, Iowa State DE Will McDonald, Utah TE Dalton Kincaid, Pittsburgh DT Calijah Kancey, Boston College WR Zay Flowers, Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt, Georgia TE Darnell Washington, Florida OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Arkansas LB Drew Sanders, Michigan DT Mazi Smith, Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes and Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
With so much talent still available, we accepted the trade. Murphy, Simpson and Kancey were the next three picks.
Round 1, No. 29: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Cowboys add an immediate starting tight end to replace the loss of Dalton Schultz and add an early fourth-round pick. In this scenario, it’s possible that Dallas rejects the trade and just picks Mayer at 26. Considering roster needs and what was available, this wasn’t a difficult decision.
Mayer has the ability to be a Day 1 starter and a player who spends the next decade in Dallas. He’s not as fast as some of the other top tight end prospects in this class but he is a quality player in every aspect of the game. Notre Dame has a strong history at the position and most believe Mayer is the best of the impressive group.
“It’s obviously a pretty crazy comparison, but he just reminds me of (Rob Gronkowski) in a lot of ways,” former NFL tight end Tyler Eifert told The Athletic in November. “If you watch Gronk, he actually doesn’t run very good routes, at all. But he just knows how to use his body. Some guys try to create separation at the top of the route by running away or putting like some juke or head fake or something. But the bigger tight ends, they want you to be close to them so they can use their body to create separation. And I think Mike does a really good job of that. For how big he is, he can also go up and get the ball and make those really tough contested catches, too.”
Round 2, No. 58: Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech
Edge rusher isn’t a significant need for the Cowboys, but White is ranked as the 47th-best player in this class. By trading for WR Brandin Cooks and CB Stephon Gilmore and re-signing several of their own top free agents, the Cowboys put themselves in position to draft the best player available in these types of situations.
Although a left guard was a bigger need, Torrence, TCU’s Steve Avila and North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch were all selected before this pick.
The best available players were White, Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson, South Dakota TE Tucker Kraft, Florida DT Gervon Dexter, Auburn DE Derick Hall, Baylor DT Siaki Ika, Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton, Ohio State DE Zach Harrison and Iowa TE Sam LaPorta.
White would put Dallas in a good spot with DeMarcus Lawrence turning 31 this week and Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler being free agents at the end of the 2023 season.
“White is still developing his craft and pass-rush technique/instincts, but he is a high-motor height/weight/speed edge player with power as a bull rusher and the mass to anchor versus the run,” Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert, wrote in The Beast. “Similar to Datone Jones, he is a scheme-proof prospect and projects as a rotational base end as an NFL rookie.”
Round 3, No. 90: Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
Gilmore is only under contract for one year. The Cowboys also need to work out a long-term deal with Trevon Diggs. Another starting-caliber cornerback is needed to pair with Diggs and DaRon Bland for the future, and Rush fits with what Dallas prefers at the position. He is 6-1 with over 33-inch arms. Brugler ranks Rush as the ninth-best cornerback and 63rd overall player in this class.
“Rush is not a secure tackler and must continue developing his instincts in off coverage,” Brugler wrote, “but he has the fluidity and length to turn, run and stay stride-for-stride with receivers. His athletic cover traits give him NFL starting potential as a man-to-man corner.”
Other top players available at this pick were Tulane RB Tyjae Spears, Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo, Auburn RB Tank Bigsby, Wake Forest WR A.T. Perry, Texas RB Roschon Johnson, Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker and Ole Miss RB Zach Evans.
Round 4, No. 115: Zach Evans, RB, Ole Miss
This is the pick the Cowboys added on the trade back in the first round with the Saints. Evans ended up being the pick over Iowa State WR Xavier Hutchinson, LSU WR Kayshon Boutte and Tennessee DE Byron Young.
With Ezekiel Elliott no longer on the roster, another starting-caliber running back is of interest to the Cowboys. Brugler ranks Evans as the 10th-best RB in this class. At 5-11, 202 pounds, Evans rushed for 936 yards and nine touchdowns on 144 carries last season, his lone year at Ole Miss after transferring from TCU. He was one of Dallas’ official pre-draft visitors.
“Evans has some baggage and a few undeveloped areas on his NFL résumé, but there is no denying his burst and balance to create explosive plays in different ways,” Brugler wrote. “A boom-or-bust prospect, he has the athletic talent to be a dynamic change-of-pace option and offers RB1 potential for an NFL offense.”
https://theathletic.com/4418557/2023/04/17/cowboys-nfl-mock-draft-reaction-dane-brugler/
This pick came down to two LSU players, Bradford and DT Jaquelin Roy. Both areas could use some help on the Cowboys’ roster. The decision was similar to Dallas’ decision last year in the second round. The Cowboys considered drafting WR Jalen Tolbert over DE Sam Williams with the 56th pick but decided there was a better chance of Tolbert still being there in the third round, and they were right.
Although he played right guard in college, Bradford would immediately compete for the starting left guard job in Dallas. If the season started today, that spot would likely be filled by veteran Chuma Edoga, who Dallas signed in March. There has also been some consideration to seeing right tackle Terence Steele get work at left guard. The Cowboys are expected to address the position at some point in the draft.
Round 5, No. 169: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
This worked out very well for the Cowboys, allowing them to add help to the middle of their defensive line. Much like left guard, defensive tackle should be addressed. The top of their current depth chart consists of Osa Odighizuwa, Johnathan Hankins, Quinton Bohanna and Neville Gallimore.
This pick came down to Roy and Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell.
“Roy is a complicated evaluation — he flashes promise because of his power, but his movement skills are average, and it will take time for him to adjust to pro blockers,” Brugler wrote. “He is a draft-and-develop tackle who can work his way into an NFL rotation as a rookie.”
Round 6, No. 212 Max Duggan, QB, TCU
He isn’t a great passer, but Duggan showed mobility and impressive playmaking ability while leading TCU to the national championship game. The Cowboys are looking to add a developmental QB from this class. Any player drafted at this point is going to need some time to get acclimated to the NFL game. Maybe he develops into a backup or maybe he ends up playing in the XFL.
“Duggan’s pocket skills and downfield passing lack the necessary refinement for the NFL game, but he is a courageous competitor with dual-threat talent and calm confidence,” Brugler wrote. “He is an intriguing project for a patient NFL coaching staff.”
Round 7, No. 244: Jake Moody, K, Michigan
The player who will be kicking for the Cowboys during the 2023 season is not on the current roster. Brugler believes Moody is the best in this draft class. This seemed like a good value pick considering the draft spot.
Looking back on all eight picks, there are two positions that the Cowboys would probably like to address but weren’t here, linebacker and wide receiver. The linebacker options late in the draft didn’t seem much more intriguing than what could be there for Dallas in undrafted free agency. After not getting a wide receiver in the first few rounds, it seemed foolish to reach and add a player who might not be better than Tolbert. The Cowboys set themselves up to draft best player available, so that’s what we attempted to do with each of these picks.
shoop
Semi-contributing member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 4,459
Editing error I think. The second 4th was Bradford - Guard - LSU
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,456
Not sure how Booze took it out, but...
Round 4, No. 129: Anthony Bradford, OG, LSU
This pick came down to two LSU players, Bradford and DT Jaquelin Roy. Both areas could use some help on the Cowboys’ roster. The decision was similar to Dallas’ decision last year in the second round. The Cowboys considered drafting WR Jalen Tolbert over DE Sam Williams with the 56th pick but decided there was a better chance of Tolbert still being there in the third round, and they were right.
Although he played right guard in college, Bradford would immediately compete for the starting left guard job in Dallas. If the season started today, that spot would likely be filled by veteran Chuma Edoga, who Dallas signed in March. There has also been some consideration to seeing right tackle Terence Steele get work at left guard. The Cowboys are expected to address the position at some point in the draft.
p1_
DCC 4Life
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2013
- Messages
- 26,719
And yet he had strong reception numbers . He must have been the primary target.
Tony D
DCC 4Life
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2013
- Messages
- 3,248
Lower those expectations for a first round TE. How many TE's put up those numbers consistently? Kelce and that's about it. Kittle has never even had a season hitting all those numbers. Tony Gonzalez? A couple. Witten had 1. Gronk twice.
A great TE will have one season of 75-900-10, then go 90-1050-6 or whatever.
I think even with a 17 game season 75-850-6 are very good seasons for a TE. Kelce is an outlier. I think Mayer could be top 10 TE his rookie season and the trending up from there.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 123,386
Yeah my bad, deleting other stuff and went too far.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 53,266
I think this is why a lot of people don't see value in a first round TE.
- Status