- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 123,046
Ten players the Cowboys might draft
May, 8, 2014
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
The Dallas Cowboys have 11 draft picks over the next three days. Here are 10 players who might become rookies for America's Team.
1. Zack Martin, tackle, Notre Dame: The Cowboys might be able to stay at No. 16 overall and select him in the first round. Martin will play guard his rookie year and then eventually move over to replace Doug Free at right tackle in Year 2. It's a win-win for the Cowboys. They get an immediate upgrade in the interior and also a future tackle.
2. Demarcus Lawrence, defensive end, Boise State: Lawrence profiles as a late first round/early second round pick. Dallas may move back to snag him if nobody else is attractive to them at No. 16. Lawrence lined up on both end spots and will start immediately. The starting ends are George Selvie and Jeremy Mincey, that's not going to upgrade the pass rush.
3. Calvin Pryor, safety, Louisville: There are three players competing for the free safety spot on the roster and you might add Pryor to the list. He can play in the box and in center field and is a solid tackler. One team official said there's not much difference between Pryor and Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Pryor is a first round selection without a doubt and should improve the defense.
4. Aaron Murray, quarterback, Georgia: Cowboys sent quarterback coach Wade Wilson to Murray's pro day and he excelled. He's proven the knee injury he suffered last season won't be a problem. The Cowboys ruled out drafting a quarterback in the first round because he will have to sit a few years behind Tony Romo. But if they draft one in the middle rounds, they'll be willing to let him watch and learn.
5. Andrew Jackson, inside linebacker, Western Kentucky: The Cowboys need to make some decisions regarding the weak side and strong side linebacker spots. Jackson is someone the Cowboys like, but not somebody they're willing to draft in the first round. He's more of a third round or fourth round selection. He's a good tackler that can play strong side and weak side linebacker and will contribute on special teams his rookie season.
6. C.J. Fiedorowicz, tight end, Iowa: We know the Cowboys have Jason Witten. We know the Cowboys have James Hanna. We know the Cowboys have Gavin Escobar. But if you're talking about best possible player available, in the second round, then Fiedorowicz could be it. It would create a log jam at the position, but coach Jason Garrett loves competition, right?
7. Timmy Jernigan, defensive tackle, Florida State: Cowboys officials won't downgrade Jernigan's value despite his failed drug test. He took on constant double-teams in college. While the Cowboys don't believe one-technique players are high first round selections, Jernigan could be selected late in the first round or early in the second.
8. Brandon Dixon, cornerback, Northwest Missouri State: This is a deep draft for corners where you might see four go in the first round. The Cowboys like Dixon's ability to play zone coverage and despite his raw skills, there is a tremendous upside to him. He's a sixth or seventh round pick and someone who has visited Valley Ranch.
9. Trai Turner, guard, LSU: He's not worth getting at No. 16, but expect a second round push for him if he's still around. Turner can fill a need at guard given the past health situations of Ronald Leary and Mackenzy Bernadeau. While the defensive line needs upgrades, the Cowboys are always looking for better offensive linemen.
10. Kenneth Acker, cornerback, SMU: With six seven-round picks this year, the Cowboys can use one on this 5-foot-11 5/8th 190-pounder who runs a 4.5 40 and has a 36-inch vertical jump. He can compete with B.W. Webb for the No. 4 corner spot and make an impact on special teams.
May, 8, 2014
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
The Dallas Cowboys have 11 draft picks over the next three days. Here are 10 players who might become rookies for America's Team.
1. Zack Martin, tackle, Notre Dame: The Cowboys might be able to stay at No. 16 overall and select him in the first round. Martin will play guard his rookie year and then eventually move over to replace Doug Free at right tackle in Year 2. It's a win-win for the Cowboys. They get an immediate upgrade in the interior and also a future tackle.
2. Demarcus Lawrence, defensive end, Boise State: Lawrence profiles as a late first round/early second round pick. Dallas may move back to snag him if nobody else is attractive to them at No. 16. Lawrence lined up on both end spots and will start immediately. The starting ends are George Selvie and Jeremy Mincey, that's not going to upgrade the pass rush.
3. Calvin Pryor, safety, Louisville: There are three players competing for the free safety spot on the roster and you might add Pryor to the list. He can play in the box and in center field and is a solid tackler. One team official said there's not much difference between Pryor and Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Pryor is a first round selection without a doubt and should improve the defense.
4. Aaron Murray, quarterback, Georgia: Cowboys sent quarterback coach Wade Wilson to Murray's pro day and he excelled. He's proven the knee injury he suffered last season won't be a problem. The Cowboys ruled out drafting a quarterback in the first round because he will have to sit a few years behind Tony Romo. But if they draft one in the middle rounds, they'll be willing to let him watch and learn.
5. Andrew Jackson, inside linebacker, Western Kentucky: The Cowboys need to make some decisions regarding the weak side and strong side linebacker spots. Jackson is someone the Cowboys like, but not somebody they're willing to draft in the first round. He's more of a third round or fourth round selection. He's a good tackler that can play strong side and weak side linebacker and will contribute on special teams his rookie season.
6. C.J. Fiedorowicz, tight end, Iowa: We know the Cowboys have Jason Witten. We know the Cowboys have James Hanna. We know the Cowboys have Gavin Escobar. But if you're talking about best possible player available, in the second round, then Fiedorowicz could be it. It would create a log jam at the position, but coach Jason Garrett loves competition, right?
7. Timmy Jernigan, defensive tackle, Florida State: Cowboys officials won't downgrade Jernigan's value despite his failed drug test. He took on constant double-teams in college. While the Cowboys don't believe one-technique players are high first round selections, Jernigan could be selected late in the first round or early in the second.
8. Brandon Dixon, cornerback, Northwest Missouri State: This is a deep draft for corners where you might see four go in the first round. The Cowboys like Dixon's ability to play zone coverage and despite his raw skills, there is a tremendous upside to him. He's a sixth or seventh round pick and someone who has visited Valley Ranch.
9. Trai Turner, guard, LSU: He's not worth getting at No. 16, but expect a second round push for him if he's still around. Turner can fill a need at guard given the past health situations of Ronald Leary and Mackenzy Bernadeau. While the defensive line needs upgrades, the Cowboys are always looking for better offensive linemen.
10. Kenneth Acker, cornerback, SMU: With six seven-round picks this year, the Cowboys can use one on this 5-foot-11 5/8th 190-pounder who runs a 4.5 40 and has a 36-inch vertical jump. He can compete with B.W. Webb for the No. 4 corner spot and make an impact on special teams.