BTB: Cowboys 2014 Draft - The Best Case Scenario?

[Simpleton]

We won't get a 2nd straight up to swap our 1sts with Cleveland. It'd probably involve a swap of our 2nds and getting an additional 4th.

The Jimmy Johnson points chart went out of style long ago.

I'd still strongly consider that depending on what was available.

 

[Smitty]

We won't get a 2nd straight up to swap our 1sts with Cleveland. It'd probably involve a swap of our 2nds and getting an additional 4th.

The Jimmy Johnson points chart went out of style long ago.

Depends on the year and the player that the team wants.

In this draft, I could see it. I could see a team thinking, "Mike Evans is a top 10 player. It's worth it to me to cough up my second to get him."

Last year, prices were low, but it was also a horrifically bad draft at the top. This year, it's the opposite. You might see overpaying.

 

[data]

I understand this draft being deep in the first 2 rounds, so teams aren't willing to sacrifice a straight up 2nd rounder to move up.

 

[Smitty]

I understand this draft being deep in the first 2 rounds, so teams aren't willing to sacrifice a straight up 2nd rounder to move up.

It will be team specific. Some teams who are interested in rebuilding will not want to give up the assets in a strong, deep draft. Teams who are looking for a dominant player will be willing to pay the price.

The thing is, in a weak draft, no one is going to pay a price to move up. There aren't any players worth it. You are "reaching" in comparison to other years by even selecting at that spot at all.

In a year where there is a surplus, you could get a top 10 player at 16. That will create incentive even at the cost of a 2nd rounder, because even in a deep draft, a 2nd rounder isn't a top 10 player. Someone may very well want to do it.

It's no guarantee, but you have a better chance at getting a good price in a trade down in a strong draft rather than a weak draft, I think.

 

[data]

It will be team specific. Some teams who are interested in rebuilding will not want to give up the assets in a strong, deep draft. Teams who are looking for a dominant player will be willing to pay the price.

The thing is, in a weak draft, no one is going to pay a price to move up. There aren't any players worth it. You are "reaching" in comparison to other years by even selecting at that spot at all.

In a year where there is a surplus, you could get a top 10 player at 16. That will create incentive even at the cost of a 2nd rounder, because even in a deep draft, a 2nd rounder isn't a top 10 player. Someone may very well want to do it.

It's no guarantee, but you have a better chance at getting a good price in a trade down in a strong draft rather than a weak draft, I think.

Yes, I understand the logic, professor.

I agree with your words of a rebuilding team not wanting to give up picks in a deep draft and, as the author mentioned the Cleveland browns, I don't see the Browns giving up #36 straight up.

I don't rule out a trade down at 16, I just don't see it where we'll add a 2nd rounder straight up.

 

[Smitty]

Well I'm just saying where I could easily see it happening, particularly in a draft where such a desirable top 10 player may fall to 16, as opposed to a thin draft where no one is salivating over the player at 16.

It could even be the Browns, if, like the article says, they want a stud WR to go with their new QB.

 

[ravidubey]

When we draft Ealy, I'm buying Booze and his son matching Ealy jerseys.

With Ware gone, Jerral will be fixated on this spot. Reference Charles Haley-Kavika Pittman or Tony Tolbert-Greg Ellis. The man always thinks "replace" "reload" and never just "build".

That said, Ealy is a sound pick.

 

[boozeman]

That said, Ealy is a sound pick.

Not at 16. No he is not.

 

[ravidubey]

Not at 16. No he is not.

If Ealy can *definitely* be had in the 22-27 range or later, then yeah a pick straight up wouldn't be good drafting. Thing is, you or I have no idea about his real slotted value. From what I've seen, Ealy's going to be a steal if some team gets him in the 20's. Regardless of what the draft publications and mock sites say Dallas is supposed to do, I'll be fine if they draft him at 16 because even Jerral wouldn't reach that far in the 1st round if his value was legitimately 25 or whatever the combine plummeted it down to.

Because that's the only reason he's dropped, because the Cotton Bowl should only have boosted his stock.

Ealy ran a 4.9 40 in Indy and a 4.57 at his pro-day. Terrell Suggs proved once and for all that combine numbers should be weighed *way* down when grading the best prospects. No one is going to draft this guy to run a 40 yard dash. I just remember him consistently being around the ball, defending passes, and generally making plays whether he was double-teamed or not.

I mean wasn't it only last year when Dallas was flat out panned for turned pick 18 into Travis Frederick and Terrance Williams, and every pundit was forced to eat their words about the value the Cowboys got?

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Ealy ran a 4.9 40 in Indy and a 4.57 at his pro-day. Terrell Suggs proved once and for all that combine numbers should be weighed *way* down when grading the best prospects. No one is going to draft this guy to run a 40 yard dash. I just remember him consistently being around the ball, defending passes, and generally making plays whether he was double-teamed or not.

Suggs had the sack numbers to back that up. Ealy doesn't and the sacks he did get weren't the type where he was beating guys around the corner. Instead they were sacks that were a result of not being blocked or lining up inside and taking advantage of confusion. I haven't seen the pure pass rush ability from the outside to justify Ealy as a pick in the first.

 

[ravidubey]

Suggs had the sack numbers to back that up. Ealy doesn't and the sacks he did get weren't the type where he was beating guys around the corner. Instead they were sacks that were a result of not being blocked or lining up inside and taking advantage of confusion. I haven't seen the pure pass rush ability from the outside to justify Ealy as a pick in the first.

I saw maybe one sack where he wasn't blocked, and he was often double-teamed. Ealy's presence made it easier for Michael Sam to get 10.5 sacks which led the whole SEC. Ealy had 8 sacks and picked up 2 more in the Cotton Bowl. He had more forced fumbles than anyone in the SEC and 14 hurries to go with his sacks. His 13 career defended passes show me he's much more than a 1 trick pony.

He consistently steps up vs strong competition and is unselfish. Aldon Smith set a Tiger record 11.5 sacks as a soph and dropped to 4.5 sacks as a junior. Ealy is almost the flip flop of those numbers, and give me the guy who's improving any day.

Also look at the tradition, Mizz front seven players are all over the league and Ealy has been one of the better ones to come from that program.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Suggs had the sack numbers to back that up. Ealy doesn't and the sacks he did get weren't the type where he was beating guys around the corner. Instead they were sacks that were a result of not being blocked or lining up inside and taking advantage of confusion. I haven't seen the pure pass rush ability from the outside to justify Ealy as a pick in the first.

I was at the Cotton Bowl and Ealy played well but I didn't see anything that would make him a super pick. He is a reliable player but not a game changer.

 

[Smitty]

I was at the Cotton Bowl and Ealy played well but I didn't see anything that would make him a super pick. He is a reliable player but not a game changer.

Which is fine as a mid to late first.

A player people aren't talking about who could be a nice pick for us in the late first or second is Demarcus Lawrence.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Which is fine as a mid to late first.

A player people aren't talking about who could be a nice pick for us in the late first or second is Demarcus Lawrence.

Not for me. I want my first round pick to be an impact player regardless of position.

 

[Smitty]

Not for me. I want my first round pick to be an impact player regardless of position.

Not realistic. If we trade down I could see a scenario many years where getting a Greg Ellis type would be what you are really aiming for. Last year is an example, there weren't any potential superstars available at 30.

Best names were like Matt Elam and Jonathan Cyprien. Maybe Kawann Short. None of those are guys who were guys I thought of as likely multiple year pro bowlers.

If we were in the mid 20s, I could see an 8 sack a year player as a preferable option. If that's what you think Ealy is. A lot of people think he's just a bust.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Not realistic. If we trade down I could see a scenario many years where getting a Greg Ellis type would be what you are really aiming for. Last year is an example, there weren't any potential superstars available at 30.

It's realistic if you go the BPA route.

 

[Smitty]

It's realistic if you go the BPA route.

Not last year.

This year is stronger though.

 

[NoDak]

Not last year.

This year is stronger though.

We got an impact player with our first rounder last year.

 

[Smitty]

We got an impact player with our first rounder last year.

I doubt Frederick is an every year All Pro. If he makes 2-3 Pro Bowls over the course of his career, I'd consider that pick fine.

Which is about what I'd expect out of Ealy.

Personally I consider solidifying the line against the run and chipping in 8 sacks to be an impact but it's not a Superstar. I don't think Frederick will be a superstar either though. I'd consider them similar level prospects at this point.

 

[NoDak]

You said impact player, not perennial all pro. And to say he did NOT impact our OLine would be ignorant. No need to move the goalposts from the original starting point.