Top 17

[Simpleton]

Let's assume the top 15 picks go as such, in no particular order: Burrow, Tua, Herbert, Lamb, Jeudy, Ruggs, Becton, Wills, Thomas, Wirfs, Young, Simmons, Brown, Okudah, Kinlaw, give me how you'd rank your top 17 for the Cowboys pick. I went with 17 because it would theoretically take us through the 32nd pick to account for a trade down.

I realize that Atlanta's pick isn't being accounted for here but I wanted to include Henderson in this just for fun even though it seems more likely that Kinlaw would be available at 16/17 rather than Henderson at this point. I'd imagine that the vast majority of us would put Kinlaw at number 1 regardless so I included him in the "taken" list to get some variety.

So here we go:

1. K'Lavon Chaisson
2. Justin Jefferson
3. Xavier McKinney
4. Kenneth Murray
5. Patrick Queen
6. Zack Baun
7. Antoine Winfield
8. AJ Epenesa
9. Yetur Gross-Matos
10. CJ Henderson
11. Grant Delpit
12. Cesar Ruiz
13. Jeff Gladney
14. Denzel Mims
15. Tee Higgins
16. Ross Blacklock
17. Kristian Fulton
Just Missed: Jaylon Johnson

For me there is very little difference between 3 and about 12-13, so if those top two are gone I’d look very hard at trading down. I think almost everybody would put Kinlaw at 1 if he were available, so with that in mind, where would you put a guy like Jeudy or Ruggs on your list if they were available, assuming everybody else on your list is also available?

Lamb or Jeudy would both be above Chaisson for me, while Ruggs would be below Chaisson but above Jefferson.

If we had a legitimate need at LB I'd have Murray at the top of the list pretty much neck and neck with Chaisson, and Queen not far behind, but taking a pure off-ball LB at 17 would definitely be a tough pill to swallow given what we've invested already so I bumped them down a few spots. Winfield would also be higher if not for the fact that he’s pretty much constantly injured, which isn’t great when you’re an undersized safety who loves to throw their body around.

 

[GShock]

Let's assume the top 15 picks go as such, in no particular order: Burrow, Tua, Herbert, Lamb, Jeudy, Ruggs, Becton, Wills, Thomas, Wirfs, Young, Simmons, Brown, Okudah, Kinlaw, give me how you'd rank your top 17 for the Cowboys pick. I went with 17 because it would theoretically take us through the 32nd pick to account for a trade down.

I realize that Atlanta's pick isn't being accounted for here but I wanted to include Henderson in this just for fun even though it seems more likely that Kinlaw would be available at 16/17 rather than Henderson at this point. I'd imagine that the vast majority of us would put Kinlaw at number 1 regardless so I included him in the "taken" list to get some variety.

So here we go:

1. K'Lavon Chaisson
2. Justin Jefferson
3. Xavier McKinney
4. Kenneth Murray
5. Patrick Queen
6. Zack Baun
7. Antoine Winfield
8. AJ Epenesa
9. Yetur Gross-Matos
10. CJ Henderson
11. Grant Delpit
12. Cesar Ruiz
13. Jeff Gladney
14. Denzel Mims
15. Tee Higgins
16. Ross Blacklock
17. Kristian Fulton
Just Missed: Jaylon Johnson

For me there is very little difference between 3 and about 12-13, so if those top two are gone I’d look very hard at trading down. I think almost everybody would put Kinlaw at 1 if he were available, so with that in mind, where would you put a guy like Jeudy or Ruggs on your list if they were available, assuming everybody else on your list is also available?

Lamb or Jeudy would both be above Chaisson for me, while Ruggs would be below Chaisson but above Jefferson.

If we had a legitimate need at LB I'd have Murray at the top of the list pretty much neck and neck with Chaisson, and Queen not far behind, but taking a pure off-ball LB at 17 would definitely be a tough pill to swallow given what we've invested already so I bumped them down a few spots. Winfield would also be higher if not for the fact that he’s pretty much constantly injured, which isn’t great when you’re an undersized safety who loves to throw their body around.

I think for me it would be:
Happy at 17
* Jeudy (if available and knee is not explosive)
1 K'Lavon Chaisson
2 Xavier McKinney

Not great value at 17, but satisfied.
3 Yetur Gross-Matos
4 AJ Epenesa
5 CJ Henderson
6 Cesar Ruiz

Feel like we could have gotten with trade-down, but ok.
*Ruggs, if available
7 Zack Baun
8 Jeff Gladney
9 Tee Higgins

Really don't want at 17
10 Jaylon Johnson
11 Kristian Fulton
12 Kenneth Murray
13 Denzel Mims
14 Antoine Winfield
15 Ross Blacklock
16 Justin Jefferson
17 Patrick Queen
18 Grant Delpit

I think there is a sweet spot for talent between where we are picking in rounds 1 and 2. I would love for us to have a pick from 22-32, and another from 33-43, because I think you could get comparable talent at both selections.

 

[Shiningstar]

would it be wiser to trade down?

 

[Cotton]

would it be wiser to trade down?

I would rather trade down than up. This is a draft that will have some really good talent still on the board in the middle rounds, so I want all the picks I can get in that range.

 

[jsmith6919]

I would rather trade down than up. This is a draft that will have some really good talent still on the board in the middle rounds, so I want all the picks I can get in that range.

Yep, and it keep us for reaching for a cb at 17 that isn't much better than one we get in the second

 

[bbgun]

I would rather trade down than up. This is a draft that will have some really good talent still on the board in the middle rounds, so I want all the picks I can get in that range.

Niners have made noise about trading out of 13. If Brown is still on the board ...

 

[Simpleton]

I think for me it would be:
Happy at 17
* Jeudy (if available and knee is not explosive)
1 K'Lavon Chaisson
2 Xavier McKinney

Not great value at 17, but satisfied.
3 Yetur Gross-Matos
4 AJ Epenesa
5 CJ Henderson
6 Cesar Ruiz

Feel like we could have gotten with trade-down, but ok.
*Ruggs, if available
7 Zack Baun
8 Jeff Gladney
9 Tee Higgins

Really don't want at 17
10 Jaylon Johnson
11 Kristian Fulton
12 Kenneth Murray
13 Denzel Mims
14 Antoine Winfield
15 Ross Blacklock
16 Justin Jefferson
17 Patrick Queen
18 Grant Delpit

I think there is a sweet spot for talent between where we are picking in rounds 1 and 2. I would love for us to have a pick from 22-32, and another from 33-43, because I think you could get comparable talent at both selections.

I definitely think if Chaisson (or Kinlaw, Jeudy, etc, etc) are gone we should do everything we can to trade down. If the choice is between guys like Jefferson, McKinney, Gross-Matos, basically any CB, and so forth there's almost no difference in value between picking at 17 and 25-30.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

So here we go:

1. K'Lavon Chaisson
2. Justin Jefferson
3. Xavier McKinney
4. Kenneth Murray
5. Patrick Queen
6. Zack Baun
7. Antoine Winfield
8. AJ Epenesa
9. Yetur Gross-Matos
10. CJ Henderson
11. Grant Delpit
12. Cesar Ruiz
13. Jeff Gladney
14. Denzel Mims
15. Tee Higgins
16. Ross Blacklock
17. Kristian Fulton
Just Missed: Jaylon Johnson

For me there is very little difference between 3 and about 12-13, so if those top two are gone I’d look very hard at trading down. I think almost everybody would put Kinlaw at 1 if he were available, so with that in mind, where would you put a guy like Jeudy or Ruggs on your list if they were available, assuming everybody else on your list is also available?

Lamb or Jeudy would both be above Chaisson for me, while Ruggs would be below Chaisson but above Jefferson.

If we had a legitimate need at LB I'd have Murray at the top of the list pretty much neck and neck with Chaisson, and Queen not far behind, but taking a pure off-ball LB at 17 would definitely be a tough pill to swallow given what we've invested already so I bumped them down a few spots. Winfield would also be higher if not for the fact that he’s pretty much constantly injured, which isn’t great when you’re an undersized safety who loves to throw their body around.

I sort of want to move Winfield up too. It's hard because without the injury concerns he may be my favorite safety in this draft. I don't have medical Even higher than Delpit who I really still love. I still like Delpit better than McKinney but I realize that lots of experts disagree with my opinion so there is nothing wrong with having McKinney higher. McKinney just feel average to me.

Anyway just some of my thoughts. I'd have Epenesa higher. I think in a system where multiple fronts are going to be used he would be a real weapon. I'd have Murray and Queen lower. Probably move Henderson and Ruiz up. I'd probably move Blacklock up as well. I really like him. I think he is a sneaky good DT who will go in the first round.

I like Gross-Matos too. Not as much as Chaisson or Epenesa but I could see him being on a similar level to what Anthony Spencer was before his knee gave out. Which is a really good pass rusher.

 

[NoDak]

I definitely think if Chaisson (or Kinlaw, Jeudy, etc, etc) are gone we should do everything we can to trade down. If the choice is between guys like Jefferson, McKinney, Gross-Matos, basically any CB, and so forth there's almost no difference in value between picking at 17 and 25-30.

People always say this, but this also holds true for everyone else. Why would they want to trade up to take the same type of player they could get at 25-30?

The only way this works is if somebody slips that we don't want/need. A QB, RB, etc...

People scream every year, "WHY DIDN'T WE TRADE DOWN?!?" when somebody is taken that they don't like, or think they could have got later. Well... Maybe there just wasn't anybody interested in trading up.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Niners have made noise about trading out of 13. If Brown is still on the board ...

I'd rather trade up for Kinlaw than Brown assuming the medicals are good for both. Of course that's assuming Brown goes before Kinlaw thus you don't have to move up as far for Kinlaw. I'd love to have either guy though. And frankly we have a perfect situation for a stud young DT. You have veterans to learn from who will need rest. And who knows if either of those guys will be here beyond a year. In the NFL sometimes it takes a rookie DT a year or two to really take off. So you sort of have the perfect balance at the position.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

People always say this, but this also holds true for everyone else. Why would they want to trade up to take the same type of player they could get at 25-30?

The only way this works is if somebody slips that we don't want/need. A QB, RB, etc...

People scream every year, "WHY DIDN'T WE TRADE DOWN?!?" when somebody is taken that they don't like, or think they could have got later. Well... Maybe there just wasn't anybody interested in trading up.

This is absolutely true. I could see Dallas wanting to trade down and take Ruiz for example. But what happens when you can't find a good trade down partner. Sometimes you just end up taking the guy at 17 then.

 

[NoDak]

This is absolutely true. I could see Dallas wanting to trade down and take Ruiz for example. But what happens when you can't find a good trade down partner. Sometimes you just end up taking the guy at 17 then.

Yep. Or if you are desperate for a trade down, and take a trade that is lopsided against you. Which is massively stupid. You get abused in a trade and take the risk the guy you want to trade down for is not there when you're on the clock again? Bad news.

 

[bbgun]

I'd rather trade up for Kinlaw than Brown assuming the medicals are good for both. Of course that's assuming Brown goes before Kinlaw thus you don't have to move up as far for Kinlaw. I'd love to have either guy though. And frankly we have a perfect situation for a stud young DT. You have veterans to learn from who will need rest. And who knows if either of those guys will be here beyond a year. In the NFL sometimes it takes a rookie DT a year or two to really take off. So you sort of have the perfect balance at the position.

I've resigned myself to the fact that neither guy is coming to Dallas. In Jerry's mind, the position is set. With McCoy and Poe aboard, he'd see it as a wasted draft pick. He can't think ahead.

 

[Simpleton]

People always say this, but this also holds true for everyone else. Why would they want to trade up to take the same type of player they could get at 25-30?

The only way this works is if somebody slips that we don't want/need. A QB, RB, etc...

People scream every year, "WHY DIDN'T WE TRADE DOWN?!?" when somebody is taken that they don't like, or think they could have got later. Well... Maybe there just wasn't anybody interested in trading up.

Theoretically it'd be because another team who has an actual need at LB, WR, etc. sees a guy like Justin Jefferson or Murray/Queen and values them as a top 20 pick, maybe a team like the Ravens, and they want to move up for them whereas the team moving down doesn't have as nice a marriage of value/need.

Ideally the BPA for us would be a DL, DB, maybe a TE. If the BPA is truly Justin Jefferson or Henry Ruggs and the DL/DB's available are guys like Gross-Matos, Epenesa, McKinney, etc. who are more late 1st types, the ideal situation is you find a team with a need at that BPA position who is willing to give up value so you can move back to a spot where the value is more appropriate at your positions of need.

 

[Simpleton]

I'd rather trade up for Kinlaw than Brown assuming the medicals are good for both. Of course that's assuming Brown goes before Kinlaw thus you don't have to move up as far for Kinlaw. I'd love to have either guy though. And frankly we have a perfect situation for a stud young DT. You have veterans to learn from who will need rest. And who knows if either of those guys will be here beyond a year. In the NFL sometimes it takes a rookie DT a year or two to really take off. So you sort of have the perfect balance at the position.

Would definitely move up for either DT, I'd imagine we could pop up to 13 for a 4th and change.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I've resigned myself to the fact that neither guy is coming to Dallas. In Jerry's mind, the position is set. With McCoy and Poe aboard, he'd see it as a wasted draft pick. He can't think ahead.

Thats the problem. Both guys are 1 year players or at most 2. Sort of like safety, sure we signed HaHa but it's a one year deal. We will be right back in the same position next year again.

 

[Simpleton]

I'll say this, passing up on Kinlaw at 17 for a CB would be Claiborne-level idiocy, maybe even worse since some objective observers would've argued that Claiborne was the best defensive prospect in that draft.

If they pass on Kinlaw for Chaisson I'd get it, wouldn't love it, but I don't think Chaisson is too far off as a prospect and he'd be at worst my number 2 choice behind Kinlaw at 17 given what I expect to be available.

But taking a guy like Terrell, Diggs or whatever other CB they're fixated on instead of Kinlaw?

Good Lord.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I'll say this, passing up on Kinlaw at 17 for a CB would be Claiborne-level idiocy, maybe even worse since some objective observers would've argued that Claiborne was the best defensive prospect in that draft.

If they pass on Kinlaw for Chaisson I'd get it, wouldn't love it, but I don't think Chaisson is too far off as a prospect and he'd be at worst my number 2 choice behind Kinlaw at 17 given what I expect to be available.

But taking a guy like Terrell, Diggs or whatever other CB they're fixated on instead of Kinlaw?

Good Lord.

Pretty much my thought and I think very highly of Kinlaw. To me he has the potential to be Chris Jones at DT for us. Poe and McCoy are nice but they aren't in their primes. Adding a young Chris Jones would make a ton of sense so that you can actually rotate older players like McCoy and Poe and keep them fresh.

Instead if you draft a corner and the guy turns out to be really good like Byron Jones, you know he still isn't worth keeping around past his rookie deal. So you already have shown you value the elite D-lineman over the elite corner. Why you would then go into the draft and act like corner is more important seems crazy to me.