The Cowboys horrific 4-12 season landed them in the driver’s seat for the 2016 Senior Bowl as they’ll command the North Squad today at 1:30pm CST. To take from Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben, “With great power, comes great responsibility” and the with the Cowboys this rings true more than ever.
Drafting #4 overall means you better hit on your picks this year, and get some players that will contribute day one. For me, I have not been a fan of what the Cowboys have done outside the 1st round, they simply have not drafted as well as some have tried to sell us on. This year is a different story, they have a great responsibility to turn this team around with sound draft picks.
To me, the challenge and pressure will be greater for Will McClay, Jason Garrett, Stephen Jones, and Jerry Jones to do very well in this draft. If we find a way to screw this up, the we’re in serious trouble for awhile more and fans will further question what we’re doing at GM’ing this team.
That mission starts today at the Senior Bowl. We’ve read all the “practice reports” and some practice darlings have emerged like QB Carson Wentz, DE Noah Spence, WR Braxton Miller, and LB Reggie Ragland to name a few. Now comes the time to see if that practice translates to the field. The Cowboys have had plenty of intimate time with these players and will have an upper hand on where to place these seniors on their draft board.
For me, the Cowboys need to focus on areas where I believe they have gone cheap. QB is atop the list and if Carson Wentz has a solid game his stock will be through the roof for people looking outside and that’s the key. The Cowboys will know by now whether or not Wentz would be worthy of the #4 overall pick by evaluating his habits in meetings, his leadership, and any of his bad habits. The game will solidify any of those traits for the Cowboys today.
The other position I want the Cowboys to look at is the ever elusive 1-tech DT position. We’ve gone cheap with undrafted players, street free agents and Nick Hayden. The result has been a lackluster push to the QB and ability to stop the run effectively. There are a few players today that could solidify their position on the Cowboys’ draft board. Keep an eye on Austin Johnson, Vernon Butler, Sheldon Rankins, and Javon Hargrave.
I’ll be look at the secondary as well, safeties and corners, we have a need back there. I’m looking at all those guys.
Bryan Broaddus give us a nice article on 10 name you don’t know, but will after the game. Here are some of his thoughts on the secondary:
Jalen Mills, CB, LSU – Normally lined up as a safety for the Tigers during the season, but he was moved to corner to get a little bit of a different look. He handled the transition well and I would not be surprised to see him play there during his NFL career. Long and rangy. His matchup with Braxton Miller should be interesting.
Kevin Byard, S, Middle Tennessee – College tape showed the ball always ending up in his hands – he is a turnover machine. Had two interceptions in practice on Wednesday. Right place at right time type of player. Showed some ability this week to line up and play in coverage, and he will get a chance to show that talent against Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett, who has made a ton of plays in practice.
Nick Martin, the center from Notre Dame will be a player to watch. He has the position flex the Cowboys love. You can plug him in at center and guard. The Cowboys could be open for business with some possible departures of Mackenzy Bernadeau and/or Ron Leary. Looking ahead too Travis Frederick contact is looming and he’ll get paid, we have a the 5th year club option in 2017 which I would think we would pick up, and they he’ll be a free agent in 2018.
Who are you looking for in this game? Who do you expect to be the real deal or not? Let’s go Dallas!
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