Studley's Blog

I'm back from vacation, and ready to blog again.

The Cowboys drafted the latest talent from the grand game of College Football.  Recall that in a reply to another post that I stated that there were three main areas of need for this team. In order of importance, they were:

1.  Cornerback.

2.  Wide Receiver.

3.  Running Back.

If it were possible to find some folks who could help with the non-existent return game and other Special Teams units, that would be a bonus.  So, how did the team do?

Cornerback

Jacques Reeves left in Free Agency, but at best, he was a Nickel Back who was continually burned in coverage.  While the Adam "Pacman" Jones melodrama hasn't been fully played out, it could payoff in the long run on several fronts.  

With the second of the First Round picks, Mike Jenkins of South Florida was selected.  He is an excellent value pick with great speed and coverage skills, and should be an immediate starter. 

Orlando Scandrick of Boise State was selected in the Fifth Round, with better speed than Reeves, plus outstanding Special Teams skills.  He holds the school's record for blocked kicks with seven, four of which were returned for scores (the last four were blocked last year, also a school record).  He can elevate and attack the kick at it's highest point.  There may be some off-field issues that need to be addressed, but the Cowboys have been better than most of the other teams at helping players accomplish this.

Drafting to fill this need means that Anthony Henry can be moved to Safety, where depth is needed after Keith Davis left in Free Agency to the Dolphins.  Scandrick will probably replace Davis as the "gunner" on the punt and kickoff coverage units. 

If Pacman is reinstated by the NFL, Dallas' biggest trouble area may finally be resolved.  And it'll be just in time, because they'll need all the help they can get.  All of the other teams in the NFC East drafted potential playmaking Wide Receivers to bolster depth they already had at those positions (something I'll talk about in a bit). 

Grade:  A 

Running Back 

After Julius Jones left in Free Agency, this position needed immediate emphasis.  With their first selection in  the First Round, Felix Jones of Arkansas was taken.  He played a similar role to Marion Barber in college (and is roughly the same size), but many scouts feel that he will instead be a complimentary player to Barber.  Look for him to spell Barber and to also contribute greatly on Special Teams as a kickoff returner.  He has excellent speed to get into the open field, which should make for better starting field position and hopefully even a few scores.

In the Fourth Round, the team's choice was, well....Choice.  That is, Tashard Choice of Georgia Tech.  Choice is physically similar to Julius Jones, but with more toughness.  He prefers to run North and South up the middle, and has a good feel for his blocks, which makes him an excellent downhill runner and good for 4-5 yards on First Down.  He'll have to improve his pass-catching skills, but that can be addresed with some coaching.

The big concern is whether Barber will be happy with the money he will be paid this year.  Only time will tell.

Grade:  A

Wide Receiver

No players were selected at this position.  This is a glaring omission, even with what was considered a talent pool that was not deep.  Lots of money has been invested in Tony Romo to throw the ball and Flozell Adams to protect him when he does.  But he needs more people available to throw to.    

While Stephen Jones said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News, "You can't make something out of what's not there," there actually were value picks available in later rounds, and every other team in the division picked someone of quality at the position (WAS picked two of them).

New Orleans probably made the steal of the draft by trading into the late Seventh Round for Adrian Arrington of Michigan, the hero of the Capital One (formerly Florida Citrus) Bowl.  He scored the game-winning TD (his second) with 4:12 remaining against Florida, part of a 9-reception, 153-yard day.

To be fair, the Cowboys did try to trade up get someone, but there were no takers, which is why they kept trading down.  Maybe they didn't want any more folks with off-field issues (which would explain why Arrington's teammate, Mario Manningham, wasn't taken).  And they tried, with no success, to make a blockbuster deal for an experienced Pro Bowl receiver to pair opposite Terrell Owens.

So they will go with the same folks they have from last year, but are positioning themselves to make drafting this position a priority for next year.  Maybe one of the undrafted players will be looked at in Free Agency, although there aren't really enough of them left that fit the type that the team are looking for.  

Grade:  C-

With the WR search over, the team selected Tight End Martellus Bennett from Texas A&M to be a road-grading blocker to replace Anthony Fasano (traded to MIA), and Defensive End Erik Walden from Middle Tennessee State for depth at that position.  Considering the trouble in getting a WR, these were probably the best available choices once the other primary needs were met.   

Overall Grade:  B 

We'll see four years from now if these were good choices, but on paper, they look very good.  Now its your turn.  How do you grade the Cowboys Draft?