The 2012 Cowboys Draft Thread
 

Didn't see one started, and I figured it was about time to get one up.

I think it is pretty safe to say we will be looking at defensive backs and defensive lineman pretty early.

What are some names to keep an eye on?

Some of the guys I plan to watch are:

Alfonzo Dennard
Jared Crick
Ray Ray Armstrong
Mark Barron
Dre Kirkpatrick
Jayron Hosely


Who else are you guys liking early?

I want Sean Baker sooo bad, not sure where he goes probably a 3rd rounder

mini mock
Crick/ 5 tech
interior OL
Baker/ Safety
Corner
WR

I don't think Dallas can wait till the 3rd to address the secondary. I was thinking:

1st-DB
2nd-DL
3rd-OG/C
4th-DB
5th-Slot WR
6th-BPA
7th-BPA

I think this looks pretty good.

We might even go OLB if the value is there in the first especially if Spencer doesn't come back. Of course we could just give Butler a starting shot next season and see how that pans out.

But i agree on taking a DB somewhere in the first, maybe a DL in the second, and Maybe another Guard or center in the 3rd or 4th. Hope we lean towards the defense in 2012.

My Wishlist:

Cliff Harris

We need an infusion of young playmaking talent in our secondary and Harris is the best in this class at taking the football away. Not only are his ball skills elite but he's a blue chip return man so he's got the ability to take any INT to the house. He has a red flag or two with the incident that happened this past spring, but if everything checks out I want him on this team.

Ray Ray Armstrong

Unlimited potential, has that rare combination of size/speed that intrigues you at the Safety position. More of a SS type, Armstrong would bring a nastiness/swag to the secondary that we desperately need. He's not there yet, but he's got the ability to develop into a similar player as Sean Taylor.

David Decastro

Smart, athletic, tough... Decastro seems like a Garrett kind of guy. Our other guard spot is going to be a wild card in determining what direction we go in next off-season. If Nagy/Arkin can prove worthy as starters for us this season then we won't need to spend a premium pick, but I'd say that's a long shot. Plus, Kosier is not getting any younger.

I like that pick of Cliff Harris. I really have a strong hunch that he will be a future Cowboy. I dunno why, but it won't surprise me one bit to see him be our guy on draft day. You may just get your wish! :D

Here are some guys I'm watching and NFP's breakdown of them.

I'm just not sure if the team views CB as a round 1 priority being we just gave Scandrick starter money. Mike Jenkins' play this year will obviously play a hand in that as well, but I think the team thinks they have their future 1 and 2 already on the roster.

Safety makes more sense to me in round 1 because Sense and Elam were only given stop-gap contracts, and we don't really have any promising prospect on the team. Ugh, AoA has been such a disappointment. I know your a fan of McDonald, he probably makes the most sense ATM.

It's gonna be fun seeing how the C/G situation plays out. I'm not a believer in those young guys but who knows. If they do **** the bed we're gonna have to seriously consider taking a guard like Decastro in round 1. I hope not, the D needs as many high picks for DL and secondary as possible.

And speaking of USC guys, how'd Khaled Holmes play last year? He's a G/C who's should be in that 3-4 range.

I'm still a Kenny Tate fan, but watching the game against Miami this week really makes me think his draft stock is going to drop big time. It's like they don't know what to do with him. They moved him to linebacker, and they kept moving him close to the line of scrimmage. He'll probably drop to a point where he can be had cheap.

I don't know what use we'd have for him. Even Roy Williams looked amazing at Oklahoma. As we found out the hard way, there's no role for guys like him who are LB/S tweeners.

2012 Draft Needs = same as 2006 to 2011.

OL, NT, ILB, Safeties

I had a feeling you were robert_in_nyc. Hi Bob.

dude yes, lol, the jerry bashing in the discussion thread coupled with the drafting hate was pretty obvious.

It took you guys that long? lol. I knew as soon as I saw the username.

I didnt know Airmax was CDCB, though.

Every year, I try to have a fun way to track the guys that capture my attention. Whether it be weekly Top 10 lists... or a Season Tracker... this year, I don't know what I'll do, but I think I'll do a "Fab 5" by mentioning guys who had standout performances each week at positions I think we need.

So here goes...

The Fab 5 - Week 1

CB Shaun Prater, Iowa - 5'10, 185



A solid game with an 89 yard TD return off INT will get you on this list. :) Prater has 7 career INTs and is the best defensive player that Iowa has. My eyes are on you kid! ;)

FS John Boyett, Oregon - 5'10 202



Lead the Ducks with 14 tackles, 1 TFL. Junior (3 year starter) and team captain. Had 5 INTs last year. My guess is that he'll return for his Senior year, but I had to list him because he was all over the place against LSU, eventhough they lost.

SS Winston Guy, Kentucky - 6'1, 216



Unbelievable week 1 for Winston Guy who ended up with 10 tackles, 2.5 for loss add in 2 Interceptions! That's what I call playmaking ability! Jumped on my radar with that performance. Dude also runs Track.

ILB Luke Kuechly, Boston College - 6'2, 237



How does a 19 tackle game with an INT (near TD) sound for the first game of the year? I know we drafted Bruce Carter, but this year's ILB crop is oozing wtih talent (another reason I hated the pick). I'm telling myself that Carter is a career Nickel LB because Sean Lee and Luke Kuechly could be the most cerebral ILB duo in the league.

FS Jerrell Young, USF - 6'1, 209



Stripped the ball away early in the game to cause a fumble that lead to a 96 yard TD and then had ANOTHER game changing play when he intercepted a pass in the 4th quarter as the Bulls sealed and delivered Notre Dame a tough loss. I'm expecting a breakout year from this kid.

Interesting to see you looking at Kuechly. Aren't you the one saying we need more beef in the middle...more of a thumper? His main knock is his size at 6-2 235...

MOTH you have any thoughts on Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina? Think he fits our mold at corner.

Vontaze Burfict sure looks as advertised. If I'm going ILB I want this kid. 3 sacks and disruptive all game.

Not sure if I'm sold on Guy yet either. He's excelled when he's moved close to the LOS. He is a playing that lb/s tweener that is so popular in college. Found a couple of blurbs on him. I'll need to see him have that same type ability against some real competition for him to be a blip on my radar. But if he keeps it up you still have to ask the question can he have that same type of production in the NFL where the scheme isn't always gonna be tailored for all his strengths? If moving him closer to the LOS is what makes him tick..I just worry that he must have something wrong that made his head coach change his role. TBD i guess

McClellin might be a guy to look at in the mid rounds if Spencer doesn't justify a new contract after this year. He reminded me of woodley coming off the edge last week. Another guy who has do turn in and do it every week for me to buy tho.


Didn't see him play but Sualsberry sounds like a Garrett type of OL. We have some good youth on the interior but who's to say we don't need more competition and flexibility. Playing 4 positions and being able to move has to put him higher than some others that teams may rank better overall interior OL. Guy to keep your ear out for.

Another name I've seen pop up a couple of times.
I usually don't go for players with character concerns...but if you have a shot at this kid in the 2nd half of the first round you'd have to think pretty hard about it. The fight sounds to me like a kid who needs some growing up..but the marijuana charges aren't a big turn off to me. Something the FO would have to clear up...we have no way to tell if that will be a problem in the NFL or not. Could be a couple runs of bad luck. But I think this might be a case where the talent trumps the concerns. Buyer beware and do your research. Could have your next corner for 10 years or your next pacman.

Yeah, and I'm also the one who has always preached that weight gain/strength is the easiest thing a player can change. His intangibles are off the charts.

I've thought about the possibility of this, myself. I love the guy, but I do think he's a little overrated at this point. I agree with Scott, when he said that he may not be 1st round worthy. He'll go within the first two rounds, though. He has a very impressive physical skill set, but he's still inconsistent. He had an exceptional Freshman season, followed by an at times, ugly Sophomore season. And he had an up and down opening game to this season. Any time he had to cover ECU's Lance Lewis, he was losing every battle. That said, he has legitimate shut down potential, given that outstanding skill set. His Freshman campaign, was one of the best seasons for a Frosh cornerback in sometime, he was simply outstanding. And really, that's the reason people are still so high on him, despite his let down Sophomore season. He can benefit greatly from a good year of focused strength training. He can be a little overmatched against the larger receiver, right now. He's also been suceptible to burnings, too. He'll take some chances. He actually reminds me a lot of Mike Jenkins sometimes. The guy is just an incredibly athlete, who needs some technique refining and he can be something real special.

He is by far the best ILB prospect in college and solidly in my Top 3 on my Cowboys wishlist. I may have put Luke in my Fab 5 after week 1, but that's not a rankings list for me. Just outstanding performances by some players at positions I think we should target. I didn't know Burfict had a 3 sack game. Wow. Amazing player.