Draft For Need Or Talent?

[cowboycolors]

So what if Dalvin Cook slipped. RBs could fall. I could understand every pick but an RB

off field rumors are swiriling about this kid and his Posse I don't think he will fall to 28 but he could
I do trust Jerry to follow the board in round 1 after that.....................
But we do need a running back besides Zeke I like the Hunt kid from Toledo.

 

[jarntt]

Witten or no Witten in 17 TE is still a need.

I agree, but I also like what Swaim and Hanna can do. No superstars, but can block and that is a need for TEs on this team. no way I force a TE pick ebcause I like those 2 and Witten going into 2017, but I also would be happy with drafting TE if the team really likes the guy. The one guy I question people expecting a big leap forward from is Gathers. I said when we drafted him if he ever produces I'll be happy, but not going to expect it. Maybe he can turn into a red zone or 3rd down type of guy and let the others do the dirty work, but projects in the NFL (even those who look good in practice) don't seem to work out too often on game day when you must know what to do. Of course there are examples, but it just doesn't seem to common.

 

[fastforward]

You make little sense with this post. Who said anything about athletes vs football players? Who is saying pick the best this and that available?? If a stud defensive player is available in the first round, you pick him. If running back is in top sixteen and still available when you pick in the first round and Dallas does, that would be stupid. Stick to the Rams lol

This was the premise from the opening post:

…I say draft great athletes for need…

It specifically says athlete rather than player and that's why I responded. I've watched Jeff Fisher pick athletes over football players for 5 years - Brian Quick, Tavon Austin, Greg Robinson, etc - who were athletes with flawed footballing potential.
If you want to pick best defensive player, best CB, or however you define your 'pick for need' strategy then that's your opinion. It's an established strategy but I don't believe it'll get you the best results over time. If I was picking at #28 and the highest rated player on my board was a QB or RB rated #16 and that rating was significantly higher than my highest rated defensive player who was at #25 on my board, then i'd pick that QB or RB. Being a current great player doesn't mean someone will continue to be a great player, just look at Todd Gurley.

 

[es4m11]

I agree, but I also like what Swaim and Hanna can do. No superstars, but can block and that is a need for TEs on this team. no way I force a TE pick ebcause I like those 2 and Witten going into 2017, but I also would be happy with drafting TE if the team really likes the guy. The one guy I question people expecting a big leap forward from is Gathers. I said when we drafted him if he ever produces I'll be happy, but not going to expect it. Maybe he can turn into a red zone or 3rd down type of guy and let the others do the dirty work, but projects in the NFL (even those who look good in practice) don't seem to work out too often on game day when you must know what to do. Of course there are examples, but it just doesn't seem to common.

Gathers has a long way to go, no doubt. The guy didn't play football in high school or college. Even after a year in an NFL program, an NFL playbook must be like a foreign language to Gathers. I think he may be a useful piece in time, but that's probably not until 2018, if ever. Really like what what some of his teammates, coaches and scouts have to say about him though.

I don't think Dallas NEEDS a TE in 2017 draft, but if Howard is there in the first and there are no Pass Rushers or DBs worth the pick, then I am all for it. Howard looks like Jordan Reed but maybe a better blocker.

Njoku from Miami looks good too, but I wouldn't consider him in the 1st. If Njoku is there in the 2nd, I wouldn't be mad at that.

 

[es4m11]

This was the premise from the opening post:

It specifically says athlete rather than player and that's why I responded. I've watched Jeff Fisher pick athletes over football players for 5 years - Brian Quick, Tavon Austin, Greg Robinson, etc - who were athletes with flawed footballing potential.
If you want to pick best defensive player, best CB, or however you define your 'pick for need' strategy then that's your opinion. It's an established strategy but I don't believe it'll get you the best results over time. If I was picking at #28 and the highest rated player on my board was a QB or RB rated #16 and that rating was significantly higher than my highest rated defensive player who was at #25 on my board, then i'd pick that QB or RB. Being a current great player doesn't mean someone will continue to be a great player, just look at Todd Gurley.

If a valued QB or RB drops to Dallas in the 1st, I would hope they trade that pick to a team needing a QB or RB, assuming appropriate value can be exchanged. Dallas has enough options at #28 as far as positional need that we shouldn't have to reach for anything - at least I hope so.

Regarding Gurley, are Rams fan ready to give up on him already? Just seems to me he had absolutely no help, and the offense with no threat of a passing attack didn't make it any easier.

 

[jarntt]

Gathers has a long way to go, no doubt. The guy didn't play football in high school or college. Even after a year in an NFL program, an NFL playbook must be like a foreign language to Gathers. I think he may be a useful piece in time, but that's probably not until 2018, if ever. Really like what what some of his teammates, coaches and scouts have to say about him though.

I don't think Dallas NEEDS a TE in 2017 draft, but if Howard is there in the first and there are no Pass Rushers or DBs worth the pick, then I am all for it. Howard looks like Jordan Reed but maybe a better blocker.

Njoku from Miami looks good too, but I wouldn't consider him in the 1st. If Njoku is there in the 2nd, I wouldn't be mad at that.

I'm not writing Gathers off or saying he has no chance to ever contribute. I'm just saying I am not expecting something from him until I see it and that I sure as heck am not deciding to draft or not draft a TE based on his presence. If it happens, it's gravy

 

[UK Cowboy]

I think the Cowboys will address pass rush before the draft. They like going into the draft with the ability to go BPA, and it's working great. I don't know if they go after JPP, but I bet they add someone

 

[PDay8810]

I think the Cowboys will address pass rush before the draft. They like going into the draft with the ability to go BPA, and it's working great. I don't know if they go after JPP, but I bet they add someone

I think you have a great point....maybe D. Ware as a rotation type player coach kinda guy. I never pay too much attention to cap mostly because winning a championship trumps all things cap, so if there is a fit...pull the plug.

I said in another thread that I'm trusting the cowboy scouts & coaches these days...hard not to after the last few seasons, but I wouldn't want to see QB,RB nor oline in the first round. I remain somewhat all about defensive backs and Dallas sure could use additional talent there. Scandrick to me, had one pretty good season but really not an everydown corner, much better slot and nickleback player, Brown I like, Jones too and I think Wilcox is a comer. I hope Mo and Carr find employment elsewhere, but wouldn't do backflips if one is brought back on the somewhat cheap. That one being Mo, I guess but there is something to be said about always being able to play and not nursing some injury which seems to be Mo's biggest problem. It's early and they most likely won't drop, but either the Ohio state corner or safety would look nice with a star on their hat

 

[UK Cowboy]

I think you have a great point....maybe D. Ware as a rotation type player coach kinda guy. I never pay too much attention to cap mostly because winning a championship trumps all things cap, so if there is a fit...pull the plug.

I said in another thread that I'm trusting the cowboy scouts & coaches these days...hard not to after the last few seasons, but I wouldn't want to see QB,RB nor oline in the first round. I remain somewhat all about defensive backs and Dallas sure could use additional talent there. Scandrick to me, had one pretty good season but really not an everydown corner, much better slot and nickleback player, Brown I like, Jones too and I think Wilcox is a comer. I hope Mo and Carr find employment elsewhere, but wouldn't do backflips if one is brought back on the somewhat cheap. That one being Mo, I guess but there is something to be said about always being able to play and not nursing some injury which seems to be Mo's biggest problem. It's early and they most likely won't drop, but either the Ohio state corner or safety would look nice with a star on their hat

DWare as a pass rush specialist would be fantastic

 

[fastforward]

If a valued QB or RB drops to Dallas in the 1st, I would hope they trade that pick to a team needing a QB or RB, assuming appropriate value can be exchanged. Dallas has enough options at #28 as far as positional need that we shouldn't have to reach for anything - at least I hope so.

Regarding Gurley, are Rams fan ready to give up on him already? Just seems to me he had absolutely no help, and the offense with no threat of a passing attack didn't make it any easier.

I'm not disagreeing with you but what you've posted is an 'ideal World' solution to the question posed in the opening post. As such your solution avoids the dilemma of BPA vs Need. Faced with either/or i'd go with BPA. Like most people i'd adjust BPA slightly for positional value and also for need, but ultimately i'd pick the BPA solution over Need.

Gurley was merely an example of a player who was good in 1 year but poor the following year. The purpose was to demonstrate that whilst the Cowboys appear to be loaded at QB and RB it would be unwise to dismiss a player if they fall into your lap. No-one expects or wants Prescott or Elliot to regress, but you can't predict what will happen in 2017. It's off-topic but i'll answer your question. The Rams won't give up on Gurley unless he isn't good enough to be on an NFL roster and they have at least 4 RBs who are better. He's under guaranteed contract so cutting him wouldn't help financially. 99% chance he's the Rams #1 RB at the start of next season.

 

[es4m11]

I'm not disagreeing with you but what you've posted is an 'ideal World' solution to the question posed in the opening post. As such your solution avoids the dilemma of BPA vs Need. Faced with either/or i'd go with BPA. Like most people i'd adjust BPA slightly for positional value and also for need, but ultimately i'd pick the BPA solution over Need.

Gurley was merely an example of a player who was good in 1 year but poor the following year. The purpose was to demonstrate that whilst the Cowboys appear to be loaded at QB and RB it would be unwise to dismiss a player if they fall into your lap. No-one expects or wants Prescott or Elliot to regress, but you can't predict what will happen in 2017. It's off-topic but i'll answer your question. The Rams won't give up on Gurley unless he isn't good enough to be on an NFL roster and they have at least 4 RBs who are better. He's under guaranteed contract so cutting him wouldn't help financially. 99% chance he's the Rams #1 RB at the start of next season.

What I am saying is Dallas has enough positions of need that I feel it's a pretty decent chance that BPA will align with one of the Cowboys needs. We shouldn't need to reach.

You can't predict what the future holds for Elliott and Prescott, true, but using a 1st rounder on a contingency for those two would be very foolish IMO given the Cowboys current needs. That said, I am not worried about it, the back end of the 1st round appears to have plenty of what Dallas needs. I have some ideas of my own as to who I would like, but I'll let McClay sort out who is BPA for the Cowboys.

As for Gurley, I wasn't talking about releasing him. Only asking what the feeling among the fan base is regarding this guy's future outlook. Confident he can return to his rookie form? Flash in the pan?

 

[Godstree]

BPA, within reason. You probably aren't taking a QB or RB Round One.

You guys could pick up a nice CB or pass rusher at your spot. Someone's going to drop.

If the Boys pick someone who drops it better be in the second when JJ gets his pick.

BPA like you said though within reason.