32-day mock draft: What should Dallas do at No. 22?
Iyer's SportingBlog
by Vinnie Iyer
The Cowboys have had a pretty productive offseason so far. They addressed their two biggest needs, offensive line and safety, with the free-agent signings of former Cardinal Leonard Davis and former Seahawk Ken Hamlin. They also got another veteran backup for Tony Romo, replacing the released Drew Blesdoe with Brad Johnson.
Although they didn't add anyone at wide receiver, the fact that Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn still are Cowboys and Patrick Crayton re-signed has the team set up nicely short term in the passing game, especially when you also take into account the presence of tight end Jason Witten.
The Cowboys likely aren't done addressing those three positions, but they can afford to wait a bit for later-round sleepers. That means in the first round, if they don't trade down, they can go with the best available player who can help them in the present to remain a playoff team in the tough NFC East.
Outside linebacker is a good possibility, as coach Wade Phillips enjoyed great success at that position in San Diego. Basically, the team needs to find someone who can thrive playing opposite DeMarcus Ware, much like Shaun Phillips complements Shawne Merriman for the Chargers. If we hadn't given Florida State's Lawrence Timmons to Pittsburgh with one of our previous 21 picks, he would be a good fit in Dallas.
Looking at the team's other defensive concerns then, there is only one way to go here this late in the first round.
Final decision: Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis. I'm pretty iffy on Syracuse's Tanard Jackson, Fresno State's Marcus McCauley and California's Daymeion Hughes, and although I like the upside of Arkansas' Chris Houston a bit better, I think Revis is in the best position to be a productive nickel back in his rookie season.
He doesn't need to make big plays or stay with the fastest of receivers downfield to contribute for the Cowboys. Working behind Terence Newman and Anthony Henry, has good enough size (5-11 1/2, 198) and speed (4.38 in the 40-yard dash) to cover the slot. While helping the Cowboys better handle spread formations, he can learn to tailor his physical talents to improve his coverage technique.
The Cowboys may not be in position to land a big-time impact player such as Ted Ginn Jr. in the draft, and that's OK. They just need someone who can help them in one specific area without having the pressure to start, and Revis is that kind of option.
by Vinnie Iyer
The Cowboys have had a pretty productive offseason so far. They addressed their two biggest needs, offensive line and safety, with the free-agent signings of former Cardinal Leonard Davis and former Seahawk Ken Hamlin. They also got another veteran backup for Tony Romo, replacing the released Drew Blesdoe with Brad Johnson.
Although they didn't add anyone at wide receiver, the fact that Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn still are Cowboys and Patrick Crayton re-signed has the team set up nicely short term in the passing game, especially when you also take into account the presence of tight end Jason Witten.
The Cowboys likely aren't done addressing those three positions, but they can afford to wait a bit for later-round sleepers. That means in the first round, if they don't trade down, they can go with the best available player who can help them in the present to remain a playoff team in the tough NFC East.
Outside linebacker is a good possibility, as coach Wade Phillips enjoyed great success at that position in San Diego. Basically, the team needs to find someone who can thrive playing opposite DeMarcus Ware, much like Shaun Phillips complements Shawne Merriman for the Chargers. If we hadn't given Florida State's Lawrence Timmons to Pittsburgh with one of our previous 21 picks, he would be a good fit in Dallas.
Looking at the team's other defensive concerns then, there is only one way to go here this late in the first round.
Final decision: Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis. I'm pretty iffy on Syracuse's Tanard Jackson, Fresno State's Marcus McCauley and California's Daymeion Hughes, and although I like the upside of Arkansas' Chris Houston a bit better, I think Revis is in the best position to be a productive nickel back in his rookie season.
He doesn't need to make big plays or stay with the fastest of receivers downfield to contribute for the Cowboys. Working behind Terence Newman and Anthony Henry, has good enough size (5-11 1/2, 198) and speed (4.38 in the 40-yard dash) to cover the slot. While helping the Cowboys better handle spread formations, he can learn to tailor his physical talents to improve his coverage technique.
The Cowboys may not be in position to land a big-time impact player such as Ted Ginn Jr. in the draft, and that's OK. They just need someone who can help them in one specific area without having the pressure to start, and Revis is that kind of option.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:14 PM
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