Cowboys Team Report
War Room scouts, Jean-Jacques Taylor, Vinnie Iyer
Sporting News
War Room scouts, correspondent Jean-Jacques Taylor and SN's Vinnie Iyer analyze the Cowboys' 2008 draft class:
FIRST ROUND
22 (22) Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (5-10, 207)
War Room scouts: Owner/GM Jerry Jones goes with the "other" Arkansas back. Felix Jones is very versatile and can help the Cowboys as a runner, catching passes out of the backfield and even aligned at wide receiver. His experience sharing time with Darren McFadden at Arkansas should help him transition to a part-time role with Marion Barber.
Taylor: Jones gives the Cowboys the speed player and big-play threat they craved. He shared the ball with Darren McFadden at Arkansas, and Cowboys officials know he'll be fine sharing time with Marion Barber. Jones also is a dynamic kick returner with big-play potential. The coaches want more big plays from the running game and hope Jones' terrific speed will provide them. The Cowboys will get him the ball on screen passes and draw plays and reverses -- anything to get him in the open field -- where he has one defender to beat.
Iyer: Jones is the ideal replacement for Julius Jones, and it doesn't hurt that Arkansas alum Jerry Jones had a jones for taking a Razorbacks back. Dallas smartly adds young pop to the backfield to complement the power of Marion Barber.
25 (25) Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (5-10, 197)
War Room scouts: Cowboys moved up from No. 27 to get ahead of the Texans and Chargers, who both were eye-balling cornerbacks. Jenkins is tough and physical and should step in as the starter opposite Terence Newman. That would allow the team to move Anthony Henry to safety. This pick also gives the Cowboys insurance in case newly acquired Pacman Jones gets in trouble again.
Taylor: Jenkins is another big-play cornerback who plays the ball well. Jenkins will get every opportunity to contribute as a rookie after losing Jacques Reeves in free agency. The Cowboys struggled with injuries to Terence Newman and Anthony Henry last year, exposing their lack of depth, especially when opponents used four-receiver formations. Jenkins is not a physical player but makes tackles in one-on-one situations. He has excellent hands and is considered a playmaker.
Iyer: Our War Room friends had Jenkins rated as the top cornerback going into the draft, and Dallas probably recognized that he was too good of a first-round option where it needed to move up three spots to the Seahawks' position. The secondary is the weakest link in the Cowboys' 3-4, and Jenkins can start and contribute right away if that Pacman thing doesn't work out.
SECOND ROUND
30 (61) Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M (6-6, 258)
War Room scouts: The Cowboys traded Anthony Fasano and then replaced him with Bennett, a great athlete who isn't much of a blocker. Bennett is not going to take Jason Witten's job but should play a lot in '08 and catch a number of passes.
Taylor: Bennett, a former basketball star, is going to have an immediate role in the Cowboys' offense because they want their two tight end package to be a big part of their offense. The Cowboys like the run-pass balance that package affords them, and Bennett gives them extra flexibility because he can be split out wide. He has good speed, though he's not a blazer and his route-running needs improvement, but he does an excellent job of using his hands and creating separation when the ball is in the air.
Iyer: So Dallas cleared some roster room in trading away one tight end, Anthony Fasano, to Miami, and it decides to go in state to Texas A&M and grab another talented one here.
FOURTH ROUND
23 (122) Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech (5-10, 208)
War Room scouts: After grabbing RB Felix Jones in the first round, the Dallas Cowboys surprised War Room scouts by grabbing Choice at No. 122. Choice fell this far because of durability concerns, but he gives the Cowboys more depth at a position where you never can have too much depth.
Taylor: The Cowboys continue to improve their depth at running back. Choice is a good, strong runner who gives the club some insurance should Marion Barber get injured, as he's capable of carrying the ball 20 times a game. He is good between the tackles, but doesn't have the speed to provide big plays on a consistent basis. He probably won't play much next year unless he makes himself a factor on kick returns, but he represents a tremendous upgrade over Tyson Thompson, the Cowboys' third running back the past three seasons.
FIFTH ROUND
8 (143) Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise State (5-10, 194)
Taylor: The Cowboys hope he will develop into a nickel or dime cornerback, but he should be a solid contributor on special teams this year because of his speed, athleticism and intelligence.
SIXTH ROUND
1 (167) Erik Walden, LB, Middle Tennessee State (6-2, 232)
Taylor: A defensive end in college, the Cowboys will convert him to linebacker and see if he can become a pass rusher.
Sporting News
War Room scouts, correspondent Jean-Jacques Taylor and SN's Vinnie Iyer analyze the Cowboys' 2008 draft class:
FIRST ROUND
22 (22) Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (5-10, 207)
War Room scouts: Owner/GM Jerry Jones goes with the "other" Arkansas back. Felix Jones is very versatile and can help the Cowboys as a runner, catching passes out of the backfield and even aligned at wide receiver. His experience sharing time with Darren McFadden at Arkansas should help him transition to a part-time role with Marion Barber.
Taylor: Jones gives the Cowboys the speed player and big-play threat they craved. He shared the ball with Darren McFadden at Arkansas, and Cowboys officials know he'll be fine sharing time with Marion Barber. Jones also is a dynamic kick returner with big-play potential. The coaches want more big plays from the running game and hope Jones' terrific speed will provide them. The Cowboys will get him the ball on screen passes and draw plays and reverses -- anything to get him in the open field -- where he has one defender to beat.
Iyer: Jones is the ideal replacement for Julius Jones, and it doesn't hurt that Arkansas alum Jerry Jones had a jones for taking a Razorbacks back. Dallas smartly adds young pop to the backfield to complement the power of Marion Barber.
25 (25) Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (5-10, 197)
War Room scouts: Cowboys moved up from No. 27 to get ahead of the Texans and Chargers, who both were eye-balling cornerbacks. Jenkins is tough and physical and should step in as the starter opposite Terence Newman. That would allow the team to move Anthony Henry to safety. This pick also gives the Cowboys insurance in case newly acquired Pacman Jones gets in trouble again.
Taylor: Jenkins is another big-play cornerback who plays the ball well. Jenkins will get every opportunity to contribute as a rookie after losing Jacques Reeves in free agency. The Cowboys struggled with injuries to Terence Newman and Anthony Henry last year, exposing their lack of depth, especially when opponents used four-receiver formations. Jenkins is not a physical player but makes tackles in one-on-one situations. He has excellent hands and is considered a playmaker.
Iyer: Our War Room friends had Jenkins rated as the top cornerback going into the draft, and Dallas probably recognized that he was too good of a first-round option where it needed to move up three spots to the Seahawks' position. The secondary is the weakest link in the Cowboys' 3-4, and Jenkins can start and contribute right away if that Pacman thing doesn't work out.
SECOND ROUND
30 (61) Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M (6-6, 258)
War Room scouts: The Cowboys traded Anthony Fasano and then replaced him with Bennett, a great athlete who isn't much of a blocker. Bennett is not going to take Jason Witten's job but should play a lot in '08 and catch a number of passes.
Taylor: Bennett, a former basketball star, is going to have an immediate role in the Cowboys' offense because they want their two tight end package to be a big part of their offense. The Cowboys like the run-pass balance that package affords them, and Bennett gives them extra flexibility because he can be split out wide. He has good speed, though he's not a blazer and his route-running needs improvement, but he does an excellent job of using his hands and creating separation when the ball is in the air.
Iyer: So Dallas cleared some roster room in trading away one tight end, Anthony Fasano, to Miami, and it decides to go in state to Texas A&M and grab another talented one here.
FOURTH ROUND
23 (122) Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech (5-10, 208)
War Room scouts: After grabbing RB Felix Jones in the first round, the Dallas Cowboys surprised War Room scouts by grabbing Choice at No. 122. Choice fell this far because of durability concerns, but he gives the Cowboys more depth at a position where you never can have too much depth.
Taylor: The Cowboys continue to improve their depth at running back. Choice is a good, strong runner who gives the club some insurance should Marion Barber get injured, as he's capable of carrying the ball 20 times a game. He is good between the tackles, but doesn't have the speed to provide big plays on a consistent basis. He probably won't play much next year unless he makes himself a factor on kick returns, but he represents a tremendous upgrade over Tyson Thompson, the Cowboys' third running back the past three seasons.
FIFTH ROUND
8 (143) Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise State (5-10, 194)
Taylor: The Cowboys hope he will develop into a nickel or dime cornerback, but he should be a solid contributor on special teams this year because of his speed, athleticism and intelligence.
SIXTH ROUND
1 (167) Erik Walden, LB, Middle Tennessee State (6-2, 232)
Taylor: A defensive end in college, the Cowboys will convert him to linebacker and see if he can become a pass rusher.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:19 PM
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