WFAA Blog: Let us review the 2008 draft
by Josh Harvey
1 (22) Felix Jones RB
1 (25) Mike Jenkins CB
2 (61) Martellus Bennett TE
4 (122)Tashard Choice RB
5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB
6 (167) Erik Walden OLB
This was the Cowboys 2008 draft class. Not a horrible class. Someday it might be argued that it's one of Jerry Jones' best classes, but today I'm going to play arm-chair quarterback. This is who the Cowboys could have had instead.
Round 1
Picked: RB.) Felix Jones
Instead: RB.) Chris Johnson- I know everyone in DFW is in love with Felix, but let's face it. He is injury prone. What Chris Johnson did in Tennessee was pretty amazing. Splitting time with Lendale White, Johnson still managed to put up 1,200 yards and 9 touchdowns. He had a legitimate gripe when he was not selected Rookie of the Year. I like Jones, but Johnson is the better all-around player. Not to mention he also ran a better forty-time at the combine than Felix. Jones- 4.49 Johnson- 4.32
Round 1
Picked: CB.) Mike Jenkins
Instead: S.) Kenny Phillips- I would have to consider Jenkins a bust at this point. He didn't have a horrible season, but I can think of at least four rookie corners that were picked after Jenkins that played better. It is no secret that the Cowboys need help in the secondary and Kenny Phillips could have provided that. The Miami Hurricanes product had 67 tackles and 1 interception for the New York Giants this season. His college coaching staff said he had the body of Sean Taylor and the knowledge/quickness of Ed Reed. Sounds like someone I would want in Dallas for a while.
Round 2
Picked: TE.) Martellus Bennett
Instead: RB.) Steve Slaton- I expect to hear some boos around here. Bennett is a good player, but the Cowboys already have the Pro-Bowl version of him. The Cowboys have way to many weapons for Bennett to be really involved in the offense. Practice squad tight end Rodney Hannah would have filled in just fine for the Cowboys in two tight end formations. Taking Slaton was a tough call. I really like Tashard Choice, but Slaton is possibly the next Willie Parker. I can't leave talent like that on the board. Now the Cowboys have their three headed monster. Barber- bruiser, Johnson- speed, Slaton- all
Round 4
Picked: RB.) Tashard Choice
Instead: OT/OG Carl Nicks- I like Choice here. He is a great guy and a great running back, but with taking Slaton in the third round, Choice is no longer needed. Nicks started 13 games for the pass happy New Orleans Saints. Did you see Drew Brees on the ground as much as Tony Romo? He is a big offensive tackle from Nebraska and also has offensive guard experience. Sounds like someone that would have given the Cowboys a little more depth on the line. It's not often you get a starting caliber player in the fourth round. Nicks would have been a great choice.
Round 5
Picked: CB.) Orlando Scandrick
Instead: CB.) Orlando Scandrick- This is already proving to be a huge steal for the Cowboys. Scandrick had a wonderful rookie season and played better than 1st round pick Mike Jenkins. Scandrick had 1st round talent, but dropped because of rumors regarding his attitude. Look for Orlando to be a full-time starter in a few years.
Round 6
Picked: OLB.) Erik Walden
Instead: WR.) Josh Morgan- While Walden never saw the field in a regular season game for the Cowboys, Morgan had a respectable year in San Francisco. The Virginia Tech product had 20 catches and 3 touchdowns in 11 games for the 49ers. A very fast receiver, if Morgan has been drafted by the Cowboys, Roy Williams might not have been needed.
I know the first thing people are going to jump on me about. Where is the other corner? In my opinion after drafting Scandrick you don't need another corner. The Cowboys had a corner already in camp that could have made up the difference. Evan Oglesby was a late cut and picked up by Baltimore. He is now on the active roster for the Ravens defense. That same defense that killed the Cowboys and is mowing over teams in the playoffs. Even TCU product Quincy Butler could have been serviceable. He was released by the Cowboys late preseason and picked up by the St. Louis Rams.
Actual:
1 (22) Felix Jones RB
1 (25) Mike Jenkins CB
2 (61) Martellus Bennett TE
4 (122)Tashard Choice RB
5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB
6 (167) Erik Walden OLB
Mine:
1 (22) Chris Johnson RB
1 (25) Kenny Phillips S
2 (61) Steve Slaton RB
4 (122) Carl Nicks OT/OG
5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB
6 (167) Josh Morgan WR
__________________
1 (22) Felix Jones RB
1 (25) Mike Jenkins CB
2 (61) Martellus Bennett TE
4 (122)Tashard Choice RB
5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB
6 (167) Erik Walden OLB
This was the Cowboys 2008 draft class. Not a horrible class. Someday it might be argued that it's one of Jerry Jones' best classes, but today I'm going to play arm-chair quarterback. This is who the Cowboys could have had instead.
Round 1
Picked: RB.) Felix Jones
Instead: RB.) Chris Johnson- I know everyone in DFW is in love with Felix, but let's face it. He is injury prone. What Chris Johnson did in Tennessee was pretty amazing. Splitting time with Lendale White, Johnson still managed to put up 1,200 yards and 9 touchdowns. He had a legitimate gripe when he was not selected Rookie of the Year. I like Jones, but Johnson is the better all-around player. Not to mention he also ran a better forty-time at the combine than Felix. Jones- 4.49 Johnson- 4.32
Round 1
Picked: CB.) Mike Jenkins
Instead: S.) Kenny Phillips- I would have to consider Jenkins a bust at this point. He didn't have a horrible season, but I can think of at least four rookie corners that were picked after Jenkins that played better. It is no secret that the Cowboys need help in the secondary and Kenny Phillips could have provided that. The Miami Hurricanes product had 67 tackles and 1 interception for the New York Giants this season. His college coaching staff said he had the body of Sean Taylor and the knowledge/quickness of Ed Reed. Sounds like someone I would want in Dallas for a while.
Round 2
Picked: TE.) Martellus Bennett
Instead: RB.) Steve Slaton- I expect to hear some boos around here. Bennett is a good player, but the Cowboys already have the Pro-Bowl version of him. The Cowboys have way to many weapons for Bennett to be really involved in the offense. Practice squad tight end Rodney Hannah would have filled in just fine for the Cowboys in two tight end formations. Taking Slaton was a tough call. I really like Tashard Choice, but Slaton is possibly the next Willie Parker. I can't leave talent like that on the board. Now the Cowboys have their three headed monster. Barber- bruiser, Johnson- speed, Slaton- all
Round 4
Picked: RB.) Tashard Choice
Instead: OT/OG Carl Nicks- I like Choice here. He is a great guy and a great running back, but with taking Slaton in the third round, Choice is no longer needed. Nicks started 13 games for the pass happy New Orleans Saints. Did you see Drew Brees on the ground as much as Tony Romo? He is a big offensive tackle from Nebraska and also has offensive guard experience. Sounds like someone that would have given the Cowboys a little more depth on the line. It's not often you get a starting caliber player in the fourth round. Nicks would have been a great choice.
Round 5
Picked: CB.) Orlando Scandrick
Instead: CB.) Orlando Scandrick- This is already proving to be a huge steal for the Cowboys. Scandrick had a wonderful rookie season and played better than 1st round pick Mike Jenkins. Scandrick had 1st round talent, but dropped because of rumors regarding his attitude. Look for Orlando to be a full-time starter in a few years.
Round 6
Picked: OLB.) Erik Walden
Instead: WR.) Josh Morgan- While Walden never saw the field in a regular season game for the Cowboys, Morgan had a respectable year in San Francisco. The Virginia Tech product had 20 catches and 3 touchdowns in 11 games for the 49ers. A very fast receiver, if Morgan has been drafted by the Cowboys, Roy Williams might not have been needed.
I know the first thing people are going to jump on me about. Where is the other corner? In my opinion after drafting Scandrick you don't need another corner. The Cowboys had a corner already in camp that could have made up the difference. Evan Oglesby was a late cut and picked up by Baltimore. He is now on the active roster for the Ravens defense. That same defense that killed the Cowboys and is mowing over teams in the playoffs. Even TCU product Quincy Butler could have been serviceable. He was released by the Cowboys late preseason and picked up by the St. Louis Rams.
Actual:
1 (22) Felix Jones RB
1 (25) Mike Jenkins CB
2 (61) Martellus Bennett TE
4 (122)Tashard Choice RB
5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB
6 (167) Erik Walden OLB
Mine:
1 (22) Chris Johnson RB
1 (25) Kenny Phillips S
2 (61) Steve Slaton RB
4 (122) Carl Nicks OT/OG
5 (143) Orlando Scandrick CB
6 (167) Josh Morgan WR
__________________
posted by The Gryphon at 5:06 PM
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