DMN Blog: ETAs on draft picks' development into starters... Mosley Post #6
by Tim MacMahon
The Cowboys' draft is being questioned because they didn't select enough potential starters with their dozen picks.
The guys who were in the War Room would tell you that they picked several potential starters who can make an immediate impact on special teams.
Let's take a look at the timetable on when these picks could crack the starting lineup:
LB Jason Williams (third round, 69th overall): If Williams develops as the Cowboys anticipate, he should be a starter by his third season. Keith Brooking will be 35 years old when his two-year contract expires. The Cowboys need Williams to be ready to take over the weakside inside linebacker job when that happens.
G/T Robert Brewster (third round, 75th overall): The Cowboys want competition for Kyle Kosier this summer. They'll need replacements for Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo in the not-too-distant future, although both tackles have several years remaining on their contracts. The Cowboys say Brewster can all four guard or tackle positions, but it's difficult to envision a guy who played right tackle in college protecting Tony Romo's blind side. Left guard is his best chance to crack the starting lineup within the next two seasons.
QB Stephen McGee (fourth round, 101st overall): With Tony Romo and Jon Kitna, the Cowboys can be patient with their developmental QB. The best-case scenario is that Romo stays healthy and goes to a few more Pro Bowls while McGee develops into a starting-caliber QB the Cowboys can flip for premium draft picks. If Romo has health problems or falters as the franchise QB, McGee could have a chance to be the Cowboys starter in 2012 or so.
OLB Victor Butler (fourth round, 110th overall): The Cowboys are counting on DeMarcus Ware dominating for a long time. Former first-round pick Anthony Spencer will have to be a disappointment for a starting OLB job to become available. Butler was drafted to be a rotational pass-rusher.
OLB Brandon Williams (fourth round, 120th overall): Ditto.
FS/CB DeAngelo Smith (fifth round, 143rd overall): It will be very difficult for a rookie to beat out Gerald Sensabaugh, who signed a one-year deal to replace Roy Williams. The job could be wide open next season, especially if the rookies' development convinces the Cowboys that Sensabaugh doesn't need to be re-signed.
FS Michael Hamlin (fifth round, 166th overall): Ditto.
K/special teams dude David Buehler (fifth round, 172nd overall): Unless Nick Folk loses it or gets hurt, Buehler won't be scoring points for the Cowboys.
ILB Stephen Hodge (sixth round, 197th overall): If the converted safety develops into a starter, that'd be a pleasant surprise. The Cowboys hope he can have a Bill Bates-like career as a special teamer.
Virginia TE John Phillips (sixth round, 208th overall): Jason Witten is the league's best all-around tight end. Martellus Bennett might have more talent. It'd be stunning if Phillips ever starts.
CB Mike Mickens (seventh round, 227th overall): Even if his knee isn't an issue, Mickens is a long shot to ever become a starter. The Cowboys drafted Mike Jenkins in the first round last season. Orlando Scandrick was one of the top rookie corners in the league last year.
WR Manuel Johnson (seventh round, 229th overall): Seventh-rounder Patrick Crayton or undrafted Miles Austin will start at receiver for the Cowboys this season, so Johnson has a shot to someday develop into a starter. But it's a long shot.
The Cowboys' draft is being questioned because they didn't select enough potential starters with their dozen picks.
The guys who were in the War Room would tell you that they picked several potential starters who can make an immediate impact on special teams.
Let's take a look at the timetable on when these picks could crack the starting lineup:
LB Jason Williams (third round, 69th overall): If Williams develops as the Cowboys anticipate, he should be a starter by his third season. Keith Brooking will be 35 years old when his two-year contract expires. The Cowboys need Williams to be ready to take over the weakside inside linebacker job when that happens.
G/T Robert Brewster (third round, 75th overall): The Cowboys want competition for Kyle Kosier this summer. They'll need replacements for Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo in the not-too-distant future, although both tackles have several years remaining on their contracts. The Cowboys say Brewster can all four guard or tackle positions, but it's difficult to envision a guy who played right tackle in college protecting Tony Romo's blind side. Left guard is his best chance to crack the starting lineup within the next two seasons.
QB Stephen McGee (fourth round, 101st overall): With Tony Romo and Jon Kitna, the Cowboys can be patient with their developmental QB. The best-case scenario is that Romo stays healthy and goes to a few more Pro Bowls while McGee develops into a starting-caliber QB the Cowboys can flip for premium draft picks. If Romo has health problems or falters as the franchise QB, McGee could have a chance to be the Cowboys starter in 2012 or so.
OLB Victor Butler (fourth round, 110th overall): The Cowboys are counting on DeMarcus Ware dominating for a long time. Former first-round pick Anthony Spencer will have to be a disappointment for a starting OLB job to become available. Butler was drafted to be a rotational pass-rusher.
OLB Brandon Williams (fourth round, 120th overall): Ditto.
FS/CB DeAngelo Smith (fifth round, 143rd overall): It will be very difficult for a rookie to beat out Gerald Sensabaugh, who signed a one-year deal to replace Roy Williams. The job could be wide open next season, especially if the rookies' development convinces the Cowboys that Sensabaugh doesn't need to be re-signed.
FS Michael Hamlin (fifth round, 166th overall): Ditto.
K/special teams dude David Buehler (fifth round, 172nd overall): Unless Nick Folk loses it or gets hurt, Buehler won't be scoring points for the Cowboys.
ILB Stephen Hodge (sixth round, 197th overall): If the converted safety develops into a starter, that'd be a pleasant surprise. The Cowboys hope he can have a Bill Bates-like career as a special teamer.
Virginia TE John Phillips (sixth round, 208th overall): Jason Witten is the league's best all-around tight end. Martellus Bennett might have more talent. It'd be stunning if Phillips ever starts.
CB Mike Mickens (seventh round, 227th overall): Even if his knee isn't an issue, Mickens is a long shot to ever become a starter. The Cowboys drafted Mike Jenkins in the first round last season. Orlando Scandrick was one of the top rookie corners in the league last year.
WR Manuel Johnson (seventh round, 229th overall): Seventh-rounder Patrick Crayton or undrafted Miles Austin will start at receiver for the Cowboys this season, so Johnson has a shot to someday develop into a starter. But it's a long shot.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:06 AM
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