Potential Draft Picks: Texas, WR, Jordan Shipley

The number one priority on my list of 2010 Cowboys’ draft needs is a gamebreaking return man who can also play the slot.  Patrick Crayton did a solid job on returns this year, but the success Dallas had on punt returns was in spite of him, not because of him.  Further, Crayton cannot return kickoffs, so a guy who can handle both return spots and do it with explosiveness would be a great luxury.

Texas’ Jordan Shipley could be the answer.  Shipley racked up 116 catches for 1,485 yards and 13 scores this season, and averaged 13.0 yards on punt returns with two touchdowns.  I am certainly higher on him than most draft experts, as I see him as a true difference-maker, even at the next level.

Texas' WR Jordan Shipley's versatility would make him an excellent 2nd or 3rd round selection.

Scouting Report

Shipley has excellent lateral quickness and moves, but still does a great job of running north and south.  His balance and body control are tremendous, perhaps as good as they get.  Shipley does not possess burning speed, but is by no means slow (he should run a mid to high 4.4).  He could have trouble fighting for the ball or going up to get a jump ball, but if used correctly in the slot, these weaknesses should not get exposed regularly.

Projection

Shipley figures to go anywhere from the late-second to third round.  He might be a slight reach when the Cowboys select at pick #59, but the upside and versatility Shipley would bring the ‘Boys would more than make up for it.

Mailbag 2/5/10

Q:  Why did you not list safety or wide receiver as positions of need to focus on in the draft?  Sensabaugh is a free agent and Roy Williams just is not getting it done.

(Charles, Austin, TX)

Many people forget the Cowboys did address the safety position with Clemson S Michael Hamlin last season.

A: Gerald Sensabaugh is a restricted free agent, meaning he is free to sign with another team, but the Cowboys will have seven days to match any offer, or receive draft picks if they choose to not match an offer.  However, I fully expect the Cowboys to sign Gerald Sensabaugh, and Ken Hamlin is still under contract.  While the position is by no means flawless, I just see other positions as bigger problem areas.  Also, don’t forget the Cowboys drafted S Michael Hamlin out of Clemson last season.

I actually see the wide receiver position as one of the strengths of this team, due in large part to the emergence of Miles Austin.  Sure, Roy Williams was not even be a solid #2 WR this season, but, like it or not, his contract makes it very difficult to unload him.  Upgrading the #3 WR spot is a possibility, particularly if it is a guy who can return, such as Texas’ Jordan Shipley, but Crayton really came on strong at the end of the year.

Safety and wide receiver are positions that can be upgraded, but I just see a few other spots as more of a priority.

Q: How can you list OT as a top position of concern when we have Colombo, Adams, and now Free?

(Randy R., Philadelphia, PA)

With Flozell Adams' struggles in '09, the Cowboys could look at a guy like USC T Charles Brown at pick #27.

A: Like I said before, I am not very high on Flozell Adams anymore.  He has been so good for so long that it may be hard to accept his struggles, but the reality is that, despite playing better later in the season, he gave up a ton of sacks and got called for a bunch of penalties.  Dallas has desperately got to sort out their penalty problem, and he is the #1 culprit on the team.

Secondly, Free did an admirable job stepping in for Colombo, but his perceived success was largely the result of our expectations.  We expected him to struggle, and when he played average, people chalked it up as a win.  I do think he can be a future starter, but right now he is best suited as a backup swing tackle.

Potential Draft Picks: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

Alabama's Rolando McClain is an ideal 3-4 ILB, and would be an on-field upgrade over Brooking.

With Cowboys inside linebackers Bradie James and Keith Brooking aging quickly and Bobby Carpenter limited in his role, the time is right to bolster the position.  Most 3-4 ILB’s are heavier than their 4-3 counterpart because they are more likely to not be covered up by a defensive lineman and have to take on blocks.

Having said that, the Cowboys could really benefit from an inside linebacker who is solid against both the run and pass.  Many scouts and draft analysts see Alabama’s Rolando McClain as this type of player.

Scouting Report

At 6’4”, 256 pounds, McClain has ideal size to play inside in a 3-4, as well as great experience in the system.  He is a superb tackler, always wrapping up well, and an excellent blitzer.  While others also commend his ability to defend the pass, I do not see this as one of his strengths.  McClain has bad hips and does not transition well out of breaks, and also has limited sideline-to-sideline speed.  His short shuttle time at the Combine will be very telling.

McClain is apparently a tremendous vocal leader.  He has great intelligence, and character concerns should not be an issue with him.  His ability to lead a defense would benefit Dallas greatly once Brooking leaves, and he is about as safe a late-first round pick as you can find.

Projection

McClain is projected to go as high as around pick 10, but I chose to add him as a potential Cowboys’ draft pick because ILB’s tend to drop on draft day.   Despite Jerry Jones saying the Cowboys would not move up in this draft, I am not so sure it wouldn’t be a good move.  There are limited available roster spots, meaning the Cowboys would be wise to emphasize quality over quantity in this draft.  To nab McClain, Dallas will most likely have to move up, but if he should somehow fall to pick 27, it appears to be a no-brainer to me.

Potential Draft Picks: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho

According to The Dallas Morning News, Cowboys' scouts are very high on Idaho guard Mike Iupati.

There is wide speculation that the Cowboys need an upgrade at guard, particularly a young player to replace Kyle Kosier.  I personally believe Kosier was the Cowboys’ most consistent lineman all season, and I plan to give statistics to back that up once I conclude my film study in the coming weeks.

Nonetheless, the Cowboys’ Senior Bowl contingent apparently “perked up” quite a bit when Idaho guard Mike Iupati’s name was called at weigh-ins.   Iupati is a player that NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock called perhaps the best lineman in the draft.  While that is a bit of a stretch (considering there is a solid chance Iupati will still be on the board when Dallas picks at No. 27), Iupati can be dominant at times.

Even with the Pro Bowl play of Leonard Davis and the under-appreciated Kyle Kosier, the Cowboys are dying to get younger at all of the o-line positions.  Additionally, the team desperately needs a quality backup guard, as Montrae Holland and Cory Procter are about the 52nd and 53rd best players on the team.  Dallas found a quality backup at tackle in Doug Free, and solidifying the guard position with a guy like Mike Iupati might make sense.

Scouting Report

At 6’5”, 325 lbs, Iupati has great size.  Surprisingly, he displays good athleticism despite his large frame.  On film, he routinely dominates in the running game, but does not show that same level of dominance in pass pro.  This is a concern considering the level of competition he played against.

At the Senior Bowl, Iupati was the consensus most impressive player all week in practice, but did not translate this success to the game.  He was dominant in run blocking, as usual, but struggled in pass pro.

Projection

Iupati figures to go anywhere from mid-first to early-second, so he may or may not be on the board at pick 27.