2010 Cowboys-Only Mock Draft: Version 2.0

In our first Cowboys-only Mock Draft, we projected Dallas to select Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick and Ole Miss RB/WR Dexter McCluster with their first two picks.  In Version 2.0 of our Cowboys Mock Draft, we will give you an alternate path the Cowboys may take come April 22nd.

Charles Brown

Round 1- Charles Brown, OT, USC

We profiled Charles Brown in our “Potential Draft Picks” Series, detailing why he is not the typical Cowboys’ lineman.  Brown is just 300 pounds and could be a great choice for a West Coast offense, as he excels in pass protection.  After the playoff loss in Minnesota, though, Dallas likely wants to upgrade their pass protection.  If Brown is still on the board at pick #27, his selection could mean Dallas is changing their offensive philosophy a bit.

Morgan Burnett

Round 2- Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech

Burnett is the sort of safety Dallas covets in that he is versatile enough to play either strong or free safety.  Many people are speculating that the Cowboys could sign soon-to-be free agent Antrel Rolle.  If that happens (which we still see as unlikely), Burnett would not be an option here.  Also, if Texas safety Earl Thomas drops to the Cowboys’ first-round pick, expect him to be the pick and for the team to obviously go a different direction here.

Micah Johnson

Round 3- Micah Johnson, ILB, Kentucky

Micah Johnson certainly possesses all of the physical tools to excel in the NFL, but his health is a question mark.  We listed his physical as one of ten things to watch at the Combine.  If that ends up checking out, Johnson could rise up boards.  He is a sideline-to-sideline player who, in our opinion, can play all three downs.  Dallas will likely have to grab him in round three if they are interested.

**UPDATE: Micah Johnson just ran an unofficial 4.99 at the Combine.  He did manage 34 reps on the bench press, but with this time and his injury history, Johnson will probably last until the fourth round.  His pro day will be enormous for him.

Jacoby Ford

Round 4- Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson

After notching the fastest forty-yard dash (4.28 official time) at the Combine on Sunday, Ford may rise up some boards.  The problem is that he is a poor route runner and doesn’t play nearly as fast as he tested.  He is a track star that knows how to run fast in a straight line, but has yet to translate that speed to the football field.  We saw him as a fifth or sixth round pick earlier, so expecting him to drop to the back of the fourth round is realistic.  Dallas may view him as an upgrade at both return positions.

Corey Peters

Round 6- Corey Peters, DT/DE, Kentucky

Kentucky isn’t exactly a football powerhouse, but we have two of their defenders becoming Cowboys in this particular Mock Draft.  Peters, a guy who would have to transition to the “five-technique” in Dallas’ 3-4, would be a project.  He had a big-time senior season with 11 tackles for loss and four sacks.  He would likely have to compete with practice squad DE Marcus Dixon for a roster spot.

Walter McFadden

Round 7- Walter McFadden, CB, Auburn

You can never have enough talented cornerbacks.  McFadden would be a long-shot to have an impact in the near future, but he has good height and adequate speed.  He would need to put on a bit of bulk, but perhaps he could push Scandrick to perform better in the slot.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this mock draft or suggest alternative options for upcoming mock drafts.

Cowboys Mailbag: 3/1/10

Curtis Johnson played DE for the Colts before Dallas signed him as an outside linebacker.

Q:  The Colts waived Curtis Johnson right before the 2009 season started and Dallas claimed him.  All year long it was reported that he was trying to heal from an injury to his leg, so he was inactive for much of the season.  But, the Cowboys still kept him around.  Is he that special?  He must be for them to go short all season long while carrying him on the active roster.  Can you give us some insight into this player?  Thanks!

Edward Toerner, Lafayette, LA

A: Johnson was undrafted in 2008 before signing with the Colts.  Dallas claimed him one day after Indianapolis released him last season, so they obviously had a lot of interest.

Johnson is undersized for a 3-4 outside linebacker, even though he played defensive end for the Colts.  He has been working to add a little bulk, and he has the right body frame to be able to add some quality weight.

The key for Johnson will be if he can maintain his speed after adding the weight.  He ran a 4.60 forty-yard dash coming out of Clark College, so if he stay in that 4.6-4.7 range, he has a chance to be a special player.  He will likely have to be a pass rush specialist to start, particularly because he doesn’t have much experience playing in a two-point stance.  Even if he only rushes and never drops into coverage, it can be a difficult transition from 4-3 defensive end to rushing from a stand-up position.

The other problem for Johnson is the depth Dallas has at outside linebacker.  Of course Ware and Spencer start, but the team also drafted Victor Butler last season.  Still, things can change quickly with an injury or two, and the Cowboys obviously see enough potential in Curtis to keep him around.

Marion Barber may get his bounce back by returning to the "closer" role.

Q:  When Marion Barber became the full-time back, I read that the coaching staff was trying to tweak his running style in order for him to take less punishment since he was getting the bulk of the carries.  Do you think this has anything to do with his performance since becoming the full-time starter and is he still trying to run “smarter”?  I say set the Barbarian loose!

Justen Coulsen

A: We detailed the decline of Barber’s 2009 production in our Running Back Grades segment, but it is unlikely that his struggles are due to a change in running style.  The coaches wanted him to avoid unnecessary hits in situations where gaining any further yards is highly unlikely.  You always want your players to give 100 percent on each play, but sometimes going down on purpose or running out of bounds on a dead play is the smartest decision.  In a way, this is truly giving 100 percent, because a player is implementing his intelligence to make a decision which is smart for both him and the team.

Quarterback slides are another example of this.  Sure, quarterbacks could get another yard or two by not sliding, but that isn’t the smart play.  Running backs are a bit different, but sometimes it is best for the team for Barber to just go down.

If there is a part of Barber’s running style that has contributed to his decline, we believe it is the league’s crackdown on stiff arms to the head of the defender.  A few years ago, using jabs to the defender’s head was a big part of Marion’s game.  Since this move has been made illegal, Barber’s production has decreased, although we can’t be completely sure how strong the two are correlated.

Overall, though, Barber’s struggles are probably due to a variety of factors.  Perhaps a return to the “closer” role Barber performed so well in during the days of Julius Jones may serve him well.

Q:  How much do teams alter their draft boards based on Combine numbers?

Fred Jennette, Phoenix, AZ

Golden Tate's 4.42 forty could propel him into Round One.

A: This really varies based on the team.  The Oakland Raiders are well known for taking players who excel at the Combine, i.e. Heyward-Bey over Crabtree.  Other teams don’t pay any attention to the Combine workouts unless a particular number really jumps out.

The teams which consistently draft the best seem to not overreact to workout numbers.  Generally, these teams will rank players into tiers based on their game film.  The film is used for about 90 percent of the evaluation.  They will then move players around within a tier based on their numbers.

For example, if the Cowboys have both Golden Tate and Mardy Gilyard graded evenly, they may move Tate ahead of Gilyard based on the drastic difference in their forty-yard dash times.  Thus, the Combine creates no drastic changes on a team’s board, but simply sorts out the order of players within the same tier.  Game film will always rule, as it should.

News and Notes

• Will the Cowboys draft Combine-star Maryland OT Bruce Campbell?

• The Cowboys will get to see Emmitt Smith inducted into the Hall of Fame since they play the first preseason game that weekend.

• Stephen Jones says the Cowboys will build through the draft.

• The Cowboys will not stand pat this offseason, adding 10 or 11 new players.

Terrell Owens Interview

• The Cowboys could have extra motivation against New Orleans next season.

• Roy Williams is set to be the Cowboys’ opening day starter at WR.

• Wade Phillips thinks Anthony Spencer was one of the team’s best players at the end of ’09.

Cowboys Potential Draft Picks: Brian Price, DT/DE, UCLA

UCLA DT Brian Price may be able to transition to defensive end in a 3-4.

We have detailed in the past how often 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL were frequently defensive tackles in college.  Cowboys’ defensive end Marcus Spears, for example, was a defensive tackle at LSU.  In a 4-3 defense, he played what is called a “three-technique,” meaning he lined up over the offensive guard.  In comparison, a 3-4 defensive tackle, or nose tackle, plays a “zero-technique.”  He lines up directly over the center.

When 4-3 defensive tackles transition to 3-4 ends, they simply kick out a bit further down the line to line up over the tackle.  This is called playing a “five-technique.”  Thus, the Cowboys will have their eye on a variety of defensive tackles in this year’s draft, some of whom will stay at defensive tackle in the 3-4, and some of whom will have to transform into defensive ends.

Although it is not the sole factor in determining a college defensive tackle’s future position for a 3-4 NFL team, the player’s weight often gives you an idea of where they will line up.  The Cowboys will look at tackles who are 315+ pounds as potential backups for Jay Ratliff at nose tackle, while those in the 300 pound range will have to switch over to the “five-technique” defensive end.

Defensive tackle Brian Price of UCLA is one of these players that would likely have to transition to defensive end in the Cowboys’ 3-4 scheme.  We have him listed as the 28th best overall prospect.

Scouting Report

Because of the popularity of defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy, UCLA’s Brian Price is getting little publicity.  He may be the best “unknown” player in the draft, though.  He has tremendous quickness in small areas.  His first step is as good as anyone’s in the league, and although some see him only as a 4-3 defensive tackle, we think his quickness would make the transition to 3-4 defensive end relatively smooth.

For his size (6’2”, 302 pounds), Price has extraordinary athleticism.  He reminds us of a better pass-rushing Marcus Spears, which is big praise.  He really does an excellent job of diagnosing plays and trusting his read.

Price’s body frame appears to have little room for growth, and he can sometimes get overpowered inside.   A lot of the popular knocks on him, though, could be alleviated if he moves to the “five-technique.”  To be effective in that position, Price will have to improve against the run while maintaining the instincts and quickness that allow him to be an outstanding pass-rusher.

Projection

Price is right on the border of the Cowboys’ 27th pick.  His draft stock depends greatly on how teams view him.  Teams that employ a 4-3 defense will likely be interested in Price, but the 3-4 squads may not see him as we do.  If they don’t, there is a solid chance that Price drops to pick 27.  The question, then, would be if Dallas thinks Price can move to defensive end.  If so, they could attain pretty good value with the selection.