A Look Back at 2008's Draft

Well, draft weekend is over and after reading up and learning a little something about the draft class Dallas obtained, I'm mildly pleased. Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to have seen Dallas trade their second 1st round pick to Detroit for Roy Williams. I really did think that would get done this weekend. However, as it turns out the asking price was too steep for Jerry. He didn't name anyone by name but Jerry said in his press conference that they tried to trade for a veteran WR but he thought the price was too much to pay. Who knows who Jerry is referring to (I think the aforementioned Williams) but the Cowboys did some make six trades, including five on Sunday, which also helped them pick up a third- and fourth-round pick next year which could definitely come in handy. Here is a rundown of who Dallas selected along with a scouting report on each from Rivals.com with my take on the pick following:

Rd #1 - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
The Good: Jones has the quickness to be a difference-maker as a runner, receiver or kick returner. He has the quick burst to get through the hole, and boasts the ability to get to top speed quickly. As a receiver, he has a good sense of route-running. Though he may be best as a third-down back, he could surprise as a change-of-pace runner with the ability to create some interesting mismatches on early downs. The Bad: He wasn’t an every-down back at Arkansas; can he be one in the NFL? While he shows the willingness to block, his limited experience in handling that assignment could hurt his early playing time.
My Take: Solid pick here. I actually thought, since he was still available that they would take Rashard Mendenhall from Illinois however I think Jones is more complimentary to Marion Barber because Mendenhall's style is a lot like Barber's. Jones looks like he has that 5th gear, that Julius had. But, I'm a little concerned about weather Felix carry out blocking assignments and pick up blitzes. A friend of mine, Chance Justice, put it this way: "Jones (Jerry) got his Jones (Felix) which looks to be better than the former Jones (Julius)." Let's hope so...

Rd #1 - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The Good: Jenkins has the athletic package to become a top-flight NFL cover man. He has the size, speed, quickness and instincts to become a starting pro cover man. His change-of-direction skills allow him to match up in man coverage. He is a well-built athlete who moves very well and is quick to react to routes and the ball in flight. He can be a physical defender - especially when he uses the bump-and-run technique. The Bad: He has performed better in zone coverage than man-to-man situations and needs to be technically sound consistently against fast receivers in one-on-one situations.
My Take: Again, this was a solid pick (even though, as I said above, I would have liked to have seen this pick traded for a vet WR). Rivals actually has Jenkins as the #3 CB in the whole draft so I think he should be a stud. I remember hearing the knock on him was being inconsistent though. This was a wise pick because Dallas didn't want to let the recent Pac Man trade to dictate what they did in the draft...who knows if he will even be reinstate and, if so, if he will keep his nose clean and stay reinstated. If that whole thing falls through, then Dallas has assured themselves of a top tier CB who can step right in. Plus, if there is one thing I heard (and saw last year) about cornerbacks is that a team can never have enough good ones.

Rd #2 - Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
The Good: This athletic junior is a big, angular athlete with long limbs and natural pass-catching skills. He has fine athleticism with the speed to get into the deep seam and make the big play. He has good hands and can gain yardage after making catches. He is a difficult red-zone match up. He has fine leaping ability and a good understanding of coverage. He is especially effective in the shorter routes, where his size, agility and body control allow him to win jump-ball situations and create major match up problems. The Bad: He relies on finesse as a blocker and needs development. He shows inconsistent blocking technique with marginal strength, especially in the lower body. He fails to play with consistent leverage and comes off the snap too high, which negates his size.
My Take: This was a pick to replace the exodus of Anthony Fasano, which Dallas traded on Friday for a 4th round pick. Looks like he is a good receiving TE but not blocking...just like Tony Curtis. Blocking though is something that can also be taught...athleticism, which he has, can't.

Rd #4 - Tashard Choice, RB, Georiga Tech
The Good: He is a natural runner with a nice combination of size, quickness, power and cutting skills. When he runs with good pad level, he dishes out punishment on tacklers with his downhill running style. He has good balance and body control. The Bad: He lacks the extra gear to run away from defenders consistently. He runs in a straight-up style at times and takes too many hits as a result. Has had some injury concerns.
My Take: Since the team didn't resign Tyson Thompson, the Cowboys needed another RB to go behind Barber and Jones. We may, or may not, see that much of him except in trash time but this was a good pick to give insurance in case either Barber or Jones gets injured. Since he played in a major conference against good competition, I'm not too worried that, if asked, he won't be able to get the job done once he learns the NFL.

Rd #5 - Orlando Scandrick , CB, Boise State
The Good: Scandrick displayed game-to-game consistency last fall to maintain a high grade. He performed well against top conference receivers and passers. He has the size and athleticism to match up against big receivers, and is quick enough to cover smaller receivers. He has the recovery speed to make up ground in the deep game and make a play on the ball. Despite his compact smallish frame, he is a tough defender who will come up and make a tackle. The Bad: He will have to improve his overall strength and some basic techniques - especially the bump and run moves - to earn early NFL playing time as a nickel corner.
My Take: Since I don't watch Boise State, I don't know a thing about this guy so I'm going to have to take Rivals word for it that he played week against top conference WRs. Add this guy to the platoon of CBs Dallas already has in Alan Ball, Quincy Butler and Evan Oglesby. I know they like Alan Ball so I bet he sticks around so it's going to be a dog fight to see, between Butler, Oglesby and Scandrick, who can make the team. Once again, can't have too many good CBs.

Rd #6 - Erik Walden, DE, Middle Tennessee State
The Good: Walden was the Sun Belt’s top pass rusher the past few seasons. He has 22.5 career sacks, including 10 as a junior. This hybrid pass rusher could stick on a team that utilizes a 3-4 defensive scheme. The Bad: Walden may be relegated to a role as a situational pass rusher or special teams performer.
My Take: Again, since I didn't see MTSU play, I don't know anything about this guy. However, I was reminded today that Dallas picked up Jay Ratliff in the 7th round a couple of years ago and he is now a starter. Sounds like Dallas has the right defensive scheme for him to be successful so who knows, this guy could become a solid contributor eventually.

Overall, the Cowboys were able to do a little bit of everything in this draft except address their WR need which, I think, is pretty big. I'm not too concerned with Owens but I'm more than a little concerned about Terry Glenn getting back to his previous form. He's 34 and had 2 surgeries on his knee within 6 months last year. And keep in mind that Glenn's whole game is speed. He doesn't go over the middle to keep chains moving...he is a burner that you send on a fly route, to the post or on a flea flicker. Dallas needs to get a answer to this issue. I think we saw that Patrick Crayton, while being a solid #3 receiver, is just that...a #3, not a #2. This is where I think Roy Williams would have been a HUGE asset. But oh well...

I was pleased with the draft but don't expect many of the pundits and talking heads to give it more than a "C" grade, maybe a "B-" at most. But being 13-3 last season, the Cowboys didn't need to have an "A" draft. Let's hope it doesn't go back to that anytime soon.