NFL Draft Combine: Names To Know
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
It's day one for me at the NFL Draft Combine up in Indianapolis and my first observation is that it's cold. Colder than a polar bear's private parts. Imagine an 80 degree day. That's 48 degrees above freezing right? 48 degrees from freezing is a huge difference. Well the wind chill this morning is -18. That's 50 degrees from freezing. And it's dumb. I vote we get rid of cold.
[tweet https://twitter.com/JC1053/status/568407676369162240]
Secondly, room arrangements. 1 bed, 4 humans. I got the cushions that Bryan Broaddus was kind enough to lay on the floor for me. Pictured here I think.
As for actual draft/combine content here, let's go ahead and get it started. Surely most people are interested in possible Cowboy targets at #27 there in the first round. So as a starting point I'll lay out a few guys that are of particular interest to me here in Indy because they make a little bit of sense if the Cowboys stay put and make a selection at #27.
First how about we eliminate a few guys that are almost certainly going to be unavailable for the Cowboys to select because someone will take them well before it's time for the Boys to pick.
Leonard Williams - USC Defensive Tackle - He's gonna be long gone for good reason. He's an extremely well rounded and versatile player on the DL. Big, powerful, pretty quick, disruptive. I don't see how he's not a really solid NFL player.
Randy Gregory - Nebraska Edge Rusher - Count me in the group that will be a little relieved to hear his name called so the Boys don't have a chance at him. Everyone has him being drafted in the top 3 and I tried my best to see it and understand it. I've seen every snap he's played. I think guys just love the tools he has, everyone loves a long pass rusher with really good athleticism and movement. I'd like to have that coupled with much more consistent beating of LT's and TE's. He just gets blocked a lot.
Jameis Winston/Marcus Mariota - We haven't studied the QB's yet, will surely be interesting when we do.
Amari Cooper/Kevin White/DeVante Parker - The top WR's will probably be gone as well, happy to break them down in a separate post later on. I will say that the order I typed them in is the order I have them ranked.
Dante Fowler Jr - Florida Edge Rusher - This is a guy that the tape says is an explosive edge player, gives OT's fits. He should be getting all the attention that is going to Randy Gregory. Gets off blocks, they move him around to different spots, seems to enjoy the contact part of football. Needs to be a stronger and more disciplined player against the run, but he's a good one.
Danny Shelton - DT Washington - Monster of a man that I think is athletic enough to play a 1 technique DT in a 4-3 scheme but also big and strong enough to be a NT in a 3-4. Know what means? Anyone could use him, and he's gone before 27.
Shane Ray - DE Missouri - Best initial burst off the line of all the pass rushers in this draft. Can beat OT's inside or out. Just a nightmare to stay in front of.
Landon Collins - S Alabama - He'll be gone too, but that's another one as a Cowboy fan I'd be happy with. He's a strong safety, the Cowboys already have two of those playing in their secondary, need a free safety.
Now with that out of the way, let's move on to the names that are relevant for the Boys to keep a close eye on out here. Couple of different groups.
Defensive Tackles:
Important to note that there are certain positions on the field that the Cowboys don't necessarily value highly enough to use a first round pick on them. For those not familiar, the Cowboys play with 2 defensive tackles in their base defense, one considered the 3 technique (lines up over or just on the outside shoulder of a guard), and one considered the 1 technique (lines up between the center and the other guard, is expected to be able to hold his ground against lots of big humans).
That said, the 1 technique spot is one of the spots the Cowboys believe they can fill with cheaper options and/or less valuable draft picks. Still need to mention these because picking at 27 the Cowboys may not have a lot (if any) of their 1st round graded players available. That might bring guys into the fold they normally wouldn't consider with a first round pick. Candidates from that position at #27:
Carl Davis - Iowa - I think he's the most well rounded player of this group. Able to disengage from blockers in the run game, able to hold the point if the ball is run directly at him, shows a nice burst to close distances to running backs in small spaces.
Jordan Phillips - Oklahoma - He's a mountain of a man that on some plays shows overwhelming power and surprising movement skills for his size. I have issues with how often he doesn't show those things. Stands up off the snap too often instead of exploding, staying low and being disruptive.
Malcom Brown - Texas - At his best in college when he was lined up as a 3 technique DT and attacking inside. Showed some quickness to get across the face of opposing OL and work his way into the backfield. Needs to be more consistent getting rid of blockers.
Eddie Goldman - Florida State - Shows an ability to take on a double team and not give ground. He can get off blocks and make plays. He'll pursue on runs away from him. Needs to improve on pass rush and finishing plays when he gets penetration.
Michael Bennett - Ohio State - He has some traits that the Cowboys are going to like that flash from time to time. He has some first step quickness and ability to penetrate. I think he gets blocked and pushed around far too much.
Running Back:
Todd Gurley - Georgia - The only running back in this draft I would take with a first round pick. There is another tier of about 6 guys that you can start talking about in the 2nd round. Gurley it all depends on medicals. He tore his ACL in November, but he is a complete back with special talent. Speed, power, quickness, catching the ball, whatever you want from a running back he'll do it and do it well. Could stand to improve in pass protection, that's about it.
Defensive End:
Bud Dupree - Kentucky - Versatile player that played both with his hand on the ground and standing up. Explosive speed off the edge and adequate strength vs the run. Is only doing LB drills at the combine and there's a pretty good chance he's off the board before 27.
Owamagbe Odighizuwa - UCLA - His name is fun to say. He wouldn't play your "pass rush" DE spot where Demarcus Lawrence plays, he'd play on your strong side. Strong enough to play vs the run, good initial quickness to get a pass rush from DT spot on occasion. Offers some position flexibility depending on situation.
Trey Flowers - Arkansas - Really interesting player. Doesn't overpower a lot of guys, but he's strong enough. Don't have a fantastic first step, but quick enough. He's just a well rounded player that can play the run, and ends up in the backfield all the time. Hard to identify the trait or reason he gets back there, but he just gets there. There's something to be said for a guy that's just a football player. How about the word slippery? He's slippery.
Cornerbacks:
Trae Waynes - Michigan State - Press man corner. Tell him who to cover and leave him alone. Anticipates routes well, trusts his speed. Hard to separate from. He's willing to help in run support, but he's a thin guy and it's going to decleat anybody.
Marcus Peters - Washington - When playing press he's outstanding. Teams couldn't even run pick plays against him because he's running routes for the guy he's covering. Forces guys who take an outside release all the way to the sideline to take away places for QB to throw. Gives up plays short and inside when in off coverage. I wouldn't ask him to do that, doesn't look comfortable in it. Also interviews will matter. Got dismissed from the team. That's surely concerning.
Quinten Rollins - Miami (OH) - Only played one year of college football after previous years of basketball. Impressive where he is with so little experience. Smart player in zone, opens his hips naturally, willing hitter. Tracks the ball in the air well. Gave up a few deep balls, questions about his deep speed.
PJ Williams - Florida State - Press man corner. Does a good job of being in position to make plays, not getting beat on routes, but needs to do a better job getting his head around in time and finishing plays. Too many plays with good coverage that end in a catch.
Hey, follow me @jc1053 on Twitter and I'll tell you whatever you wanna know. Deal? Deal.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
