|
 |
| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
The Baltimore Ravens needed very little time to grab Auburn offensive guard Ben Grubbs with the 29th pick.
What the Experts Say:
Scout.com Profile:
Player Evaluation: A natural blocker on the inside who has shown consistent improvement the past three seasons, Grubbs is a perfect fit in a zone blocking scheme. Will only get better as he physically matures, which could help him eventually develop into a starter at the next level.
STRENGTHS: Flexibility, Quickness Off Ball
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT Drive Blocking Skills, Power And Strength
Biography: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior. Began his college career playing on the defensive line and at tight end.
Pos: Athletic blocker who displays a lot of skill in motion. Quick off the snap, fluid pulling across the line of scrimmage and immediately gets out to the second level, removing linebackers from the action. Jolts opponents with good hand punch, plays with a large degree of explosion and works hard throughout the action. Can adjust to pick up blitzes or when blocking on the move.
Neg: Not a dominant blocker who gets much movement at the point. Lacks top fundamentals, which hampers his ability to finish blocks.
UPDATE Scouts.inc:
The Ravens may have taken Staley is he stayed on the board but don’t feel too bad for them. Grubbs is the best available guard and he is a great fit for the offense. Though Grubbs needs to work on his hand placement and footwork, it should come as little surprise considering his history. He lined up at defensive tackle during his true freshman season and moved to tight end the next year before moving to guard. His progress thus far should make the Ravens optimistic about progression and he’s already capable of moving into the starting line up. Grubbs is a powerful drive blocker who can open up holes in short-yardage situations and is always looking to put defenders on their backs. Baltimore should also be confident about his ability to hold up in pass protection because he has excellent quickness.
|
| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
The San Francisco 49ers traded with the New England Patriots to move up and take offensive tackle Joe Staley from Central Michigan. They gave up next year’s first round pick and a 4th this year.
What the Experts Say:
Scout.com Profile:
Player Evaluation: An outstanding athlete with good size as well as growth potential, Staley has watched his game grow by leaps and bounds the past three years. Known as a hard worker with a passion for the game, he is a prospect with starting potential at the next level.
STRENGTHS: Aggresiveness / Tenacity, Explosion, Quickness Off Ball
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Technique
Biography: Former tight end who moved to the tackle spot as a sophomore and has been used on both the left and right sides. All-Conference selection as a senior.
Pos: Gifted athlete developing as a pass-protecting blind-side lineman. Bends his knees playing with leverage, is patient and keeps his feet moving throughout the action. Stays square, keeps defenders in front of him and makes tremendous use of body positioning and blocking angles. Stout and easily anchors at the point. Works hard and uses all his tools to a maximum.
Neg: Lacks adjustment and at times seems a bit stiff. Average run blocker and does not get much movement. Ineffective blocking in motion.
UPDATE Scouts.inc:
Most people felt Staley wouldn’t be available at this pick and the 49ers were wise to trade up to get him because Baltimore likely would have taken him with the next pick. Staley is a former tight end who has the quick feet to redirect in pass protection and the quickness to prevent edge rushers from turning the corner. He’s also big and tenacious enough to develop into an effective drive blocker once he gets a little stronger, learns to keep his hips under him and use his hands. With him in the fold, the 49ers can start him on the left side and move Jonas Jennings to the right side where he is a slightly better pick. The odd man out is Kwame Harris who hasn’t panned out since San Francisco took him in the first round of the 2003 draft.
|
| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
The New Orleans Saints took Tennessee wideout Robert Meachem with the 27th pick in the 2007 NFL draft. It’s an excellent value.
What the Experts Say:
Scout.com Profile:
Player Evaluation: Meeting expectations last season Meachem offers a lot of potential, yet still needs work to complete his game. Has the skills to develop into a number one wide out.
STRENGTHS: Downfield Threat, Speed
 AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Route-Running Skills
Biography: All-Conference selection last season after producing a career-best 71/1,298/11. Started two games as a sophomore and totaled 29/383/2.
Pos: Physically gifted prospect with terrific size/speed numbers. Plays with good balance and body control, and makes the difficult reception in contorted positions. Displays a burst of speed, tracks the deep throw and effortlessly makes the reception in stride. Stays low exiting breaks, positions himself to make the reception and extends to catch the pass.
Neg: Inconsistent route-runner who slows into breaks. Not quick releasing off the line. Struggles in battles when he should not.
UPDATE Scouts.inc:
Defensive tackle is the top need for the Saints and Alan Branch was still on the board. Linebacker is the second greatest need and David Harris was still on the board. Corner is the third greatest need and Chris Houston was still available. And didn’t New Orleans find a pretty decent receiver on the second day of the draft last year? The point is the Saints should have addressed their needs on the defensive side of the ball before taking advantage of a deep receiver corps. At least they picked up a talented receiver. Meachem has the speed to stretch the field and open up the underneath routes for Marques Colston. He can also produce after the catch. However, Meachem isn’t a great route runner and he needs to get more physical or corners will have some success pushing him around.
|
| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
 The Dallas Cowboys have made a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to get back into the first round to pick Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer.
It is their second trade in the space of four picks, having traded out of the 22nd pick with the Cleveland Browns. The Cowboys give up 2nd, 3rd, and 5th round picks this year but, since Dallas has multiple picks in those rounds, it’s not clear which picks. Certainly, a 3rd and 5th would be a steep price to move up from the 35th spot; it would be quite reasonable if they’re just giving up their own pick (22nd in round, 54th overall). [UPDATE: Todd Archer reports they gave up the Cleveland 2nd (36th overall) and their own 3rd (88th) and 5th (159th).]
In any case, Spencer is a bit of a reach at the 26 spot and may well have been available at 35. Further, it’s hardly clear that the Cowboys need yet another defensive end, let alone one who’s only 6’3″ and 261 pounds.
What the Experts Say:
Scout.com Profile:
 Player Evaluation: Coming off a sensational senior campaign, Spencer has significantly elevated his draft stock. Could be used as a conventional defensive end or a rush linebacker in a 34 defense. Needs to improve his playing strength, yet has all the skills necessary to produce at the next level.
STRENGTHS: Explosion, Pass Rushing Skills, Speed
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Disengaging Skills, Size, Strength
 Biography: Three-year starter and All-Conference selection as a senior after posting career-best totals of 93/26.5/10.5. Also broke up six passes last year. Junior totals were 23/7.5/3 in a rotational system.
Pos: Outstanding athlete who took his game to another level last year. Quick off the snap, fast off the edge and shows a burst of speed in every direction. Plays with terrific balance, leverage and body control. Fluid changing direction, makes plays down the line of scrimmage and goes hard until the whistle blows. Agile, slips blockers and shows an array of moves. Possesses a decent head, immediately locating the ball.
Neg: At times easily controlled by a single blocker. Rarely used in space or asked to make plays in reverse.
Analysis: Coming off a sensational senior campaign, Spencer has significantly elevated his draft stock. Could be used as a conventional defensive end or a rush linebacker in a 34 defense. Needs to improve his playing strength, yet has all the skills necessary to produce at the next level.
UPDATE: Tim MacMahon disagrees. Indeed, he thinks Jerry Jones is “A genius”:
Trader Jerry is on fire! The Cowboys packaged a few picks together to move up to No. 26 and snag Purdue’s Anthony Spencer.
The Cowboys gave up Clevend’s second (36th overall) and their third and fifth to move up and snag a guy that can be DeMarcus Ware’s pass-rushing partner for the next 8-10 years.
UPDATE Scouts.inc:
Dallas’ reputation for taking defensive players continues with the selection of Spencer who capitalized on an impressive senior season by moving into the first round. Spencer is an explosive up-the-field player who has excellent initial quickness and closes well once he turns the corner so he should make an immediate impact rushing the passer. He’s also big and tough enough to develop into an effective run stopper. However, this isn’t a great pick. First off, Spencer isn’t big enough to line up at defensive end in a 3-4 scheme and he may not be athletic to develop into an every-down outside linebacker. More importantly, the Cowboys have far more pressing needs.
I continue not to get this pick or the trade that led up to it.
UPDATE: DC.com’s Nick Eatman likes it:
Spencer (6-2, 261) looks to be another ideal fit as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. He had 10 ½ sacks and five forced fumbles last season along with 26 ½ tackles for loss, which ranked second in the nation. Spencer was a three-year starter at Purdue, earning All-Big 10 honors his last two seasons.
He will likely compete with Bobby Carpenter and Greg Ellis for the starting outside linebacker role next season, opposite DeMarcus Ware.
All four men 1st round picks, by the way. That’s a lot of investment in one position.
UPDATE: Interestingly, ESPN’s draft “experts” rate Spencer the 23rd best player in the draft.
Scouts Grade: 91
Strengths: An explosive up-the-field player. Displays very good first-step quickness and top-end speed. Also possesses closing burst to turn the corner as a perimeter pass rusher in the NFL. His motor never stopped running as a senior and it seems that the “light finally came on” in terms of his technique and recognition skills. He plays the run hard and will give great effort pursuing from the backside. Displays good strength for his size. He shows good catch-up speed and is a powerful hitter.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal size; somewhat on the shorter side with just adequate bulk. Might struggle to get off of blocks as quickly versus bigger NFL lineman. He is quick and fast, but he doesn’t possess great change-of-direction skills. He needs to continue to improve his array of pass rush moves. He will overextend at times and will take himself out of some running plays, as a result. He shows stiffness in his hips and will be limited in terms of dropping into coverage in the NFL.
Overall: Spencer arrived at Purdue in 2002 and was redshirted. In 2003 as a redshirt freshman, he tore some foot ligaments during spring practice which limited him early on but he then saw action in 10 of 13 games as a reserve defensive end and on special teams, posting six total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. Spencer won a starting spot for all 12 contests in 2004 and recorded 33 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. In 2005, he once again started every game (11) for Purdue and registered 23 tackles including 7.5 for loss, three sacks, one fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles. In 14 games during the 2006 season, Spencer made 93 total tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, five forced fumbles, blocked one kick, and was named to the All-Big Ten First Team.
Spencer turned in a monster season as a senior in 2006. In fact, very few prospects improved their stock as much as Spencer did over the course of the last year. After combining for 17.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks through his first three seasons, Spencer notched 26.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks as a senior. While some consider him a ‘tweener defensive end/outside linebacker, we’re not convinced he’s athletic enough to play linebacker in the NFL. His best fit most likely will be as a 4-3 defensive end in a one-gap scheme similar to the Colts’. Regardless, Spencer should come off the board late in the first or early in the second round.
Of course, Dallas will use him as a linebacker in a 3-4…
UPDATE (4/29): The morning-after analysis is pouring in. FWST’s Mac Engel:
On the same day teams across the NFL were “put on the clock,” Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis was also “put on the clock.” The Cowboys’ drafting of Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer with the 26th pick in the first round Saturday essentially means Ellis’ days with the Cowboys are tenuous. Again.
But the chance to select a potentially dominating pass rusher to line up opposite DeMarcus Ware was too tempting to ignore. Although he’s never played linebacker, the Cowboys view Spencer as a pass rusher who can make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
This creates a logjam at linebacker. Spencer, Ellis, Ware, Bobby Carpenter, Bradie James, Akin Ayodele — even Kevin Burnett — were either high draft picks, big-money players, or both. Where and how will they all fit?
“The more pressure players you can have, the better,” Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. “We’ll think of something.”
[...]
Here is a look at the main contributors at linebacker for the Cowboys and where they were drafted.
Greg Ellis 1st round 8th overall 1998
*Akin Ayodele 3rd round 89th overall 2002
Bradie James 4th round 103rd overall 2003
DeMarcus Ware 1st round 11th overall 2005
Kevin Burnett 2nd round 42nd overall 2005
Bobby Carpenter 1st round 18th overall 2006
Anthony Spencer 1st round 26th overall 2007
* Drafted by the Jaguars; he signed with the Cowboys as a free agent in ’06
His DC.com colleague, Mickey Spagnola, has yet more details.
Wow! That’s what Jerry Jones promised right, wow?
The Cowboys traded out. The Cowboys traded up. The Cowboys traded down. One minute they are about to make a pick in the first. The card in New York is complete. The next minute they don’t have a first. The next they do, and then some. One minute they got a second. The next they don’t, but have a high third.
[...]
For a third-round draft choice and a fifth-round draft choice, the Cowboys essentially brought themselves a first-round pick in the 2008 draft, and potentially a top 10 pick at that, unless you have confidence Cleveland is going to go from a four-win team to an eight-win team overnight.
On top of all that, they still wound up selecting the player in the first round they were going to take in the first place, Purdue projected outside linebacker Anthony Spencer. He was the pick at No. 22, and he still was the pick at No. 26 after the Cowboys momentarily ducked out of the first round then reappeared faster than one of those disappearing rabbits.
[...]
OK, he said the Cowboys would have to select a “wow” player if they bundled their picks to move way up in the draft. Details, details. They had a chance but the price was far too steep for Calvin Johnson. Detroit wanted to switch spots in the first, then get the Cowboys’ second, third and, while no one would mention a name, but process of elimination, DeMarcus Ware since we were told it was a defensive Pro Bowl player. No way.
[...]
And I’ll be darn squared, Cleveland GM Phil Savage came calling. Not only did the Browns want Quinn, they really wanted Quinn, to the tune of not only offering to swap their third pick in the second round for the Cowboys’ first, but throw in next year’s No. 1 for the Cowboys’ troubles.
You kidding me again? Next year’s first? Meaning the Cowboys would have their own first and quite possibly a top 10 pick if the Browns cooperate. Meaning the Cowboys could control the 2008 draft, and grab whatever they wanted if Jones was willing to put a little “bundle” together next year.
Like need a running back? Move wherever necessary for some guy named Darren McFadden, who should open the 2007 collegiate season as the Heisman favorite.
Or say Tony Romo doesn’t pan out, that he crashes and burns, and there the Cowboys are in dire need of a quarterback? Well, package those two firsts and go get you one. Might even be able to get the pick of the litter.
But the Cowboys’ good fortune doesn’t stop there. Oh no. The minute they landed in the second round, all phones stood at attention. I mean, you should have seen how many wires were crossing in the war room, who all was calling who around the league, fighting like the dickens to trade back up into the first round. They had no idea if they could.
Then along comes Philadelphia’s Jeffrey Lurie, God bless his soul. The Eagles wanted out of the first round. Didn’t like anything they saw at No. 26. The Cowboys say, hey Jeff, let’s trade places. We’ll take your first, here’s our second, where you still can get your guy, Kevin Kolb, and we’ll throw in our third and fifth to boot.
Deal, Lurie said.
“I hope you can sleep tonight,” Jones chided him on the phone from the Cowboys war room as he hung up the phone after consummating the deal, as if he had been pick-pocketed by the Eagles.
And with the 26th pick, the Cowboys did what they were going to do at No. 22: Select Spencer, the pressure player Phillips coveted. Shame on all of you who were accusing Jones of undoubtedly going to turn a deaf ear to his head coach after Bill Parcells departed.
Now that’s the wow, the old cake and eat it too double, the war room erupting in high fives and back slaps all around as the Cowboys officials could breath again.
[...]
So why a pass rusher? Yet another outside linebacker, the fourth they have taken with either a first- or second-round pick in the past three drafts?
Well, let me ask this: How did you like how the season ended last year? No pressure on the quarterback. Let’s see, 34 sacks. Come on, 3-4. That’s supposed to be a defensive formation, not the sack total, which the Cowboys have not swelled past 40 since 1994. That’s 13 season ago.
So the Cowboys, expecting Greg Ellis back good as new and counting on Bobby Carpenter to still be a player, asked themselves this: “Where could we afford to least lose a player, because we’ve got to have pressure,” Jones said.
Their answer was linebacker. Think about it, and heaven forbid, but what if Ware goes down, just as Ellis went down last year. Would that doom the defense?
Well, maybe not now, or at least they have a fighting chance if this defensive end in college can do what Phillips thinks he can do from the outside in the NFL. Plus, you know, I hear how everyone is going to be rushing the passer under Phillips’ defensive philosophy. How Ware is going to be turned loose. How Ellis is going to be turned loose. How the defensive ends won’t be saddled with two-gap responsibilities. How Roy Williams will play closer to the line of scrimmage to get him out of coverage.
Yeah, well if all that is true, and the offense sends like four guys into the pass pattern, by my count, you had better get to the quarterback, because there ain’t enough guys back there to cover everyone.
“We just want good football players,” said Phillips, who actually let the name of Shawne Merriman pass his lips when asked who he thinks Spencer most compares to.
Man, if that turns out to be the case, then make this a double wow of a day.
Not much doubt about that. And, I agree, Wade Phillips knows something about 3-4 linebackers. I can’t help but think Spencer would have still been there in the 36 slot, though. Still, he’s the guy they were hoping to get and a 3rd and 5th aren’t that high a price to pay for insurance.
Len Pasquarelli is a bit perplexed by the pick:
Another redundancy-type choice was Dallas’ selection of Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer, which the Cowboys made with the 26th pick, after maneuvering out of and then back into the first round. Spencer will play linebacker in the 3-4 alignment preferred by new coach Wade Phillips. Never mind that Spencer’s skills are a mirror of the hybrid-style abilities of DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys’ first-round choice in 2005.
“For our kind of defense,” Phillips said, “you can never have enough of those kinds of guys who can come off the edge. You always want that.”
There are, after all, two sides of the line. My concern isn’t that he’s a mirror to DeMarcus Ware–that’s a good thing–but that the Cowboys just picked Bobby Carpenter with last year’s #1 to be a mirror to DeMarcus Ware. And that we already have Greg Ellis on the roster in that role.
I agree that you can never have enough. But, certainly, you can’t spend too many first round picks and too much money on one position. You hate to have 1st round picks sitting on the bench eating up millions of cap dollars.
|
| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
The Carolina Panthers selected Miami linebacker Jon Beason with the 24th pick.
What the Experts Say:
Scout.com Profile:
Player Evaluation: Showing a lot of ability during his short time as a starting linebacker, Beason has the size and speed to be a starter on the weak side.
STRENGTHS: Athleticism, Change of Direction, Foot Quickness
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Shedding Ability
Biography: Former fullback who moved to linebacker as a sophomore and has started the past two seasons. Led the team in tackles as a senior posting 76/8/1.5, also intercepting one pass. Junior totals included 64 tackles. Competes on the school’s track team.
Pos: Terrific athlete with a good degree of upside potential. Breaks down well, plays with excellent balance and rarely off his feet. Explosive up the field, slides laterally to make plays and is effective in pursuit. Takes good angles to the action and covers a great amount of area on the field. Breaks down well, immediately alters his angle of attack and is disciplined with assignments. Hard-hitting, and aggressively puts his shoulders into ball handlers.
Neg: Easily handled at the point once engaged in a block, and is very slow to get back to playing form off the initial hit.
UPDATE Scouts.inc:
The Panthers probably would have liked to have gotten an inside linebacker or a safety but the value just wasn’t there. Another option was tight end and Greg Olsen is still on the board so Carolina could have done slightly better here. It’s tough to be critical of the pick however. Beason is an excellent value at this point in the first round and he is more than capable of pushing Na’il Diggs for playing time on the weak side.
The Panthers will likely work on his cover skills but he has a great bend of instincts, quickness and tenacity. It’s also worth noting that Beason has adequate size and the frame to get even bigger so there’s a chance Carolina considers moving him inside if MLB Dan Morgan can’t stay healthy.
|
| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
The New England Patriots took Miami safety Brandon Meriweather with the 23rd overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He’s one of a handful of terrific athletes who fell because of “character” problems, including on-field thuggery and off-field gunplay.
What the Experts Say:
Scout.com Profile: A talented defensive back with natural ball skills, Meriweather’s versatility is key. Has some character issues that teams must check out, but, if focused on the task at hand, offers starting potential.
 Player Evaluation: A talented defensive back with natural ball skills, Meriweather’s versatility is key. Has some character issues that teams must check out, but, if focused on the task at hand, offers starting potential.
STRENGTHS: Backpedal Quickness, Burst Out Of Breaks, Coverage Awareness
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Size, Tackling Ability
Biography: All-Conference selection as a senior after totaling 58/1/8. Led the team in tackles as a junior, finishing the year with 115/3/7.
Pos: Athletic secondary prospect who shows potential at safety and cornerback. Efficient, immediately diagnoses the action and takes good angles to the play. Fast to the sidelines, displays excellent range and possesses a sense of timing. Placed over the slot receiver and shows great ball skills. Very aware in coverage and has a burst of closing speed.
Neg: Bites on play-action passes, makes his first move up the field and will be caught out of position. Lacks strength at the point of attack.
UPDATE Scouts.inc:
New England has a reputation for not drafting players with character concerns. And with new commissioner Roger Goodell trying to clean up the league by getting tougher with players, we didn’t expect them to draft Meriweather. The Patriots take Meriweather who could be seen trying to stomp on players during the now infamous Miami-Florida International brawl. But the truth is this organization has taking risks on the past. The reason they haven’t been as criticized as some other teams is the players they bring in buy into the team philosophy and stay out of trouble. Don’t be surprised to see the same thing happen here. New England’s veterans should bring him into the fold and the fact that he should see plenty of playing time should help. The reason he should see the field so much is durability concerns surrounding the starters and he is too talented to keep on the sidelines. Meriweather has excellent instincts, he shows great range and he is an effective open field tackler.
|
| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
The Kansas City Chiefs drafted LSU wide receiver Dwayne Bowe with their first pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
What the Experts Say:
Scout.com Profile:
Player Evaluation: Productive throughout college, Bowe has the physical makeup and dimensions to be a number two receiver at the next level. Has his game on an upswing and offers starting potential as a rookie.
 STRENGTHS: Hands and Concentration, Size, Strength
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Elusiveness with Catch, Route-Running Skills, Speed
Biography: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after totaling career-best numbers of 65/990/12. Led the team in receiving as a junior, producing 41/710/9, after 39/597/5 as a sophomore.
Pos: Big, possession wide out who significantly improved his consistency as a senior. Sells routes, settles into the open spot of the defense and always works to become an available target. Uses his frame to shield away opponents and protect the pass. Lays out for the difficult reception or gets vertical to pull the ball from the air. Displays good eye/hand coordination, effectively uses the sidelines and makes the reception in stride. Solid downfield blocker.
Neg: Lacks the deep speed and cannot stretch the defense. Occasionally drops a catchable throw.
UPDATE Scouts.inc:
Wonders never cease. It seems like Kansas City’s top need the past five seasons has been receiver and they haven’t taken one since they drafted Sylvester Morris in 2000. The hope is Bowe pans out and there’s reason to be optimistic. He has outstanding size, he catches the ball well and he makes fluid cuts so he clearly has the potential to develop into a reliable possession receiver. Though he doesn’t have elite speed and he isn’t going to run by defensive backs, he is big and fast enough to make the occasional play downfield so he can stretch defenses vertically. With the Larry Johnson expected back and Bowe taking advantage of TE Tony Gonzalez keeping the safeties occupied, this offense should be even more productive than is was last year despite the likely departure of Trent Green.
|
| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
 The Dallas Cowboys traded their 2007 1st round pick, #22 overall, to the Cleveland Browns, who promptly picked Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. In return, the Cowboys got Cleveland’s 2nd round pick (4th in round, #36 overall) and 2008 1st rounder.
Presuming that the Browns don’t have a radical transformation this year into a great team, that’s a great coup for the Cowboys, although one that I think will be win-win. Quinn will likely be a quality NFL quarterback and the Browns have to solve their weakness at that position if they ever want to be contenders.
The Cowboys have no gaping holes and the draft is quite deep at both wide receiver and cornerback, the positions where the team most needs to add depth and youth. Dallas will be able to pick up a quality player at one of those positions–or possibly one of a handful of offensive linemen that have fallen further than expected–in Cleveland’s spot.
Having an extra 1st rounder in 2008, especially if it’s a top fifteen pick, will give the Cowboys the ability to restock next year, whether taking two starting caliber players or trading up to take one impact player.
According to the more-or-less standard chart reportedly devised by former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson, the 22nd pick is worth 780 points. The 35th pick is worth 550 points, a deficit of 230. A first round pick is worth anywhere from 3000 to 590 points.
UPDATE (April 29): Multiple day-after reports note that the Cowboys had “turned in the card to take [Anthony] Spencer at 22, but had it rescinded when they reached an agreement with the Browns.” Indeed, they turned down other offers for the pick and only took the Cleveland deal because they figured next year’s #1 will be very, very high and that Spencer might fall to them that early in the second round. They didn’t want to take that risk, though, so they immediately starting working to trade back into the first round.
More, from FWST’s Clarence Hill:
It’s been back to the future at the Cowboys’ Valley Ranch headquarters ever since coach Bill Parcells packed his bags in January. With owner Jerry Jones back in charge of the team’s personnel decisions, the Cowboys returned to their wheeling and dealing ways during a wild first round of the 2007 NFL Draft on Saturday.
After admittedly taking an hour before ultimately turning down a trade to move into the top five of the draft, Jones made two bold moves — netting a first-round pick in 2008 from the Cleveland Browns and Purdue pass rush specialist Anthony Spencer. Jones, who made his fortune as a risk taker in the oil and gas business, and earned a reputation as a trader during his early years with the Cowboys, was back in his element.
In getting Spencer while pocketing a first-round pick next year from the Browns, which could be a possible top-10 pick, the Cowboys passed on a potential franchise quarterback in Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn. Jones was emboldened by his belief in quarterback Tony Romo and that the talent already on the roster is good enough to make a Super Bowl run in 2007.
“It was a lot of fun,” Jones said. “What makes it so much fun is the chill and the anxiety. The feeling you get to expose yourself, take some risks, then it comes back and turns out good for you. I can’t help but get excited when you are talking about two No. 1s.”
This is the 14th year since Jones bought the team in 1989 that the Cowboys have made a trade involving a first-round pick. Of the five years they didn’t, three came during Parcells’ four-year stint in Dallas.
The Cowboys, who later traded their second-round pick to the Browns for a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick and a flip flop of sixth-round picks, have made 43 draft-day trades during the Jones era.
[...]
Taking advantage of the free-falling Quinn, the Cowboys traded their 22nd pick in the first round to the quarterback-starved Browns for a first round pick next year and the second-round pick this year, 36th overall. After consummating the trade the Cowboys immediately got back on the phone in an effort to move back into the first round and found a trade partner in the Philadelphia Eagles four picks later. The Cowboys gave up the second-round pick they received from the Browns and third- and fifth-round picks and chose Spencer 26th overall.
Early in the draft, a team in the top five, most likely the Detroit Lions at No. 2, called to see if the Cowboys wanted to move up. Because the team, which Jones refused to identify, wanted a first-round pick in next year’s draft, as well as a prominent player, Jones turned it down. “I couldn’t have done it,” Jones said. “I told our people to quit talking about it because I know how we are and we would have found a way to do it.”
Although the Cowboys came into the draft wanting to deal, it was more about trying to take advantage of someone else’s desperation than their own. Quinn and Cleveland provided the perfect foil. The Cowboys turned down a trade offer from another team because the second-round pick that was offered wasn’t high enough for Dallas. Jones and Phillips said being in position to still get a shot at Spencer was key to the deal.
UPDATE (April 30): SI’s Peter King has a wonderful account of how the deal went down. Here’s the part when it gets down to the Cowboys:
Desperate minutes now. [Cleveland general manager Phil] Savage knew Kansas City might be a logical team to just sit there at 23 to take Quinn. So the only team left was Dallas, at 22.
“I really didn’t know Jerry Jones,” Savage said. “We’d never done anything with the Cowboys. I’d seen him at league meetings, and I had a lot of respect for him, but there was no prior experience there.”
Savage offered Jones second- and third-round picks. Jones said no. End of call. Jones called back and asked for Cleveland’s first-rounder in 2008, and Savage said he’d consider doing it — but without adding anything else this year. Jones said no; he had to have a high pick this year. End of call.
“Now [the Cowboys] were on the clock, and I figured, ‘This is a guy we really want,”’ said Savage. “We’ve got to make our best offer now.”
Sort of. With the minutes ticking by, Savage offered next year’s first-round and this year’s third-round picks to Dallas. Nope, said Jones. It’ll take next year’s one and this year’s two. Savage said he’d call right back.
Meanwhile, Jones told the Cowboys man at the draft in New York to write down the name of Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer on a card and get it ready to turn in. “We had four guys very close in value right there,” Jones said. (One other candidate there, I learned, was LSU wideout Dwayne Bowe.) “And I was determined that we would get one of them, unless we could get that Cleveland pick next year.”
With two minutes left in the period, Savage called. “We’ll do it,” he said. “Our two this year and next year’s one.”
“Deal,” Jones said.
Savage hung up the phone. There were about 30 people — coaches, scouts, owner’s family and friends — in the Cleveland draft room, and when Savage said, “We got him!” the place exploded. One of my HBO buddies, Jason Cohen, a Browns freak, texted me thusly: “Best day of Browns FB in 10 years!”
|
| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
Brady Quinn fell to #22 with the Dallas Cowboys on the clock. The Cleveland Browns traded up to grab him, fearing that Kansas City would grab him at #22. The Cowboys move down to the #3 spot in the 2nd round and pick up Cleveland’s first rounder in 2008.
Quinn, whose astonishing fall has been the story of the draft day, is going to the team he grew up rooting for. It’ll cost him a few million dollars in his initial contract but he’s going to be in a good situation.
What the Experts Say:
Scout.com Profile:
Scout.com Profile:
 Scout.com Player Evaluation: Possessing the size, arm strength and intangibles to be a starter at the next level, Quinn is an incredibly productive college quarterback who translates well to the next level. Comes off a poor senior campaign and needs to refocus, fine-tune his decision-making and play within himself.
STRENGTHS
- Arm Strength
- Mental Toughness
- Pocket Awareness
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
- Decision-making
- Field Vision
Biography: Four-year starter who Pos:ted 61.9%/3,426/37/7 as a senior. Junior totals included a career-high 3,919 passing yards, a Notre Dame single-season record.
Pos: Nice-sized, strong-armed pocket passer with a great amount of upside. Patient, calm under pressure and buys time for receivers. Gets outside the pocket to give himself a better view of the field, has a quick, over-the-top delivery and immediately gets the ball out of his hand. Zips the outs, Pos:sesses a good deep arm and drives passes into the tight spots. Flashes the ability to beautifully place throws where only his target can make the reception. Consistently challenges the vertical game. Puts touch on throws when necessary.
Neg: At times stares the primary target down from the get-go. Not adverse to forcing the throw into coverage. Makes some head-scratching decisions at times. Not an elusive quarterback who escapes the rush. Marginally accurate throwing on the move and downfield. Leadership abilities are in question.
UPDATE Scouts.inc:
It looked like Cleveland general manager Phil Savage would have to decide between Joe Thomas, Brady Quinn and Adrian Peterson when he woke up this morning. Now the Browns get two out of three and we’re sure he had to give up a lot to get Quinn but teams have had to give up similar value in similar trades. Though most teams would rather not start a rookie quarterback, Quinn has the poise to step in right away and enough confidence to learn from his mistakes along the way. It also helps that the Browns have done an excellent job of improving the offensive line during the offseason since Quinn shouldn’t get harassed as much as Charlie Frye did last year.
|
| Saturday, April 28, 2007 |
The Jacksonville Jaguars took Florida safety Reggie Nelson with the 21st pick. Mel Kiper reports that this is the guy they would have taken at #17, so they got a 3rd and 6th round pick, in essence, for nothing.
What the Experts Say:
Scout.com Profile: Displaying tremendous improvement in his overall game last season, Nelson is a top-flight free safety with the ability to be placed over receivers in man coverage situations. Needs to fine-tune his instincts, yet should quickly break into a starting lineup for an NFL team who needs a ball hawk in center field.
Player Evaluation:
STRENGTHS: Burst Out Of Breaks, Coverage Awareness, Recovery Ability
 AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Size
Biography: Junior college transfer who became a full-time starter last season, winning All-Conference and All-American honors after producing 51/6/5. Started four games the prior season and posted 46 tackles.
Pos: Athletic centerfielder with tremendous ball skills. Displays outstanding sideline-to-sideline range, shows good speed to the flanks and flashes on the scene, playing with a large degree of suddenness. Diagnoses the action, possesses a sense of timing and shows great hands going up for the interception. Plays with balance, body control and easily gets vertical or contorts in midair to defend the pass. Fluid pedaling in reverse, smooth flipping his hips and works well with cornerbacks. Possesses a closing burst and shows the ability to recover. Aggressive in run defense and sizes up ball carriers. Keeps the action in front of him and remains disciplined.
Neg: Not strong at the point of attack. Misreads assignments on occasion.
UPDATE Scouts.inc:
Filling the No. 1 need and getting great value is at the pick is all any team could ask for and the Jaguars did just that with this pick. Critics point out that Nelson is somewhat one-dimensional because he isn’t big enough to line up in the box or a great run defender but he has great range. His ability to cover so much ground should make him an immediate upgrade over FS Gerald Sensabugh and he gives the Jaguars another playmaker to complement DC Rashean Mathis. In addition, the Jaguars should feel comfortable with this pick because of their familiarity with the player. Jacksonville isn’t too far from Gainesville and head coach Jack Del Rio reportedly attended the Gators’ Pro Day.
|
|
