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NFL Draft 2008 – Round 2 #61 – Dallas Cowboys – Martellus Bennett

NFL Draft 2008 Logo The Dallas Cowboys took Texas A&M tight end Martellus Bennett with their second round pick, bypassing several quality wide receivers, their position of greatest need.

These are the same Dallas Cowboys who drafted Anthony Fasano in the 2nd round in the 2006 draft and just shipped him off to the Miami Dolphins, along with starting linebacker Akin Ayodele, for a bag of magic beans 4th round pick. This makes no sense whatsoever. None. Zip. Nada.

This draft has all the makings of the worst drafts in the bad old days of the post-Jimmy Johnson, pre-Bill Parcells era.
Scouts, Inc.: 70th

Strengths: Has a massive frame, including long arms and big hands. Former basketball player for two seasons at A&M; he’s aathletic for his size. Knows how to get a clean release when linebackers try to jam him at the line, does a good job of tracking the ball downfield and, while doesn’t have elite speed, is fast enough to stretch the seam a little bit. Appears to read defenses well and locates seams when working against zone coverage. Uses wide frame to shield defenders from the ball and can make tough catches in traffic. Snatches the ball out of the air and flashes the ability to pick up yards after contact so can produce after the catch. Shows good focus, has adequate body control and can adjust to passes thrown outside frame. Fights for the ball while it’s in the air and is capable of coming down with the ball in most jump ball situations. Has experience lining up flexed to the outside, size caused matchup problems for defensive backs and is somewhat versatile. Works from the snap until the whistle and flashes the ability to sustain blocks. Does a fairly good job of staying low considering how tall he is and can get under defenders’ pads. Shows adequate lateral mobility and can seal the edge. Takes adequate angles to blocks and can get into position at the second level.

Weaknesses: Takes too long to change directions, doesn’t explode out of cuts and is going to have a harder time separating from man coverage at the NFL level. Isn’t going to make many defenders miss, lacks breakaway speed and isn’t much of a big-play threat. Lacks elite foot speed and has a harder time beating press coverage when lines up outside. Doesn’t show great lower body strength, doesn’t always get good hand placement and is going to have problems driving two-gap defensive ends off the ball. Durability is not really a concern but he did miss 2007 Nebraska game with an ankle injury.

Overall: Bennett started five of the 11 games he appeared in during his true freshman season in 2005. He started all 13 games of the 2006 season recording 38 catches, 497 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. Bennett started 12 games during the 2007 season recording 49 receptions, 587 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. Bennett lacks explosiveness and strength elite of an elite prospect, but he has the frame, toughness, and hands to develop into a starting tight end in the NFL. He also is a smooth athlete with adequate speed for his size. Bennett projects as a third-round pick.

Rick Gosselin: 46

Mel Kiper: 5th best TE in class; not on Big Board

A total headscratcher.

UPDATE: Tim McMahon disagrees.

To put it bluntly, the A&M passing offense stunk under Dennis Franchione. Bennett didn’t get the ball nearly as often as he should have, but he did develop into a solid blocker.

The knock on Bennett is that he doesn’t have breakaway speed, but tight ends that do are few and far between. He’s 6-7, 250 pounds and athletic enough to be a contributor on Billy Gillispie’s basketball team. He has the size and versatility to line up as a traditional tight end or in the slot, and he has the hands and leaping ability to be a prime red-zone target.

This guy is an upgrade over Anthony Fasano on the field.

You’d hope so.

 
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Comments
 

This makes no sense to you because you don’t know what the Cowboys plan is. Hitler, I mean Bill Parcells liked two TE sets, not Jason Garret. Fasano was a mediocre TE at best and if you haven’t noticed were trying to be better then that at even our back up positions. We’ll use Martellus, who has more upside potential, to spell Witten and hopefully better replace him then Fasano could if god forbid he gets hurt. All Bill does is build mediocre teams anymore and if he wants to take the mediocre groceries he shopped for to Miami with him I say good riddance and thanks for the first pick in the 4th round. We had a log jam at linebacker anyway. I think an umpteen time probowler in Zack Thomas can replace Akin Ayodele.

Posted by MrSmarterThenYou | April 26, 2008 | 10:47 pm | Permalink
 

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