Senior Bowl Targets

Really excited to see all the elite pass rushing prospects in Mobile, Quintin Coples, Melvin Ingram and Courtney Upshaw.  All 3 are different type of players, the talent is Coples, Ingram is the technican who lacks the speed measurables while Upshaw is consistent and strong.

Coples appears to be an ideal fit for a 4-3 defensive end, he's got top 10 talent but his production took a dip his senior year. I'm not sure he can play nor has the attitude to play 5-technique 3-4 defensive end. He has shown experience playing in coverage which suggest he could play OLB in a 3-4 scheme.

Ingram is going to fall in the draft but he's a excellent player, the combine and measurements are going to kill him. Super small arms and height and weight are going to make him a 3-4 olb unless a 4-3 team comfortable with undersized ends (Colts & Eagles)  expresses interest.  Look for him on film more, get more attention from Oline and if he's got the burst to close as he's got the best technique and multiple moves.

Upshaw is the ideal safe pick for a 3-4 tteam in need of a rush linebacker. hes got good technique, lots of strength and power to hold vs run and penetrate. His burst is average and just may have the speed to get the sack but can cause havoc.  A solid player but not sure I see an elite player here. His production is going to be high but doubt he's going to have the explosion number to suggest a high first round player.

Alameda Ta'amu from Washington, a very solid ideal 3-4 nose tackle who has a high motor, tough and high character. He is not on level with Phil Taylor, last years Cleveland's top rookie first round pick. Ta'amu is not as athletically gifted as Taylor but can be a solid day 1 starter for a 3-4 team in need of a nose tackle. His strength is elite and has some quickness to get penetration inside with a good bull rush. He checked in at the senior bowl, 6-2 1/2 and 341 pounds but surprisingly carries the weight well. Ideally I want him a few inches taller so he can locate the ball easier but he generates leverage and can push the pocket. A solid 2nd round grade, hard to see him falling to the 3rd especially to the cowboys pick. Brandon Boykin, cornerback from Georgia, the 2nd best corner in Mobile behind Janoris Jenkins but Boykin was very close. He's very physical and stuck on his receivers all over the field, played the press well and stay low to the ground. Dallas has so many needs but must rebuild the defense. You start from the line and work your way out to the premium positions. Using this logic, here is my cowboy dream mock draft. 1st. Courtney Upshaw, OLB from Alabama. 2nd. Brandon Boykin, cornerback from Georgia. 3rd. Alameda Ta'amu, nose tackle from Washington. Upshaw vs Anthony Spencer -> Upshaw as pass rusher and capable of plus run defender with his strength. Boykin vs Any 2011 Cowboy Cornerback -> Boykin the obvious winner, a improved pass rush will help. He fits Rob Ryan's scheme better than Newman. Ta'amu vs Jay Ratliff -> This is double bonus, Ratliff has a end will be an even better player especially against the pass. Ta'amu will help improve run D and make it harder for QBs to step up in pocket helping the edge rushers.

OFFSEASON WISH LIST

1. Switch Tyron Smith & Doug Free.  You can't have the most important position on the offensive line be a liability like Free was most of the season.  Smith improved tremendously from week 1 to the end of the season and should be rewarded with that earning the top responsibility of protecting Romo's backside. 

2. Resign Laurent Robinson, he's going to ask for 4-5 million per year which is too much but if they can sign him for 3 million a year. He gets comparisons to Patrick Crayton but Robinson has more speed but also has durability concerns over his career. With Dez Bryant not being a dependable although talented player and Miles Austin coming off a injury riddled year. They need Robinson back as the offensive threat changes completely

3. Upgrade both the interior offensive/defensive lines. I know they need to upgrade the entire defense, secondary and linebackers but thats what happens when you constantly miss in the draft and overpay for average players in free agency. Dallas needs another special player in this draft and another day 1 starter from round II at the very least.  Considering their draft history, that might be pushing it. Anyway, Dallas needs to land a impact player on either the offensive/defensive line and there are no centers worthy at 14 and I will never select a guard that high, that leaves the defensive line. I do not see any impact players worthy of that selection at nose tackle or at linebacker but I do at 3-4 defensive end. Give me Michael Brockers from LSU, a stud run stuffing with pass rush potential or Quinton Coples from North Carolina who is more developed but questionable motor. Then in the second round, continue to upgrade the D-line with Washington's Alameda Ta'amu, a powerful 2-gap nose tackle to man the inside of Rob Ryan's 3-4. The third round is a toss up as to go guard/center on offense or stick with the defense, if they go offense, Michael Brewster, center from Ohio State or defense, Vinny Curry from Marshall to replace Anthony Spencer.

I know what you're saying, what about cornerback and safety? Dallas only has so many draft picks to fill all the holes they have but you must build from the line and work your way out. You can get by with a solid secondary if you have a excellent front seven.

What about the interior of the offensive line, we all saw how terrible Phil Costa was and the revolving door at left guard. Same story here, only so many assets to fill those holes but target center first and then the guards.

4. Do you sign 3 solid free agents or make a splash for one big free agent in hopes of filling a huge hole.
   The 3 solid free agents I would add are:
        D'Qwell Jackson, ILB from Cleveland, familiar with Rob Ryan's scheme and an average starter alongside Lee.
        Jeremy Zuttah, OG from Tampa Bay, young athletic guard who is athletic although can be pushed back by stronger tackles and needs to be more aware.
       Scott Mruczkowski, center from the Chargers, has been a backup most of his career but versatile to play all 3 inside positions and I think be a plus starter for you inside.
   The big free agent I would target are:
        Antonio Garay, nose tackle of the chargers, a pro-bowl caliber player who's had his most productive seasons the last two years but is 32.
        LaRon Laundry, safety from the Redskins, he's coming off two injury shortened seasons including a ruptured achilles injury. Due to this, reported he may be seeking a short-term prove it type contract, 1-year incentive laden deal hoping it to strike it rich next year. When healthy, he's a aggressive, hard-hitting safety who can bring an attitude to a defense desperately in need of it.
        Michael Griffin, safety from the Titans.  The former first round pick out of Texas has been a solid player over the past 5 seasons but looks like should be making more plays considering his skills. He had excellent seasons in 2008 (7 INTs, 11 passes knocked away) and 2010 (4 picks with 11 passes defended). I describe Griffin as a good player about to earn "great" player money where as the previous 2 are already great players.

Even with all the dead money hanging over this team, Jerry Jones will still be able to target a top free agent if he so desires but his track record of using his football money wisely is not real good. Marcus Spears, 5-years for $19.2 million & Gerald Sensabaugh, 5-years for $22.5 million just to name a few...