Looking over the Cowboys Draft, did they get enough help on defense?

The Dallas Cowboys headed into the 2014 draft needing tons of help on defense but if the opportunity presented itself, they should look to upgrade the offense especially on the offensive line. That was the game plan from Valley Ranch going into the Draft Thursday night.

If you are like me, I didn't have much confidence in Jerry Jones to be able to hold to the plan and help build this team the right way. This was tested in the first round when polarizing QB Johnny Manziel fell right into Dallas' lap at #16 overall. I was terrified at the idea of Jerry thinking bringing Manziel in would put the Cowboys in any better shape for a championship with the salary implication he's put the team into with Tony Romo and the horrendous defense he fed to Monte Kiffin in 2013.

Thankfully Jerry selected the best lineman on the board bringing in Zach Martin, the offensive tackle from Notre Dame. The team did inquire about trading down but there were no substantial offers on the table to justify moving back off a player like Martin. The best defensive prospects were off the board specifically, Anthony Barr to Vikings and Aaron Donald to the Rams.

Here is my report on Zach Martin

Zach Martin, Notre Dame, #70

Game Film Evaluated: Stanford (2013) USC (2013)

Pros: Gets good depth in protection, drives well in run blocking. Understands angles and can seal the edge in run blocking. Collapse his man inside to open up cut back. Really really good at turning his man to seal off the edge in the run game. Going to work great in a zone blocking scheme. Just doesn’t give an inch in pass protection. Quickly recovered when beaten off snap from Trent Murphy.
Cons: Will struggle with elite speed rushers if stays at tackle. Only speed rushers will give him trouble, don’t see elite quickness off the snap. Never saw him pull or get out in space. Did not see him block to the 2nd level except rarely on sweeps. He was beaten a couple of times with a good swim move, Martin dropped his head.

Senior Bowl: With a number of big names opting to decline their invitations, some due to injury and some by choice, Notre Dame OT Zack Martin entered the week as one of the top prospects in this years game. It’s still very early but so far Martin has lived up to that billing. A four-year starter on the blindside for the Fighting Irish, Martin doesn’t necessarily look the part of a stud left tackle prospect but as they say looks can be deceiving. Martin checked in at 6-4⅛ and 305 pounds with 32¼-inch arms, 9¾-inch hands and a 76⅞-inch wingspan. On the face those aren’t eye-popping numbers and the relatively short arms are of particular concern. With that said it’s important to remember that just last year Justin Pugh was selected in the Top 20 overall with eerily similar measurables. Many feel Martin may fit best at right tackle or perhaps even kick inside to guard at the next level but so far he has more than held his own on the left side and excelled against top competition such as Stanford DE Trent Murphy. If Martin continues to perform well the rest of the way it will no longer be a question of if he’s a first rounder but rather how early he might come off the board in round one. While Martin may not have the prototypical physical tools that you look for at the position. Notre Dame OT Zack Martin, Minnesota DT Ra'Shede Hageman and Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald were standouts yesterday and all three continued to put on a show in Mobile. In fact, Martin is arguably the best player in attendance and could very well be the first 2014 Senior Bowl participant selected on Draft Day. By now it almost goes without saying but Notre Dame OT Zack Martin and Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald continue to shine. Martin actually got some work inside at offensive guard today which set up a highly-anticipated showdown with Donald. In that head-to-head matchup between two of this weeks most dominant performers it was Martin who was finally able to slow down Donald. Solid, Solid, solid! That’s the best way for me to describe my opinion of the work of OT/ZACK MARTIN/Notre Dame this week. He may not be perfect in his movement, but he never seems to get really beaten by a defender. He is tenacious and fights to and thru the whistle. He’s effective against bigger guys, and he’s effective against faster guys. There is concern about his lack of ideal height, at 6’4, as well as his weight at 305. He also has just average arm length, but 32 ½” arm length does not scare me. I see no reason he cannot be an effective OT in the NFL. But I also think he could easily slide inside and be a starter at OG as well. He displays economy of motion, and I do not see a glaring flaw in any of his work this week. Solid! Interesting day for Notre Dame G/T Zach Martin, who came into Mobile as one of the fastest risers on the board despite being somewhat undersized with real short arms for an OT. What Martin has been able to do this week though is show that he is a fine technician who moves his feet well and can lock when he makes good initial contact. However, there were several pass block situations today where Martin wasn’t able to close down the edge off the snap and appeared to lack the length to regain the advantage.

Summary: Steady and consistent, two words would best describe Martin. I would not say he is dominating but he will neutralize his man regardless if in pass protection or blocking in the run game. He fits best in a zone blocking scheme as his feet are very good and since he is not a mauler. I did not observe him having to block in space so difficult to project him at left guard. I like him best as a right tackle zone blocking scheme. He is a 1st round pick.

ROUND 2 (#34 OVERALL)
Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State #8

Game Film Evaluated: Wyoming (2013) B.Y.U. (2013)

Pros: Good burst off the snap, has a good inside move on running plays to cross blockers face. Closes extremely fast on the QB. Able to set the edge on run plays, falling off the block and making the play.
Cons: Not good at locating the ball, taking proper angles to the back. Don’t see a guy who can change directions with speed or making himself skinny to shoot gaps. Questionable ability to beat a solid tackle.
Summary: Not elite any area, a good player who’s effective vs the run and being aggressive up the field. Has skills to warrant Day II selection but doesn’t consistently show them off on film. Lawrence is a 3rd round pick in my opinion.

ROUND 4 (119TH OVERALL)
Anthony Hitchens, LB, Iowa


I had a 6th round grade on Hitchens and was the 3d best LB prospect from Iowa in this class. He is a finesse linebacker who doesn't attack the action, he shows some quickness when he doesn't have any traffic to get through. He has the capability to strike some ball carriers but his aggressivness and striking ability doesn't come up nearly often enough. What does come up is too slow to the action, slow to react, slow to disengage from blocks and can't make plays to the sideline with any lateral quickness. Just looks like a good college LB who does not project well to the next level especially one that favors speed and aggressiveness. Not a fan of the pick but best of luck to the player.

ROUND 5 (146TH OVERALL)
Devin Street, WR, Pittsburgh

I had a 4th round grade on Street, we kept hearing leading up to the draft how deep this class was especially at wide receiver. It was frustrating to think that Dallas would use a pick on a receiver instead of focusing strictly on upgrading the defense. However you cannot pass up great value and I loved this pick. He gives them ideal depth at receiver with now 3 receivers who can line up on the outside and 2 slot exclusive receivers to fill out their depth chart. Unlike Miles Austin, Street will have to play special teams in addition to being a receiver to make the team out of camp but signs are good. Street can stretch a team deep but he isn't a burner, he can run good routes deep, middle and short underneath as well. He catches the ball well with his hands so Street projects well to provide good depth and very budget friendly.

ROUND 7 (231ST OVERALL)
Ben Gardner, DE, Stanford

I did not evaluate Garnder prior to the draft, he was not on my top 100 board. I have since watched two of his games and Gardner is an impressive lineman from the 7th round. He is a good high effort player, has some quickness and ability to keep working to the QB. Makes himself skinny to shoot the gaps especially when he lines up at tackle on passing downs. The defensive end position is getting crowded but Dallas wants to at least three deep with quality players at every position on the lines heading into camp. Gardner looks like he can be a rotational high effort lineman who can make the team as the last defensive end off the bench, he's going to have to play every special teams unit and make a few sacks in the preseason to make the team.

ROUND 7 (238TH OVERALL)
Will Smith, OLB, Texas Tech

Will Smith is a good athlete, runs well, attacks the action at Tech and seems to be able to handle himself in coverage. Projects to be a Will backer giving competition to Bruce Carter for that job and I think this opens Smith up to getting playing time on defense in 2014. He could be the athletic weakside backer that Ernie Sims filled last year at a far bigger discount which is important.

ROUND 7 (248TH OVERALL)
Ahmad Dixon, Baylor, #6

Game Film Evaluated: TCU (2013) Kansas State (2013) Texas Tech (2013)

Pros: Capable of making an INT, undercutting a route. Strong burst to close. Easily a violent tackler and capable of being a real authority from the safety position.
Cons: Took false steps to diagnose play. Striker, doesn’t follow through with his legs. Squats on routes, extremely vulnerable to double moves and playaction. Knucklehead, head hunter, victim of repeated targeting penalties. Undisciplined football player. Doesn’t drive through his tackles. Exposed on double moves for score, he was in a Cover 2 defense. Unsportsmanlike penalty.

Senior Bowl: For the most part defensive backs don’t stand out at a weigh-in but Washington St. S Deone Bucannon was an exception thanks to a chiseled 6-0⅞ and 216 pound frame. If Bucannon wasn’t the most feared safety in the country this past season that honor might go to Ahmad Dixon of Baylor, who earned a reputation for being borderline dirty due to his aggressive, hard-hitting style. That physical nature was on full display for both Bucannon and Dixon today but each struggled with coverage responsibilities. That isn’t necessarily a surprise but the NFL is undeniably a passing league and these days there isn’t a lot of room for defensive backs who are a liability in that aspect of the game. Dixon and Bucannon are two of the players jockeying for position behind Ha Ha Clinton-Dix of Alabama and Calvin Pryor of Louisville and whoever emerges from the pack and establishes themselves as the third safety in this class will likely find a home somewhere in the second round. There is still a long way to go but so far Dixon and Bucannon have shown that they are going to be a factor in that competition right to the very end and workouts (i.e. speed) may play a key role. Another S, Baylor’s AHMAD DIXON shows flashes and really likes to deliver the big heat. But I just get the sense that he tries to play that intimidator role a bit too much. At just under 6’ tall and 205 lbs. he’s likely to get hurt trying to be the tough guy.

Summary: Extremely physical and aggressive safety who can turn a game with his striking ability and poor coverage ability. He is a stupid football player. I will not draft Dixon under any circumstances due to undisciplined style of play and coverage liability. He will require a great deal of protection to keep out of deep and man coverage responsibility. His tight hips and over aggressiveness will work against him in Cover 2. 3rd Round ability but removed off the board.

ROUND 7 (251ST OVERALL)
Ken Bishop, DT, Northern Illinois

I had a late 4th round grade on Bishop, he was my #2 sleeper defensive tackle prospect behind Caraun Reid from Princeton who went in the 5th round to the Lions. He is a extremely talented man with size, quickness, effort and some tools to be a player in the pros. He isn't very tall standing at little over 6'0" and weighing just over 300 pounds so 3-4 teams were not interested due to the lack of height. He's a good football player and would be shocked if he's not a quality rotational interior lineman who can be an upgrade over Nick Hayden. I think the Cowboys hit one here in the 7th round with Bishop.

ROUND 7 (254TH OVERALL)
Terrance Mitchell, CB from Oregon

I did not have any notes on Mitchell prior to the draft but Mitchell has some skills and plays a great deal faster with a burst to close on the receiver on tape. There is some upside and reports suggest he was a 5th round player that just fell almost undrafted. He will battle BW Webb for the dime corner job in Dallas.

Final Summary: The Cowboys needed help on defense, they got it with DeMarcus Lawrence to give them something on the pass rush from the edge which they didn't have prior to the draft. I am not believing that Hitchens can give this team depth behind Sean Lee at the mike and have him take over the job when Lee goes down hurt again. That pick seems to have been a waste and would of been far better to take Telvin Smith to battle Carter for the job and confident Smith would of won it. I also wanted Pierre Desir from Lindenwood who went 8 picks after Hitchens. Instead Dallas will again look internally to fill in the ranks on defense hoping that Lawrence gives them a big time pass rush at end, allow Tyrone Crawford, Ben Bass & newcomer Henry Melton refuel this defensive line to be at least average this season.

So many question marks remain, I think they significantly upgraded their depth but sure would of liked one more starter that could of been acquired had they not traded up for Lawrence or wasted a pick on a backup in the 4th round.