Did Jerry Have A Plan On Draft Day?

When Dallas traded down from #18 to eventually pick Travis Frederick at #31, my initial reaction was furious because could of had an elite grade player in Shariff Floyd. Two things can happen to change that feeling.

One: Shariff Floyd can turn into a bust, his short arms, inconsistent motor and lack of production can translate into a inconsistent player that fails to flip the switch and turn into a excellent player for the Vikings.

Two: The player Dallas acquired in the trade, Terrence Williams from Baylor can turn into a solid starting receiver to go along with Dez Bryant and away we go.

It should be noted that whether or not Travis Frederick works out has no change in how I felt about the trade. If Frederick doesn't work out it will only make me more upset about how the draft turned out. You have to get extra value in the trade otherwise you should have just kept your ass where you were.

So, the extra value in that trade is Williams, a 6-2 & 205 pound receiver from the spread offensive at Baylor. Here's an idea of what this kid can do well, as the draft goes along, you reach a point usually in the 3rd round where you look for things the player can do well instead of worrying about what they can't do with 1st or 2nd round picks. I agree with comments made by Bob Sturm..."Williams is an exceptional route runner who gets out of his breaks and is where he is supposed to be.  He has strong body control and also uses his frame to gain position on inside routes with ease at the college level.  He is fantastic against the sideline and catches those balls over his shoulder like a natural.  He also runs the post routes with the type of speed that will crush safeties that bite on a run-fake." DallasCowboys.com writer Bryan Broaddus mentioned Williams' sideline awareness as well as a huge positive during his time at Baylor and seen it during the OTAs.

Now what comes next is things he doesn't well, limited route experience, body catcher and showed on multiple instances to take eye off the ball looking for the safety when running across the middle.  I disagree with Sturm that Williams gets out of his breaks with ease, I saw a player who is slow out of the breaks and really has to power down when changing direction. This was confirmed by his combine results that test for that, the 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. Williams did not finish in the top 10 of all receivers on either test and he was considerably slower than other top receivers in the NFL with similar size coming out of college, AJ Green, Julio Jones & Demaryius Thomas.  You cannot be a big receiver who is slow out of his breaks and a body catcher, if you cannot generate separation you have to have amazing hands to attack the ball for your quarterback and not drop it in tight quarters.

One last thing is Williams did not face hardly any press coverage in college which isn't his fault but always hurts young receivers transition into the NFL making an immediate impact. Usually the rookie receivers who do make instant impacts come out of the slot since they don't have to deal with a corner right on their nose at the snap.

But remember, a 6-2 receiver with good frame and excellent downfield speed who runs good routes, just needs to expand on routes he's familiar with and learn to become a more consistent hand catcher. The point is he needs time and one of the few situations where the cowboys have the luxury of time at receiver.

Look at the wide receiver position for Dallas in 2013, Dez Bryant as your lead without question, Miles Austin as the #2 and when Austin gets hurt (not if but when) you can feel confident about Dwayne Harris being able to make plays on the outside or in the slot. Next up is Cole Beasley that everyone around here wants to see get more chances out of the slot. Factor in redshirt rookie Danny Coale can have a chance to show Garrett what he did for years at Virginia Tech. That is 4 receivers who we know can play on Sundays.  Many were puzzled when Dallas picked Terrence Williams with a premium 3rd round pick and I think they do have a plan for Williams as well as the time to let him learn what has taken Dez two years to do.

The plan is simple, Terrence Williams is the replacement for Miles Austin after the 2014 season.

I've been frustrated by Miles Austin's constant hamstring and overall injury problems, factor in the drops that hurt him in 2012 and emergence of Dez last season, I'm ready to plan for his departure.

The cowboys salary cap mess caused them to restructure Miles Austin's deal which complicates the plan slightly. Here is his cap hit figures for the last remaining years on his contract.

2013     $3,588,400
2014     $8,248,400    
2015     $9,636,400    
2016     $12,558,400

I suggest the plan is to release Austin after the 2014 season, saving Dallas $1.7 million in cap space paying an approx $5.1 cap penalty.

This starts a two year clock for Terrence Williams to learn how to be a NFL receiver and take over for Miles Austin.  The problem is we have 2 years left of Miles Austin's hamstrings, drops and frustrating play to deal with.

Oh and just incase you forgot Jerry, Dez Bryant's contract runs out after that 2014 season and you are going to need that money to pay that man.

It's good to have a plan in place, that is the GM's responsibility, now its on the coach & player to execute it.

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...