Final Pre-Draft Thoughts

It has been 3 long months since the Cowboys ended their season. 3 months of sitting and waiting for something...anything interesting to happen. We got a few interesting offseason days when Ken Hamlin and Flozell Adams were released but those weren't exactly shocking moves. The timing was surprising but you knew both guys were on the chopping block. Outside of that there has been no player movement for the Cowboys.

That will finally change on Thursday. I should say hopefully on Thursday because you never know how the draft will play out. The Cowboys could easily trade out of the first round if no one they covet falls to them in the first round. I'm sure the outrage will be deafening if Jerry Jones elects to trade out of the first round but I won't be at all shocked if it happens.

Let's assume the Cowboys find someone on their draft board with a first round grade when the clock starts on the 27th pick. What would the perfect world scenario look like? Would it be a safety or a tackle? Dez Bryant? A defensive tackle? It seems like you could pick from about 10-15 players right now and have a good chance of being right on the pick.

I'm not overly concerned about any particular position. I do have some concern that Doug Free is the answer at left tackle but he has shown he can play on the other side of the line. So I have to give him the benefit of the doubt until he proves he can't get the job done. And something tells me the coaches think he is the answer at left tackle. And what about Alan Ball at safety? He actually had better stats than Ken Hamlin in his limited starting time at free safety. I think you can hide an average or slightly below average safety so getting one in the first round isn't a necessity. And don't forget that Michael Hamlin is still a potential future starter as well.

The needs that I can see on the roster include offensive line depth, defensive tackle depth, middle linebacker depth, free safety, cornerback depth, special teams returner, slot receiver, and maybe outside linebacker depending on how last years . Offensive line depth ranks as one of my top priorities as does depth at middle linebacker. You always have to draft secondary players because depth will always be an issue. But the rest of the "need" positions aren't mandatory draft needs.

I'm not going to target specific players in specific rounds, but here is what I am hoping the Cowboys get from the draft this year. A safety, at least one offensive lineman, a cornerback, a slot receiver/returner (hopefully Jordan Shipley), a middle linebacker, and a defensive tackle. I think some positions should be drafted higher than others, but I think you could justify any order as long as all of these needs are met.

How About Jordan Shipley?

I have to admit that I am an unabashed Longhorn hater. I live in the Austin, Texas area so I get the constant barrage of Longhorn propaganda. I'm not originally from the Austin area so I have always hated the way the Austin area puts the Longhorns on a pedestal. So for me to even consider a player from the Longhorns as a potential Cowboy is saying something. Roy Williams hasn't helped change my view of the Longhorns either.

But if you have ever watched Jordan Shipley play you can see that this guy has the makings of a very good professional receiver. He runs excellent routes, he has good speed and quickness, very good hands, and he has the ability to return punts and kicks. He isn't a big guy (6'0" and 190 lbs.), but he always seemed to play bigger than his measureables would indicate. His 4.4-4.5 40 speed doesn't knock your socks off, but what really matters is how a guy plays in live game action.

Jordan Shipley has been a playmaker for the last few years at Texas. Over the last two seasons Shipley compiled 205 receptions for 2545 yards and 24 touchdowns. And throw in 3 punts returns and a kick return for touchdowns over that span.

Those are pretty gaudy numbers but we do have to keep in mind how a team like Texas plays inferior opponents early in the season and pads their stats while running up the score. However, Shipley made plays against all levels of opposition. In the national title game this year he put up 10 receptions for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns against Alabama with a freshman quarterback running the offense.

I don't think Shipley is a guy who is going to be a gamebreaker but I do think he fits the mold of the slot receiver the Cowboys offense seems to lack. Patrick Crayton does a decent job but he lacks any semblance of speed. Shipley plays fast and I have never seen him get caught from behind. And the guy also has experience as a holder for field goals so Tony Romo could give up that role next season.

I'd like to see the Cowboys draft Shipley and give him a year or two to develop behind Crayton. At some point the Cowboys are going to have to find a suitable long term replacement for Patrick Crayton. Roy Williams, Miles Austin, and Kevin Ogletree look like they will be fixtures on the roster for the foreseeable future so that leaves a couple of spots up for grabs. Sam Hurd has had a long time to work his way into the offense and while he makes a play here or there he has never made plays consistently.

Shipley is projecting to be picked anywhere from the middle of the 2nd round all the way to the beginning of the 5th round. I think he would be a steal for the Cowboys in the 3rd or 4th round. The Cowboys may pass on Shipley but I really hope they finally make a move to find a slot receiver with the ability to return kicks. I've been hoping for a guy like Shipley to be picked by the Cowboys for the last few years. Maybe this is finally the year.

I know everyone looks like a future all-pro on their Youtube highlight reel, but there are some great catches and ankle breaking moves on this video that will get your attention.