A Very “C+” Draft For Cowboys On First Day
The first day of the draft is over, and it looks like the Cowboys really did have blinders on and were staring down Felix Jones all the way. After Rashard Mendenhall slipped all the way down to the Cowboys, Dallas went ahead and pulled the trigger on Jones despite the fact that Mendenhall actually posted a faster 40 time at the combine than Felix Jones.
Largely thought of as the most complete back of the draft with both power and speed, Mendenhall’s main knock was that he only started one year. So, it makes sense that Dallas picks a back that didn’t start at all.
The Felix Jones pick was disappointing, but was evident that Dallas had him circled as the guy they wanted in the backfield with Marion Barber. Knowing that, if they didn’t take him at 22, the Titans would grab him, they went ahead an pulled the trigger. And, while a lot of us fans aren’t going to like it, hopefully it will work out in the long run.
One thing that Felix Jones has going for him is an yards per carry average of 7.66. That’s the second highest average in NCAA history. If he can translate that speed and shiftiness to the NFL, he could be a good compliment to Barber.
For Dallas’s next pick, they moved up to grab Mike Jenkins. This kid ran a 4.38 forty, so he’s one of the fastest corners in the draft and he’s also a hard hitter. He should fit in great on the defense. Even if Pacman flakes out sometime this year, Jenkins should help us hold down the fort, and if Pacman stays on the field all year, Dallas will have four very strong corners.
The last pick is the real headshaker. After trading away Fasano and Ayodele for Miami’s fourth rounder, we decide to go with a tight end. Obviously, Dallas felt that they could upgrade the blocking from their second tight end, but a second round pick for a tight end after trading away a serviceable (and originally second round) tight end?
A real puzzler for Dallas fans and not a very sexy day one of the draft. Hopefully, these picks will prove us wrong during the season.
