Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 22
I know this draft is a hit when I get two emails telling me to hurry up and post the Dallas pick. So here goes, courtesy of Marv M.
Dallas should use this pick to select a running back.
They arguably have bigger needs in the secondary, but all of the cornerbacks worth taking this high have already been selected, and a safety can be acquired later.
Wide receiver is also a need, but that's a position that usually takes a few years to develop. Dallas is in win-now mode. Ideally, they'll trade the #28 pick for a veteran receiver like Anquan Boldin or Roy Williams (or possibly Ocho Cinco if he manages to force the Bengals' hand), but if not, there should be several good receiver prospects available with that pick or in the second round (I think that Limas Sweed is the best receiver in this draft, and he appears to be sliding).
Conversely, running backs are the most capable of contributing in their first year, and there are two running backs still available that I consider special: Jonathan Stewart and Felix Jones.
Stewart is probably the better all-around back. His size, strength, and blocking and receiving skills are those of an every-down NFL running back. But the Cowboys are not necessarily looking for an every-down back. Rather, they're looking for a back to complement Marion Barber, and Jones, with his superior quickness, might be the more logical "lightning" to Barber's "thunder."
That said, Dallas does not have Barber under a long-term contract yet and acquiring a potential feature back like Stewart would give Dallas some leverage in that regard (and insurance in case Barber does bolt).
In the end, I think you need to go with the best player available, and I believe that player is Jonathan Stewart. His toe injury is somewhat worrisome. But it doesn't appear as though it will limit him beyond training camp, and Barber should be able to shoulder the heavier load in his absence.
With the 22nd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys should select Jonathan Stewart from the University of Oregon.
2008 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft
1. Miami Dolphins (Scott L.) - Chris Long
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan Silva) - Glenn Dorsey
3. Atlanta Falcons (Troy Hill) - Matt Ryan
4. Oakland Raiders (Stephen G.) - Jake Long
5. Kansas City Chiefs (Jeremy S.) - Darren McFadden
6. New York Jets (John B.) - Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots (Gregg R.) - Sedrick Ellis
8. Baltimore Ravens (Ryan F.) - Leodis McKelvin
9. Cincinnati Bengals (Jacob C.) - Ryan Clady
10. New Orleans Saints (Scott K.) - Keith Rivers
11. Buffalo Bills (James N.) - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
12. Denver Broncos (Taylor C.) - Chris Williams
13. Carolina Panthers (Matthew W.) - Derrick Harvey
14. Chicago Bears (Zone) - Branden Albert
15. Detroit Lions (Adam P.) - Rashard Mendenhall
16. Arizona Cardinals (Scott C.) - Aquib Talib
17. Minnesota Vikings (Tim L.) - Jeff Otah
18. Houston Texans (Jimmy) - Mike Jenkins
19. Philadelphia Eagles (Andy G.) - Devin Thomas
20. Tampa Bay Bucs (Robert O.) - Antoine Cason
21. Washington Redskins (James M.) - Philip Merling
22. Dallas Cowboys (Marv) - Jonathan Stewart
Comments
If Dallas wanted this type of back (235 lb running backs that run a 4.4 40) they would have tried harder to pick up Michael Turner.
The contract he signed isnt much more than what a 22nd pick would sign for, and he signed for 6 years versus the cap of 5 for a second half first round pick.
The small difference in contract costs would have been majorly offset by the fact that he wouldnt have required a draft pick and that he has proven ability at the NFL level.
Best player available only works when that is the type of player you are targeting.
Posted by: Matt | April 17, 2008 09:21 PM
Turner's contract wasn't much more than what the 22nd pick will get?
What?? You're a moron. The contract size for a pick in the 15-25 range last year was 5 years, $13MM. Turner got something close to $45MM.
You don't watch much football, do you?
Posted by: omg what a moron | April 17, 2008 09:46 PM
What the hell is this idiot Matt talking about? Turner signed for 6 years, $34.5 million with $15 million of that guaranteed.
Last year, Brady Quinn was the 22nd pick, so his contract is not representative of what that pick will get paid this year. The 21st pick, Reggie Nelson, got a 5 year deal for $13 million with $7 million guaranteed. The 23rd pick, Dwayne Bowe, got 5 years for $11.8 million and $6.5 million guaranteed.
How is that comparable to what Turner got paid?? That's not even to mention the fact that Stewart is worlds better than Turner.
Matt's comment has to be the idiotic thing I've read on here in a while.
Posted by: check the numbers, guy | April 17, 2008 09:51 PM
If you click on Matt's name, it's clear that he is "Matt Grant," the guy who was whining about this pick at the beginning of the thread.
He's just bitter that Dallas "hosed" his ability to pick Stewart for his tiny pink franchise.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 17, 2008 09:55 PM
"Matt Grant"
Way to use your full name when posting idiotic comments on the internet, genius.
Just be glad your name is so bland and average that you won't be conclusively linked to this stupidity for years to come.
Posted by: Ty Slothrop | April 17, 2008 09:58 PM
theguy@mattgrant.ca
Lulz.
Posted by: Lulz Guy | April 17, 2008 10:04 PM
Sorry, I stopped reading Matt's comment when he used the word "majorly."
Posted by: dumbest person ever?? | April 17, 2008 10:09 PM