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
Hey Matt, instead of whining about the pick, why don't you send in your Steelers pick so we can get this thing moving?
Posted by: Gary R. | April 17, 2008 10:16 PM
Gregg, you know this draft is a HIT when you get to the Cowboys picks and your site gets slammed. They're called America's Team for a reason.
Posted by: b roo | April 17, 2008 10:16 PM
Mike Turner's a scrub backup who benefited from playing in easy situations and behind a great o-line. Stewart is being compared to Larry Johnson. Kiper called him a future NFL rushing champ.
I bet Matt is a 10 year old girl.
Posted by: mike turner??? | April 17, 2008 10:19 PM
lol finally a lively pick discussion.
I sent my pick in to Gregg hours ago. Was going to be Stewart going to a team that makes sense, rather than a Cowboys fan just making a sexy pick.
First off yes, pick 22 this year to pick 22 last year is skewed by it being Quinn. But so is presuming that Turner will see all of that contract. The numbers that matter is guarenteed money (15 mil), not the bloat added on in the later years. Turner will be 32 by the end of the contract and not likely to be making that same amount of cash.
But hey, Im a huge fan of Barber the Barbarian so maybe its just me that thinks its retarded to pick a big physical back like Stewart when Barber already does it so well. Plus theres the fact that Dallas is offering 30 mil plus (Barber wants 40-60) already so why spend first round money on Stewart?
If Barber leaving is such a concern Turner is the safer option.
Not saying Stewart isnt talented, I think hes great. Just not the right fit for Dallas, at least not at 22, maybe 28 if he ever fell that far.
Besides most of this is moot as one or both of those first rounders are likely to be traded off by Jones.
Posted by: Matt | April 18, 2008 12:06 AM
So if the Cowboys' pick of Stewart doesn't make sense in light of their relative disinterest in Michael Turner (who is mediocre, by the way), why would it make sense for the Steelers to take him? They had no interest in Turner either. Besides, the Steelers need sooo much else (i.e. their terrible D). Stewart makes way less sense for them than he does for Dallas.
You're saying 2 very contradictory things here, Matt.
I think you might be mildly retarded, but the doctors never caught it. You might want to look into that.
Posted by: JR Ewing | April 18, 2008 12:12 AM
Yeah, and the guaranteed money is $15 mill vs. $7 mill. That's a huge difference.
Turner is horrible anyway. There's a reason the only team that was interested in him was the worst-run franchise in the NFL.
And if you think the Steelers should take Stewart, why didn't THEY go after Turner??
I don't think this guy watches football other than to track his fantasy team. It's symptomatic of a lot of NFL fans these days, but this guy's grasp on reality is a joke.
Posted by: Horace Grant | April 18, 2008 12:17 AM
"Lively"?? This hasn't been lively. It's been one moron (i.e. you) getting crushed by 20-25 different commenters.
Your comparison of Turner to Stewart was the work of a true imbecile (right down to your huge gaffe on the contract numbers). Just admit defeat and go cry yourself to sleep.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 18, 2008 12:21 AM