Dallas Cowboys Forecast
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Dallas Cowboys (C+)
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(18) Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State
(53) Anthony Fasano, TE. Notre Dame
(96) Jason Hatcher, DE. Grambling State
(125) Skyler Green, WR. LSU
(138) Pat Watkins, S. Florida State
(182) Montavious Stanley, DT. Louisville
(211) Pat McQuistan, OT. Weber State
(224) EJ Whitley, OT. Texas Tech
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Bill Parcels had an excellent draft last year. Marcus Spears and Damarcus Ware both had very good rookie campaigns. In Bobby Carpenter, Parcels is polishing off a young and talented front seven that is built perfectly for the 3-4. Passing on the more glamorous pick, Manny Lawson, you just have a feeling that Percels got his guy in Bobby Carpenter. You really have to wonder what the Cowboys were thinking with the #53 pick in Anthony Fasano. Already possessing one of the best pass catching tight ends in the game in Jason Witten, it seems there is no need to grab another target in the passing game and no reason to grab a blocking tight end so early. Reaching in round three, the Cowboys went for a top sleeper candidate in Jason Hatcher at defensive end. Having found Demarcus Ware at Troy State, no one can argue with Parcels grabbing a small schooler there. Defense remained a priority on day two. The offensive line was neglected until the seventh round, which seemed a little late. Missing both on need and on value distinct spots, the Cowboys draft was average.
(18) Bobby Carpenter, OLB. Ohio State
You have to believe Bobby Carpenter is a Bill Parcels' guy. At 6'3"/256, Carpenter has ideal size to play outside linebacker in the 3-4. His 4.66 speed suggests that he is an excellent athlete. Very versatile, Carpenter has shown the ability to be comfortable both in coverage and while rushing the quarterback. He can also play from either a three-point or a two-point stance. A tenacious and aggressive player, Carpenter is a football player through and through. Often in the shadow of AJ Hawk at Ohio State, Bobby Carpenter is an excellent prospect in his own right. Not the surest tackler in the draft, Carpenter certainly has room for improvement; but, his game is very polished and he can start opposite Demarcus Ware from day one. In Ware and Carpenter, Parcels has his Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks.
(53) Anthony Fasano, TE. Notre Dame
Perhaps the most puzzling pick of day one, Anthony Fasano seems to no fill a need for the Cowboys while also presenting only very average value. With Jason Witten putting up Pro Bowl numbers every year, Anthony Fasano will seem to be out of the mix as a pass catching tight end. As a blocker, Fasano is excellent. It is very possible that Parcels is considering a two tight end set for the offense. Lacking a true slot receiver, Fasano and Witten could cumulatively take a lot of pressure off of Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn on the outside. At 6'4"/259, Fasano has a solid frame but lacks the ideal size of an NFL tight end. He lacks the measureables of an elite tight end, but -like Bobby Carpenter- is a football player every way you slice it. You can bet Bill Parcels was listening when Mary Bavaro references were attached to Anthony Fasano. Regardless, you have to question if this pick either fill a need or presented good value to the Cowboys.
(96) Jason Hatcher, DE. Grambling State
Having turned Demarcus Ware from a small school superstar into an NFL star, one can struggle to question the Jason hatcher pick by the Cowboys. You just have to wonder if he would have been available later into the draft. Hatcher has outstanding size at 6'6"/284. He has the ideal frame to play defensive end in the 3-4. An incredible athlete, Hatcher managed a 4.96 timing at the combine. He is an intense player who is relentless when rushing the passer. Averaging 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks per season during his four year career at Grambling State, Hatcher was a dominant player at his level of play. He needs some serious development to clean up his footwork and better use his hands, but Jason Hatcher has the chance to be an excellent pro player. With Greg Ellis having a few more good seasons in him, Hatcher will have time to develop behind Ellis before taking over the starting role in the future.
(125) Skyler Green, WR. LSU
Cowboy fans had a feeling that a young, talented receiver would be brought in both to replace Terry Glenn in the future and to act as an insurance policy for the volatile Terrell Owens right now. Skler Green is a dynamic athlete. At 5'9"/192, Green lacks ideal height, but he has excellent acceleration and agility to accompany his above average, 4.44 speed. Green run very good routes and is virtually impossible to tackle one-on-one in the open field. Consequently, he is also an excellent return man, perhaps giving the Cowboys an immediate upgrade on special teams. Green may never be a starting receiver at the NFL level, but he has a chance to excel as a return man and contribute as an inside receiver that can stretch the field and present match-up problems by using his speed against safeties and slower nickel backs. Regardless, he gives the Cowboys an additional option both as a return man and as a receiver.
(138) Pat Watkins, S. Florida State
Pat Watkins is my favorite players in the entire draft class. He has the potential to revolutionize the safety position even more than Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu has. At 6'5", Watkins has height unseen previously in the defensive backfield. Underbuilt at 211lbs, Watkins needs to hit the weights to become built to handle the NFL load week in and week out. However, Watkins has all the skills to be great. He can jump out of the building, allowing him to win virtually any and all jump ball situation down field. He is unafraid to support the run and is a very sure handed tackler. He has 4.42 speed, allowing him to roam the entire field from sideline-to-sideline. At 6'5", he can lack fluidity in man coverage, but Pat has the speed and quickness to recover very well. Needing a rangy safety to compliment and play alongside Roy Williams, Pat Watkins is an excellent choice. Pending the success of his preseason workout regimen, I would not at all be surprised if Pat Watkins cracked the starting lineup over Keith Davis at free safety.
(182) Montavious Stanley, DT. Louisville
Few players in the country were more disruptive than Montavious Stanley in the middle. At 6'2"/313, Stanley is short for the DT position, but he is a wide body that can get penetration and take on two blockers in the running game. Criticised for his inconsistency, you can bet that Parcels will be more than willing to let Montavious realize the type of work ethic that is required to make an NFL roster. Undersized for a defensive tackle -especially for the 34- Stanley has upside and run-stuffing abilities that project his potential as a starter somewhere down the line. With the proper motivation, he could be a serviceable pro in the NFL.
(211) Pat McQuistan, OT. Weber State
Much less heralded than his twin brother Paul, Pat McQuistan is a similar football player with project written all over him. At 6'5"/310, McQuistan is an excellent athlete with 5.00 speed. Along with his brother, he was dominant at the NFL level. He is a hard worker that has a nasty demeanor on the field. His footwork is very below average and his technique is -by all acounts- raw. However, with the proper technique and strength development, Pat McQuistan could be a very good right tackle or right guard in the NFL. In the meantime, McQuistan supplys depth to a Cowboys offensive front that probably needed addressing before the 7th round.
(224) EJ Whitley, OT. Texas Tech
Different from Pat McQuistan, EJ Whitley has the footwork to project to left tackle in the NFL. While it is very unlikely that he will become a starter one day, Whitley can supply good depth at the position as a good backup. At 6'5"/309, Whitley is good size to compliment his excellent footwork. Versatile, Whitley can play both tackle positions and even left guard. Having a lot of experience pass blocking at Texas Tech, Whitley needs work in the running game. With added size and strength, he can become an NFL caliber offensive lineman. Not very physical at the point of attack, Whitley will need to get tougher under Parcels. But, he certainly has the athleticism to play at the next level.
Dallas Cowboys (C+)
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(18) Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State
(53) Anthony Fasano, TE. Notre Dame
(96) Jason Hatcher, DE. Grambling State
(125) Skyler Green, WR. LSU
(138) Pat Watkins, S. Florida State
(182) Montavious Stanley, DT. Louisville
(211) Pat McQuistan, OT. Weber State
(224) EJ Whitley, OT. Texas Tech
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Bill Parcels had an excellent draft last year. Marcus Spears and Damarcus Ware both had very good rookie campaigns. In Bobby Carpenter, Parcels is polishing off a young and talented front seven that is built perfectly for the 3-4. Passing on the more glamorous pick, Manny Lawson, you just have a feeling that Percels got his guy in Bobby Carpenter. You really have to wonder what the Cowboys were thinking with the #53 pick in Anthony Fasano. Already possessing one of the best pass catching tight ends in the game in Jason Witten, it seems there is no need to grab another target in the passing game and no reason to grab a blocking tight end so early. Reaching in round three, the Cowboys went for a top sleeper candidate in Jason Hatcher at defensive end. Having found Demarcus Ware at Troy State, no one can argue with Parcels grabbing a small schooler there. Defense remained a priority on day two. The offensive line was neglected until the seventh round, which seemed a little late. Missing both on need and on value distinct spots, the Cowboys draft was average.
Bobby Carpenter is a prototypical OLB for the 3-4
(18) Bobby Carpenter, OLB. Ohio State
You have to believe Bobby Carpenter is a Bill Parcels' guy. At 6'3"/256, Carpenter has ideal size to play outside linebacker in the 3-4. His 4.66 speed suggests that he is an excellent athlete. Very versatile, Carpenter has shown the ability to be comfortable both in coverage and while rushing the quarterback. He can also play from either a three-point or a two-point stance. A tenacious and aggressive player, Carpenter is a football player through and through. Often in the shadow of AJ Hawk at Ohio State, Bobby Carpenter is an excellent prospect in his own right. Not the surest tackler in the draft, Carpenter certainly has room for improvement; but, his game is very polished and he can start opposite Demarcus Ware from day one. In Ware and Carpenter, Parcels has his Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks.
Anthony Fasano is a very well-rounded tight end
(53) Anthony Fasano, TE. Notre Dame
Perhaps the most puzzling pick of day one, Anthony Fasano seems to no fill a need for the Cowboys while also presenting only very average value. With Jason Witten putting up Pro Bowl numbers every year, Anthony Fasano will seem to be out of the mix as a pass catching tight end. As a blocker, Fasano is excellent. It is very possible that Parcels is considering a two tight end set for the offense. Lacking a true slot receiver, Fasano and Witten could cumulatively take a lot of pressure off of Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn on the outside. At 6'4"/259, Fasano has a solid frame but lacks the ideal size of an NFL tight end. He lacks the measureables of an elite tight end, but -like Bobby Carpenter- is a football player every way you slice it. You can bet Bill Parcels was listening when Mary Bavaro references were attached to Anthony Fasano. Regardless, you have to question if this pick either fill a need or presented good value to the Cowboys.
(96) Jason Hatcher, DE. Grambling State
Having turned Demarcus Ware from a small school superstar into an NFL star, one can struggle to question the Jason hatcher pick by the Cowboys. You just have to wonder if he would have been available later into the draft. Hatcher has outstanding size at 6'6"/284. He has the ideal frame to play defensive end in the 3-4. An incredible athlete, Hatcher managed a 4.96 timing at the combine. He is an intense player who is relentless when rushing the passer. Averaging 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks per season during his four year career at Grambling State, Hatcher was a dominant player at his level of play. He needs some serious development to clean up his footwork and better use his hands, but Jason Hatcher has the chance to be an excellent pro player. With Greg Ellis having a few more good seasons in him, Hatcher will have time to develop behind Ellis before taking over the starting role in the future.
(125) Skyler Green, WR. LSU
Cowboy fans had a feeling that a young, talented receiver would be brought in both to replace Terry Glenn in the future and to act as an insurance policy for the volatile Terrell Owens right now. Skler Green is a dynamic athlete. At 5'9"/192, Green lacks ideal height, but he has excellent acceleration and agility to accompany his above average, 4.44 speed. Green run very good routes and is virtually impossible to tackle one-on-one in the open field. Consequently, he is also an excellent return man, perhaps giving the Cowboys an immediate upgrade on special teams. Green may never be a starting receiver at the NFL level, but he has a chance to excel as a return man and contribute as an inside receiver that can stretch the field and present match-up problems by using his speed against safeties and slower nickel backs. Regardless, he gives the Cowboys an additional option both as a return man and as a receiver.
Pat Watkins at #138 was one of the best picks in the draft
(138) Pat Watkins, S. Florida State
Pat Watkins is my favorite players in the entire draft class. He has the potential to revolutionize the safety position even more than Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu has. At 6'5", Watkins has height unseen previously in the defensive backfield. Underbuilt at 211lbs, Watkins needs to hit the weights to become built to handle the NFL load week in and week out. However, Watkins has all the skills to be great. He can jump out of the building, allowing him to win virtually any and all jump ball situation down field. He is unafraid to support the run and is a very sure handed tackler. He has 4.42 speed, allowing him to roam the entire field from sideline-to-sideline. At 6'5", he can lack fluidity in man coverage, but Pat has the speed and quickness to recover very well. Needing a rangy safety to compliment and play alongside Roy Williams, Pat Watkins is an excellent choice. Pending the success of his preseason workout regimen, I would not at all be surprised if Pat Watkins cracked the starting lineup over Keith Davis at free safety.
Montavious Stanley in a run stuffing machine
(182) Montavious Stanley, DT. Louisville
Few players in the country were more disruptive than Montavious Stanley in the middle. At 6'2"/313, Stanley is short for the DT position, but he is a wide body that can get penetration and take on two blockers in the running game. Criticised for his inconsistency, you can bet that Parcels will be more than willing to let Montavious realize the type of work ethic that is required to make an NFL roster. Undersized for a defensive tackle -especially for the 34- Stanley has upside and run-stuffing abilities that project his potential as a starter somewhere down the line. With the proper motivation, he could be a serviceable pro in the NFL.
(211) Pat McQuistan, OT. Weber State
Much less heralded than his twin brother Paul, Pat McQuistan is a similar football player with project written all over him. At 6'5"/310, McQuistan is an excellent athlete with 5.00 speed. Along with his brother, he was dominant at the NFL level. He is a hard worker that has a nasty demeanor on the field. His footwork is very below average and his technique is -by all acounts- raw. However, with the proper technique and strength development, Pat McQuistan could be a very good right tackle or right guard in the NFL. In the meantime, McQuistan supplys depth to a Cowboys offensive front that probably needed addressing before the 7th round.
(224) EJ Whitley, OT. Texas Tech
Different from Pat McQuistan, EJ Whitley has the footwork to project to left tackle in the NFL. While it is very unlikely that he will become a starter one day, Whitley can supply good depth at the position as a good backup. At 6'5"/309, Whitley is good size to compliment his excellent footwork. Versatile, Whitley can play both tackle positions and even left guard. Having a lot of experience pass blocking at Texas Tech, Whitley needs work in the running game. With added size and strength, he can become an NFL caliber offensive lineman. Not very physical at the point of attack, Whitley will need to get tougher under Parcels. But, he certainly has the athleticism to play at the next level.