Dallas Cowboys 2010 Draft Review

Make no mistake about it:  if Dez Bryant plays up to his potential, it won't matter what anybody else does in this draft class. Wide receiver wasn't even a need and the Cowboys still felt he was worth moving up to get. Bryant couldn't go to a better situation as a rookie because he will be one of three talented receivers and could see one-on-one coverage because of it. Sean Lee is a versatile aggresive linebacker and could move into a starting role. Owusu-Ansah may have been anonymous to the masses, but he was well known in the football scouting community. He should provide the Cowboys with the punt returner they have been lacking and could turn into a starting caliber corner down the road. Sam Young, Jamar Wall, and Sean Lissemore have uphill battles but still could make the team. 


Round 1, Pick 24

Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

Ht: 6’2” Wt: 225

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Bryant is a Top 5 talent that dropped because of concerns regarding his attitude.  Jerry Jones has never been one to shy away from a "confident player".  If this pick pays off for them, they could be playing at home on Super Bowl Sunday.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A terrific game-day competitor with immaturity issues that could sidetrack a brilliant career if he does not learn that he will not be able to get by on his natural talent alone at the pro level. Appeared heavier and less agile as a junior than he did early in his career and showed up at the Combine at a bulked-up 225 pounds and did not work out. Proved he could be a difference maker from Day One in college and has the physical traits to become a dominating, No. 1 receiver if he figures out the meaning of hard work.

NFL projection: Top-15 pick.

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Bryant is a junior who is coming out early for the 2010 Draft after a disappointing 2009 season which saw him suspended early on for the rest of the season.  He was a highly productive receiver once he got on the field at Oklahoma State and in our view he was as good a receiver in 2008 as Michael Crabtree and in our view is as good a prospect.  He has the combination of size, strength, athleticism, quickness, hands and receiving skills that have become so popular in the NFL in recent seasons.  There is no doubt he is going to need to step up and run routes more aggressively if he is going to be a consistent route runner in the NFL, which he will need to be in order to consistently get separation from NFL defenders.  Overall, Bryant is a big time receiving talent who is going to be a high level starter early in his career.  He will not only be a valuable receiver for the QB to throw traffic, but will be an excellent red zone target who can make great catches over defenders.  There is no doubt that Bryant hurt himself when he showed up unprepared for his pro day – he forget his cleat and ends up working out in new cleats and struggled to do well in the shuttles, cone drills and 40.  His lack of preparation for such an important day definitely makes the questions about his maturing and off-field work ethic more concerning and will likely cause him to slide on a number of teams’ draft boards.  However, despite my history of drastically lowering player’s grades when there are worth ethic questions, I am not doing that in Bryant’s case because on the field he shows excellent competitiveness, toughness and consistency catching the ball and making big plays. 

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Teams’ will questions Bryant about his NCAA suspension, but they will likely overlook the mistakes when they pop in the film.  Scouts will also questions his top-end speed, but they know that plenty of big-bodied receivers have succeeded in the NFL without running 4.4 40s.  Bryant’s hands, strength and surprising elusiveness should keep him in the top half of the first round.

Round 2, Pick 55

Sean Lee, LB, Penn State

Ht: 6’ 2 1/8” Wt: 236

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Lee is a excellent player who is known as a hard worker and fine teammate.  His ability to play either inside or outside linebacker makes him a valuable commodity.  The Cowboys will probably put him inside to make up for the mistake of drafting Bobby (AKA "Barbie") Carpenter.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Versatile, active, highly competitive ’backer who fits a throwback mold. Stability of his knee will have to be checked out, and he needs to get stronger, but Lee makes all the plays he should and brings the type of dependability and lunch-pail mentality valued in the middle of the defense. Offers versatility to play any linebacker spot.

NFL projection: Top-50 pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  In addition to proving he’s at full strength health-wise, Lee has to convince scouts he has NFL caliber speed and strength, but his intelligence and toughness are virtually unquestioned.  His ability to play inside and outside in any scheme should see him selected before the end of the third round.

126.)  Dallas Cowboys
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB, Indiana (PA)
Ht: 6' 0" Wt: 207

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  An excellent returner, he will step into that role immediately for the Cowboys.  As a corner back, he has tremendous upside and potential but, again like many prospects in the draft, will need time to reach full potential.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Well-built, long-levered, raw corner with upside and versatility to potentially contribute as a return man or line up at safety down the road. Could require some patience while adjusting to the speed of the pro game and becoming more technically proficient but has upside with an intriguing size-speed ratio and moldable physical tools.

NFL projection: Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

179.)  Dallas Cowboys
Sam Young, OT, Notre Dame
Ht: 6' 8" Wt: 316

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  A big kid who needs to get much stronger, Young was man-handled at the Senior Bowl and his draft stock suffered.  He is worth the late round flier because of his work ethic and smarts.  The Cowboys have a need at tackle and guard, and Young could fill in as a reserve.  

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Not considered one of the more athletic tackles in the draft, Young’s size, strength and pedigree are likely to land him a spot in the middle rounds and give him the potential to have a long NFL career. 

196.)  Dallas Cowboys

Jamar Wall, CB, Texas Tech

Ht: 5'  10" Wt: 204

EMQB’s analysis on the pick: Wall was a value pick in the sense that he fell because of his lack of instincts.  If Wall can make a good impression on the Cowboys, he has a chance to make the roster as a nickel or dime corner.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Squatty, squarely built former high school running back with man-coverage limitations who is not exceptional in any area but has enough size, athletic ability and ball skills to make it as a No. 4 or No. 5 corner for a cover-2 team.

NFL projection: Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

234.)  Dallas Cowboys
Sean Lissemore, DT, William and Mary
Ht: 6' 4" Wt: 298

EMQB’s analysis on the pick: An excellent value for a late round pick, Lissemore is a prototypical block-eating 3-4 defensive end.  He needs to get stronger and develop technique, but he has a shot to make the practice squad with the Cowboys.

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

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