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With the 2018 NFL Draft in the books, it is only fair to dish out some awards for a job well done by a number of teams across the NFL. It also doesn’t hurt to look at which teams may have made regrettable picks.
Pass along your thoughts on these awards and the 2018 NFL Draft. I may put together a mail bag that answers questions/comments sent via email [email protected] or on Twitter @draftcampbell.
Worst Draft Class:
Dallas Cowboys Clearly, I blew it with the 2012 award for Seattle, and to a lesser extent with the Cowboys in 2013, so Cowboys fans should rejoice that I’m back to picking them this year. Two years ago, however, I was critical of the Rams’ draft class, which has been somewhat accurate. The Chiefs’ 2014 class has some wasted picks in it, including first-rounder Dee Ford. The Panthers’ 2015 class and the Patriots’ 2016 class have been underwhelming, but it is too early to pass real judgement. Two years ago in this space, I ripped New England for the Cyrus Jones pick, and that was proven valid. Arizona’s rookies didn’t impress last year, but it definitely is too early to pass any judgement. Now, on to the Cowboys.
With their first selection, the Cowboys took Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. A number of teams told me they had graded Vander Esch on the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft. WalterFootball.com was first to report, in the Hot Press, that medical concerns had caused some to have Vander Esch removed from their draft board. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and NFL Network’s Mike Mayock later confirmed our report. A linebacker who faces concerns about a neck injury and a history with a concussion and knee ligament sprain seems like a risky pick in the top 20.
“To me, [Vander Esch]’s a third-round talent, but probably will go higher,” said an AFC general manager. “He has gotten a lot of hype, but he plays soft. He’s too much like Paul Posluszny for me. He’s a good player and will have a lot of tackles, but most of them will come four yards downfield. He’s not an impact-at-the-line guy like a Ray Lewis, Luke Kuechly, Jon Beason or Brian Urlacher.”
Obviously, I was not a fan for the Connor Williams pick – see Biggest Reach Day 2. In the third round, the Cowboys took a quality receiver Michael Gallup. However, Gallup’s college coaches gave NFL teams some poor feedback on working with Gallup. Thus, I could see some issues with him transitioning to the pro game, where it gets a lot harder to get by on just natural ability.
My favorite pick of the Cowboys’ draft was fourth-rounder Dorance Armstrong. The former Jayhawk defensive end, however, would fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker rather than playing end or outside linebacker in Rod Marinelli’s 4-3 scheme.
It wouldn’t surprise me if fourth-round tight end Dalton Schultz is the best pick from this draft class. He is a well-rounded player with the ability to be a contributor as a blocker and recover. After Schultz, the Cowboys selected fringe backups.
I think in a couple of years Dallas could have very little to show for this draft class. I think it will prove to be a hinderance to the Cowboys’ hopes of getting back to the postseason and hurt their competitiveness against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
2017 Winner: Arizona Cardinals
2016 Winner: New England Patriots
2015 Winner: Carolina Panthers
2014 Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
2013 Winner: Dallas Cowboys
2012 Winner: Seattle Seahawks
Once again, pass along your thoughts on these awards and the 2018 NFL Draft. I may together a mail bag that answers questions/comments sent via email [email protected] or on Twitter @draftcampbell.
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