Rating the 2012 Draft, for 2013

[Fred]

so, Mel, "big hair" Kiper didn't like our 2012 draft. It is easy to take shots when on paper, our draft didn't produce mutliple starters in 2012.

Kiper

But, I take a different approach to our 2012 draft, the viewpoint of how it NOW looks given that we are making the switch to a 4-3. Here is my player-by-player look for 2013:

1st Rd: Mo - my goodness, I think this kid is going to be something special. In a Tampa-2 defense, he will be asked to cover receivers in a zone setting at times; I believe that he is best suited (like Carr) to press at the line. But, that's the thing with the arguably the best defensive play from the 2012 draft; his out look for 2013 excites me as he can play zone, man, press, etc.

2nd rd: sorry, we lost out on that to grab up Mo (and I am just fine with that)

3rd rd: Crawford - he isn't going to be a replacement for the Pro Bowl, but he got some valuable experience in 2012; now, this guy and his motor is extremely well suited to be in a 4-3 defense; he will be in the rotation and if the Cowboys do something with DT next to him (ex: Melton?), then he is going to get some sacks this season; the 4-3 benefits him more than any other draft pick on our roster from 2012

4th: Wilber, Johnson - Wilber didn't see a lot of playing time in 2012; but, he was brought in as an RKG who can run and tackle; that is very important in a 4-3, especially a Tampa-2 where the LB's must be able to make plays to allow the zone coverages to work, which frees up the DL to rush the passer; while I can't see him as a starter, I do see him as a good depth move; now, Johnson is very intriguing; he has the perfect make-up for a Tampa-2 safety; he is a fast, ball-hawk type with a strong motor; he is somewhat smalllish (at least coming out of college), but this guy is exactly the type of player needed at the safety position in a Tampa-2; he, along with Danny Coale are my two pet cats from the 2012 draft; if healthy, I can see some exciting things from this kid

5th: Coale - there is potential there to be very good, but missing an entire season and falling behind many others may keep this kid from being an NFL player/contributor; I still have high hopes that he comes in healthy and pushes for the slot job (3rd WR)

6th: Hanna - I am VERY excited to see what this kid can do; he showed flashes of ability near the end of the season; if Tony/Callahan sees his importance to the offense, then he could be the guy that the Cowboys have wanted to get for years to employ the 2 TE set

7th: McSurdy - at best, I can see him contributing to the ST unit; he is a RKG type player but in the 7th round, you don't expect to have a starter

Overall, while the 2012 campaign was not stellar for the draft class (other than Mo), I can see some large potential for success if they can come in healthy, compete in practice, and get on the field;

I like the 2012 draft class, especially since they translate very well into the new defensive scheme. What say you?

[Romo2Witten82]

Reallllllly want to see more James Hanna next year, I am extremely excited about him