The first thing I noticed about James Marten's profile was his size: 6-7, 303. And from what I've read about him, he's versatile enough to play tackle or guard. Finding versatile linemen is usually good value.
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So much for that second-round pick. The Cowboys opted for more picks instead, trading away No. 53 to the Browns for a third- and fourth-rounder. They also swapped sixth-round picks, with the Cowboys moving up 17 spots.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has always thought highly of the value in fourth-round picks. He got a steal in Chris Canty two years ago.
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Scratch Steve Smith. Giants got him at No. 51.
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The Cowboys' No. 53 overall pick (second round) should come in the next hour or so. Which direction should they go? Most of the top receivers are gone, including Jarrett and Ohio State's Anthony Gonzalez, but USC's Steve Smith is still out there. Offensive line might be a possibility, too, but I don't work for Scouts, Inc. or anything.
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Pretty ironic that Dwayne Jarrett goes No. 45 to Carolina. His new teammate? Fellow USC alum Keyshawn Johnson, who's currently interviewing Jarrett on ESPN. Pretty good stuff.
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Just got back from a conference call with Cowboys first-round pick Anthony Spencer, who is at home in Fort Wayne, Ind., for draft day. Spencer said he had no idea who would take him Saturday, but he didn't sound too stressed during the day. He spent those suspenseful hours playing cards with friends and family.
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips sounded excited by Spencer's potential, saying that hybrid defensive end/linebackers usually can make a successful transition to the 3-4. DeMarcus Ware did it here under Bill Parcells, and Phillips said Spencer weighs as much as Shawne Merriman did as a rookie (260 pounds). Physically it sounds like he's ready to play that outside linebacker spot.