It looks like this coaching staff and FO have a pretty clear plan

[ultron]

Just to give us something different to talk about, each team is allowed 45 formal interviews at the combine - here’s a list of 31 players (I looked all over - I can’t find the other 14) that the Boys either talked to or are scheduled to talk to:

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2020/02/27/2020-nfl-draft-cowboys-pre-draft-prospect-visit-tracker/

Based on this list they spoke to (or will speak to):

2 WR
2 OL
2 TE
13 Defensive linemen
1 OLB
4 Safeties
7 CBs

None of the offensive players are expected to be drafted in the 1st round and neither is the OLB. It looks pretty clear that with the 17th pick they’re targeting a DT, CB, or Safety.

This tells me they’re expecting to sign or tag Amari Cooper, Byron Jones will walk, hopefully Robert Quinn will walk (even though for some reason it was announced today they’re negotiating with this guy which is baffling). Collins is probably gone (even though he was doubled 64% of the time and is still 3rd best among soon to be FA DTs - behind Chris Jones [tagged] and barely behind Armstead).

Collins and Quinn are hot trash against the run so I’d love to upgrade those positions, because they really compromise this defense against good teams.

With Byron Jones probably leaving, the overwhelming biggest need is now CB - we can’t go into this season with Awuzie as the #1 CB and Lewis #2, so we’ll probably bring in a veteran CB and draft C.J. Henderson (Florida) with the 17th pick; assuming he’s there - which he should be. Byron is a big loss but we can’t afford to have the most expensive Oline, highest paid QB, highest paid RB, potentially the highest paid WR, AND probably the highest paid CB in the league!

The problem with having a lot of talent is eventually you have to pay them to stay.

I’m not the type to really knock coaches because this league is very fluid and constantly changing & at one point Garrett was highly respected and people were happy when he took over for Wade Phillips. We never got far with Jason, so it kind of sucks that over 1/3 of the roster are about to hit the open market and Mike McCarthy is not going to have the talent that Jason Garrett had - that’s just a fact. With that being said I’m excited to see what this new coaching staff can do. Usually year 1 has a big learning curve, but most recently the Rams and 49ers have had success in year 2 (I believe they both went to the Super Bowl year 2 with a new HC).

I’d love to see the Cowboys get two really above average tier DTs (maybe borderline pro-bowlers for a decent amount of money), draft Henderson & pray to god the kid can play, resign Brown (I think our DB core was better with him on the field when he wasn’t hurt last year), resign Cobb at a fair price, restructure Martin & Tyron, cut Crawford (those 3 moves should free up $15-20 million) - so with the adjusted cap they’ll have over $100 million to revamp this roster and they’d be in really good shape if they don’t have to tag Dak. Tagging Dak will hurt badly - I’ll touch on that at the end.

Hopefully Randy Gregory gets reinstated - I think he’s good against the run and he can put pressure on the QB, I hope he’s in great shape and ready to play & get better. I know you guys love Quinn, but I just think the guy is very overrated & is only useful on 3rd down obvious passing situations. He’s too much of a liability against the run and you may not agree with me - but teams know it & it’s really bad.

Last but not least, Dak isn’t going anywhere - he’ll either sign a huge contract that will flood this board with anger or he’ll get tagged and cripple us when it comes to free agency this year ($33m all a direct hit to the cap).

 

[Idgit]

This team’s actually in much better shape now than they usually are when a new coach takes over. It’s a top offensive team with a QB in place and pieces on defense and poor STs. Defense is much easier to address quickly, and Teams is a function of coaching and depth. McCarthy’s in a good situation. I don’t know why we’re trying to build in excuses for him before we’ve even played a game. This roster is in win-now mode.

 

[America's Cowboy]

CB CJ Henderson sucks! The guy struggles to tackle. Why would you waste a costly 1st round pick on any defensive player who does not tackle well?

Scouting Report: Henderson covered well against Miami and Auburn, showing natural ability to run with receivers and prevent separation. However, his tackling was terrible and is a big negative with team evaluators. Henderson missed games against Kentucky, Tennessee and Towson with a leg injury he suffered in Week 2. After coming back from the injury, Henderson had poor performances against LSU and Georgia. He was soft in coverage, allowing a number of receptions and not being as aggressive with his technique as in past seasons. Henderson might have been protecting himself and trying not to get hurt, but he produced some disappointing tape for pro evaluators.
https://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/draft2020CB.php
Yuck!

IF monster DT Javon Kinlaw is there at #17, the Cowboys will definitely take him.



If Kinlaw is gone by the time the Cowboys pick, they will likely go with playmaking stud S Xavier McKinney.



Or the Cowboys can trade down with Miami into the #26 spot and pick up Miami's late 2nd or a 3rd and two 5ths.

With the #26 traded down spot, the Cowboys could get stud playmaking CB Damon Arnette.



Then use their original 2nd (#51) on someone like big, mean and nasty DT Raekwon Davis.



Then draft other positions of need with the remaining picks.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

If Kinlaw gets within a few spots of 17 Dallas almost has to trade up and get him. Donald, Ed Oliver, Vea, Derwin are all players Dallas was rumored to be really high on and just watched them get drafted....... granted Oliver was drafted much earlier and would cost more then those others to trade up but the concept is still true

 

[jazzcat22]

If Kinlaw gets within a few spots of 17 Dallas almost has to trade up and get him. Donald, Ed Oliver, Vea, Derwin are all players Dallas was rumored to be really high on and just watched them get drafted....... granted Oliver was drafted much earlier and would cost more then those others to trade up but the concept is still true

I have not read much on Kinlaw, as to if his knees are really suspect or not. or is it just pre draft rumor BS.
I hope they are fine and if he drops to us, and knees check out, he would be a steal at 17, or if trade up, 14 or 15.

 

[Sydla]

I think they want to go DL (Kinlaw or Brown if he slides) in Rd 1 and if neither are there, they will go CB, likely Henderson, to replace Jones.

 

[Stash]

I think they want to go DL (Kinlaw or Brown if he slides) in Rd 1 and if neither are there, they will go CB, likely Henderson, to replace Jones.

Agreed. I think if any of them are there, they'd be happy to have them. But I wonder how free agency might affect their outlook on the defensive tackle position. I think free agency looks better for defensive tackles than corners.

 

[Sydla]

Agreed. I think if any of them are there, they'd be happy to have them. But I wonder how free agency might affect their outlook on the defensive tackle position. I think free agency looks better for defensive tackles than corners.

I guess they could also go Chaisson depending on how DE shakes out in FA. If Quinn is back, then they probably would not go that direction but if they can't extend Quinn, they basically only have Lawrence and Armstrong at DE. Pickings are slim at DE in FA so they might be forced to go DE in the 1st or possibly 2nd round.

I also think its possible they could make a run at Waynes in FA. He played for Edwards in Minnesota. He probably wouldn't be a bad addition IF the contract is right. He's no Nolan Carroll, that's for sure. LOL.

 

[Stash]

I guess they could also go Chaisson depending on how DE shakes out in FA. If Quinn is back, then they probably would not go that direction but if they can't extend Quinn, they basically only have Lawrence and Armstrong at DE. Pickings are slim at DE in FA so they might be forced to go DE in the 1st or possibly 2nd round.

That's big reason why I think it's imperative that they re-sign Quinn. And from all I've read, the front office agrees. This draft class at DE does not impress me, and certainly not enough to use my 1st round pick.

I also think its possible they could make a run at Waynes in FA. He played for Edwards in Minnesota. He probably wouldn't be a bad addition IF the contract is right. He's no Nolan Carroll, that's for sure. LOL.

Makes sense given the Edwards connection, or possibly, Edwards could express frustration with Waynes, given that he never really developed into the player they thought they were getting.

And as you mention, contract will be a big factor.

 

[LifetimeBoysFan]

Agreed. I think if any of them are there, they'd be happy to have them. But I wonder how free agency might affect their outlook on the defensive tackle position. I think free agency looks better for defensive tackles than corners.

I agree with this quite a bit. There are some solid defensive tackles hitting the open market. If Dak doesn’t have to get tagged I bet they go that route and sign one or two vets.

Then they can supplement the line with someone in round 4 or later perhaps. But more likely focus on the secondary in the draft. They wouldn’t be as pressed to get Kinlaw to fall to 17. If he did though they’d probably still draft him. He would be hard to pass up.

 

[Ranching]

This team’s actually in much better shape now than they usually are when a new coach takes over. It’s a top offensive team with a QB in place and pieces on defense and poor STs. Defense is much easier to address quickly, and Teams is a function of coaching and depth. McCarthy’s in a good situation. I don’t know why we’re trying to build in excuses for him before we’ve even played a game. This roster is in win-now mode.

Garrett left MM a loaded team. He better not screw it up!

 

[Stash]

I agree with this quite a bit. There are some solid defensive tackles hitting the open market. If Dak doesn’t have to get tagged I bet they go that route and sign one or two vets.

Then they can supplement the line with someone in round 4 or later perhaps. But more likely focus on the secondary in the draft. They wouldn’t be as pressed to get Kinlaw to fall to 17. If he did though they’d probably still draft him. He would be hard to pass up.

Absolutely, and I'd have zero problems if they did. You can never have too many and Marinelli left this defensive line in an awful state. They need more than just one or two players inside, free agency or not.

But I'd love to be in the position to where it was simply drafting best player available and not strictly for need.

 

[LifetimeBoysFan]

Absolutely, and I'd have zero problems if they did. You can never have too many and Marinelli left this defensive line in an awful state. They need more than just one or two players inside, free agency or not.

But I'd love to be in the position to where it was simply drafting best player available and not strictly for need.

I’ve been daydreaming of that very thing happening. Get a run stuffer in free agency. A pass rushing tackle in FA and then somehow grab Kinlaw at 17. Talk about a dramatic improvement and turnaround. Hill could be exactly what he is destined to be, rotation player at best until he is probably cut by next offseason. Send him packing to live in Vegas with Rod.

 

[Stash]

I’ve been daydreaming of that very thing happening. Get a run stuffer in free agency. A pass rushing tackle in FA and then somehow grab Kinlaw at 17. Talk about a dramatic improvement and turnaround. Hill could be exactly what he is destined to be, rotation player at best until he is probably cut by next offseason. Send him packing to live in Vegas with Rod.

Didn't you hear? Marinelli quickly soured on his latest pet project (just like Taco), and once you're in Old Man River's doghouse, there is no escape. Somehow, this team allowed Marinelli to influence draft decision-making only to sour on that same player months later, and then to do it again. He rides off into the sunset and steals a better coach's job while the Cowboys are left picking up the pieces.

A free agent name I keep coming back to is Danny Shelton. Based on his skill set, pedigree, and projected costs, he makes a whole lot of sense to me.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

This team’s actually in much better shape now than they usually are when a new coach takes over. It’s a top offensive team with a QB in place and pieces on defense and poor STs. Defense is much easier to address quickly, and Teams is a function of coaching and depth. McCarthy’s in a good situation. I don’t know why we’re trying to build in excuses for him before we’ve even played a game. This roster is in win-now mode.

They lost 8 of their last 13 games with a relatively healthy roster. That doesn't sound very good to me.

Of course, that could have been lousy coaching, but we know you think that wasn't the problem. So what was?

 

[Sydla]

They lost 8 of their last 13 games with a relatively healthy roster. That doesn't sound very good to me.

Of course, that could have been lousy coaching, but we know you think that wasn't the problem. So what was?

Hmmmmm............

 

[Rockport]

Just to give us something different to talk about, each team is allowed 45 formal interviews at the combine - here’s a list of 31 players (I looked all over - I can’t find the other 14) that the Boys either talked to or are scheduled to talk to:

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2020/02/27/2020-nfl-draft-cowboys-pre-draft-prospect-visit-tracker/

Based on this list they spoke to (or will speak to):

2 WR
2 OL
2 TE
13 Defensive linemen
1 OLB
4 Safeties
7 CBs

None of the offensive players are expected to be drafted in the 1st round and neither is the OLB. It looks pretty clear that with the 17th pick they’re targeting a DT, CB, or Safety.

This tells me they’re expecting to sign or tag Amari Cooper, Byron Jones will walk, hopefully Robert Quinn will walk (even though for some reason it was announced today they’re negotiating with this guy which is baffling). Collins is probably gone (even though he was doubled 64% of the time and is still 3rd best among soon to be FA DTs - behind Chris Jones [tagged] and barely behind Armstead).

Collins and Quinn are hot trash against the run so I’d love to upgrade those positions, because they really compromise this defense against good teams.

With Byron Jones probably leaving, the overwhelming biggest need is now CB - we can’t go into this season with Awuzie as the #1 CB and Lewis #2, so we’ll probably bring in a veteran CB and draft C.J. Henderson (Florida) with the 17th pick; assuming he’s there - which he should be. Byron is a big loss but we can’t afford to have the most expensive Oline, highest paid QB, highest paid RB, potentially the highest paid WR, AND probably the highest paid CB in the league!

The problem with having a lot of talent is eventually you have to pay them to stay.

I’m not the type to really knock coaches because this league is very fluid and constantly changing & at one point Garrett was highly respected and people were happy when he took over for Wade Phillips. We never got far with Jason, so it kind of sucks that over 1/3 of the roster are about to hit the open market and Mike McCarthy is not going to have the talent that Jason Garrett had - that’s just a fact. With that being said I’m excited to see what this new coaching staff can do. Usually year 1 has a big learning curve, but most recently the Rams and 49ers have had success in year 2 (I believe they both went to the Super Bowl year 2 with a new HC).

I’d love to see the Cowboys get two really above average tier DTs (maybe borderline pro-bowlers for a decent amount of money), draft Henderson & pray to god the kid can play, resign Brown (I think our DB core was better with him on the field when he wasn’t hurt last year), resign Cobb at a fair price, restructure Martin & Tyron, cut Crawford (those 3 moves should free up $15-20 million) - so with the adjusted cap they’ll have over $100 million to revamp this roster and they’d be in really good shape if they don’t have to tag Dak. Tagging Dak will hurt badly - I’ll touch on that at the end.

Hopefully Randy Gregory gets reinstated - I think he’s good against the run and he can put pressure on the QB, I hope he’s in great shape and ready to play & get better. I know you guys love Quinn, but I just think the guy is very overrated & is only useful on 3rd down obvious passing situations. He’s too much of a liability against the run and you may not agree with me - but teams know it & it’s really bad.

Last but not least, Dak isn’t going anywhere - he’ll either sign a huge contract that will flood this board with anger or he’ll get tagged and cripple us when it comes to free agency this year ($33m all a direct hit to the cap).

I hope like hell they can sign Quinn.

 

[kskboys]

Absolutely, and I'd have zero problems if they did. You can never have too many and Marinelli left this defensive line in an awful state. They need more than just one or two players inside, free agency or not.

But I'd love to be in the position to where it was simply drafting best player available and not strictly for need.

If Kinlaw falls to 17, it's highly unlikely he won't be BPA.

 

[Stash]

They lost 8 of their last 13 games with a relatively healthy roster. That doesn't sound very good to me.

Of course, that could have been lousy coaching, but we know you think that wasn't the problem. So what was?

It's gotten to the point of just spewing lies at this point.

No coach ever had it any better than the 10-year failure.

 

[Stash]

If Kinlaw falls to 17, it's highly unlikely he won't be BPA.

Precisely what I'm saying.