Interestingly, if we had a top 3 pick it would bring to the surface what Dak's priority was (Money/Length of Contract or playing in Dallas).
We (non-exclusive TAG) Dak make it public that we would draft Lawrence/Lance/Field and will keep either the draftee or Dak.
Dak comes to table to negotiate the 'mutually beneficial' contract, we negotiate with teams on Dak (Colts) and our draft position (there are a number of teams willing to trade up for one of the 3 top draft QB's).
There are a number of interesting Defensive players in the draft, but Micah Parsons (reported the consensus best Defensive Player) is still only expected to go 5-10 in the draft. May be better to trade the pick for a combination of 1st/2nd/3rd round picks.
But yes you're right we NEED Defense.
Dak wanted a 3 year deal, he wanted a contract similar to wilson, wentz, goeff, to be able to get out of the contract by 2022 (not necessarily in dollars)..... watson took a $40M/year deal (4 years $160M), which on average is above market in today's market, but perhaps lesser in 2022 when the TV contract renegotiations happen.. so he took money up front, with becoming a FA in 2nd year of new TV contracs..
..... expectations are that the TV price will jump 50-80% perhaps, which means the cap goes up significantly. all those QBs, wanted a shorter term deal so that they could hit FA by 2022.....Jones wanted a longer term deal that would take Dak to 2024. each side was thinking about their own side of the deal. I believe there was the idea of floating a 4 year deal for $140 with the last year being $45M. given expectations of a jump in QB salaries, league salary cap, either $45 was a bargain QB deal or if not, Jerry could get out of it. for whatever reasons they didn't come to terms......
each side became stubborn and I think Dak had the right idea as he had leverage and Jones didn't..... for a 4 year $140M deal his average salary would be around $35...which would be on par with other QBs (considering salary in each subsequent year) and the expected QB market rise. Jones insisted on 5 year deal and wouldn't' budge...now, with two years of franchise tag....Dak's average salary would be about $35!! so he may hit FA in 2022 when Jones would have no leverage.