I have a what if question about the defense

[jaythecowboy]

Can’t imagine only one of the top 3 picks being defense
And any player taken in top 3 rounds has a good chance of being a factor
Not keen on Neal being WLB myself

I could see it happening if the Cowboys took a tackle in the 2nd round. By the third round the only position on defense I think would be a lock to start is 1 tech.

 

[Bobhaze]

Taking the temperature here. What if we sign Neal for WLB and Kazee and then draft Surtain at 10 but don't really add another defensive player that figures to be a big factor this year.

What's your opinion on that defense in 2021 under Dan Quinn?

Our defense would be improved. How much would remain to be seen. With the Cowboys, when it comes to believing the best of pre-season moves, for a long time I’ve had the philosophy, “I’ll believe it when it happens.”

 

[Seven]

Taking the temperature here. What if we sign Neal for WLB and Kazee and then draft Surtain at 10 but don't really add another defensive player that figures to be a big factor this year.

What's your opinion on that defense in 2021 under Dan Quinn?

Uhhhhh.....I got nothing. One foot in front of the other, move forward?

Yah.

 

[Verdict]

The fact that X. Woods is not playing, and we are not playing Poe will make a significant difference unless we replace them with a player who can’t play at all. I think an UDFA rookie would be an improvement over both of them.

I don’t know how Quinn could be worse than Nolan. I would think that’s an upgrade.

This will not be popular, but wouldn’t worry about the defense. I would draft well and stick to my board. That would probably mean drafting either Pitts or an OT at #10 or trading back.

You guys won’t like this either but I wouldn’t force defensive picks at any point in the draft. You can get a defensive starter at LB, corner or safety at any point in the draft.

You guys who want a defender in the first round had better hope we trade back. We might trade back twice in the first and end up with two of Horn, the Tulsa Linebacker or the top safety in the first in a trade up from the second round.

Be watching for the Cowboys to take a good hard look at Creed Humphrey, Rhamondre Stevenson, and/or Perkins at some point in the draft.

My best guess is that 3 of the first 5 picks get used on defense but I have no idea which three picks. That’s how I think that may be how it falls.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Chris Jones was just released. Dallas can probably land the top punter in the draft at 44

Might have to trade up.

 

[charron]

Might be better than last year. But then again they may not. Last off-season after draft and free agency we looked really good on paper. Then we played a game and all the summers hype went down the toilet.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I just don’t see us failing to take a 1T and a LB fairly high. Not at 10, but in rounds 2-3. If not, then a safety.

 

[ClappingCarrot]

The good news for Quinn is I don't think he could look remotely as bad as Nolan and Tomsula did.

You add the aforementioned guys, I'm not sure you necessarily get instantly better but you at least get guys that have played professional football for years. That means a lot more than the practice squad secondary guys we trotted out for weeks last season. I would've preferred grabbing a proven commodity at LB since in my opinion it's the hardest position on the field to scout.

These guys have got to figure it out. If this defense is just slightly above average, we are capable of winning so many more games. It's so bizarre that we seemingly can't win games unless we score 30 or more points.

 

[conner01]

I could see it happening if the Cowboys took a tackle in the 2nd round. By the third round the only position on defense I think would be a lock to start is 1 tech.

I think LB is another spot you can get a guy to contribute a bunch in the 3rd
Assuming Lee isn’t coming back there is a need
But by the 3rd almost any position could be BPA
Hard to predict that far down who might be there or what position

 

[plymkr]

Middle of the road at best. There would still be a weakness in the middle (questionable pass rush from the tackle position at best, health related issues at MLB and an inconsistent performer in Wilson with a guy coming off of an Achilles tear in Kazee at safety), and it remains to be seen what they get from the outside rush players (Lawrence hasn't gotten the sack numbers the last two years, and Gregory still remains an unknown quantity across a full season. There's very little behind them).

I agree, without a big fattie at DT then they'll be adequate but lose us games when it counts. We'll be better than last year but not good enough to scare anyone outside our division.

 

[Flamma]

You are trying to piss me off long before the draft even gets here.

Why would it make you mad? There is a long history of punters and kickers going in the first and second round. Hall of famer Ray Guy was drafted 23rd overall by the Raiders. Then again in 2000 the Raiders drafted Kicker Janikowski with the 17th overall pick. There's at least another dozen examples of complete idiocy in the first and second round drafting punters and kickers!

 

[buybuydandavis]

What if we sign Neal for WLB

I'm kinda puzzled by this one. Sign a guy for a new position he's very small for. That's our solution?

But fine. Let that be the scenario. But look at what it implies.

Either Jaylon or LVE are no longer starters. Most of the game is in nickel. We're not signing Neal to sit, are we? So Jaylon or LVE are sitting at least half the game.

Unless LVE is broke, I'd have to think that means Jaylon. But then, we're paying Jaylon 7mil for halftime work of poor quality?

 

[buybuydandavis]

I was hoping we would maybe take a peek at Barmore for DL but pretty sure that is gone with our signings.

I don't think our dline signings preclude anything we might want to do in the draft at DT. We got some bottom roster nobodies for insurance and a looksee. Very likely they don't make the 54.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I do find the premise that we won’t find any defensive contributors in rounds 2-4 a bit unbelievable.

This.
44
75, 99
115, 138

Yeah, you don't get a guarantee for any of them, but 3 in the top 100 should give us heavy contributors, especially with all our needs. We need some of those guys to play.

 

[morasp]

Run defense Better All of the guys they've added will be an upgrade from last year.
Secondary Better A veteran safety is what this secondary has needed. Surtain is a pro bowl talent and should be healthy, Awuzie only started six games last year.
Pass rush Better

I seriously doubt that's all they'll do to get better on defense. They've met with a lot of draft prospects that could make an impact this year.

 

[Denim Chicken]

If everyone one is healthy the defense will have been improved, though perhaps to significantly enough.

Diggs and another rookie on the outside would be concerning. I'd really like a vet presence to start on the outside and work the rookie in.

DL needs someone to take on double teams at 1T. I don't think we a constant guy that can do that. We would also be wishing on a prayer at 3T that either Gaillimore and/or Hill makes a jump.

LB would be improved, but depth would be concerning. And if you don't improve the DL to keep them clean we're going to see the same issues as last year.

Really DE is the only position group I feel good about.

 

[Gaede]

I think our secondary would be much improved but I'd have major concerns over the pass rush and run defense still

 

[unionjack8]

Taking the temperature here. What if we sign Neal for WLB and Kazee and then draft Surtain at 10 but don't really add another defensive player that figures to be a big factor this year.

What's your opinion on that defense in 2021 under Dan Quinn?

Defensive tackle is still average at best

 

[CowboyRoy]

Taking the temperature here. What if we sign Neal for WLB and Kazee and then draft Surtain at 10 but don't really add another defensive player that figures to be a big factor this year.

What's your opinion on that defense in 2021 under Dan Quinn?

All depends on injuries, but cant get any worse. We also have a high 2nd round pick that should be a starter from day #1.

That would be shaping up to be quite a secondary if all healthy. Any way you slice it, a healthy squad with the new additions is better than last year. And having a full offseason to implement a more simple system will also pay dividends.

 

[Ring6]

I think Neal may opt for NYJ, but if we get him, and either Kazee or Hooker for FS, and get Surtain, I would expect this (plus the rotational depth we've recently added to take snaps on run downs) will help slow the leaks on defense.

I would also think our 2nd rounder and one of our 3rd rounders may include some help in 2021 on defense as well, one can only hope.