Like it or not need will be a big factor

[morasp]

If they cut Cooper or DLaw…sigh.

That's my thought as well but we had both of them in the wild card game and still lost. I don't claim to know the answer but something has to change. Maybe rebuild the OL. I just watched a video that went through the IOL free agents and it was a pretty good list.

 

[Carson]

Depends on what we do with Cooper and what we do in FA.

We could let Cooper go, we got to see if we will bring back Gallup and/or Wilson.

Also if a Roger Mcreary type DB falls to you in day 2 or 3...and they are clearly heads and tails above a DT. Don't start reaching. I know Risen likes to play the game like he hates DBs but no need to reach for a 6th round grade pass rusher if you have a 2nd round grade on a DB.

This is the point I have been driving home all offseason. So many people are clamoring to "revamp the trenches".

Unless a player falls into our laps that we cannot pass on, I wouldn't be shocked if we didn't do anything outside of a LG and DE (If they like Gregory walk). Even then, I can see us signing a guy like Will Hernandez.

 

[cnuball21]

That's my thought as well but we had both of them in the wild card game and still lost. I don't claim to know the answer but something has to change. Maybe rebuild the OL. I just watched a video that went through the IOL free agents and it was a pretty good list.

IMO you upgrade LG in FA and either replace Kellen or he learns how to get playmakers the ball and our O is fine. Also having the marbles to give Pollard more touches than Zeke would help.

 

[cnuball21]

This is the point I have been driving home all offseason. So many people are clamoring to "revamp the trenches".

Unless a player falls into our laps that we cannot pass on, I wouldn't be shocked if we didn't do anything outside of a LG and DE (If they like Gregory walk). Even then, I can see us signing a guy like Will Hernandez.

If you have a gaping hole like LG it needs to be addressed in FA. You can’t control how players fall in the draft.

 

[DFWJC]

The bolded is simply not true, Risen. Drafting for need is looking at what you need to get better and seeing if there is a player who can address that need.

What you are saying is purely reaching.

He said it exactly right, imo.

The only thing I would add is that teams group players in tiers.
So unless you're dropping out of tier (or for some, mini-tiers) you “could” have choices without reaching for need.

Tier usually get broader the deeper you go in the draft.

 

[morasp]

IMO you upgrade LG in FA and either replace Kellen or he learns how to get playmakers the ball and our O is fine. Also having the marbles to give Pollard more touches than Zeke would help.

Coaching
They aren't replacing Moore but JJ approved MM being more involved in the offense. It sounds like we are getting a new WR coach.

Players
They need a new OG and OC either in the draft or FA.
They would need a replacement for Cooper either Olave in the draft or a free agent or both and they might be able to keep Gallup which would be a plus.
If they plan to give Pollard more touches I would draft a RB in round three or four in case he gets hurt again.

 

[Carson]

If you have a gaping hole like LG it needs to be addressed in FA. You can’t control how players fall in the draft.

Oh for sure. I think Will Hernandez is a perfect fit here at LG

 

[cnuball21]

Coaching
They aren't replacing Moore but JJ approved MM being more involved in the offense. It sounds like we are getting a new WR coach.

Players
They need a new OG and OC either in the draft or FA.
They would need a replacement for Cooper either Olave in the draft or a free agent or both and they might be able to keep Gallup which would be a plus.
If they plan to give Pollard more touches I would draft a RB in round three or four in case he gets hurt again.

If they decide to move on from Cooper the offense is going backwards no matter what we do in FA or the draft (unless they sign Adams). There isn’t a WR in the draft that is a blue chip player that can come in and be #1 early.

 

[morasp]

If they decide to move on from Cooper the offense is going backwards no matter what we do in FA or the draft (unless they sign Adams). There isn’t a WR in the draft that is a blue chip player that can come in and be #1 early.

That goes without saying, Cooper was one of the top WRs to come out in the last 10 years. Add to that we might lose Gallup and you would be looking at Lamb and whoever they decide to keep or bring in. On the other side it looks just as bad, Gregory is a free agent, we're over the cap, and they're talking about cutting Lawrence. Right now it's just speculation, things will be a little clearer by the time the draft rolls around.

 

[Malhavoc]

It’s absolutely ridiculous to think we can’t draft a player that will give you something similar or better than what Cooper is NOW. Especially if they decide to to draft that guy in round 1. And what makes anyone think this team is going to sign a significant FA from the outside ? If they cut DLaw and Cooper it probably means they will re-sign Gregory, Kearse, Wilson, and Anger. I’m not convinced this team will walk away from both players. Here or not they don’t move the needle for me either way.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Cowboys draft off need more times than not and take BPA when the player(s) they want get snatched before they could draft them.

2013, scouts wanted Floyd, Marnelli didn't want him. Rumor was trade back for Patterson, but Vikings trade up for him, then they take a "reach" in Frederick


McClay era
2014, all of our top wants were taken in Donald, Barr and Shazier. Settled on Martin, who while wasn't a huge need but we needed a RG. 2nd round trade up for DE(need)
2015 we needed secondary help bad. Get Jones. Gregory in the 2nd was a mix of boom/bust BPA and need.
2016 we needed a homerun hit at RB for one last hurrah with Romo. Take Zeke. Take a flyer on Smith in 2nd(luxury)
2017 we needed a passrusher, they decide on a DE, but take length over potential. Awuzie was a need(along with Lewis) after the secondary "purge"
2018 we needed a linebacker, they set their targets on LVE early. Take Williams in the 2nd for LG
2019 traded for a WR. Needed a DT so took Hill.
2020 while wasn't a pressing need, they took BPA at the time in CDL over a edge or corner. Corner was high on list in 2020 so they took Diggs.
2021 they settled for BPA after their "need" at corner was taken before their pick. 2nd rounder was a corner, which was a need.

Now, most teams will pick for need. You have to at times due to FA, cutting big contracts, surprise retirements or trying to find the next QB for the team.

So, I don't see it as a terrible thing to be drafting for need, just as long as there's no reaching

Thanks for sharing......pretty sure DLaw and/or Gregory issue(s) will give us a better ideal of "needs" by draft day. If we lose one or both you can bet the house the DE/pass rusher will be at the top their list. Not to mention it's the highest paid position behind QB. I'm just not convinced one of the top will fall to 24.

 

[cnuball21]

It’s absolutely ridiculous to think we can’t draft a player that will give you something similar or better than what Cooper is NOW. Especially if they decide to to draft that guy in round 1. And what makes anyone think this team is going to sign a significant FA from the outside ? If they cut DLaw and Cooper it probably means they will re-sign Gregory, Kearse, Wilson, and Anger. I’m not convinced this team will walk away from both players. Here or not they don’t move the needle for me either way.

Its absolutely ridiculous to think we can draft a WR in a class without a blue chip prospect to come in and replace our #1 WR in an offense where the OC doesn’t know how to target and manufacture touches for his best players.

 

[Malhavoc]

Its absolutely ridiculous to think we can draft a WR in a class without a blue chip prospect to come in and replace our #1 WR in an offense where the OC doesn’t know how to target and manufacture touches for his best players.

Says you. 33 players had more receiving yards than our so called #1 WR. Cooper is so overrated it’s mind boggling. And that OC that can’t manufacture touches for his best players is STILL here. I absolutely believe that a 1st round WR can match Cooper’s production,

 

[kskboys]

It’s absolutely ridiculous to think we can’t draft a player that will give you something similar or better than what Cooper is NOW. Especially if they decide to to draft that guy in round 1. And what makes anyone think this team is going to sign a significant FA from the outside ? If they cut DLaw and Cooper it probably means they will re-sign Gregory, Kearse, Wilson, and Anger. I’m not convinced this team will walk away from both players. Here or not they don’t move the needle for me either way.

More WR's in round one? Jerry got to you.

 

[cnuball21]

Says you. 33 players had more receiving yards than our so called #1 WR. Cooper is so overrated it’s mind boggling. And that OC that can’t manufacture touches for his best players is STILL here. I absolutely believe that a 1st round WR can match Cooper’s production,

So we’re measuring how good Cooper is based on yards last season? Cool cool cool.

 

[Malhavoc]

So we’re measuring how good Cooper is based on yards last season? Cool cool cool.

I’ve heard all the excuses for the guy. Dak can’t get him the ball, The OC doesn’t create enough opportunities for him. And some of that is true. But dude disappears for entire games and he owns that.

 

[cnuball21]

I’ve heard all the excuses for the guy. Dak can’t get him the ball, The OC doesn’t create enough opportunities for him. And some of that is true. But dude disappears for entire games and he owns that.

Im never one to make excuses I call it like it is…if a dude isn’t good move on. Coop had 5 or less targets in in 9 games this year. Kupp, Adams, JJ and Diggs had 5 or less targets in 5 games Combined.

It’s honestly laughable how bad we are about getting our playmakers the ball. Instead we give it to an overpaid and overrated RB who should be splitting carries with his backup.