State of the DT position

TheGoat73

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Rankings I see have him at about 18. Most likely any DT worth having in the first will be gone before we draft, because that's the way it works. Also, any DT that doesn't go before we draft will be passed on by us, because that's also the way it works.
With our OL depth, that’s how it should work.
 

Oz-of-Cowboy-Country

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Interesting thought, but why do the cowboys continue to struggle against the run then? Hill, Watson, gallimore, bohanna, urban all are over or very close to 6’4” 300lbs. Only true undersized DT is OSA.
Piss poor lunge length or too light in the arse is the reason. Linemen have to extend and reach for the ball carrier as he tries to pass them. If the frame of their bodies is short, then their reach is short. So our DT's are too short and our DE's are too light in the arse.

Bohanna and Urban are 6'4"or better, but they are the only two. And none of our DE's weigh 270 pounds. Our defensive line is built to get after the passer, not stop the run.

Stopping the run and making a team one dimensional is the easiest thing to do. As long as your built for it.


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Dallas wants quick off the ball defensive linemen. Well if a DL is quick off the ball, 100 % of the time, then he's trying to out maneuver the guy in front of him. Which leads to some nice size holes for the ball carrier. So the style of defense they want to play is the real problem in stopping the run. Because they're bringing in players that suit their style.
 

Mr_437

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The DT position is kind of like the RB position. You can pull free agents in off the streets to play those positions. They are easily replaceable. Only super stars should be paid and kept. And that makes me a by committee guy for both of those spots.
You just described the future of the WR position.

On topic, It would be huge if Bohanna could make a jump, but I'm not expecting that. Just staying the same as last year is giving up.
 

gimmesix

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With our OL depth, that’s how it should work.

As I said, I'd rather fix the OL in free agent. The team can still find a starting guard relatively cheap. It cannot find a stud DT at this point in FA and certainly not for cheap.
 

gimmesix

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My gut says Davis is gone, but I’d be ecstatic with Wyatt too. I’ll take any one of 4 Georgia defenders in the first and be really happy.

Yeah, I don't know. I just took a quick look at a couple of rankings to see if there were any DTs near our range and the ones I saw had Davis at 18 and Wyatt before Davis in one and after Davis in the other.
 

kskboys

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I just realized that Malik Collins signed this offseason for $8.5MM per year.

Now I've been about as frustrated as anyone at the lack of production out of our DT unit, but given someone like Collins can sign for that much on a multi-year deal really makes me wonder how truly rare it is to find a top DT in this league, and how valuable it is when you find an Aaron Donald, Chris Jones, etc. And if so how is this position not prioritized more in the draft by all teams as a premium position?

Maybe I'm off on my evaluation of Collins, but it feels he is slightly above JAG level, no? Is the state of the DT position league wide that bad with the exception of top tier players? Does it take a freak athlete or elite talent to play the position in todays game? It almost feels like either you have a top guy or you might as well just cycle through mid round picks like the Cowboys have done, and move on after their rookie deals.
There is a salary cap min, and Texans have to pay someone.
 

kskboys

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Interesting thought, but why do the cowboys continue to struggle against the run then? Hill, Watson, gallimore, bohanna, urban all are over or very close to 6’4” 300lbs. Only true undersized DT is OSA.
6-4/300 is rather slim for a DT. You must look at height/weight ration. Most good run stoppers are of the 6-0 to 6-3/320 variety. It's about build.

And we have a bunch of 3 techs on the roster, not the 1 tech run stopping type. Bohanna is the only one, and he may be no more than a backup.
 

AbeBeta

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Its not hindsight. It was a stupid pick the second it was made. How’d that “ potential” work out? Specially when they weren’t even sure if he’d ever play again. Jaylon Smith at 34 doesn’t get much dumber. And once again no surprise Jerry is on the losing end of that ordeal. You don’t really need hindsight to see the stupidity in that decision even if they don’t draft Jones! Any “healthy” player would’ve sufficed!

Double down on that hindsight.
 

kskboys

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The DT position is kind of like the RB position. You can pull free agents in off the streets to play those positions. They are easily replaceable. Only super stars should be paid and kept. And that makes me a by committee guy for both of those spots.
Unless you want to play in the super bowl, then you need stud DTs
 

Aerolithe_Lion

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It's still my No. 1 position in the draft. If the value is right, I'm taking one in the first round.

That's part of the reason that I hope that we get a starting guard in free agency. Otherwise, we have to feel compelled to fill that spot. Right now at DT, Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis are both ranked in our range.

this may come as a surprise, but Dallas hasn’t taken a DT in the first round in 30 years. It’s just not a Jerry Jones-valued position.
 

BourbonBalz

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6-4/300 is rather slim for a DT. You must look at height/weight ration. Most good run stoppers are of the 6-0 to 6-3/320 variety. It's about build.

And we have a bunch of 3 techs on the roster, not the 1 tech run stopping type. Bohanna is the only one, and he may be no more than a backup.
So you’re giving up on Bohanna after his rookie year?
 

kiheikiwi

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So you’re giving up on Bohanna after his rookie year?
He's a 6th round pick, if he becomes a steady rotational player - that's a good 6th rounder. Asking for anything more is delusional.
Every year I look for good solid 1 techs. And every year we pass it by and sign Jags like Carlos Watkins who low and behold we just resigned to another 1 year extention.
 

gimmesix

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this may come as a surprise, but Dallas hasn’t taken a DT in the first round in 30 years. It’s just not a Jerry Jones-valued position.

It's not a surprise. It's a tragedy to those of us who follow this team. One that needs to be remedied but most likely will not be.
 

quickccc

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I just realized that Malik Collins signed this offseason for $8.5MM per year.

Now I've been about as frustrated as anyone at the lack of production out of our DT unit, but given someone like Collins can sign for that much on a multi-year deal really makes me wonder how truly rare it is to find a top DT in this league, and how valuable it is when you find an Aaron Donald, Chris Jones, etc. And if so how is this position not prioritized more in the draft by all teams as a premium position?

Maybe I'm off on my evaluation of Collins, but it feels he is slightly above JAG level, no? Is the state of the DT position league wide that bad with the exception of top tier players? Does it take a freak athlete or elite talent to play the position in todays game? It almost feels like either you have a top guy or you might as well just cycle through mid round picks like the Cowboys have done, and move on after their rookie deals.

Quality DTs just do not fall off apple trees ,..if you happen to stumble upon a hidden gem, (such as Chris Jones, in 2nd rd) . or a Geno Atkins in 4th then you franchise tag as quickly as you can and lock him up long term for years to come

A number, even most first round DTs do not seem to pan out as highly expected. Frankly i'm still waiting to see what happens with Ed Oliver (Buff) .. Javon Kinlaw (Niners) and Derrick Brown (Car) ..and even Quinten Williams (NYJ) - and super rarely do you even have one time unheralded stud such as Geno Atkins (4th rd)

Maybe we don't have stud All pros in the middle, ..but i certainly do not want them to be such a weakness that we're constantly exploited - maybe we don't have premiere
insterior pass rushers ,... but i also do not want us to be knocked and pushed around vs the run ... and sadly even with Quinn's and Parson's arrival, the run defense still
a sore spot for us,.. we're still being " Out-Physical" in the trenches ...
 
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