Cowboys biggest needs for next year

[cnuball21]

Defense, Defense, Defense

We need to build on what were good at. Dominate defense.
Win games with 20 points. Home games will actually be an advantage when fans start cheering for Defense.
Micah Parsons best player in the NFL. Dan Quinn HCIW.

No more offense for at least two years!

If we can patch any major holes in FA I’m not opposed.

Defensive class looking pretty strong for first rounders.

 

[cowboyec]

michael mayer,te-notre dame.
peter skoronski,ol-northwestern.

 

[DanA]

Out of contract players:
Steele, Schultz, Pollard, A.Brown, N.Brown, Fowler, Basham, Peters, Wilson, McGovern, LVE, Barr.

Steele is critical to re-sign, the rest can walk. I’d love to keep the Browns but they’ll be pricey.

• Cut: Zeke & Tyron Smith
• Sign FA: DaRon Payne

I think an anchor at 1T (Payne) makes us a scary defense and I could go just about any position in the 1st round but the draft will mostly be offense. I’m preparing to let Ceedee go after his 5th year option so I’d like an early WR in the draft and could draft up to three of them.

Preferred 1st round options: OG, CB, WR
2nd - 4th: RB, TE, WR, OG, QB
Late draft: TE, CB, DE, LB

 

[kevinhickey]

In no particular order:

Running Back - Pollard is in the last year of his contract, and Zeke has been fading for a while. A new fresh top RB prospect needs to be added to the team.

Offensive Line - both Center and Left Guard are issues. But if Tyron Smith comes back, you can shift Tyler Smith to Left Guard. But a more powerful center is needed to open holes in the run game.

Tight End - paying Dalton Schultz a top tier contract for middle level performance is not a good use of resources. The Cowboys are going to need those resources to sign Defensive players, such as Diggs and Wilson. So drafting a new starting Tight End is a need. Ferguson and/or Hendershot are serviceable journeyman type players, but a Star Tight End could be an asset.

Defensive Tackle - unless run defense improves dramatically, the Cowboys still need to improve their interior line defense.

Running back is a need. TE not so much as a need with the two Rookies on the team. Tyler Smith is the LT, now and for the next ten years. OG or C could use some infusion to this mix. We have some youth at the Linebacker and DL. Maybe Safety. I’m feeling good about our youth on the team.

 

[cnuball21]

Out of contract players:
Steele, Schultz, Pollard, A.Brown, N.Brown, Fowler, Basham, Peters, Wilson, McGovern, LVE, Barr.

Steele is critical to re-sign, the rest can walk. I’d love to keep the Browns but they’ll be pricey.

• Cut: Zeke & Tyron Smith
• Sign FA: DaRon Payne

I think an anchor at 1T (Payne) makes us a scary defense and I could go just about any position in the 1st round but the draft will mostly be offense. I’m preparing to let Ceedee go after his 5th year option so I’d like an early WR in the draft and could draft up to three of them.

Preferred 1st round options: OG, CB, WR
2nd - 4th: RB, TE, WR, OG, QB
Late draft: TE, CB, DE, LB

Agree on Steele. Love the idea of cutting Zeke and signing Payne. Not sure what the money looks like - can we get out of Zekes contract after this year?

I also want to see more of Lamb with QB1 before I’m ready to right him off. Yards aren’t the end all be all but 2K in your first 2 seasons is pretty solid. There’s been some highs and lows to him adjusting to being a WR1 but I think the good outweighs the bad in his career. On a side note - this WR class is not good if you want WR1, bunch of 2s and slot dudes.

I’m also not opposed to drafting a LT in the 1st if it’s BPA. Smith has exceeded my expectations in year 1 but they were also very low. He’s been steady but I think he has all pro G potential.

 

[kskboys]

DT, DT, DT.

That is the next step. Unless super bowls aren't your thing, then by all means get some more CBs and WRs and TEs.

 

[cnuball21]

DT, DT, DT.

That is the next step. Unless super bowls aren't your thing, then by all means get some more CBs and WRs and TEs.

Looks like their are 2 1st rounders that will be out of reach but the big NT from Baylor could be an option.

Outside of that some intriguing day 2 targets.

I love the rotation we’ve put together…best it’s been in a while.

I’d be pushing hard to trade for Brown (CAR) or sign Payne in FA and get it done before the draft then the group goes from good to great.

 

[kskboys]

Looks like their are 2 1st rounders that will be out of reach but the big NT from Baylor could be an option.

Outside of that some intriguing day 2 targets.

I love the rotation we’ve put together…best it’s been in a while.

I’d be pushing hard to trade for Brown (CAR) or sign Payne in FA and get it done before the draft then the group goes from good to great.

Our DT rotation? Love? Way too strong of a word for a nice bunch of rotational type players. We have no studs among them, no one who pushes the pocket or slices through. What is it that you love about them?

 

[cnuball21]

Our DT rotation? Love? Way too strong of a word for a nice bunch of rotational type players. We have no studs among them, no one who pushes the pocket or slices through. What is it that you love about them?

Absolutely. Compared to what we've been watching the last decade this group is leaps and bounds above what we've had. Not saying they're elite by any means but their helping contribute to us having a top 5 D.

Bo is the best run clogger we've had that I can remember and Osa is developing nicely and is on pace to have a 40+ tackle / 12+ TFL / 4+ sack in only his 2nd season. Osa finished 2nd in pressures and stops among rookie IDLs last year. Currently top 5 in pass rush win rate and coming off a 7 pressure game against LA (which is Parsons like). Both still young and will continue to improve and the guys that are filling in for them as backup are playing good enough to keep the D rolling.

I'd love to add another quality piece or 2 but this group is on the rise. Donald / Jones etc don't grow on trees and don't pop up in every draft.

 

[DanA]

Agree on Steele. Love the idea of cutting Zeke and signing Payne. Not sure what the money looks like - can we get out of Zekes contract after this year?

I also want to see more of Lamb with QB1 before I’m ready to right him off. Yards aren’t the end all be all but 2K in your first 2 seasons is pretty solid. There’s been some highs and lows to him adjusting to being a WR1 but I think the good outweighs the bad in his career. On a side note - this WR class is not good if you want WR1, bunch of 2s and slot dudes.

I’m also not opposed to drafting a LT in the 1st if it’s BPA. Smith has exceeded my expectations in year 1 but they were also very low. He’s been steady but I think he has all pro G potential.

I could see Tyler Smith as a guard so wouldn’t be against drafting a LT. We can walk away from Zeke at the end of the season, there’s some dead money but his contract isn’t guaranteed in 2023.

With Ceedee, I just think the WR market is out of whack at the moment. If you asked me who I’d rather between Quinten Nelson (4 years 80m) or Christian Kirk (4 yrs 72m) it’s a no brainer.

Ceedee has his 4th year, then a 5th year option, and maybe a franchise tag. If it’s me I’m trying to find a way not to pay him and putting that money to the o-line/d-line.

 

[cnuball21]

I could see Tyler Smith as a guard so wouldn’t be against drafting a LT. We can walk away from Zeke at the end of the season, there’s some dead money but his contract isn’t guaranteed in 2023.

With Ceedee, I just think the WR market is out of whack at the moment. If you asked me who I’d rather between Quinten Nelson (4 years 80m) or Christian Kirk (4 yrs 72m) it’s a no brainer.

Ceedee has his 4th year, then a 5th year option, and maybe a franchise tag. If it’s me I’m trying to find a way not to pay him and putting that money to the o-line/d-line.

Yah I actually like the idea of extending Steele, drafting a LT and kicking Smith to G. This class looks to have some good depth for 1st round OTs so could probably have a good chance at one.

WR is becoming a premium position more and more. I get the frustration with Lamb but I see the good has outweighed the bad and the production thus far this year is clearly hampered by a backup QB and is trying to avoid throwing the ball.

If he’s awful when Dak gets back the rest of year I’m down to go try and find a new WR but not sure what the FA market looks like, and like I said, this draft class is awful for WRs unless you want a complimentary player or slot guy.

 

[RonWashington]

Ferguson and Hendershot I would think put the TE spot off the front burner in 2023 . DT is another position I don’t see an early round need. Gallimore OSA Trysten Hill Bohana ….

What I see is a need for more completion at RT LG and I know Rush is on a tear but if a team offers him too much to be sensible then a 4th round QB come in give 140 million $ man some thoughts of actual completion would be a fresh approach.

 

[Jumbo075]

I agree that RB is a need after this year but RBs can be found in the 3rd and 4th round. I would not use a 1st round pick on RB.

OL is a need, LG in particular. Maybe a 2nd round pick on a LG but I think Biadasz will be the C next year unless Farniok beats him out.

TE is a small need. Ferguson and Hendershot will be fine. Sure if some stud fall to them then they can pick him in the 4th round but I would not be looking early for a TE.

It is a shame they let Ridgeway get away. I have a feeling with another year of development he will become a very competent DT. Working alongside Bohanna you would have your run stopping tackle tandem. Letting him go means they need to find someone else like him in the next draft. I would love them to pick up a solid DT in the 1st round, something they have not done since 1991. But that would require some luck depending on where they are picking. Hill is a free agent next year and I would not resign him.

I also think a big need is going to be WR. I am not convinced Noah Brown is the real deal. CeeDee and Gallup are good receivers now they need 1 more WR I think.

In general it is way to early to make good assessments for the 2023 draft. Teams usually don't get serious about draft needs until after the season. There is also free agency. Maybe this is the year the light bulb goes in in Jerry's head and he decides to sign a quality player to fill a gap.

I agree that they can find a good RB in the middle rounds. Pollard was a 4th round pick. The performance of the current Dline is certainly more focused on rushing the passer than stopping the run. But Odighizuwa and Bohanna are both still young and developing. Certainly, they should still be on the lookout for a skilled run stuffer, but given the Cowboys’ history, I wouldn’t expect them to spend a high pick unless another Aaron Donald type miraculously falls to them. They just used a 3rd round pick on a WR, so I think they’ll give him time to develop before they fire another bullet.

With Zack Martin entering his 10th season next year, and with him already being older than Tyron Smith, the interior Oline at all three positions is a big concern. Also, the Cowboys simply cannot continue to pay Lawrence $20M per year if they are going to pay Diggs and Parsons. So a strong side DE is pretty high on the list.

 

[RonWashington]

Malik Davis impressed me in pre season . I hope he gets some reps in 2022 see if he can be part of the picture in a RB by committee next season .

 

[Jumbo075]

Could be a big assumption thinking he’ll get back to that form. I had high hopes for Cox this year and he’s done borderline nothing.

If a MLB is BPA in early rounds I’d draft in a heartbeat.

Cox has three 1st pick linebackers playing ahead of him in 8th overall pick Anthony Barr, 12th overall pick Micah Parsons, and 19th overall pick Leighton Vander Esch. All three have been Pro Bowl Players. It shouldn’t surprise you that Cox hasn’t outshined those three guys.

 

[RonWashington]

Cox has three 1st pick linebackers playing ahead of him in 8th overall pick Anthony Barr, 12th overall pick Micah Parsons, and 19th overall pick Leighton Vander Esch. All three have been Pro Bowl Players. It shouldn’t surprise you that Cox hasn’t outshined those three guys.

That’s a good point Jumbo . Three first rounders playing ahead of the 4th rounder . Now what Cox and Clark do for the Cowboys is in 2023 if both LVE and Barr are gone well then there you go instant depth . Throw in Harper the 6th rounder from this draft and your LB room in 2023 looks young and hungry .

 

[RonWashington]

Here’s a shot bring in a Cameron Ward 3rd possibly 4th round get Dak Prescott playing better just by bringing in a young gunslinger who gets plenty of pre season reps. Let some other team over pay Cooper Rush . Dak will be yr 8 next yr and third yr of a 4 yr deal .

 

[cnuball21]

Cox has three 1st pick linebackers playing ahead of him in 8th overall pick Anthony Barr, 12th overall pick Micah Parsons, and 19th overall pick Leighton Vander Esch. All three have been Pro Bowl Players. It shouldn’t surprise you that Cox hasn’t outshined those three guys.

I don’t care where they were picked. Parsons rushes over half the time and LVE / Barr are not the players they used to be.

 

[kskboys]

Absolutely. Compared to what we've been watching the last decade this group is leaps and bounds above what we've had. Not saying they're elite by any means but their helping contribute to us having a top 5 D.

Bo is the best run clogger we've had that I can remember and Osa is developing nicely and is on pace to have a 40+ tackle / 12+ TFL / 4+ sack in only his 2nd season. Osa finished 2nd in pressures and stops among rookie IDLs last year. Currently top 5 in pass rush win rate and coming off a 7 pressure game against LA (which is Parsons like). Both still young and will continue to improve and the guys that are filling in for them as backup are playing good enough to keep the D rolling.

I'd love to add another quality piece or 2 but this group is on the rise. Donald / Jones etc don't grow on trees and don't pop up in every draft.

They pop up a lot more often than you think, but you must be able to evaluate players, and we are terrible at it.

For one thing, under Jerry we believe(Believed, maybe) that every DL had to be 6-5. So, we ended up w/ leverage issues all too often. Now that we have Osa, maybe Jerry will start paying more attention to leverage. Don't forget, I was screaming for both Grady Jarrett(5th round) and Javon Hargrave(taken by PITT after we took Malik Collins). Collins was a good pick, BTW. These guys are there, but in the middle rounds we seem focused on stiff S's, project LB', and something else that appears to be undefinable.

Alim McNeil, DET, 3rd round. Stud. He would've been a much better pick than thug Joseph in the 2nd.

Once again, they are there, but we are terrible at evaluation in general, much less the DT position which is very hard to evaluate for anyone.

 

[cnuball21]

They pop up a lot more often than you think, but you must be able to evaluate players, and we are terrible at it.

For one thing, under Jerry we believe(Believed, maybe) that every DL had to be 6-5. So, we ended up w/ leverage issues all too often. Now that we have Osa, maybe Jerry will start paying more attention to leverage. Don't forget, I was screaming for both Grady Jarrett(5th round) and Javon Hargrave(taken by PITT after we took Malik Collins). Collins was a good pick, BTW. These guys are there, but in the middle rounds we seem focused on stiff S's, project LB', and something else that appears to be undefinable.

Alim McNeil, DET, 3rd round. Stud. He would've been a much better pick than thug Joseph in the 2nd.

Once again, they are there, but we are terrible at evaluation in general, much less the DT position which is very hard to evaluate for anyone.

Of course they’re there, I’m just saying to the caliber of the elite players. Dudes are rare.

On a positive it appears we hit on quality starters in Osa and Bo. Just need to keep adding quality talent to the group.