Cowboyny
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I am fully aware a lot is still unknown with so many in-house fa's and a few veterans who may get cut, but what are the Cowboys top three draft priorities? Which three areas do they need immediate help in?
-Corner-Anthony Brown is a fa and is coming off off major injury. His signing was suppose to act as a bridge for them to draft/develop his future replacement. Problem is, neither of our former top 100 picks in Joseph/Wright have done so and probably have to earn their roster spots next season. Bland has been a terrific find to go along with Diggs whom many are down on, but teams rarely test him anymore due to his ball skills. Need another starting caliber corner.
-Running back-Tony Pollard is a fa and coming off of major injury, this is the year the team can finally move on from Zeke Elliot as his dead money can easily be absorbed. Zeke's career clearly has come to a end, only thing that would keep him here is Jerry's close relationship with the player. The team probably isn't going to get rid of their entire room in one offseason and we also have to factor who fits best in the west coast scheme. Everything points to keeping Pollard and letting Zeke go. The draft need is to find our next Zeke, more of a power back that excels in short yardage situations. One who can complement Pollard's game. Think AJ Dillion, Jamaal Williams type.
-WR/TE-Gallup was a shell of his former self coming back from major injury, but should be better in year 2. The 33 year old Hilton isn't expected to return, Noah Brown the team's defacto #2 receiver has probably price himself off the roster, no chance they can resign him to another 1 million dollar contract. Both our prospects in Tolbert/Semi haven't shown much of anything. As for TE, Shultz has priced himself off the roster as well, his estimated cap is over 14 million, which this franchise will not paid for an above average starter who many don't believe he is elite. Starting receiver is a huge need, go add another TE, but depth is also an issue.
-Guard/Tackle-Connor McGovern might of price himself off the roster, Tyron Smith is on he last yr of his deal and could become a cap casualty. Tyron's durability is getting worse every year, where he cannot be relied upon to play a full season. Both Tackle prospects are still not ready, Farniok replaces McGovern as the team's backup G/C. Need a future starting G/T, depending where Tyler Smith finally ends up. This player might need to start day 1 as Steele is expected to be out earlier on next season.
-Defensive Tackle-team shed their former 2nd rd pick in Hill, now they have three former 3rd rd guys still developing and none has taken that next step. As for NT, we all saw the difference with the addition of Hankins, Osa looked better, so did Lve. Hankins is an important resign, but they need to think about getting younger with more of a long-term solution. Team has never prioritize this position, but Quinn forced them to make an in-season trade for 1. Future starter within the interior is needed.
-Linebacker-a lot hinges on if the team resigns Lve, who has earned an extension. Barr isn't expected back, Clark will have an entire offseason to develop, Parsons will continue to play more Edge then as a off the ball LB, outside of these 3 nothing but unproven prospects. Everyone keeps having hope for Cox, but he hasn't done anything since they drafted him. A starter is needed if Lve departs, but the team also needs more depth in this area.
We cannot address all needs throughout the draft process and some are going to have to be taken care of with our in-house fa's and the open or trade market. If I was force to pick the three priority draft needs, I would have CB, RB, WR/TE. DT should be within the top 3, but until this franchise uses a top pick on one, I have my doubts.
-Corner-Anthony Brown is a fa and is coming off off major injury. His signing was suppose to act as a bridge for them to draft/develop his future replacement. Problem is, neither of our former top 100 picks in Joseph/Wright have done so and probably have to earn their roster spots next season. Bland has been a terrific find to go along with Diggs whom many are down on, but teams rarely test him anymore due to his ball skills. Need another starting caliber corner.
-Running back-Tony Pollard is a fa and coming off of major injury, this is the year the team can finally move on from Zeke Elliot as his dead money can easily be absorbed. Zeke's career clearly has come to a end, only thing that would keep him here is Jerry's close relationship with the player. The team probably isn't going to get rid of their entire room in one offseason and we also have to factor who fits best in the west coast scheme. Everything points to keeping Pollard and letting Zeke go. The draft need is to find our next Zeke, more of a power back that excels in short yardage situations. One who can complement Pollard's game. Think AJ Dillion, Jamaal Williams type.
-WR/TE-Gallup was a shell of his former self coming back from major injury, but should be better in year 2. The 33 year old Hilton isn't expected to return, Noah Brown the team's defacto #2 receiver has probably price himself off the roster, no chance they can resign him to another 1 million dollar contract. Both our prospects in Tolbert/Semi haven't shown much of anything. As for TE, Shultz has priced himself off the roster as well, his estimated cap is over 14 million, which this franchise will not paid for an above average starter who many don't believe he is elite. Starting receiver is a huge need, go add another TE, but depth is also an issue.
-Guard/Tackle-Connor McGovern might of price himself off the roster, Tyron Smith is on he last yr of his deal and could become a cap casualty. Tyron's durability is getting worse every year, where he cannot be relied upon to play a full season. Both Tackle prospects are still not ready, Farniok replaces McGovern as the team's backup G/C. Need a future starting G/T, depending where Tyler Smith finally ends up. This player might need to start day 1 as Steele is expected to be out earlier on next season.
-Defensive Tackle-team shed their former 2nd rd pick in Hill, now they have three former 3rd rd guys still developing and none has taken that next step. As for NT, we all saw the difference with the addition of Hankins, Osa looked better, so did Lve. Hankins is an important resign, but they need to think about getting younger with more of a long-term solution. Team has never prioritize this position, but Quinn forced them to make an in-season trade for 1. Future starter within the interior is needed.
-Linebacker-a lot hinges on if the team resigns Lve, who has earned an extension. Barr isn't expected back, Clark will have an entire offseason to develop, Parsons will continue to play more Edge then as a off the ball LB, outside of these 3 nothing but unproven prospects. Everyone keeps having hope for Cox, but he hasn't done anything since they drafted him. A starter is needed if Lve departs, but the team also needs more depth in this area.
We cannot address all needs throughout the draft process and some are going to have to be taken care of with our in-house fa's and the open or trade market. If I was force to pick the three priority draft needs, I would have CB, RB, WR/TE. DT should be within the top 3, but until this franchise uses a top pick on one, I have my doubts.
