CFZ The fastest way we could build a real contender

[Scottishcowboy]

That's too many picks/FAs to realistically do in one off-season. We also don't have a few picks with trades for Lance, Cooks, Gilmore.....I think we have no 4th, 5th and 6th possibly?

I think CB is a need with Gilmores age and injury and the risk Diggs "does a Gallup" with his ACL recovery.

I dunno, I'm feeling numb still from the season ending fiasco and I'm struggling to see us be a true contender in 2024.

Your list is fair Bob but just seems too big a reach for us to plug so many needs at once.

 

[rambo2]

That's too many picks/FAs to realistically do in one off-season. We also don't have a few picks with trades for Lance, Cooks, Gilmore.....I think we have no 4th, 5th and 6th possibly?

I think CB is a need with Gilmores age and injury and the risk Diggs "does a Gallup" with his ACL recovery.

I dunno, I'm feeling numb still from the season ending fiasco and I'm struggling to see us be a true contender in 2024.

Your list is fair Bob but just seems too big a reach for us to plug so many needs at once.

They can fix a lot by drafting a stud center and the big back from Wisconsin, and getting better dtackle play, and signing a couple of veteran linebackers.

 

[john van brocklin]

Most of us watched that SB game Sunday night and thought, “As currently constructed, our roster isn‘t nearly good enough to compete with these teams.” We have quite a ways to go to be on that level.

So what would be the fastest way we could be able to build a roster that is complete enough to compete for a championship? (I didn’t say “BEST” way. I said “fastest“ way) I know many Cowboys fans will say “Get a new QB”, but we know that isn’t happening. Others will say, “Get a new GM.” Sadly, that isn’t happening anytime soon either. So what can we do this off-season?

Here are two things we must first understand:

• Without a great QB, you must have a great defense. Period. Or at least one that can get critical stops in critical moments. Dak is a good QB IMO, just not a great one. You can win playoff games with him with a great defense. Without it, forget it.
• Without a great QB, you must also have a very good running game. Thats a non-negotiable. A good running game takes a lot off your QB and also allows your defense to rest while your offense eats some clock.

So…with that in mind, here’s what we must do this off-season to get to that next level:

• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent starting LBs. Big enough to stop the run but quick enough to drop back into some coverages. We cannot go into 2024 with small LBs anymore.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 2 excellent DTs. Big, strong run stuffers than can start and be effective immediately. No Day 3 developmental projects. Either first or second rounders that are plug and play and/or one stud FA. I Know lots of people like Hankins as a re-sign FA but he’s just ok. We like him because he’s better than anything we’ve had but that doesn’t make him great or indispensable.
• Either by draft or FA- acquire at least 1 excellent starting OL. Our OL is aging and injury prone (Tyron, Zack Martin and Terrance Steele have all missed games last two years) and we are probably losing Tyler Biadaz to FA. We need to either draft a good C or develop one who’s already here and draft another young starter.
• Either by draft of FA- acquire an excellent starting RB- Pollard is likely gone (too expensive) and they misused him last yr anyway. He’s best when he has 12-15 touches max. I would draft a RB in rounds 3-5 that can play right away and pair him with an affordable vet FA in a committee approach. Our current guys like Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn are not worth much IMO. Maybe keep one.
• Make some key June 1 cuts to save cap space.
  • Cut Michael Gallup. No brainer.
  • Cut Cooper Rush. Trey Lance is now the backup and will need lots of preseason action.
  • Cut LVE. He’s a big injury risk and won’t cost much to cut but will save some.
  • Cut Nashon Wright. He’s terrible. That simple.
  • Several others not mentioned

So in short, in order for this team to put together a true contender that can seriously compete in the playoffs, we need to get much better on defense, (need 2 top notch LBs and 2 quality DTs that are ready to play NOW) and much better in the running game (add a quality OL and 2 good RBs that can start and play well NOW) Add improved coaching too.

The changes above give us a chance. Running it back without the above changes? Not a chance.

With the very best GM in the NFL, you may be able to pull the above off, Bob.
We got Jerry, nuff said.

 

[75boyz]

Non yes man Head Coach.
True franchise QB.

Take it from there.

 

[Captain-Crash]

Non yes man Head Coach.
True franchise QB.

Take it from there.

the only way anything good will happen is if the Jones step away and let a true GM run the team. We know that isn't happening, so enjoy the fun.

 

[Scottishcowboy]

They can fix a lot by drafting a stud center and the big back from Wisconsin, and getting better dtackle play, and signing a couple of veteran linebackers.

That's a lot of ANDs in there Rambo!

I can see us doing half of what Bob wants......at best.

We basically would need to draft instant starters with picks 1, 2 and 3. Then get 3 plug in FAs. I hate being pessimistic about us right now but I also think I am being realistic.

 

[75boyz]

the only way anything good will happen is if the Jones step away and let a true GM run the team. We know that isn't happening, so enjoy the fun.

My fun will be to just keep hating on the GM, HC and QB so I'm fair to all.

 

[Captain-Crash]

My fun will be to just keep hating on the GM, HC and QB so I'm fair to all.

it's more fun. I find it more enjoyable watching the games and laughing.

 

[FoxF]

Those are well ran organizations that have a strong culture, something we are not. We need LUCK.

 

[TwistedL0g1k]

That's too many picks/FAs to realistically do in one off-season. We also don't have a few picks with trades for Lance, Cooks, Gilmore.....I think we have no 4th, 5th and 6th possibly?

I think CB is a need with Gilmores age and injury and the risk Diggs "does a Gallup" with his ACL recovery.

I dunno, I'm feeling numb still from the season ending fiasco and I'm struggling to see us be a true contender in 2024.

Your list is fair Bob but just seems too big a reach for us to plug so many needs at once.

Correct. Dallas currently has picks in rounds: 1, 2, 3, 7, 7. They are projected to possibly receive two 6th round comp picks.
That's basically 3 picks that can be expected to contribute immediately.

Given the lack of a run game, and Dallas's failure to draft a RB last draft, it almost seems like a given that Dallas takes a RB in the first 3 rounds. Sure, they might hit on a RB in the 6th, but that cannot be counted on.

That leaves 2 high draft picks for all the other needs- and that list of needs is very long indeed.

Don't expect any high dollar free agents given the current cap situation, especially with the current QB contract.

It's depressing really...

 

[Sheepherder]

I see another 12 win season on the horizon.

Have you seen the schedule? You might want to rethink that.

 

[Sheepherder]

It's inconceivable that enough improvement could be made in the rest of the team to contend with the current QB. Dallas simply does not have the cap space, and does not have the draft capital, to significantly upgrade the DL, OL, LB, RB, etc....

I just don't see how the plan laid out in the OP can be executed given the current limitations in resources.

They can fix a lot by drafting a stud center and the big back from Wisconsin, and getting better dtackle play, and signing a couple of veteran linebackers.

I agree with you here but question is will they go out and do it?

 

[Diehardblues]

Well done but thats a pretty long laundry list for our dysfunctional ownership. Good luck. Lol

 

[rambo2]

I agree with you here but question is will they go out and do it?

Yes, they will.

 

[Toro9]

Our draft picks are 1, 2, 3, 7, 7 and we might get two comp 6ths. Not a good year to have such low draft capitol. We're gonna need to find a way to get more mid-round picks or roll the dice on some good FAs. My guess is the former. Trade down starting in round 3, maybe.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Pollard is likely gone (too expensive) and they misused him last yr anyway. He’s best when he has 12-15 touches max.

Interesting that last year he averaged 14.5 touches per game and this year 18.0 touches.

Last year the mantra was he needed more touches and Zeke needed less.

I never imagined those extra 3.5 touches per game and different scheme and some bad play calling would look like it did this year.

 

[rambo2]

Have you seen the schedule? You might want to rethink that.

I'll stick with 12 wins.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Our draft picks are 1, 2, 3, 7, 7 and we might get two comp 6ths. Not a good year to have such low draft capitol.

Current expectations:

1st Round: No. 24
2nd Round: No. 56
3rd Round: No. 88
5th Round: Comp Pick (Connor McGovern)
6th Round: Comp Pick (Dalton Schultz)
7th Round: No. 234 (Raiders)
7th Round: No. 245

 

[rambo2]

That's a lot of ANDs in there Rambo!

I can see us doing half of what Bob wants......at best.

We basically would need to draft instant starters with picks 1, 2 and 3. Then get 3 plug in FAs. I hate being pessimistic about us right now but I also think I am being realistic.

They can certainly get 2 starters by drafting one of the top 3 centers and Braelon Allen rb from Wisconsin.

 

[TwistedL0g1k]

They can certainly get 2 starters by drafting one of the top 3 centers and Braelon Allen rb from Wisconsin.

That would be an improvement over last draft, where Dallas got zero starters with their first 3 picks.

That's not a bad plan BTW, but leaves little help for the defense.