Fix the D or fix the offense?

[Cowboyny]

If you had the choice, which would you fix this offseason?

-DT, MLB, Safety
-RB, WR, OL

A lot is going to depend upon who is the team's HC, who runs the offense and defense. New HC might want to bring his own identity to the team. MM was known for his passing offenses with the Packers, for instance.

 

[Sydla]

Gotta fix the offense IMO.

Dak is what he is. In order to get the most out of him, he's gotta be given a better OL and run game and another playmaker outside. I've mentioned this on FZ but look at what Philly did with Hurts. They realized he was too turnover prone to try to put a game on him so they beefed up their run game with Barkley, changed OCs and look at them now. Great offense and Hurts has limited his turnovers. They started the year letting Hurts do more and when they struggled, they started to feed that run game more and Hurts' pass attempts have dropped over the last 8 games and his turnovers have gone down and efficiency has gone up.

As much as I want to fix the D, the offense needs attention now. If we were more active in FA we could likely address both. But Jerry is a cheap idiot.

 

[tm1119]

Gotta fix the offense IMO.

Dak is what he is. In order to get the most out of him, he's gotta be given a better OL and run game and another playmaker outside. I've mentioned this on FZ but look at what Philly did with Hurts. They realized he was too turnover prone to try to put a game on him so they beefed up their run game with Barkley, changed OCs and look at them now. Great offense and Hurts has limited his turnovers. They started the year letting Hurts do more and when they struggled, they started to feed that run game more and Hurts' pass attempts have dropped over the last 8 games and his turnovers have gone down and efficiency has gone up.

As much as I want to fix the D, the offense needs attention now. If we were more active in FA we could likely address both. But Jerry is a cheap idiot.

Counter argument- would the Eagles be able to run an offense like that if they weren’t allowing only 15 PPG during their 8 game win streak (probably even less if you take out garbage time)?

It’s not nearly as easy to lean on the run game and run a conservative offense if you’re down on the scoreboard.

 

[Nova]

Counter argument- would the Eagles be able to run an offense like that if they weren’t allowing only 15 PPG during their 8 game win streak (probably even less if you take out garbage time)?

It’s not nearly as easy to lean on the run game and run a conservative offense if you’re down on the scoreboard.

Yes-- I'd look at the 2014 and 2016 Cowboys as an example.

Our defense was not good either year. Benson Mayowa was our sack leader in '16. But we stuck with the ground game and put pressure on opposing teams through lengthy, efficient drives.

The thing is, I think we're maybe a 3-down back and a new coordinator away from having a top 5 ground game.

So I'd still make more investments in to the defense also.

 

[cnuball21]

If you had the choice, which would you fix this offseason?

-DT, MLB, Safety
-RB, WR, OL

A lot is going to depend upon who is the team's HC, who runs the offense and defense. New HC might want to bring his own identity to the team. MM was known for his passing offenses with the Packers, for instance.

If we’d actually have a pulse in FA we could easily fix both with a few key moves. If we’re assuming we like our guys and only resign them (Osa / Jlew / Golston) my preference would be something like this:

1: WR
2: DT
3: RB

I think the OL will be fine, not great, but fine. With DT and RB being 2 of the deepest groups in the draft Id prioritize a playmaker for offense in round 1 then take whoever falls after.

This is me doing it the Cowboys way though…if it were up to me we’d restructure Dak / Lamb, make a few other minor moves and go get a DT, MLB and WR in FA. and then take a more BPA approach in the draft.

 

[My3Sons]

1st DT
2nd RB

 

[Mr_437]

Team fix the defense and build around DeMo, Parsons and Bland.
DT
MLB/DE
RB
NT
S

 

[Cowboyny]

If we’d actually have a pulse in FA we could easily fix both with a few key moves. If we’re assuming we like our guys and only resign them (Osa / Jlew / Golston) my preference would be something like this:

1: WR
2: DT
3: RB

I think the OL will be fine, not great, but fine. With DT and RB being 2 of the deepest groups in the draft Id prioritize a playmaker for offense in round 1 then take whoever falls after.

This is me doing it the Cowboys way though…if it were up to me we’d restructure Dak / Lamb, make a few other minor moves and go get a DT, MLB and WR in FA. and then take a more BPA approach in the draft.

Those are my same priority needs, but I too would like some real fa's sprinkled in.

 

[Cowboyny]

Yes-- I'd look at the 2014 and 2016 Cowboys as an example.

Our defense was not good either year. Benson Mayowa was our sack leader in '16. But we stuck with the ground game and put pressure on opposing teams through lengthy, efficient drives.

The thing is, I think we're maybe a 3-down back and a new coordinator away from having a top 5 ground game.

So I'd still make more investments in to the defense also.

Top 5 ground game? We are the 2nd worst in the league and our OL isn't like when Zeke was drafted.

 

[darthseinfeld]

If you had the choice, which would you fix this offseason?

-DT, MLB, Safety
-RB, WR, OL

A lot is going to depend upon who is the team's HC, who runs the offense and defense. New HC might want to bring his own identity to the team. MM was known for his passing offenses with the Packers, for instance.

If we can do two things we can great improve both units.

1: Improve the interior DL. We are lucky its a strong DT draft. We could pass on a DT in round 1 and still get a quality player in round 2. Does it have to be dominant? No. Just better

2) Add talent to the skill positions. After Lamb we have a guy that is an league average 3rd WR, a former 2nd rounder that hasnt worked out, and guys that dont belong on the roster of a winning team. IMO this is more of an FA/trade thing than a draft thing. Everyone you have pitched recently Id be very interested in. I think thats our path for right now. HB is a major need, and we are lucky its the strongest class in recent memory. Any way you slice it, we need better playmakers on offense

Re-reading what I posted, I would say offense

 

[cnuball21]

If we can do two things we can great improve both units.

1: Improve the interior DL. We are lucky its a strong DT draft. We could pass on a DT in round 1 and still get a quality player in round 2. Does it have to be dominant? No. Just better

2) Add talent to the skill positions. After Lamb we have a guy that is an league average 3rd WR, a former 2nd rounder that hasnt worked out, and guys that dont belong on the roster of a winning team. IMO this is more of an FA/trade thing than a draft thing. Everyone you have pitched recently Id be very interested in. I think thats our path for right now. HB is a major need, and we are lucky its the strongest class in recent memory. Any way you slice it, we need better playmakers on offense

Re-reading what I posted, I would say offense

The defense is probably closer to really good than the O. Get healthy and adding a quality FA DT and an early pick at DT would go a looooong ways.

If they can be above average next year as long as Dak is healthy we’ll be competitive on O even if we add nothing. Now if we can hit on a WR and add some juice to the RB room then we’re cooking.

 

[darthseinfeld]

The defense is probably closer to really good than the O. Get healthy and adding a quality FA DT and an early pick at DT would go a looooong ways.

If they can be above average next year as long as Dak is healthy we’ll be competitive on O even if we add nothing. Now if we can hit on a WR and add some juice to the RB room then we’re cooking.

HB is a problem. Right Dowdle is the only NFL caliber back we have an he is an FA. Now I think Dowdle has proven himself to be a pretty ball carrier, and Im against retaining him if he doesnt price himself out. However even if we do bring him back, I think we need another high caliber back to go with him

WR is a tough one because its a wonky class. Personally I think Burden is a solid get in the 1st and walks in the building our #2. However he might not make to us and getting an impact guy in the draft becomes tricky. I like the idea @Cowboyny has been pitching of bringing in a vet via FA or trade. With a player of Lambs caliber, it can help you max out a player on the other side and we could get solid returns

 

[Hardline]

I draft talent at any position offense or defense.

 

[Cowboyny]

If we can do two things we can great improve both units.

1: Improve the interior DL. We are lucky its a strong DT draft. We could pass on a DT in round 1 and still get a quality player in round 2. Does it have to be dominant? No. Just better

2) Add talent to the skill positions. After Lamb we have a guy that is an league average 3rd WR, a former 2nd rounder that hasnt worked out, and guys that dont belong on the roster of a winning team. IMO this is more of an FA/trade thing than a draft thing. Everyone you have pitched recently Id be very interested in. I think thats our path for right now. HB is a major need, and we are lucky its the strongest class in recent memory. Any way you slice it, we need better playmakers on offense

Re-reading what I posted, I would say offense

My biggest worry is that they load up the offense via the draft. This group has always prioritized high level receivers and running backs and we know how many resources they have put into the OL. This is the ideal draft to rebuild the DL and address the running back positions. They might think resigning Osa and already using a 1st rd pick on Mazi is enough.

 

[cnuball21]

HB is a problem. Right Dowdle is the only NFL caliber back we have an he is an FA. Now I think Dowdle has proven himself to be a pretty ball carrier, and Im against retaining him if he doesnt price himself out. However even if we do bring him back, I think we need another high caliber back to go with him

WR is a tough one because its a wonky class. Personally I think Burden is a solid get in the 1st and walks in the building our #2. However he might not make to us and getting an impact guy in the draft becomes tricky. I like the idea @Cowboyny has been pitching of bringing in a vet via FA or trade. With a player of Lambs caliber, it can help you max out a player on the other side and we could get solid returns

Oh yea I def want to draft a RB this year but I think between that and bringing back Dowdle we’d be covered.

I’d love to sign a FA WR we wont
pay up for Higgins and after that there’s nothing that moves the needle for me. Diggs is on the decline, fresh off an injury, so we’ll probably sign him like idiots. No idea if there are any viable trade options.

 

[Nova]

Top 5 ground game? We are the 2nd worst in the league and our OL isn't like when Zeke was drafted.

I'm not saying it will happen. I'm gauging where to invest more personnel.

I already like the investment on OL. The depth, youth and talent there is good and I think the right coaching / RB combo could yield a dramatic improvement akin what we saw 2012-2013 (went from 29th in YPC to 6th).

I'd rather take more swings at the defense, specifically interior front seven.

 

[Cowboyny]

I'm not saying it will happen. I'm gauging where to invest more personnel.

I already like the investment on OL. The depth, youth and talent there is good and I think the right coaching / RB combo could yield a dramatic improvement akin what we saw 2012-2013 (went from 29th in YPC to 6th).

I'd rather take more swings at the defense, specifically interior front seven.

A lot work is needed to fix their rushing attack, have to figure how which are the best positions for these prospects to settle in, then you need to upgrade the rushing scheme and finally upgrade the RB room.

 

[Cowboyny]

Oh yea I def want to draft a RB this year but I think between that and bringing back Dowdle we’d be covered.

I’d love to sign a FA WR we wont
pay up for Higgins and after that there’s nothing that moves the needle for me. Diggs is on the decline, fresh off an injury, so we’ll probably sign him like idiots. No idea if there are any viable trade options.

Diggs, Cooper, Johnson from the Ravens are the top get's, then it falls off a cliff. You miss out on those three, you can see who is out there on the trade market, like how we landed Cooks. Bad teams either looking to dump salary or do not want to hand out a big extension are usually the teams who make those type of deals. However, what Jerry just paid for Mingo, has me scared off of the trade market.

If you went the draft route, either you take 1 with your 1st pick or 2nd pick, then you have the Jalen Tolbert types who can hit or miss.

 

[Cowboyny]

Unless Dowdle plays on a small contract, rather draft 2 backs in a loaded class.

 

[cnuball21]

Diggs, Cooper, Johnson from the Ravens are the top get's, then it falls off a cliff. You miss out on those three, you can see who is out there on the trade market, like how we landed Cooks. Bad teams either looking to dump salary or do not want to hand out a big extension are usually the teams who make those type of deals. However, what Jerry just paid for Mingo, has me scared off of the trade market.

If you went the draft route, either you take 1 with your 1st pick or 2nd pick, then you have the Jalen Tolbert types who can hit or miss.

I’d pass on Diggs and Johnson and don’t see a Cooper reunion happening.

Jerry Juedy is intriguing but don’t know if CLE would let him go.

That’s why I think WR makes a ton of sense in the 1st.