Building a Defense Begins Thursday; How to Enjoy It

[Chuck 54]

As a fan who used to purchase Mel Kiper’s blue draft guide starting a couple years before Jerry purchased the Cowboys, a fan who would compare it with other publications and record every player drafted by each NFC East team in the inside covers, I have to admit that at 69 years of age, I’m actually burned out on all the awesome podcasts now available through YouTube. I think even Voch and Broadus ran out of real content a week ago.

Now all the talk is about which players will fall or rise and whether the Cowboys should trade up, trade down, or sit tight. I’m sure we have all gotten a little caught up in it and probably a little anxious.

Here’s a realization I came to today that has me ready to thoroughly enjoy this year’s draft whatever happens.

Our offense is not perfect, but elite when healthy. Our defense absolutely sucked last year.

• We have already improved our safety room
• We have already improved our CB room
• We have already improved our DL depth and replaced our C depth

While we may wish for one of the supposedly super elite defenders, so does every team outside of the top 8 teams in the draft order, but no player is a guarantee. Even if we sit where we are at 12, 20, 92, and 112, or if we trade down for additional picks, while we may not draft Reese, Bailey, Styles, Downs, or even Delane or Bain, the draft runs deep into the fourth round with solid players at Edge, LB, CB, and S. It is also deep at TE and WR.

Whatever happens, as long as The coaches have collaborated with McClay and the scouts and the board has been built properly, we are going to add solid defenders who will improve this defense. That’s almost a certainty considering how bad it was last year. A super blue chipper, if he pans out, is awesome, but there is no excuse for not improving every level of this defense, even if LB waits until 92 or 112. Add that improvement to the quality parts returning healthy and a better coaching staff and scheme.

I’m more and more excited to see which players the Cowboys are really targeting and to then dig in and read more and more about the players not named in the big 6 and what they will bring to the new scheme.

Enjoy the draft, my friends. Most of the best players in Cowboys history were not top 5 selections. Many more were not even first round picks. Go Cowboys!

 

[MapleLeaf]

It's going to be about starters. Who do we have at each position who are legitimate starters to challenge the competition opposite to them.

You can put a JAG there, but can we compete?

I'm not expecting the draft to fill all the holes. I expect Jerry and the personnel team to do that.


David

 

[gimmesix]

As a fan who used to purchase Mel Kiper’s blue draft guide starting a couple years before Jerry purchased the Cowboys, a fan who would compare it with other publications and record every player drafted by each NFC East team in the inside covers, I have to admit that at 69 years of age, I’m actually burned out on all the awesome podcasts now available through YouTube. I think even Voch and Broadus ran out of real content a week ago.

Now all the talk is about which players will fall or rise and whether the Cowboys should trade up, trade down, or sit tight. I’m sure we have all gotten a little caught up in it and probably a little anxious.

Here’s a realization I came to today that has me ready to thoroughly enjoy this year’s draft whatever happens.

Our offense is not perfect, but elite when healthy. Our defense absolutely sucked last year.

• We have already improved our safety room
• We have already improved our CB room
• We have already improved our DL depth and replaced our C depth

While we may wish for one of the supposedly super elite defenders, so does every team outside of the top 8 teams in the draft order, but no player is a guarantee. Even if we sit where we are at 12, 20, 92, and 112, or if we trade down for additional picks, while we may not draft Reese, Bailey, Styles, Downs, or even Delane or Bain, the draft runs deep into the fourth round with solid players at Edge, LB, CB, and S. It is also deep at TE and WR.

Whatever happens, as long as The coaches have collaborated with McClay and the scouts and the board has been built properly, we are going to add solid defenders who will improve this defense. That’s almost a certainty considering how bad it was last year. A super blue chipper, if he pans out, is awesome, but there is no excuse for not improving every level of this defense, even if LB waits until 92 or 112. Add that improvement to the quality parts returning healthy and a better coaching staff and scheme.

I’m more and more excited to see which players the Cowboys are really targeting and to then dig in and read more and more about the players not named in the big 6 and what they will bring to the new scheme.

Enjoy the draft, my friends. Most of the best players in Cowboys history were not top 5 selections. Many more were not even first round picks. Go Cowboys!

Not sure we improved our defensive line depth. We replaced Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas with Ogboniia and Bullard, not exactly major players and maybe not as good as the players they are replacing. We replaced Clowney with Gary, which seems to be a comparable swap.

Safety should be better with Jalen Thompson. Corner should be slightly improved with Durant.

 

[Havic]

Assuming we dont move in the first at all, I wouldnt be surprised at all if we take someone like Proctor at 20 if he is availble.

 

[charron]

They started the rebuilding of this defense last year with Clark and Williams. Continued that process with some other free agent and trades this year and will continue through the draft and then another round of free agents if necessary.

 

[jazzcat22]

They have done quite a bit last year and this year to get this defense rebuilt. And now have the draft to do more.
And a new DC to go along with it.

It is not what the fans want, But what if it is and turns out to be better than what many feel.

They may have just replaced what they lost must they are an upgrade for sure. Including some depth.

Get 3 solid players in this draft. It is all looking up.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Assuming we don't sneak in a damn WR

 

[Whirlwin]

Delaine, first overall pick, stay where we are
And then I would go Rodriguez middle linebacker, at 20 or move down and still take him

 

[Whirlwin]

Assuming we don't sneak in a damn WR

If we take a cornerback, a linebacker, I can see them going with the wide receiver, depending who’s there

 

[Whirlwin]

We took Reese, are they gonna go again and take McCoy, another problem injured player

 

[big dog cowboy]

Whatever happens, as long as The coaches have collaborated with McClay and the scouts and the board has been built properly, we are going to add solid defenders who will improve this defense.

The improved coaching staff will make a big difference this year. Last year they just looked lost and out of touch with how to defend. The hire of CP and new staff will pay big dividends if we can get them the right players.

 

[Praxit]

As a fan who used to purchase Mel Kiper’s blue draft guide starting a couple years before Jerry purchased the Cowboys, a fan who would compare it with other publications and record every player drafted by each NFC East team in the inside covers, I have to admit that at 69 years of age, I’m actually burned out on all the awesome podcasts now available through YouTube. I think even Voch and Broadus ran out of real content a week ago.

Now all the talk is about which players will fall or rise and whether the Cowboys should trade up, trade down, or sit tight. I’m sure we have all gotten a little caught up in it and probably a little anxious.

Here’s a realization I came to today that has me ready to thoroughly enjoy this year’s draft whatever happens.

Our offense is not perfect, but elite when healthy. Our defense absolutely sucked last year.

• We have already improved our safety room
• We have already improved our CB room
• We have already improved our DL depth and replaced our C depth

While we may wish for one of the supposedly super elite defenders, so does every team outside of the top 8 teams in the draft order, but no player is a guarantee. Even if we sit where we are at 12, 20, 92, and 112, or if we trade down for additional picks, while we may not draft Reese, Bailey, Styles, Downs, or even Delane or Bain, the draft runs deep into the fourth round with solid players at Edge, LB, CB, and S. It is also deep at TE and WR.

Whatever happens, as long as The coaches have collaborated with McClay and the scouts and the board has been built properly, we are going to add solid defenders who will improve this defense. That’s almost a certainty considering how bad it was last year. A super blue chipper, if he pans out, is awesome, but there is no excuse for not improving every level of this defense, even if LB waits until 92 or 112. Add that improvement to the quality parts returning healthy and a better coaching staff and scheme.

I’m more and more excited to see which players the Cowboys are really targeting and to then dig in and read more and more about the players not named in the big 6 and what they will bring to the new scheme.

Enjoy the draft, my friends. Most of the best players in Cowboys history were not top 5 selections. Many more were not even first round picks. Go Cowboys!

..getting some LB's would help lots. Re-sign Clowney.

 

[Whirlwin]

The improved coaching staff will make a big difference this year. Last year they just looked lost and out of touch with how to defend. The hire of CP and new staff will pay big dividends if we can get them the right players.

I hope Washington takes McCoy, so we can take Mansoor

 

[Whirlwin]

..getting some LB's would help lots. Re-sign Clowney.

I’m hoping we trade down from 20 take Rodriguez, solid middle linebacker, great coverage, and get an extra pic

 

[plasticman]

I too am hoping this is Phase II of the reconstruction.

A better outlook on the overall health of the defense might improve it more than this draft.

Last season, practically their entire CB squad was out before opening day. Then they continued to get hurt. They started a different CB in each of their first four games.

Overshown was still rehabbing.

The LB with the most starts in 2026 was rookie Shemar James with six.

The defense and the coordinator received a shock one week before the season started. Their best player, one of the best in the entire league was traded away. Does anyone think that Eberflus spent the prior months devising schemes to maximize Dante Fowler's success?

Then there was the tragedy of Marshawn Kneeland.

The single greatest reason for the defense being so bad is that they were not on the field. That defense was 50% duct tape from the beginning.

I submit that it was circumstances and not a lack of talent that derailed this defense last season.

You just don't go from a top 5 defense to last place in two seasons because they forgot how to play football.

So I think the Cowboys already have something to build on and with this draft they will improve far quicker than most expect....if they can stay healthy.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Year 1 of a 2-3 year rebuild is underway. Just hoping they draft really good players. Not going to watch because the draft is boring but hope they dont draft any busts.

 

[Praxit]

I’m hoping we trade down from 20 take Rodriguez, solid middle linebacker, great coverage, and get an extra pic

...hope your right, Whirly. I never heard of the guy, cant be any worse than Mazi situation.

 

[Whirlwin]

...hope your right, Whirly. I never heard of the guy, cant be any worse than Mazi situation.

He’s a solid, strong, middle linebacker who can cover, the guy just doesn’t get injured, and he knows the game

 

[Whirlwin]

...hope your right, Whirly. I never heard of the guy, cant be any worse than Mazi situation.

5
https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?im...football/players/full/4566094.png&w=350&h=254
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is a 2026 NFL Draft prospect typically measured at 6'1" and around 230–235 pounds. He is recognized for his speed and productivity in space, boasting a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and a 38.5-inch vertical jump, making him a quick, agile defender

Known for high-effort play, he recorded 128 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 4 interceptions in his breakout 2025 season

 

[Acceptablename]

As a fan who used to purchase Mel Kiper’s blue draft guide starting a couple years before Jerry purchased the Cowboys, a fan who would compare it with other publications and record every player drafted by each NFC East team in the inside covers, I have to admit that at 69 years of age, I’m actually burned out on all the awesome podcasts now available through YouTube. I think even Voch and Broadus ran out of real content a week ago.

Now all the talk is about which players will fall or rise and whether the Cowboys should trade up, trade down, or sit tight. I’m sure we have all gotten a little caught up in it and probably a little anxious.

Here’s a realization I came to today that has me ready to thoroughly enjoy this year’s draft whatever happens.

Our offense is not perfect, but elite when healthy. Our defense absolutely sucked last year.

• We have already improved our safety room
• We have already improved our CB room
• We have already improved our DL depth and replaced our C depth

While we may wish for one of the supposedly super elite defenders, so does every team outside of the top 8 teams in the draft order, but no player is a guarantee. Even if we sit where we are at 12, 20, 92, and 112, or if we trade down for additional picks, while we may not draft Reese, Bailey, Styles, Downs, or even Delane or Bain, the draft runs deep into the fourth round with solid players at Edge, LB, CB, and S. It is also deep at TE and WR.

Whatever happens, as long as The coaches have collaborated with McClay and the scouts and the board has been built properly, we are going to add solid defenders who will improve this defense. That’s almost a certainty considering how bad it was last year. A super blue chipper, if he pans out, is awesome, but there is no excuse for not improving every level of this defense, even if LB waits until 92 or 112. Add that improvement to the quality parts returning healthy and a better coaching staff and scheme.

I’m more and more excited to see which players the Cowboys are really targeting and to then dig in and read more and more about the players not named in the big 6 and what they will bring to the new scheme.

Enjoy the draft, my friends. Most of the best players in Cowboys history were not top 5 selections. Many more were not even first round picks. Go Cowboys!

Good write