Your post-draft assessment: Position of greatest stress now?

[_sturt_]

My #1s on the staff, on the roster in each area.. listed in the order of stress...

Staff = Defensive coordinator

Fact of the matter is, a brand new DC can be excellent in interviews and can have all the recommendations you could ever hope to get... but until there's actual experience in that role and outcomes that allow the guy to be empirically assessed as solid, he's a question mark.

And the fact that there is no one individual whose 2026 contribution will be more pivotal in comparison to the 2025 results... like it or not... the pressure is on, and our new DC is a stressor until he's not any more.

Ya know what would relieve a chunk of that stress? Not all of it, but maybe enough of it to chop it down to something more like "concern"...

Hire me someone on that defensive staff who will serve Parker in the same way that Kellen Moore was served by the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer back when. I'm sorry, but not really... experience means something, and success means something, and there's not even one hire on that staff who can boast enough of both of those to support Parker with insight when Parker's worst day... and his worst day will happen, as it does for all of us inherently in our jobs... happens.


Offense = Left tackle

There is no player who will go to Oxnard with more riding on his shoulders than Guyton, imo. He's had the time now to get himself in optimal position both cognitively and physically, and the time has come for him to definitively establish his draft slot was merited. He's this year's Mazi, glass half-empty. Or, glass half-full, he's this year's Javonte... the guy who, this time last year, I have to acknowledge, I had very little faith would earn the starting job. He proved me terribly wrong. Maybe Guyton will, too.


Defense = ?

Weirdly, I have no specific stress with any specific position on defense beyond the staff. Concerns? Sure. But it feels like we have enough decent options at every position now that I'm not especially stressed by any one spot.


Special Teams = ???

Not so weirdly, I have no specific stress with any role on special teams, but similar to defense, there is a generalized concern given that we'll evidently be looking for a CJ Goodwin clone to emerge.

 

[nalam]

OL , both our tackles are sub standard and the backups didn’t live up to expectations. Booker as OG is solid but needs some experience, Tyler is probably injury free and back, Beebe had few ups and downs .

 

[Kwyn]

if Christian Parker is your number one concern with the Cowboys, I’d say you should be pretty happy.

 

[plasticman]

Position of greatest stress has been the same for 30 years, at least for me.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Tackles...

 

[Acceptablename]

If Guyton can avoid injuries we're good

 

[thunderpimp91]

Both tackle spots are suspect. I'd also put LB on the list. It's likely to be better and the Cowboys have a couple dart throws that could turn out to be very good at the position, but top to bottom it's still among the weakest in the league on paper. CB is one of those that I think I'm willing to give Parker benefit of the doubt on that he can help maximize the potential of the group we have, but I think the group we have there is pretty average at best still. EDGE has the upside you want at the position between EZ and Lawrence, but I think they lack that true impact player that teams have to game plan around for 2026.....I'm high on the future of the position for the Cowboys, but I'm not as high on the Rashaan Gary acquisition as others are.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I’m more concerned at linebacker than any of than of those positions.

 

[john van brocklin]

My #1s on the staff, on the roster in each area.. listed in the order of stress...

Staff = Defensive coordinator

Fact of the matter is, a brand new DC can be excellent in interviews and can have all the recommendations you could ever hope to get... but until there's actual experience in that role and outcomes that allow the guy to be empirically assessed as solid, he's a question mark.

And the fact that there is no one individual whose 2026 contribution will be more pivotal in comparison to the 2025 results... like it or not... the pressure is on, and our new DC is a stressor until he's not any more.

Ya know what would relieve a chunk of that stress? Not all of it, but maybe enough of it to chop it down to something more like "concern"...

Hire me someone on that defensive staff who will serve Parker in the same way that Kellen Moore was served by the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer back when. I'm sorry, but not really... experience means something, and success means something, and there's not even one hire on that staff who can boast enough of both of those to support Parker with insight when Parker's worst day... and his worst day will happen, as it does for all of us inherently in our jobs... happens.


Offense = Left tackle

There is no player who will go to Oxnard with more riding on his shoulders than Guyton, imo. He's had the time now to get himself in optimal position both cognitively and physically, and the time has come for him to definitively establish his draft slot was merited. He's this year's Mazi, glass half-empty. Or, glass half-full, he's this year's Javonte... the guy who, this time last year, I have to acknowledge, I had very little faith would earn the starting job. He proved me terribly wrong. Maybe Guyton will, too.


Defense = ?

Weirdly, I have no specific stress with any specific position on defense beyond the staff. Concerns? Sure. But it feels like we have enough decent options at every position now that I'm not especially stressed by any one spot.


Special Teams = ???

Not so weirdly, I have no specific stress with any role on special teams, but similar to defense, there is a generalized concern given that we'll evidently be looking for a CJ Goodwin clone to emerge.

Still concerned about LB

 

[zrinkill]

Front office and the Head coach are my biggest concerns

Still worried about LB

Concerned about the Pickens situation.

And of course perpetual concern about the QB position if we are able to get into the playoffs.

 

[CATCH17]

The defense as a whole is my 1st, 2nd, & 3rd concern.

The Offensive Tackles? They will be average at worst & we saw how good the offense can be with those exact same offensive tackles.

They are not a concern.



It’s all about defense. We need a defense that is average & we will improve by several games..

 

[kskboys]

if Christian Parker is your number one concern with the Cowboys, I’d say you should be pretty happy.

Maybe. Ton of unknowns about him.

 

[Redsfan_83]

The likelihood of injuries on OL, LB , CB----it seems inevitable, and TC or MOTA'S haven't even started lol. Maybe not a pure weakeness, but.....

 

[Ironicalicon]

My #1s on the staff, on the roster in each area.. listed in the order of stress...

Staff = Defensive coordinator

Fact of the matter is, a brand new DC can be excellent in interviews and can have all the recommendations you could ever hope to get... but until there's actual experience in that role and outcomes that allow the guy to be empirically assessed as solid, he's a question mark.

And the fact that there is no one individual whose 2026 contribution will be more pivotal in comparison to the 2025 results... like it or not... the pressure is on, and our new DC is a stressor until he's not any more.

Ya know what would relieve a chunk of that stress? Not all of it, but maybe enough of it to chop it down to something more like "concern"...

Hire me someone on that defensive staff who will serve Parker in the same way that Kellen Moore was served by the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer back when. I'm sorry, but not really... experience means something, and success means something, and there's not even one hire on that staff who can boast enough of both of those to support Parker with insight when Parker's worst day... and his worst day will happen, as it does for all of us inherently in our jobs... happens.


Offense = Left tackle

There is no player who will go to Oxnard with more riding on his shoulders than Guyton, imo. He's had the time now to get himself in optimal position both cognitively and physically, and the time has come for him to definitively establish his draft slot was merited. He's this year's Mazi, glass half-empty. Or, glass half-full, he's this year's Javonte... the guy who, this time last year, I have to acknowledge, I had very little faith would earn the starting job. He proved me terribly wrong. Maybe Guyton will, too.


Defense = ?

Weirdly, I have no specific stress with any specific position on defense beyond the staff. Concerns? Sure. But it feels like we have enough decent options at every position now that I'm not especially stressed by any one spot.


Special Teams = ???

Not so weirdly, I have no specific stress with any role on special teams, but similar to defense, there is a generalized concern given that we'll evidently be looking for a CJ Goodwin clone to emerge.

Great post! Insightful and thought-provoking!

 

[conner01]

Tackles...

Neither has impressed. I’d be looking hard at a tackle next draft. One can’t stay on the field, other can’t pass block. We need to upgrade one at least next off season. I’d be inclined to look at a vet swing if one was availible this year

 

[Ironicalicon]

Front office and the Head coach are my biggest concerns

Still worried about LB

Concerned about the Pickens situation.

And of course perpetual concern about the QB position if we are able to get into the playoffs.

While there's not much you said that I disagree with, I think Schotty has what it takes to be a good head coach, and will only get better with more experience with in-game decisions and how to delegate to his assistants to maintain a balance of his own responsibilities. He's been involved with the NFL a long time and has seen the pro game from multiple angles.

 

[jazzcat22]

Staying healthy is my #1 concern. Seems they always have too many injuries starting in TC, and continuing throughout the season.
Not just to the starters, button key back ups as well. Either mostly on defense, but also seem the OL.

I really like how they put the defense together the past 2 year, and the cashing staff this year. Concern, it all looks very good, but need to see it on the field obviously.

Offense I don't have a lot of concerns. Look at the numbers they put up last year, even with the OT's. But Guyton fought through nagging inuries all season long. Need to see how he does this year. I think Steele will be better. 2 full year removed form knee surgery.
Offense still settles for too many FG's inside the red zone.

ST's, I don't see much of what they can do. Would like to see the return game improve. With Turpin they should have longer returns. So improve the blocking.

 

[kskboys]

While there's not much you said that I disagree with, I think Schotty has what it takes to be a good head coach, and will only get better with more experience with in-game decisions and how to delegate to his assistants to maintain a balance of his own responsibilities. He's been involved with the NFL a long time and has seen the pro game from multiple angles.

Schotty has done very well so far as HC.

 

[Ironicalicon]

Schotty has done very well so far as HC.

... Is that sarcasm? Honestly don't know, cause the team went 7-9.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Neither has impressed. I’d be looking hard at a tackle next draft. One can’t stay on the field, other can’t pass block. We need to upgrade one at least next off season. I’d be inclined to look at a vet swing if one was availible this year

My take is they have been a challenge in the past. If they are the best we have and something happens during the season what will we be trotting out right behind them.

I know the o-line is a problem for everyone in the league. We are no exception to the challenge of building a solid front, but it feels like this is an area of concern now.