We won't be players in FA again in my opinion

[Aven8]

Just saw our draft picks this year 3-4th's and 3-5th's. No way we do anything in FA IMO. Expect more bottom feeding.

 

[CWR]

Just saw our draft picks this year 3-4th's and 3-5th's. No way we do anything in FA IMO. Expect more bottom feeding.

Those draft picks are a good thing! Im fine with not being players in FA, except instead of signing half a dozen scrubs Id prefer we sign a player or two of merit.

 

[Hawkeye19]

For sure. The philosophy has been to save cap space for our own guys. That will get tested this year with D Law and Hitchens set to hit the market. Martin is set to get paid too. IMO-- they need to keep all 3 guys and then continue to draft well. After next year we can clear Romo (and probably Witten and Dez) off the books and have some decisions to make about Dak/Zeke long term.

IMO-- for 2018, we need to protect ourselves at OT, LBer, S, and get some new blood in at WR. We can accomplish doing that without over-paying for a high priced FA. The two positions I would consider spending on would be a quality vet OT or a legit speed #2 WR.

 

[Direwolf63]

We will do some more dumpster diving, but that's it.

I'm thinking Ben Benwickirie quality here.

If Earl Thomas is released, we should go after him. He wants to play in Dallas. But it won't happen.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

We only get the bargain bin players anyway.

 

[Sydla]

For sure. The philosophy has been to save cap space for our own guys. That will get tested this year with D Law and Hitchens set to hit the market. Martin is set to get paid too. IMO-- they need to keep all 3 guys and then continue to draft well. After next year we can clear Romo (and probably Witten and Dez) off the books and have some decisions to make about Dak/Zeke long term.

IMO-- for 2018, we need to protect ourselves at OT, LBer, S, and get some new blood in at WR. We can accomplish doing that without over-paying for a high priced FA. The two positions I would consider spending on would be a quality vet OT or a legit speed #2 WR.

Hitchens is a distant third consideration to resign for me, especially if you are going to have to pay him starting ILB money to keep him.

 

[StylisticS]

I know it was asked already, but what is our cap space looking like?

 

[Aven8]

We only get the bargain bin players anyway.

That's why it's pointless to make threads about getting Landry, or any decent FA. We can discuss it but they're not going to do anything. The draft is in Dallas and we have all those pics. Jerry will go overboard and try to steal the draft pub etc.

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

I'd like to think Garrett is well aware his job is on the line with the outcome of this season and in response lobbies for a couple splash FA in areas where we're in serious need

 

[Hawkeye19]

Hitchens is a distant third consideration to resign for me, especially if you are going to have to pay him starting ILB money to keep him.

I like Hitch. Versatile, dependable, tough, and fundamentally sound. He may not be a flashy player-- but I would pay him to stay for his experience and stability. Lee and Jaylon are both question marks. We need one solid guy at LBer as we head into the offseason, and hopefully we draft a stud in the first 3 rounds as well.

 

[Sydla]

I like Hitch. Versatile, dependable, tough, and fundamentally sound. He may not be a flashy player-- but I would pay him to stay for his experience and stability. Lee and Jaylon are both question marks. We need one solid guy at LBer as we head into the offseason, and hopefully we draft a stud in the first 3 rounds as well.

I like Hitchens too............ for what he is.

But if someone wants to give him starting ILB money which could be anywhere from $5-7MM a year, I am not getting in a bidding war for that. He's not that good. I'll go find a cheaper LB or two in FA and then look at the draft for help as well.

 

[gimmesix]

Those draft picks are a good thing! Im fine with not being players in FA, except instead of signing half a dozen scrubs Id prefer we sign a player or two of merit.

This would be my approach. Use all those draft picks to fill out the roster. Use free agency to add a couple of key pieces.

 

[Aven8]

I like Hitch. Versatile, dependable, tough, and fundamentally sound. He may not be a flashy player-- but I would pay him to stay for his experience and stability. Lee and Jaylon are both question marks. We need one solid guy at LBer as we head into the offseason, and hopefully we draft a stud in the first 3 rounds as well.

Hitch has finally blossomed into a quality MLB. He was fantastic this season. These are the types of guys you pay IMO. He's finally gotten good and we're going to let him get away? I hope not.

We lose him and we have another hole to fill. Wilson and Wilbur are awful.

 

[Bleu Star]

Just saw our draft picks this year 3-4th's and 3-5th's. No way we do anything in FA IMO. Expect more bottom feeding.

Lord... Please let @Aven8 be wrong. It's time for a change in the way we approach FA....

 

[Stash]

I like Hitch. Versatile, dependable, tough, and fundamentally sound. He may not be a flashy player-- but I would pay him to stay for his experience and stability. Lee and Jaylon are both question marks. We need one solid guy at LBer as we head into the offseason, and hopefully we draft a stud in the first 3 rounds as well.

The question is what would you "pay him"?

I think many of us would like him back, but in the $3 million dollar range and not the $5 million dollar range.

And I think that's what it will come down to for the Cowboys as well.

 

[Hawkeye19]

I like Hitchens too............ for what he is.

But if someone wants to give him starting ILB money which could be anywhere from $5-7MM a year, I am not getting in a bidding war for that. He's not that good. I'll go find a cheaper LB or two in FA and then look at the draft for help as well.

I'd be fine giving him 5 mil a year. You know he's going to be on the field for either Lee or Jaylon this year and he has the position flex and system knowledge to help the whole unit. More than 5 mil and I would have to think long and hard about where he fits on this team in 2-3 years.

The short-term need at LBer is massive. Hitch is the best FA LBer on the market since he already knows this system and has been really productive. You may be able to find a more athletic LBer in FA-- but that doesn't mean he will be as productive in a new scheme-- and you're going pay a premium for him.

I'd sign Hitch to a 1-2 year deal that is competitive and then draft a stud and add some more developmental guys as well. I think you can reward Hitch for his production to this point, protective yourself in the short term and buy Jaylon some time to develop, and you still give Hitch another crack at a long term deal down the line if he continues to play at the level he's playing at.

 

[Stash]

We will do some more dumpster diving, but that's it.

I'm thinking Ben Benwickirie quality here.

If Earl Thomas is released, we should go after him. He wants to play in Dallas. But it won't happen.

I think Thomas is the one name that might get the Cowboys to change plans.

I expect simply doing their best to keep theirs rather than pursuing anyone else's, but if Thomas does shake loose, I can see an about-face to the plan to sign him.

Other than that, I expect to be shopping in the discount section. I just hope it's not the same disaster that last year was.

 

[John813]

Comp picks are only awarded when we see our players leave via FA and sign decent to big deals elsewhere/ or play great football with their new squad.
Do we have any notable FAs that could leave and sign for a hefty deal? Or play lights out with another team? Doubtful

No Ron Leary, hell no Barry Church heading to UFA. Beyond doubtful Lawrence sees FA.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/dallas-cowboys/

Maybe Hitchens, but he could either come back here or be like Zach Brown, signing a 1 year prove it deal.

The rest will either sit around for a phone call or get 1-2 year cheap deals.

Even if we cut Dez, for example, and he signs a big deal with the Browns that contract doesn't get calculated in how they award comp picks.

 

[Diehardblues]

Just saw our draft picks this year 3-4th's and 3-5th's. No way we do anything in FA IMO. Expect more bottom feeding.

This appears to be our new path which is fine because we have suked so bad in big FA moves which have mostly cost us. I wouldn’t trust myself either . Lol

We’ve been adding more talent in draft and adding some rotational players and backups in FA. I’m ok with that. We recognize our strength and weaknesses in obtaining talent.

 

[jazzcat22]

Would Earl Thomas take a little less to play here then more to play elsewhere?
Let's just see how bad he really wants to play here. Would he give Dallas the right to match any offers?

Does this FO have the smarts to bring him here?
Or do they just out dumb themselves again?