Would you trade Lawrence?

Paintrain4978

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The problem in my mind is we would be losing arguably our best defensive player for draft picks that could bust. That is a tough pill to swallow. This defense was on the cusp of being elite this year and losing Lawrence would be a huge blow to what they’ve built. I’d much rather build around him.

That said if a deal can’t be reached than you gotta do what you gotta do.
 

cnuball21

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Nah, Stephen's not showing he can work the cap well enough to win a SB not matter what approach. Not saying DLaw should be highest paid, just saying his numbers are comparable to Mack, so for posters to say he isn't on that level is shortsighted.

I think the team props up the QB, actually so to pay him elite money will hurt him and the team. Also, not saying paying DLaw is the answer either, but to talk of trading him and not the QB is interesting, to say the least.

Dlaw is not on the same level as Mack. Mack has been playing at a pro bowl level for 4 years now, and has not had injuries.

Dlaw has played at that level for 2 years, and has injury concerns.

Not even close.
 

cnuball21

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The problem in my mind is we would be losing arguably our best defensive player for draft picks that could bust. That is a tough pill to swallow. This defense was on the cusp of being elite this year and losing Lawrence would be a huge blow to what they’ve built. I’d much rather build around him.

That said if a deal can’t be reached than you gotta do what you gotta do.

You're absolutely correct.

The counter argument is, you can go get a stop gap in someone like Justin Houston at half the cost for 2 years in FA, then the money saved from Lawrence gives you the flex to keep all the core guys that hit FA next year.

So it's not just losing Lawrence for picks...you gotta look big picture.
 

Mr_437

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Dlaw is not on the same level as Mack. Mack has been playing at a pro bowl level for 4 years now, and has not had injuries.

Dlaw has played at that level for 2 years, and has injury concerns.

Not even close.
DLaw still produced with injuries, and had more sacks than Mack...gotta give thean some credit.
 

cnuball21

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DLaw still produced with injuries, and had more sacks than Mack...gotta give thean some credit.

Sure, he’s a great player. But Mack has been great for a longer period of time without injury.

If both were FAs today, I’d pay more for Mack 10 times out of 10 and give him more money.
 

tm1119

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You're absolutely correct.

The counter argument is, you can go get a stop gap in someone like Justin Houston at half the cost for 2 years in FA, then the money saved from Lawrence gives you the flex to keep all the core guys that hit FA next year.

So it's not just losing Lawrence for picks...you gotta look big picture.

Why is it that you think the Cowboys can’t keep DLaw + everyone else? Have you looked at the Cowboys cap situation in depth?
 

Paintrain4978

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You're absolutely correct.

The counter argument is, you can go get a stop gap in someone like Justin Houston at half the cost for 2 years in FA, then the money saved from Lawrence gives you the flex to keep all the core guys that hit FA next year.

So it's not just losing Lawrence for picks...you gotta look big picture.

I agree about looking at the big picture. My biggest concern is taking a step back on this defense when they showed so much promise this year. Lawrence isn’t just a pass rusher, he’s one of the team’s best run defenders, as well as being the leader and tone setter for the D-line and arguably the entire defense. All I’m saying is a stop gap doesn’t bring everything Lawrence brings to the table.
 

cnuball21

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Why is it that you think the Cowboys can’t keep DLaw + everyone else? Have you looked at the Cowboys cap situation in depth?

My understanding is we have about 50 million or so available in cap space.

Dak will be 20+ per year
DLaw is like going to be around 20 per year

If that’s the case, you don’t have much left over to pay the other guys.
 

tm1119

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My understanding is we have about 50 million or so available in cap space.

Dak will be 20+ per year
DLaw is like going to be around 20 per year

If that’s the case, you don’t have much left over to pay the other guys.

We are around $23M in cap space right now:

DLaw is already counting against the cap with the franchise tag, extending him would only create more cap space this year.

Same with Cooper

I posted this in another thread in the fanzone-

“The main thing I’m looking at:

Dak- 30
Cooper- 18
Zeke- 14
DLaw- 20
Jones- 12
Jaylon- 11

Those are all generously high cap hits for upcoming extensions. That comes out to $105M...the Cowboys are projected for $125M in cap space in 2020. And that’s including Crawford at $9M and huge cap hits for the big 3 o lineman that could easily be destructured to save a lot.”


https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/dallas-cowboys/

Link if you want to look at the #’s.
 

cnuball21

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We are around $23M in cap space right now:

DLaw is already counting against the cap with the franchise tag, extending him would only create more cap space this year.

Same with Cooper

I posted this in another thread in the fanzone-

“The main thing I’m looking at:

Dak- 30
Cooper- 18
Zeke- 14
DLaw- 20
Jones- 12
Jaylon- 11

Those are all generously high cap hits for upcoming extensions. That comes out to $105M...the Cowboys are projected for $125M in cap space in 2020. And that’s including Crawford at $9M and huge cap hits for the big 3 o lineman that could easily be destructured to save a lot.”


https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/dallas-cowboys/

Link if you want to look at the #’s.

Thanks for sharing. I just did look at the numbers, and when you look your list of players excluding Lawrence, and estimate their increases I’m coming up with 40+million. If we’re going to be looking at having around 25 million or so in cos space when we extend it doesn’t add up.
 

tm1119

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Thanks for sharing. I just did look at the numbers, and when you look your list of players excluding Lawrence, and estimate their increases I’m coming up with 40+million. If we’re going to be looking at having around 25 million or so in cos space when we extend it doesn’t add up.

What doesn’t add up? Everyone on that list is already under contract for 2019. The only player that would increase his cap hit for 2019 with an extension would be Dak.

You’re afraid of an imaginary cap monster that you don’t even really understand. The Cowboys are just fine and keep their PLUS add more...they just have to show the willingness to do so.
 

cnuball21

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What doesn’t add up? Everyone on that list is already under contract for 2019. The only player that would increase his cap hit for 2019 with an extension would be Dak.

You’re afraid of an imaginary cap monster that you don’t even really understand. The Cowboys are just fine and keep their PLUS add more...they just have to show the willingness to do so.

Right, I understand that. When you look at those players that are already under contract and estimate what we'd be paying them it adds up to $40+ million and that's excluding Lawrence.
 

tm1119

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Right, I understand that. When you look at those players that are already under contract and estimate what we'd be paying them it adds up to $40+ million and that's excluding Lawrence.

tenor.gif
 

reddyuta

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Dlaw has health problems and he has been suspended as well,not sure his trade value is that high as people think.
 

cnuball21

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Dlaw has health problems and he has been suspended as well,not sure his trade value is that high as people think.

Could be true, teams might be more hesitant on a player with some injury history.
 

Daygoboy6191

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If we can get 2-3 picks in the 1st and 2nd day of this draft and maybe a 3rd pick in next years I would be up for it.

At the very least a high pick in the 2nd round is the minimum of where the negotiating needs to start.

34, 58, and a next years 3rd would interest me from the Colts.

3 2nd rounders, 1 3rds, 2 4ths you can make a lot of things happen and also have a ton of cap flexibility this year and plenty to go around for the next couple to re-sign our own.
 

rnr_honeybadger

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I would take a simple mid-to-late first round pick for him. They want to build through the draft, then put your money where your mouth is.

Just take a look around the league. Teams signing mega-star contracts are trying desperately to walk away from them within two years.

Vernon had to be swapped out. Two years from now, we will likely be in the same boat if he's signed for four more years.

It would take guts, but I certain try to explore the option.

Yea, it would take guts which is why I don't see the Cowboys doing it.
 
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