FA Needs and there is a lot of them!

TwentyOne

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There is always an abundance of fa needs every season due to how Stephen Jones and the front office operates. Every off-season they like to plug holes with bargain, 1 year contracts. This path recently hasn't brought much success, but until they decide to change, it's the way they operate:

In no particular order:

Quarterback-yes, Dak is technically unsigned, but he is either going to be playing on the franchise tag again or signs a long-term extension. My guess he gets tagged, but they reach an agreement as the last hour of the deadline.

Swing Offensive Tackle-although Cam Erving missed a few games, he did perform well in spot, starting duty. If the price is similar, would make sense to bring him back.

Defensive Tackle 1 Tech-Poe was a fa bust last off-season. After his release, forced them to trade for a low-level replacement. Team still controls A. Woods, but they need to find a better option.

Defensive Tackle 3 Tech-the front office never envisioned either Hill nor Gallimore to see starter reps last season as they just signed McCoy and they also had Crawford ahead of them. They will probably look for a veteran, bridge type player so these prospects aren't thrown in the fire as starters. This could be an area in which Aldon Smith could fill if they resigned him.

Defense End-as I just mentioned, Aldon Smith could be resigned. Not my first choice, but there are indications the front office would like to keep him in the fold. There really isn't much proven depth behind the starters. Perhaps a player who possesses some position flex.

Linebacker (2)-both Lee/Thomas are scheduled to become unrestricted fa's, nothing but young prospects or special teams players behind them. With the return of the 4-3 Base, they are going to need another starter and another backup who is capable of starting due to Lve's lack of durability. With so many question marks, it's unlikely Jaylon Smith gets released this off-season.

Corner-the team has only two notable corners under contract next season in Diggs and Anthony Brown. They either have to resign Awuzie/Lewis or sign a veteran who has starting experience at the position on the open market.

Safety (2)-three are under contract: Wilson appears to be the team's starting strong safety, Robinson has yet to play a single snap on defense, Thompson is a likely release candidate. Quinn's defense requires a quality single high free safety which is the need, as well as veteran depth. Although many won't like it, including me, Xavier Woods might be brought back at a low level.

With Dak needing to be resigned and the salary cap possibly going down, it's going to be difficult addressing all these needs. We will probably see a lot of contracts restructured and it is also possible to see a veteran starter being released to create more room.

We sign Dak and we wont be in competitions for the length of his contract if not even longer.

BAD BAD FO.
 

buybuydandavis

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There is always an abundance of fa needs every season due to how Stephen Jones and the front office operates. Every off-season they like to plug holes with bargain, 1 year contracts. This path recently hasn't brought much success, but until they decide to change, it's the way they operate:

In no particular order:

Quarterback-yes, Dak is technically unsigned, but he is either going to be playing on the franchise tag again or signs a long-term extension. My guess he gets tagged, but they reach an agreement as the last hour of the deadline.

Swing Offensive Tackle-although Cam Erving missed a few games, he did perform well in spot, starting duty. If the price is similar, would make sense to bring him back.

Defensive Tackle 1 Tech-Poe was a fa bust last off-season. After his release, forced them to trade for a low-level replacement. Team still controls A. Woods, but they need to find a better option.

Defensive Tackle 3 Tech-the front office never envisioned either Hill nor Gallimore to see starter reps last season as they just signed McCoy and they also had Crawford ahead of them. They will probably look for a veteran, bridge type player so these prospects aren't thrown in the fire as starters. This could be an area in which Aldon Smith could fill if they resigned him.

Defense End-as I just mentioned, Aldon Smith could be resigned. Not my first choice, but there are indications the front office would like to keep him in the fold. There really isn't much proven depth behind the starters. Perhaps a player who possesses some position flex.

Linebacker (2)-both Lee/Thomas are scheduled to become unrestricted fa's, nothing but young prospects or special teams players behind them. With the return of the 4-3 Base, they are going to need another starter and another backup who is capable of starting due to Lve's lack of durability. With so many question marks, it's unlikely Jaylon Smith gets released this off-season.

Corner-the team has only two notable corners under contract next season in Diggs and Anthony Brown. They either have to resign Awuzie/Lewis or sign a veteran who has starting experience at the position on the open market.

Safety (2)-three are under contract: Wilson appears to be the team's starting strong safety, Robinson has yet to play a single snap on defense, Thompson is a likely release candidate. Quinn's defense requires a quality single high free safety which is the need, as well as veteran depth. Although many won't like it, including me, Xavier Woods might be brought back at a low level.

With Dak needing to be resigned and the salary cap possibly going down, it's going to be difficult addressing all these needs. We will probably see a lot of contracts restructured and it is also possible to see a veteran starter being released to create more room.

Swing OT - I'll live with Knight and Steele as backups, assuming Tyron and Collins look healthy. Williams should get snaps at T for depth too. We've got enough, and have bigger problems elsewhere. Don't use a roster spot on a progress stopper.

Run DT - Lots of beef, some huge, starting rounds 3. Just draft one.

3T - This is a tough one. A key position. I don't see great options early in the draft. I expect McCoy is back. He's just the kind of FA we'd sign. Guy coming off of injury, and us hoping to churn him for a draft pick.

I'd go 5 DTs on our 53. Gregory and Lawrence are our starters. We don't need 5 DEs. Draft 3T then 1T. Hill, Gallimore, Woods, McCoy. McCoy or Woods gets bumped come the season if no injuries.

LB is a mess. Old guys Lee and Thomas came up old last year. Jaylon is broken, a pure progress stopper, and overpriced. LVE2020 was unrecognizable as LVE2018 two years older, but he's here, and we can hope. All I want to see of that in 2021 are LVE on the field, and Lee on the sidelines. Draft mid round LBs and rotate them in. I could see getting a thumper for the 3rd LB as MLB, and playing LVE back at WLB.

Need a starting CB to go with Brown and Diggs for nickel, need a starting FS to go with Wilson at SS. I see Earl Thomas coming to the Star. And depending on what they think of Robinson, which so far doesn't look good, a FS pick as well.

Captain Tradedown in the first should give us 2 defensive starters. Convert the 10 into approx two late 1st rounders. 2nd round pick is 44. 3 players in the top 44. Not too shabby. LB, CB, 3T. Given our wide variety of needs on defense, we shouldn't have to force anything, and will be in good position to grab guys who fall. If we use the 10, we get one blue chip starter, which might be better, depending on the player.

We traded round 5 away this draft.
But we have comp picks in rounds 3-6. Looking pretty sweet. 3-4 are where you get backups to future starters.
3,3C,4,4C,5C,6,6C
I see lots of LBs, CBs, Ss, and DTs in those rounds.
 

buybuydandavis

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Yeah I hate all these 1 year contracts. We have 26 to 35 FA's every year. They resign about half of them to keep the gaps filled. Even though many on here do not think any should. be signed. But there are many that make up a core group, decent depth. But if they stop these 1 years deals, and sign for 2 or 3 years, but better players. They would not be in this mess every year.

This needs to change. Now many of those could be the players and his agent, wanting only the 1 year, prove it type contract, to cash in on the next year. So it may not all be on the Jones's.
However they could just say no, and move to the next player, but they may not be as good, so take the 1 year deal. A lot we do not know about, so I will not rag on the FO about it too much. But I do wish those 1 year deals would stop for the most part.

Churning comp picks are the reason for 1 year contracts. It's why we recycle guys who were out of the league the previous year - Thomas and McCoy are coming.

The system is biased to letting players go and picking up a comp pick for them. You have to overcome that free comp pick money on the table to keep a guy. You have to get a good deal.

Where you can get a core of depth is by signing backup and marginal starters early to extensions. Like Church. Heath. Beasley? Sometimes they bite. Sometimes not. But that's where you have knowledge of the player and leverage of planning further snaps for that player accordingly during the season. If a player is not part of our future, we don't need to be spending snaps to develop him.
 

Cowboyny

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Swing OT - I'll live with Knight and Steele as backups, assuming Tyron and Collins look healthy. Williams should get snaps at T for depth too. We've got enough, and have bigger problems elsewhere. Don't use a roster spot on a progress stopper.

Run DT - Lots of beef, some huge, starting rounds 3. Just draft one.

3T - This is a tough one. A key position. I don't see great options early in the draft. I expect McCoy is back. He's just the kind of FA we'd sign. Guy coming off of injury, and us hoping to churn him for a draft pick.

I'd go 5 DTs on our 53. Gregory and Lawrence are our starters. We don't need 5 DEs. Draft 3T then 1T. Hill, Gallimore, Woods, McCoy. McCoy or Woods gets bumped come the season if no injuries.

LB is a mess. Old guys Lee and Thomas came up old last year. Jaylon is broken, a pure progress stopper, and overpriced. LVE2020 was unrecognizable as LVE2018 two years older, but he's here, and we can hope. All I want to see of that in 2021 are LVE on the field, and Lee on the sidelines. Draft mid round LBs and rotate them in. I could see getting a thumper for the 3rd LB as MLB, and playing LVE back at WLB.

Need a starting CB to go with Brown and Diggs for nickel, need a starting FS to go with Wilson at SS. I see Earl Thomas coming to the Star. And depending on what they think of Robinson, which so far doesn't look good, a FS pick as well.

Captain Tradedown in the first should give us 2 defensive starters. Convert the 10 into approx two late 1st rounders. 2nd round pick is 44. 3 players in the top 44. Not too shabby. LB, CB, 3T. Given our wide variety of needs on defense, we shouldn't have to force anything, and will be in good position to grab guys who fall. If we use the 10, we get one blue chip starter, which might be better, depending on the player.

We traded round 5 away this draft.
But we have comp picks in rounds 3-6. Looking pretty sweet. 3-4 are where you get backups to future starters.
3,3C,4,4C,5C,6,6C
I see lots of LBs, CBs, Ss, and DTs in those rounds.

We have defensive needs on every level. Best way to address this is to take the best defensive player available and plug as many holes in fa. No, we don't need stars at every position, but need to sure up some areas to hold down a few positions, until younger prospects are ready to assume starting roles.
 

Creeper

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Outstanding future speculation and player by player post. I'm totally onboard with ya all the way defensively. But if I'm totally honest with myself, the injury uncertainty at offensive tackle just kinda red flags my gut instinct that this position(s) should be considered an equal if not greater priority as well.

I can't say I disagree about OT, but I think they will be restricted in what they can do so maybe OT has to wait for another offseason. I also think if one OT comes back healthy with Zack Martin that is already a major improvement even if Knight or Steele has to play the other tackle spot for a while. Let's hope Steele improves.

I just think neglecting S and DT can't continue, and losing 3 starting CBs in 2 years forced them to draft for position. The of course we have no idea what our LBs are going to look like in 2021. Is LVE really made of glass or will he last a full season? So much work to do on defense for one offseason.
 

75boyz

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I can't say I disagree about OT, but I think they will be restricted in what they can do so maybe OT has to wait for another offseason. I also think if one OT comes back healthy with Zack Martin that is already a major improvement even if Knight or Steele has to play the other tackle spot for a while. Let's hope Steele improves.

I just think neglecting S and DT can't continue, and losing 3 starting CBs in 2 years forced them to draft for position. The of course we have no idea what our LBs are going to look like in 2021. Is LVE really made of glass or will he last a full season? So much work to do on defense for one offseason.

No arguments bro,
Just that whole Smith and Collins sitch bothers me.
That turnstile performance against a decent, not formidable front in the Giants, was pathetic.
And then of course the Washington Football team's front looking borderline dominant, okay actually dominant, against the backup caliber depth.

So while I can't really say I disagree with ya on prioritizing defense but like you said they better pray both starters return for a full season or again as you mentioned that Steele actually amounts to something in another emergency pinch in one of their absences.

I have no faith in Jerry and Stephens hope strategy.
 

Kingofholland

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Good piece. Very thorough. I don't expect the team to address 3T, that's just my opinion. I bet they roll w hill and gallimore. Not saying I agree, just what I expect to happen.

Imo,

Fs
Cb
Lb
1t

Are the 4 most critical needs of this team. In that order.

Sounds like McCoy could be back which is the only way I see them address 3tech
 

Jake

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The Poe-McCoy-HaHa trio crashed and burned last year and that really hurt the Cowboys. Hopefully the FO learned something.

Hope springs eternal.

They've made enough similar mistakes in the past to be geniuses by now.
 

buybuydandavis

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Sounds like McCoy could be back which is the only way I see them address 3tech

McCoy is likely back cheap. We like guys coming off an injury year. Potential to churn them into a comp pick.

But still, I expect them to draft a 3T high. Hill is still developmental, coming off injury, heading into his 3rd year. Gallimore was ok, but nothing to keep us from drafting another 3T.

Going into camp:
Hill, Gallimore, Woods, drafted 3T, drafted 1T, McCoy

They were on the verge of cutting Woods last year. If no one gets injured, they cut him this year. Given we have nothing at DT, and will have Gregory and DLaw at DE, I expect them to go 5-5 on DT-DE.
 

BigStar

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I think its more along the lines of the kid doesn't like paying top dollar for other peoples players.

But when it comes to paying their own, they get taken every time.

Wonder if daddy wanting to be buddies with those players affect that much.

Edit....maybe "taken" is a bit much, but I don't notice any huge discounts....even when the player is signed before reaching FA.
Good points on how SJ operates in terms of outside/re-signing home talent.

It seems he believes the safer bet is slightly over paying what you know then to possibly get burned in FA. You can almost make it like you're batting successfully but never really having to go to the plate.

The last time we got a hometown discount was from Tyron if I remember correctly so the $ is only part of the issue. He's very safe on outside FAs, not so much with our own.

Been burned by Zeke, Jaylon, but are also paying top dollar for Lawrence, Martin, Cooper and likely Dak. Then they get to justify not seeking FAs bc the cap is gone, well yeah...you wasted it lol
 
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Rogerthat12

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FA needs will not be addressed in the first wave, the Cowboys are bottom feeders with FA's. The idiot son likes to use once bitten, twice shy as the excuse. He likes to point out FA failures because they are so average at evaluating not only the players but the needs on the team.

The Cowboys use FA to show they are using it but it is still the same mantra for this franchise. Good enough to sell out is good enough.
So true!
 

Verdict

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There is always an abundance of fa needs every season due to how Stephen Jones and the front office operates. Every off-season they like to plug holes with bargain, 1 year contracts. This path recently hasn't brought much success, but until they decide to change, it's the way they operate:

While a one year deal may not seem ideal, it can lead to a player turning his career around and getting a com pick for that player's departure.

In no particular order:

Quarterback-yes, Dak is technically unsigned, but he is either going to be playing on the franchise tag again or signs a long-term extension. My guess he gets tagged, but they reach an agreement as the last hour of the deadline.

The team needs a quality backup/draft pick to groom here, or both.

Swing Offensive Tackle-although Cam Erving missed a few games, he did perform well in spot, starting duty. If the price is similar, would make sense to bring him back.

We might end up getting a low level comp pick out of Erving.

Defensive Tackle 1 Tech-Poe was a fa bust last off-season. After his release, forced them to trade for a low-level replacement. Team still controls A. Woods, but they need to find a better option.

I would not bring back Woods. He showed something in 2019 but wasn't much of anything in 20. We need new blood here.

Defensive Tackle 3 Tech-the front office never envisioned either Hill nor Gallimore to see starter reps last season as they just signed McCoy and they also had Crawford ahead of them. They will probably look for a veteran, bridge type player so these prospects aren't thrown in the fire as starters. This could be an area in which Aldon Smith could fill if they resigned him.

Gallimore is a solid player. Starter quality. We don't know WHAT Hill is. I think you assume bust until proven otherwise. Aldon Smith is probably NOT a DT.

Defense End-as I just mentioned, Aldon Smith could be resigned. Not my first choice, but there are indications the front office would like to keep him in the fold. There really isn't much proven depth behind the starters. Perhaps a player who possesses some position flex.

I think they could keep what they have at DE and stand pat and be OK. If we draft a DE it won't be because of need, IMHO. It would be based on that player being BPA. Caveat, we could get a hybrid DE/OLB player here.

Linebacker (2)-both Lee/Thomas are scheduled to become unrestricted fa's, nothing but young prospects or special teams players behind them. With the return of the 4-3 Base, they are going to need another starter and another backup who is capable of starting due to Lve's lack of durability. With so many question marks, it's unlikely Jaylon Smith gets released this off-season.

We need two linebackers minimum of starting quality. I think we take a linebacker in the first 4 rounds of the draft. You can get cheap linebackers in free agency. They are the RBs of the defense.

Corner-the team has only two notable corners under contract next season in Diggs and Anthony Brown. They either have to resign Awuzie/Lewis or sign a veteran who has starting experience at the position on the open market.

I think you MIGHT see us sign ONE of Awuzie/FA at corner and look to the draft for that position group. This question/issue is impacted to a great degree by how much we address safety in the upcoming draft/free agency period.

I'm not advocating this but the Cowboys COULD keep what they have at corner and get one kick *** safety to play free safety. That might make the most sense salary cap wise.


Safety (2)-three are under contract: Wilson appears to be the team's starting strong safety, Robinson has yet to play a single snap on defense, Thompson is a likely release candidate. Quinn's defense requires a quality single high free safety which is the need, as well as veteran depth. Although many won't like it, including me, Xavier Woods might be brought back at a low level.

They need one good starting quality free safety. They also need to jettison X. Woods. He's trash as a player. They need a good backup. We should have kept Heath for the money.

With Dak needing to be resigned and the salary cap possibly going down, it's going to be difficult addressing all these needs. We will probably see a lot of contracts restructured and it is also possible to see a veteran starter being released to create more room.
 

Verdict

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Yeah I hate all these 1 year contracts. We have 26 to 35 FA's every year. They resign about half of them to keep the gaps filled. Even though many on here do not think any should. be signed. But there are many that make up a core group, decent depth. But if they stop these 1 years deals, and sign for 2 or 3 years, but better players. They would not be in this mess every year.

This needs to change. Now many of those could be the players and his agent, wanting only the 1 year, prove it type contract, to cash in on the next year. So it may not all be on the Jones's.
However they could just say no, and move to the next player, but they may not be as good, so take the 1 year deal. A lot we do not know about, so I will not rag on the FO about it too much. But I do wish those 1 year deals would stop for the most part.

All true, but the advantage to this situation is the potential comp picks when they depart.
 

FuzzyLumpkins

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We sign Dak and we wont be in competitions for the length of his contract if not even longer.

BAD BAD FO.

you really cannot think of a scenario where they were to pay him market value and the team have success?

That really shows more about your lack of ability than the teams.
 

jrumann59

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it would be interesting to see a chart on FA over that last 10 years with success/fails/push. I would like to see how many met, exceeded or did not stack up to the money they were given.
 
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