Cowboys Post Draft Analysis - DL & LB

xwalker · May 20, 2019

Cowboys switched to 4-3 in 2013.

They normally keep 16 or 15 (DL + LB).

Year …….. DL …. LB …….. Total
2013 …….. 9 …….. 7 …….. 16 …….. Wilber as LB
2014 ……..11 ……..7 …….. 18 …….. 10 DL after week 2
2015 ……..10 ……..6 …….. 16 …….. 1 LB Suspended
2016 …….. 8 …….. 7 …….. 15 …….. 2 DL Suspended
2017 …….. 8 …….. 7 …….. 15 …….. 3 DL Suspended
2018 …….. 9 …….. 7 …….. 16

Current Roster DLine:
1 …….. DE …….. Demarcus Lawrence
2 …….. DE …….. Robert Quinn
3 …….. DE …….. Taco Charlton
4 …….. DL …….. Kerry Hyder
5 …….. DL …….. Tyrone Crawford
6 …….. DT …….. Trysten Hill
7 …….. DT …….. Maliek Collins
8 …….. DT …….. Antwaun Woods
9 …….. DT …….. Christian Covington

10 …….. DE …….. Dorance Armstrong
10 …….. DE …….. Joe Jackson
10 …….. DE …….. Jalen Jelks

10 …….. DT …….. Daniel Wise
10 …….. DT …….. Daniel Ross
10 …….. DT …….. Shakir Soto

Current Roster Linebackers:
1 …….. LB …….. Leighton Vander Esch
2 …….. LB …….. Jaylon Smith
3 …….. LB …….. Sean Lee
4 …….. LB …….. Joe Thomas
5 …….. LB …….. Justin March-Lillard
6 …….. LB …….. Chris Covington

7 …….. LB …….. Kyle Queiro
7 …….. LB …….. Nate Hall
7 …….. LB …….. Justin Phillips
7 …….. LB …….. Andrew Dowell
7 …….. LB …….. Luke Gifford

gimmesix · May 20, 2019

Not sure if March-Lillard is secure enough to be No. 5, or for that matter, Chris Covington, among the linebackers. Seems like there's the top four, then two spots up for grab. March-Lillard and Covington have a leg up on the others, but I'm not sure there's a huge gap there. Probably less than there is between Armstrong and the other linemen you have at No. 10.

xwalker · May 20, 2019

gimmesix said:
Not sure if March-Lillard is secure enough to be No. 5, or for that matter, Chris Covington, among the linebackers. Seems like there's the top four, then two spots up for grab. March-Lillard and Covington have a leg up on the others, but I'm not sure there's a huge gap there. Probably less than there is between Armstrong and the other linemen you have at No. 10.

It's not a prediction, just a way of seeing the incumbents vs challengers so to speak.

Most of my effort went into determining the game 1 position count for each year. Some sites had inaccurate info on that.

Verdict · May 21, 2019

xwalker said:
Cowboys switched to 4-3 in 2013.

They normally keep 16 or 15 (DL + LB).

Year …….. DL …. LB …….. Total
2013 …….. 9 …….. 7 …….. 16 …….. Wilber as LB
2014 ……..11 ……..7 …….. 18 …….. 10 DL after week 2
2015 ……..10 ……..6 …….. 16 …….. 1 LB Suspended
2016 …….. 8 …….. 7 …….. 15 …….. 2 DL Suspended
2017 …….. 8 …….. 7 …….. 15 …….. 3 DL Suspended
2018 …….. 9 …….. 7 …….. 16

Current Roster DLine:
1 …….. DE …….. Demarcus Lawrence
2 …….. DE …….. Robert Quinn
3 …….. DE …….. Taco Charlton
4 …….. DL …….. Kerry Hyder
5 …….. DL …….. Tyrone Crawford
6 …….. DT …….. Trysten Hill
7 …….. DT …….. Maliek Collins
8 …….. DT …….. Antwaun Woods
9 …….. DT …….. Christian Covington

10 …….. DE …….. Dorance Armstrong
10 …….. DE …….. Joe Jackson
10 …….. DE …….. Jalen Jelks

10 …….. DT …….. Daniel Wise
10 …….. DT …….. Daniel Ross
10 …….. DT …….. Shakir Soto

Current Roster Linebackers:
1 …….. LB …….. Leighton Vander Esch
2 …….. LB …….. Jaylon Smith
3 …….. LB …….. Sean Lee
4 …….. LB …….. Joe Thomas
5 …….. LB …….. Justin March-Lillard
6 …….. LB …….. Chris Covington

7 …….. LB …….. Kyle Queiro
7 …….. LB …….. Nate Hall
7 …….. LB …….. Justin Phillips
7 …….. LB …….. Andrew Dowell
7 …….. LB …….. Luke Gifford

Would anyone be super surprised if Taco gets cut, trades or actually plays and makes an impact. Who knows what he really is.

buybuydandavis · May 21, 2019

xwalker said:
Cowboys switched to 4-3 in 2013.

They normally keep 16 or 15 (DL + LB).

Year …….. DL …. LB …….. Total
2013 …….. 9 …….. 7 …….. 16 …….. Wilber as LB
2014 ……..11 ……..7 …….. 18 …….. 10 DL after week 2
2015 ……..10 ……..6 …….. 16 …….. 1 LB Suspended
2016 …….. 8 …….. 7 …….. 15 …….. 2 DL Suspended
2017 …….. 8 …….. 7 …….. 15 …….. 3 DL Suspended
2018 …….. 9 …….. 7 …….. 16

Current Roster DLine:
1 …….. DE …….. Demarcus Lawrence
2 …….. DE …….. Robert Quinn
3 …….. DE …….. Taco Charlton
4 …….. DL …….. Kerry Hyder
5 …….. DL …….. Tyrone Crawford
6 …….. DT …….. Trysten Hill
7 …….. DT …….. Maliek Collins
8 …….. DT …….. Antwaun Woods
9 …….. DT …….. Christian Covington

10 …….. DE …….. Dorance Armstrong
10 …….. DE …….. Joe Jackson
10 …….. DE …….. Jalen Jelks

10 …….. DT …….. Daniel Wise
10 …….. DT …….. Daniel Ross
10 …….. DT …….. Shakir Soto

Current Roster Linebackers:
1 …….. LB …….. Leighton Vander Esch
2 …….. LB …….. Jaylon Smith
3 …….. LB …….. Sean Lee
4 …….. LB …….. Joe Thomas
5 …….. LB …….. Justin March-Lillard
6 …….. LB …….. Chris Covington

7 …….. LB …….. Kyle Queiro
7 …….. LB …….. Nate Hall
7 …….. LB …….. Justin Phillips
7 …….. LB …….. Andrew Dowell
7 …….. LB …….. Luke Gifford

Barring injury to Woods, I don't see Covington making it. With the quality elsewhere, I don't see 2 1techs being carried. Collins will probably be pegged to back up depth at 1tech in case Woods goes down.

I see us going light at LB. LVE and Smith don't come off the field. None of the #7s look like anyone to sweat losing. We'll have some guys on the PS in case of emergency.

Hyder is another guy we can dump without crying about it.

Covington and Hyder are insurance policies against injury to guys signed long term. If other guys are looking good, both could easily get dumped.

I wouldn't count out Daniel Ross at DT. We have him for this year and next. They'd rather keep Ross and Armstrong over Hyder and Covington. If Jackson shines, they make room for a 10th.

16. 10 dline. They'll have to think hard if/when Gregory comes back. They're probably thinking about trades at that point.

Fredbeard · May 21, 2019

buybuydandavis said:
Barring injury to Woods, I don't see Covington making it. With the quality elsewhere, I don't see 2 1techs being carried. Collins will probably be pegged to back up depth at 1tech in case Woods goes down.

I see us going light at LB. LVE and Smith don't come off the field. None of the #7s look like anyone to sweat losing. We'll have some guys on the PS in case of emergency.

Hyder is another guy we can dump without crying about it.

Covington and Hyder are insurance policies against injury to guys signed long term. If other guys are looking good, both could easily get dumped.

I wouldn't count out Daniel Ross at DT. We have him for this year and next. They'd rather keep Ross and Armstrong over Hyder and Covington. If Jackson shines, they make room for a 10th.

16. 10 dline. They'll have to think hard if/when Gregory comes back. They're probably thinking about trades at that point.

If the cowboys cut Covington and keep Ross than I’ll see you in the 2020 season. Probably with cirrosi

jazzcat22 · May 21, 2019

gimmesix said:
Not sure if March-Lillard is secure enough to be No. 5, or for that matter, Chris Covington, among the linebackers. Seems like there's the top four, then two spots up for grab. March-Lillard and Covington have a leg up on the others, but I'm not sure there's a huge gap there. Probably less than there is between Armstrong and the other linemen you have at No. 10.

ST's will be the difference there. But I agree, those are the 6 spots, but sometimes they keep 7 like last year, but that was from injuries and concern of Lee and LVE being a rookie and not knowing for sure Jaylon was going to play the way he did.

So the key will be can one of the rookies show enough for them to keep 7, or will one of them be good enough to replace the 5th and or 6th spots.

jazzcat22 · May 21, 2019

Verdict said:
Would anyone be super surprised if Taco gets cut, trades or actually plays and makes an impact. Who knows what he really is.

It will be an interesting TC to see how this plays out. Can Armstrong or Jackson push for Taco's spot, unless they keep 10 DL. Will one or more show enough to trade Taco. Or will the team give him his 3rd year to see if he can be that player they hoped for when they drafted him.

Also it depends on Hyder. Has he overcome his injury to be what he was a few years or so ago. Or will be be like Ealy from last year. Thought this guy can come in to help, but was released as he just did not have it anymore as they thought. And as we fans hoped for as well. It was a good signing, as is Hyder. But just did not work out, but hopefully Hyder does. I liked him in Detroit, before his injury.

ScipioCowboy · May 21, 2019

Is there a team with a better group of linebackers?

gimmesix · May 21, 2019

jazzcat22 said:
ST's will be the difference there. But I agree, those are the 6 spots, but sometimes they keep 7 like last year, but that was from injuries and concern of Lee and LVE being a rookie and not knowing for sure Jaylon was going to play the way he did.

So the key will be can one of the rookies show enough for them to keep 7, or will one of them be good enough to replace the 5th and or 6th spots.

Even though I don't count March-Lillard or Covington's spot as secure, it will still be tough for the rookies to knock them off the roster. March-Lillard has a veteran's understanding of the game, going into his fifth year. He can just react and play while the rookies' heads will be swimming. Covington was drafted because he has a fairly high upside. I don't think Dallas thought he would be ready to be a real contributor last year and I'm not sure it is expected this year. He just has to have moments where he shows what his potential is. So the rookies will either need to show a quick understanding of the game with more potential than March-Lillard or just outshine Covington in the potential department.

I agree that it could be a case where we keep seven because of that, but it would be a tough fit on this roster.

gimmesix · May 21, 2019

jazzcat22 said:
It will be an interesting TC to see how this plays out. Can Armstrong or Jackson push for Taco's spot, unless they keep 10 DL. Will one or more show enough to trade Taco. Or will the team give him his 3rd year to see if he can be that player they hoped for when they drafted him.

Also it depends on Hyder. Has he overcome his injury to be what he was a few years or so ago. Or will be be like Ealy from last year. Thought this guy can come in to help, but was released as he just did not have it anymore as they thought. And as we fans hoped for as well. It was a good signing, as is Hyder. But just did not work out, but hopefully Hyder does. I liked him in Detroit, before his injury.

Ealy was a player you hoped would be better than what he had previously showed. He wasn't coming back from an injury or anything, he just had never reached his potential.

Hyder had a better year in 2016 than Ealy ever had, and I think we'd be satisfied if he can just get back to that level. The injury is a legitimate excuse for why he didn't last year, but that year also might just prove to be an outlier with the possibility that he'll never be able to get back to that level.

I much better like the chances of Hyder restoring himself to that level than there were of Ealy becoming more than he had ever been.

gimmesix · May 21, 2019

buybuydandavis said:
I wouldn't count out Daniel Ross at DT. We have him for this year and next. They'd rather keep Ross and Armstrong over Hyder and Covington. If Jackson shines, they make room for a 10th.

I think Ross is one of those players you are always looking to upgrade. It's possible that Covington isn't that upgrade, but I think he will be.

xwalker · May 21, 2019

buybuydandavis said:
Barring injury to Woods, I don't see Covington making it. With the quality elsewhere, I don't see 2 1techs being carried. Collins will probably be pegged to back up depth at 1tech in case Woods goes down.

I see us going light at LB. LVE and Smith don't come off the field. None of the #7s look like anyone to sweat losing. We'll have some guys on the PS in case of emergency.

Hyder is another guy we can dump without crying about it.

Covington and Hyder are insurance policies against injury to guys signed long term. If other guys are looking good, both could easily get dumped.

I wouldn't count out Daniel Ross at DT. We have him for this year and next. They'd rather keep Ross and Armstrong over Hyder and Covington. If Jackson shines, they make room for a 10th.

16. 10 dline. They'll have to think hard if/when Gregory comes back. They're probably thinking about trades at that point.

Covington
They like the 4th game-day DT to be a 1-tech/3-tech tweener which appears to be the definition of Covington (i.e He has more 3-rech traits than Woods).

They play both DTs as 3-tech on many obvious passing situations with a goal for snaps similar to:
(200% total for 2 positions)
#1 3-tech 60%
#1 1-tech 60%
#2 3-tech 50%
4th DT 30%

7th LB
Every year most people predict keeping 6 LBs; however, they only did that once and that was when LB McClain was set to return after a 4 week suspension.

DT Ross
Ross was not very good last season. He finished college in 2013 and was cut by 2 CFL teams. He does not appear to have much upside and is doubtful to be a better NFL player than Covington or Hyder. Hyder is guaranteed 750K on a 1 year, 1.75M deal. Hyder is 1-year, 1M.

Gregory
Assuming he is not back for game 1, it's easier to find roster spots during the season than it is on cut day because some players have normally gone to IR or various other reasons.

It's possible that Crawford becomes the odd man out due to his 7M salary. He started 15 games last season (they rested some starters for game 16). His starts were split between DT and DE. If Collins and Hill are healthy for game 1, I don't see Crawford starting at 3-tech DT. Quinn projects as the starter at RDE. It would be expensive to pay Crawford as a non-starter 7M.

xwalker · May 21, 2019

Verdict said:
Would anyone be super surprised if Taco gets cut, trades or actually plays and makes an impact. Who knows what he really is.

It's doubtful that he gets cut.

Worst case some team would trade a late round pick for him.

He has the physical ability (similar athletic ability to DLaw but without the developed skill or "motor").

Getting benched last was either a wake-up call or his attitude gets worse because of it. They should know early in training camp which one.

He does project as a good fit in a rotation with Quinn at RDE. Taco started 7 games at RDE in 2018 but Gregory played more of the pass rushing snaps.

gmoney112 · May 21, 2019

xwalker said:
Covington
They like the 4th game-day DT to be a 1-tech/3-tech tweener which appears to be the definition of Covington (i.e He has more 3-rech traits than Woods).

They play both DTs as 3-tech on many obvious passing situations with a goal for snaps similar to:
(200% total for 2 positions)
#1 3-tech 60%
#1 1-tech 60%
#2 3-tech 50%
4th DT 30%

7th LB
Every year most people predict keeping 6 LBs; however, they only did that once and that was when LB McClain was set to return after a 4 week suspension.

DT Ross
Ross was not very good last season. He finished college in 2013 and was cut by 2 CFL teams. He does not appear to have much upside and is doubtful to be a better NFL player than Covington or Hyder both of which are very low cost in 2019 (cap hits (609K and 888K). Covington signed a 3 year contract averaging 655K).

Gregory
Assuming he is not back for game 1, it's easier to find roster spots during the season than it is on cut day because some players have normally gone to IR or various other reasons.

It's possible that Crawford becomes the odd man out due to his 7M salary. He started 15 games last season (they rested some starters for game 16). His starts were split between DT and DE. If Collins and Hill are healthy for game 1, I don't see Crawford starting at 3-tech DT. Quinn projects as the starter at RDE. It would be expensive to pay Crawford as a non-starter 7M.

Covington is actually only a 1 year deal, 2.5mill. 750k guaranteed or something.

xwalker · May 21, 2019

gmoney112 said:
Covington is actually only a 1 year deal, 2.5mill. 750k guaranteed or something.

Good catch. Thanks.

buybuydandavis · May 21, 2019

gimmesix said:
I think Ross is one of those players you are always looking to upgrade. It's possible that Covington isn't that upgrade, but I think he will be.

Covington and Ross are in competition for that last spot, and Ross is younger, cheaper, and we have him as a RFA next year. Covington has got to clearly beat Ross to stick, and both are next man up on the bubble to be dropped if some other DT is a pleasant surprise.

GhostOfPelluer · May 21, 2019

As we sit now, I bet Crawford plays RDE on run downs over Quinn - which probably means he starts. I'm not sure Quinn is more than a pass-rusher at this point in his career - if for no other reason than to save wear and tear.

If Quinn does start, Hill would have to really show out to knock Crawford out of the lineup there (if for no other reason than Rod loves the guy).

gmoney112 · May 21, 2019

buybuydandavis said:
Covington and Ross are in competition for that last spot, and Ross is younger, cheaper, and we have him as a RFA next year. Covington has got to clearly beat Ross to stick, and both are next man up on the bubble to be dropped if some other DT is a pleasant surprise.

I think you got Ross mixed up with someone.

Covington is actually younger and Ross is on a 1-year deal too, no RFA next year.

Sydla · May 21, 2019

xwalker said:
Cowboys switched to 4-3 in 2013.

They normally keep 16 or 15 (DL + LB).

Year …….. DL …. LB …….. Total
2013 …….. 9 …….. 7 …….. 16 …….. Wilber as LB
2014 ……..11 ……..7 …….. 18 …….. 10 DL after week 2
2015 ……..10 ……..6 …….. 16 …….. 1 LB Suspended
2016 …….. 8 …….. 7 …….. 15 …….. 2 DL Suspended
2017 …….. 8 …….. 7 …….. 15 …….. 3 DL Suspended
2018 …….. 9 …….. 7 …….. 16

Current Roster DLine:
1 …….. DE …….. Demarcus Lawrence
2 …….. DE …….. Robert Quinn
3 …….. DE …….. Taco Charlton
4 …….. DL …….. Kerry Hyder
5 …….. DL …….. Tyrone Crawford
6 …….. DT …….. Trysten Hill
7 …….. DT …….. Maliek Collins
8 …….. DT …….. Antwaun Woods
9 …….. DT …….. Christian Covington

10 …….. DE …….. Dorance Armstrong
10 …….. DE …….. Joe Jackson
10 …….. DE …….. Jalen Jelks

10 …….. DT …….. Daniel Wise
10 …….. DT …….. Daniel Ross
10 …….. DT …….. Shakir Soto

Current Roster Linebackers:
1 …….. LB …….. Leighton Vander Esch
2 …….. LB …….. Jaylon Smith
3 …….. LB …….. Sean Lee
4 …….. LB …….. Joe Thomas
5 …….. LB …….. Justin March-Lillard
6 …….. LB …….. Chris Covington

7 …….. LB …….. Kyle Queiro
7 …….. LB …….. Nate Hall
7 …….. LB …….. Justin Phillips
7 …….. LB …….. Andrew Dowell
7 …….. LB …….. Luke Gifford

Unless I am reading this wrong, you seemingly have Armstrong in a gray area where he might not make the 53.

I think there is a really low chance he's not on the 53. Covington and Hyder are more of a risk to not make the 53 IMO.

Cowboys Post Draft Analysis - DL & LB

xwalker

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gimmesix

Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life

xwalker

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Verdict

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buybuydandavis

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Fredbeard

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jazzcat22

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ScipioCowboy

More than meets the eye.

gimmesix

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gimmesix

Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life

gimmesix

Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life

xwalker

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xwalker

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gmoney112

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xwalker

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buybuydandavis

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GhostOfPelluer

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gmoney112

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Sydla

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