garyv
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THREE CONTRACTS TO RENEW BESIDES DAK
Amari Cooper, wide receiver
This should be a no brainer. The Cowboys traded its 2018 first-round pick for Cooper, and he has given this offense a notable boost ever since. His presence as a vertical threat and after-the-catch playmaker has proven to be invaluable. I understand some fans were disappointed with his lack of production at the end of the 2019 season, but there is no doubt he was less than 100 percent. A healthy Cooper is one of the elite wide receivers in the NFL, and he deserves to get paid like one. However, the question is if the Cowboys give him that kind of money. Cooper has repeatedly expressed his desire to stay with the team, but it seems more likely Dallas gives Cooper either the franchise or transition tag, rather than a long-term deal. Cooper needs to be one of the centerpieces of this roster moving forward, and if he is not brought back, it could be a damning blow to this team's chances for contention in the future.
Byron Jones, cornerback
The Cowboys' defensive back depth chart is already in need of several upgrades, but if you take the one proven player out of the mix in Byron Jones, it could turn to one of the worst units in the NFL. He played at a Pro Bowl level again in 2019, and even though his ball production has been underwhelming, he remains one of the best man-coverage defenders in the league, pound for pound. But if the Cowboys give Prescott and Cooper long-term deals, I have a bad feeling Byron Jones will be the odd man out. If this defense has any chance of bouncing back from a disappointing 2019 campaign, re-signing Jones is an absolute must.
Robert Quinn, defensive end
This seems unlikely considering Robert Quinn could have a huge market after putting up double-digit sack numbers in 2019, but if he were to give Dallas a hometown discount, his return would be huge for this defense. His explosiveness off the edge, opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, gave the Cowboys their first legitimate pass rush duo in over a decade — at least since Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware. Quinn deserves to get paid big money after the kind of season he had, and while I think the Cowboys will let another team do so, his value to the defense this season was huge.
One to let go: Maliek Collins, defensive tackle
At his peak, Maliek Collins looks like one of the best pure interior pass rushers in the NFL. He is also only 24 years old. Those are the two biggest reasons why he will get paid a lot of money. The Cowboys drafted defensive tackle Trysten Hill in the second round last April to prepare for Collins' departure, and all signs point to Dallas indeed letting him walk. Collins has a ton of talent and has flashed elite traits throughout his young NFL career, but inconsistent play against the run makes him an expendable option for this Cowboys roster that is salary cap strapped.
THREE KEY FREE AGENT SIGNINGS TO MAKE
Tyler Eifert, tight end, Cincinnati Bengals
The Cowboys are wildly conservative in the free agency market, as this front office uses the period for bargain shopping. The team rarely gives out long-term contracts in free agency, and the theme again this year will be short-term buy-low deals. One player that sticks to that philosophy is Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert. Injuries have plagued Eifert throughout his career, but when healthy, he is one of the best at the position. Jason Witten is likely retiring, again, and many within the organization question whether Blake Jarwin is ready for a starting role with his inefficiency as a blocker. Signing Eifert to a one-year deal makes plenty of sense for both parties.
Danny Shelton, defensive tackle, New England Patriots
Dallas undervalues the nose tackle position more than just about any team in the NFL. This front office refuses to draft one early, but with how poorly the defense played against the run this year, I wonder if that school of thought will finally change. The Cowboys use free agency to fill holes at positions of need, so the team doesn't have to draft for need in April. That is why we see this front office go after affordable options in free agency, as opposed to big names. One player that fits the bill is defensive tackle Danny Shelton. He would be a cheap option for Dallas, and his production against the run would be a welcome addition to this defensive line.
A backup quarterback
Is there a team in the league that has a worse backup quarterback situation than the Cowboys? Cooper Rush does not deserve to be on most rosters, let alone the primary backup behind Prescott. It needs to be one of the team's biggest priorities this offseason with several candidates that can fill this spot in free agency. Geno Smith, Brett Hundley, and Jeff Driskel all come to mind as valuable, affordable backups that will be available this spring.
MOCK DRAFT
Since giving leadership of the NFL draft process to vice president of player personnel Will McClay in 2014, the Dallas Cowboys have drafted an All-Pro in the first round every year of his tenure, other than the 2017 class with Taco Charlton. Needless to say, the Cowboys need to once again hit on its first-round selection this year. They have several holes to address on the roster, and I expect three positions in particular to command the attention from this front office: defensive tackle, cornerback and safety. With that being said, here is a realistic, seven-round mock draft that would help the Cowboys bounce back to NFC contention in 2020.
Cowboys Javon Kinlaw IDL, South Carolina
Dallas needs some beef up front, and I think this front office is going to be defensive tackle hunting in the spring. Kinlaw can play the one or three technique in this 4-3 scheme, and his upside as a pass rusher is similar to how I graded Chris Jones coming out of Mississippi State, who is now an All Pro for the Kansas City Chiefs. He fits this front office's MO of high character, high ceiling first-round picks.
Cowboys Jeff Gladney CB, TCU
No team in the NFL will do more homework on TCU senior cornerback Jeff Gladney than the Dallas Cowboys. A local kid, Gladney is almost a virtual certainty to be a Cowboys visitor, and he just so happens to play a position the team desperately needs. His combination of speed, physicality, and ball skills will give the Cowboys an instant playmaker on the perimeter of the defense. I think Dallas is going to fall in love with Gladney. So much so, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the team’s selection at 17, especially after he blows up the Combine with his athletic testing numbers.
Cowboys Terrell Burgess S, Utah
The Cowboys passed on several top safety prospects in the 2019 NFL draft, but they will have another opportunity to fill that void in this class. One prospect I think this front office will love is Utah’s Terrell Burgess. The Cowboys ask their safeties to play a lot of man coverage, and Burgess is one of the best pure man defenders at the position in this draft. He can also play deep middle with his range, as well as in the box with his disciplined pursuit and finishing consistency against the run. Burgess’ versatility fits exactly what Dallas has valued at the position in recent years.
Cowboys Devin Duvernay WR, Texas
Randall Cobb is unlikely to return to the Cowboys in 2020, which means the team is going to need a new slot receiver. One of the priorities this front office has had in acquiring offensive playmakers the last two years has been to add explosive weapons for Dak Prescott. Whether that was Amari Cooper, Tavon Austin, or Tony Pollard, this front office is prioritizing big-play threats and speed. Devin Duvernay is one of the fastest players in this class, but he’s not just a speed demon. He proved this year at Texas to be a reliable safety blanket over the middle for Sam Ehlinger. Duvernay is another local product who will likely receive a lot of attention from the Dallas brass before the draft.
Cowboys Trevis Gipson EDGE, Tulsa
A late Senior Bowl addition, Tulsa defensive end Trevis Gipson fits exactly what this front office looks for at the defensive end position. He is a long, aggressive, three-down defender who is productive against the run, but also possesses a ton of athletic traits worth developing as a pass rusher. With Robert Quinn set to hit to the open market, the Cowboys are likely going to draft an edge defender to bolster the depth chart.
Cowboys A.J. Green CB, Oklahoma State
I fully expect the Cowboys to double up at the cornerback position in the 2020 NFL draft, considering that Anthony Brown is unlikely to return next season. Oklahoma State senior cornerback A.J. Green is another local product who will likely be a pre-draft visitor of some sort for the Cowboys. His length and ball skills are two traits this front office values highly at the position, and I expect Dallas to have him higher on the board than most teams.
THREE CONTRACTS TO RENEW BESIDES DAK
Amari Cooper, wide receiver
This should be a no brainer. The Cowboys traded its 2018 first-round pick for Cooper, and he has given this offense a notable boost ever since. His presence as a vertical threat and after-the-catch playmaker has proven to be invaluable. I understand some fans were disappointed with his lack of production at the end of the 2019 season, but there is no doubt he was less than 100 percent. A healthy Cooper is one of the elite wide receivers in the NFL, and he deserves to get paid like one. However, the question is if the Cowboys give him that kind of money. Cooper has repeatedly expressed his desire to stay with the team, but it seems more likely Dallas gives Cooper either the franchise or transition tag, rather than a long-term deal. Cooper needs to be one of the centerpieces of this roster moving forward, and if he is not brought back, it could be a damning blow to this team's chances for contention in the future.
Byron Jones, cornerback
The Cowboys' defensive back depth chart is already in need of several upgrades, but if you take the one proven player out of the mix in Byron Jones, it could turn to one of the worst units in the NFL. He played at a Pro Bowl level again in 2019, and even though his ball production has been underwhelming, he remains one of the best man-coverage defenders in the league, pound for pound. But if the Cowboys give Prescott and Cooper long-term deals, I have a bad feeling Byron Jones will be the odd man out. If this defense has any chance of bouncing back from a disappointing 2019 campaign, re-signing Jones is an absolute must.
Robert Quinn, defensive end
This seems unlikely considering Robert Quinn could have a huge market after putting up double-digit sack numbers in 2019, but if he were to give Dallas a hometown discount, his return would be huge for this defense. His explosiveness off the edge, opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, gave the Cowboys their first legitimate pass rush duo in over a decade — at least since Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware. Quinn deserves to get paid big money after the kind of season he had, and while I think the Cowboys will let another team do so, his value to the defense this season was huge.
One to let go: Maliek Collins, defensive tackle
At his peak, Maliek Collins looks like one of the best pure interior pass rushers in the NFL. He is also only 24 years old. Those are the two biggest reasons why he will get paid a lot of money. The Cowboys drafted defensive tackle Trysten Hill in the second round last April to prepare for Collins' departure, and all signs point to Dallas indeed letting him walk. Collins has a ton of talent and has flashed elite traits throughout his young NFL career, but inconsistent play against the run makes him an expendable option for this Cowboys roster that is salary cap strapped.
THREE KEY FREE AGENT SIGNINGS TO MAKE
Tyler Eifert, tight end, Cincinnati Bengals
The Cowboys are wildly conservative in the free agency market, as this front office uses the period for bargain shopping. The team rarely gives out long-term contracts in free agency, and the theme again this year will be short-term buy-low deals. One player that sticks to that philosophy is Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert. Injuries have plagued Eifert throughout his career, but when healthy, he is one of the best at the position. Jason Witten is likely retiring, again, and many within the organization question whether Blake Jarwin is ready for a starting role with his inefficiency as a blocker. Signing Eifert to a one-year deal makes plenty of sense for both parties.
Danny Shelton, defensive tackle, New England Patriots
Dallas undervalues the nose tackle position more than just about any team in the NFL. This front office refuses to draft one early, but with how poorly the defense played against the run this year, I wonder if that school of thought will finally change. The Cowboys use free agency to fill holes at positions of need, so the team doesn't have to draft for need in April. That is why we see this front office go after affordable options in free agency, as opposed to big names. One player that fits the bill is defensive tackle Danny Shelton. He would be a cheap option for Dallas, and his production against the run would be a welcome addition to this defensive line.
A backup quarterback
Is there a team in the league that has a worse backup quarterback situation than the Cowboys? Cooper Rush does not deserve to be on most rosters, let alone the primary backup behind Prescott. It needs to be one of the team's biggest priorities this offseason with several candidates that can fill this spot in free agency. Geno Smith, Brett Hundley, and Jeff Driskel all come to mind as valuable, affordable backups that will be available this spring.
MOCK DRAFT
Since giving leadership of the NFL draft process to vice president of player personnel Will McClay in 2014, the Dallas Cowboys have drafted an All-Pro in the first round every year of his tenure, other than the 2017 class with Taco Charlton. Needless to say, the Cowboys need to once again hit on its first-round selection this year. They have several holes to address on the roster, and I expect three positions in particular to command the attention from this front office: defensive tackle, cornerback and safety. With that being said, here is a realistic, seven-round mock draft that would help the Cowboys bounce back to NFC contention in 2020.
Cowboys Javon Kinlaw IDL, South Carolina
Dallas needs some beef up front, and I think this front office is going to be defensive tackle hunting in the spring. Kinlaw can play the one or three technique in this 4-3 scheme, and his upside as a pass rusher is similar to how I graded Chris Jones coming out of Mississippi State, who is now an All Pro for the Kansas City Chiefs. He fits this front office's MO of high character, high ceiling first-round picks.
Cowboys Jeff Gladney CB, TCU
No team in the NFL will do more homework on TCU senior cornerback Jeff Gladney than the Dallas Cowboys. A local kid, Gladney is almost a virtual certainty to be a Cowboys visitor, and he just so happens to play a position the team desperately needs. His combination of speed, physicality, and ball skills will give the Cowboys an instant playmaker on the perimeter of the defense. I think Dallas is going to fall in love with Gladney. So much so, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the team’s selection at 17, especially after he blows up the Combine with his athletic testing numbers.
Cowboys Terrell Burgess S, Utah
The Cowboys passed on several top safety prospects in the 2019 NFL draft, but they will have another opportunity to fill that void in this class. One prospect I think this front office will love is Utah’s Terrell Burgess. The Cowboys ask their safeties to play a lot of man coverage, and Burgess is one of the best pure man defenders at the position in this draft. He can also play deep middle with his range, as well as in the box with his disciplined pursuit and finishing consistency against the run. Burgess’ versatility fits exactly what Dallas has valued at the position in recent years.
Cowboys Devin Duvernay WR, Texas
Randall Cobb is unlikely to return to the Cowboys in 2020, which means the team is going to need a new slot receiver. One of the priorities this front office has had in acquiring offensive playmakers the last two years has been to add explosive weapons for Dak Prescott. Whether that was Amari Cooper, Tavon Austin, or Tony Pollard, this front office is prioritizing big-play threats and speed. Devin Duvernay is one of the fastest players in this class, but he’s not just a speed demon. He proved this year at Texas to be a reliable safety blanket over the middle for Sam Ehlinger. Duvernay is another local product who will likely receive a lot of attention from the Dallas brass before the draft.
Cowboys Trevis Gipson EDGE, Tulsa
A late Senior Bowl addition, Tulsa defensive end Trevis Gipson fits exactly what this front office looks for at the defensive end position. He is a long, aggressive, three-down defender who is productive against the run, but also possesses a ton of athletic traits worth developing as a pass rusher. With Robert Quinn set to hit to the open market, the Cowboys are likely going to draft an edge defender to bolster the depth chart.
Cowboys A.J. Green CB, Oklahoma State
I fully expect the Cowboys to double up at the cornerback position in the 2020 NFL draft, considering that Anthony Brown is unlikely to return next season. Oklahoma State senior cornerback A.J. Green is another local product who will likely be a pre-draft visitor of some sort for the Cowboys. His length and ball skills are two traits this front office values highly at the position, and I expect Dallas to have him higher on the board than most teams.
