A roster question worth asking before draft about building our future

[Stash]

One of the most common blind spots we all have as fans is over-valuing too many players on our team. It’s understandable. We love the Cowboys, so we end up being attached to certain players. Even if they aren’t as good or important as we think they are.

So imagine looking at this roster now before the upcoming draft and asking the question, “If you can only keep five players to build for the future…for the next five years, who would they be?” Or put it another way, “Which five current Cowboys players would you value the most for the rebuilding the future of this team?”

For me, it would be these five:

• Micah Parsons - personally I don’t like this guy; he talks way too much and acts like he’s a junior in high school but he’s the most talented player on this roster, he’s only 25, and could be packaged for a great trade or hopefully become the second best player on the defense.
• Cedee Lamb - only 25, clearly one of the best 5 WRs in the NFL. And he’s under contract for 4 more years. Worth building around.
• Tyler Smith - a beast at G and has already been a 2nd team All Pro. And he will be 24 next season. An anchor for another decade.
• Brandon Aubrey - he’s the best kicker in the NFL and is a legit weapon. Kickers are fickle and can get the yips at any time. But imagine this team without him.
• This one I struggled with…Deron Bland. He’s only 25 and has had an All Pro season before his foot injury. I still think he’s worth keeping.

Honorable mentions: Cooper Beebe, with great hesitation Tyler Guyton (if he can develop), DeMarvion Overshown (if he can recover)

Folks that’s about it. Those are the only guys I see on this current roster that should could be the better part of a roster rebuild. Frankly, this team is in desperate need of:

• Talent at DL. Especially talented DT. Not some washed up JAG or a 3 year rookie project.
• Young upgrade at RB. We need at least one impactful RB in this draft.
• Upgrade at WR. Other than Lamb, the cupboard is bare.
• A young LB that can immediately contribute.
• Could use a S that isn’t washed up.
• A QB for the future.

This team is in dire need of talent at multiple positions. I hope this FO is not playing fantasy football and has an actual plan for building a much better roster.

I don’t know if I would commit to Bland.

It seemed as though teams figured out how to attack him.

Maybe a lot of it was injury related, but I need to see a bounce back season before I feel confident investing.

 

[kskboys]

I don’t know if I would commit to Bland.

It seemed as though teams figured out how to attack him.

Maybe a lot of it was injury related, but I need to see a bounce back season before I feel confident investing.

Agree.

And we need coverage CBs. Diggs and Bland are both pick CBs. They'll get some TOs, but don't blanket WRs well enough.

 

[kskboys]

"Build around" - to me means players you want to be on the field once you've built a competitive roster around.

Barring a miracle it's going to take several years to truly reconstruct this roster. There isn't anyone on the roster that I would say was off limits. Not because they aren't good players now but who knows what they will be by the time it's rebuilt.

I think Parsons is worth more in a trade to build the roster than he is to be a part of the roster a few years from now. He's the first piece I would look to move.

Have to agree.

Quite often, the first step toward super bowl contention is trading a player you don't want to trade. Think Herschel Walker.

 

[fivetwos]

Correct, but it cannot be more JAG DT's. Some dude in the 5th is not going to accomplish this.

And that’s what it’s going to be.

As far as they are concerned, they already made their big investments in the position. The rest of us know that isn’t good enough.

So unless the next Bohanna is somehow an instant stud, expect more of the same….which is to get stomped by the better teams, of which there is plenty on this years schedule.

The heat ought to ramp up nicely at around 2-5.

 

[kskboys]

And that’s what it’s going to be.

As far as they are concerned, they already made their big investments in the position. The rest of us know that isn’t good enough.

So unless the next Bohanna is somehow an instant stud, expect more of the same….which is to get stomped by the better teams, of which there is plenty on this years schedule.

The heat ought to ramp up nicely at around 2-5.

Yup. I actually don't see us taking a DT before the 5th. And that's a maybe.

 

[fivetwos]

Yup. I actually don't see us taking a DT before the 5th. And that's a maybe.

That alone is game-set-match as far as a deep playoff run, but I think the plan is more about getting their head above water instead of some longer term rebuild.

They are neither rebuilding properly nor are anywhere near close enough to a serious contender due to the refusal to use FA. I really will never understand why they think any particular draft will turn a team around.

Can argue that 1975, 1991 and 2005 did that, but they each featured multiple first round picks, and dudes named Landry, Johnson and Parcells were calling the shots.

It feels as if they are trying to do some sort of reboot and also contend at the same time, and that’s not gonna work. There’s are too many teams doing the try to win thing properly, and others doing the tear it down completely thing. These two seem to be trying to middle that…and will end up nowhere.

 

[Verdict]

I think this is a great write up. I am sure that the future anchors list would deviate slight from person to person. This roster is void of talent at many positions including QB.

This team should have a three year plan of roster building (not a 5 year) simply because guys that you sign today usually don’t last 5 years. Contracts prevent that from happening. But the idea is sound.

Not only does Dak suck as a playoff QB but it puts pressure on the Cowboys to win now and fill holes via the draft to win now instead of acquiring talent.

If the Cowboys would simply follow their draft board (and ignore need) I am pretty convinced that you would see about 75 percent of the players that they draft become very good or better starters. Our record in finding UDFA gems would result in about 10 solid players per year being added and this team would be LOADED in 3 years.

The problem is that we draft based on need far too often. Taco, Bossman Fat, Schoonmaker, etc are all forced picks. When we stick to drafting the BPA we get Zack Martin. Instead we force a pick and end up with a project in Guyton (I’m not totally out yet on Guyton, but he is clearly a project).

Throwing away second round picks year after year is really stupid. Just draft good, solid, intelligent football players. Then come back and fill in the holes you can in the second round of free agency.

 

[ScotsCowboy]

1. CeeDee
2. Tyler Smith
3. Overshown*
4. Bland*
5. Beebe

*Pending injury rehab/generally staying healthy

Honourable mention for Guyton, if he has a big second year.

As for the draft and redeveloping the roster generally, I know that we all know Jerry won’t do the following, but you asked our opinions, and it’s all hypothetical anyway:

1. Trade Micah for two 1st rounders.
2. Trade down in each of the first 3 rounds (and twice in the 1st). Along with the Micah trade, these moves should give us a total of 8 picks in the first 4 rounds.
3. Pick CB & LB in the 1st, WR, OT & DE in the 2nd, and DT & RB in the third (nice deep classes).
4. Take our newly acquired 2025 4th rounder, pair it with our 2026 5th rounder, and trade with Pats for Joe Milton at QB.

Take a gamble on a late round Safety and another run-plugging NT for depth.

If Will Hernandez or another good OL is still available in FA afterwards, add him too.

 

[JonesBoys]

One of the most common blind spots we all have as fans is over-valuing too many players on our team. It’s understandable. We love the Cowboys, so we end up being attached to certain players. Even if they aren’t as good or important as we think they are.

So imagine looking at this roster now before the upcoming draft and asking the question, “If you can only keep five players to build for the future…for the next five years, who would they be?” Or put it another way, “Which five current Cowboys players would you value the most for the rebuilding the future of this team?”

For me, it would be these five:

• Micah Parsons - personally I don’t like this guy; he talks way too much and acts like he’s a junior in high school but he’s the most talented player on this roster, he’s only 25, and could be packaged for a great trade or hopefully become the second best player on the defense.
• Cedee Lamb - only 25, clearly one of the best 5 WRs in the NFL. And he’s under contract for 4 more years. Worth building around.
• Tyler Smith - a beast at G and has already been a 2nd team All Pro. And he will be 24 next season. An anchor for another decade.
• Brandon Aubrey - he’s the best kicker in the NFL and is a legit weapon. Kickers are fickle and can get the yips at any time. But imagine this team without him.
• This one I struggled with…Deron Bland. He’s only 25 and has had an All Pro season before his foot injury. I still think he’s worth keeping.

Honorable mentions: Cooper Beebe, with great hesitation Tyler Guyton (if he can develop), DeMarvion Overshown (if he can recover)

Folks that’s about it. Those are the only guys I see on this current roster that should could be the better part of a roster rebuild. Frankly, this team is in desperate need of:

• Talent at DL. Especially talented DT. Not some washed up JAG or a 3 year rookie project.
• Young upgrade at RB. We need at least one impactful RB in this draft.
• Upgrade at WR. Other than Lamb, the cupboard is bare.
• A young LB that can immediately contribute.
• Could use a S that isn’t washed up.
• A QB for the future.

This team is in dire need of talent at multiple positions. I hope this FO is not playing fantasy football and has an actual plan for building a much better roster.

They have a ton of holes. It also doesn't help that they have a QB making all that money against the cap that has injury issues and consistency issues when healthy. Pretty much creates even more of a mess.

 

[Bagman]

Resign Lawson DE
Draft DT Collins TX Round 2
Trade from 12 and get an extra 3rd round with a 1st
Draft a strong WR such as Golden
Trade for a move back up in the 2nd for Henderson RB
Trade in 3rd for another strong LB

CB would still have to receive attention. That is how defense survives in today's NFL.

Golden is mediocre. Great speed but average everything else. He is NOT a Top 20 player in this draft. Yeah, I get it, he's a Longhorn but that shouldn't be a deal maker.

 

[CCBoy]

Golden is mediocre. Great speed but average everything else. He is NOT a Top 20 player in this draft.

He would open up the outside and be a great #2 from the start of his learning curve.

 

[CCBoy]

Matthew Golden, WR
Golden has arguably been the fastest rising prospect throughout the entire NFL draft process, and a strong combine performance likely cemented him into the first round after running a 4.29 40-yard dash, the second best among all participants. At Texas' Pro Day, Golden once again looked the part, with crisp cuts in his routes and flashes of that 40-time catching passes from Quinn Ewers. The lone blemish on his day was a deep ball that went through his hands, but otherwise Golden hauled in his other eight targets. When the ball hits his hands, it doesn't move, and Golden drew "Ooo's" and "Ahh's" from the crowd after each of his reps. If the Cowboys believe that Golden is the man to compliment CeeDee Lamb, they'll need to select him in the first round, because his stock is sky-high.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...that-stood-out-could-be-cowboys-draft-targets

 

[gtb1943]

I would put Overshown on my list even with his injuries. He is the one guy on this team who plays like I want every guy on the team to play - 100 miles per hour. He hustles, hits, makes plays even if he misses a few.

The fact that you have a kicker in the top 4 say a lot about the state of this roster. The fact that the $60 million QB is not on the list is also a statement.

It is also surprising that Odighizuwa is not on the list. They just re-signed him for $20 million per year. I don't disagree with you omitting him from the list but it makes me wonder about the Cowboys re-signing him for that much money.

I would definitely build the defense around Parsons, but good defenses are 11 guys playing as a unit, not 1 superstar who has to do everything. If the Cowboys don't get Parsons some help on the DL they are just wasting him.

we tried a D that way once with Ware. Did not get us anywhere.

 

[CCBoy]

Golden made an immediate impact as a true freshman, finishing the season with 38 receptions for 584 yards and seven touchdowns. He showcased his ability to stretch the field and became a reliable target for quarterback Clayton Tune. His composure, route-running, and knack for finding the end zone earned him All-AAC Freshman honors and attention as one of the top young receivers in the country.

Despite battling through some injuries, Golden continued to shine in his second year at Houston. He totaled 38 receptions for 404 yards and six touchdowns in just nine games. What really elevated his profile was his contribution as a kick returner, where he averaged over 35 yards per return and scored two kick return touchdowns. His versatility and explosive ability made him one of the most dynamic all-around players in the AAC.

The next season Golden entered the transfer portal and committed to the University of Texas. He was expected to play a major role in the Longhorns’ receiving corps and special teams, and he met those expectations. He led both Texas and the SEC in receiving touchdowns (nine), and ended the season in career highs with 58 receptions and 987 receiving yards.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ing-report-wide-receiver-matthew-golden-texas

 

[CCBoy]

• Crisp, disciplined routes with sharp cuts.
• Has great awareness at the top of his route, understands spacing and how to create separation.
• Consistently plucks the ball away from his body and can make tough catches in traffic.
• Quick off the line with explosive acceleration; capable of turning short routes into big gains with yards-after-catch ability.
• Plays with poise and maturity beyond his years, understands defensive coverages, and adjusts routes accordingly.
• Quick off the line and able to hit top-end speed in space.
• Can line up both outside and in the slot. Also a dangerous kick returner with two return touchdowns in 2023.
• Plays with grit and toughness; not afraid to go over the middle and absorbs contact well.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ing-report-wide-receiver-matthew-golden-texas


To reach his full potential, he’ll need to improve his ability to consistently win against physical press coverage and become more effective in contested catch situations. Adding strength and refining his release techniques will help him against bigger, more aggressive defensive backs. He also needs to sharpen his blocking effort in order to round out his game and make him a more complete receiver.

Golden would be a strong fit for the Dallas Cowboys as a versatile weapon who could immediately contribute as a reliable WR2 with CeeDee Lamb. His precise route-running and dependable hands would give Dak Prescott a trustworthy target on third downs and in the red zone, while his ability to create yards after the catch would complement the Cowboys’ quick passing game. Additionally, his impact on special teams as a dynamic kick returner would add immediate value, filling in behind KaVonate Turpin if anything should happen, making this a strong point to the roster. With time, he has the potential to develop into a polished, starting-caliber receiver in Dallas’ offense.

 

[McKDaddy]

but good defenses are 11 guys playing as a unit, not 1 superstar who has to do everything.

I don't think he has to do everything. What concerns me is I think he is trying to make the splash play rather than play as a unit.

 

[Bobhaze]

That alone is game-set-match as far as a deep playoff run, but I think the plan is more about getting their head above water instead of some longer term rebuild.

They are neither rebuilding properly nor are anywhere near close enough to a serious contender due to the refusal to use FA. I really will never understand why they think any particular draft will turn a team around.

Can argue that 1975, 1991 and 2005 did that, but they each featured multiple first round picks, and dudes named Landry, Johnson and Parcells were calling the shots.

It feels as if they are trying to do some sort of reboot and also contend at the same time, and that’s not gonna work. There’s are too many teams doing the try to win thing properly, and others doing the tear it down completely thing. These two seem to be trying to middle that…and will end up nowhere.

Sadly but truly…the Jones boys literally don’t know how to rebuild. Without either Jimmy or Parcells, they just play a fantasy football game called “Pay the guys we call stars and plug the holes with JAGS.”

There are two ways the Cowboys under JJ as GM have ever “rebuilt” a great roster:

1. Under a strong HC who had an excellent eye for talent and how to put that together with a common purpose. (Jimmy, Parcells)
2. Pure dumb luck

We are currently completely dependent on #2.

 

[lukemartin79]

I don't think your list is wrong Bob, but the issue is that we have a kicker in the top 5. That's nothing against Aubrey, but a contending team should have more than 5 players you'd take over your Kicker to build around.

I also wouldn't be against someone putting either Beebe or OSA on the list, but certainly wont argue if people left them off as well.

I agree with you totally about a kicker being in your teams top 5 not being a good sign, normally. IMHO, Aubrey is a different breed, he is not just a regular kicker. Ive never before seen a guy who was such a weapon from that position before. So, him being in the top 5 is fine, he is special.
The biggest problem is that your QB isn't in the top 5. This is a QB driven league, every teams QB better be in their top 5 if you want to do anything in this league. It speaks volumes that our QB is not in the top 5, especially considering he's the highest paid player in the league- something very wrong with that. Thats the biggest takeaway from the list.

 

[fivetwos]

Sadly but truly…the Jones boys literally don’t know how to rebuild. Without either Jimmy or Parcells, they just play a fantasy football game called “Pay the guys we call stars and plug the holes with JAGS.”

There are two ways the Cowboys under JJ as GM have ever “rebuilt” a great roster:

1. Under a strong HC who had an excellent eye for talent and how to put that together with a common purpose. (Jimmy, Parcells)
2. Pure dumb luck

We are currently completely dependent on #2.

Yes, and that in itself is a problem.

What really gives me zero hope though is how things are handled when #2 actually works out to it’s maximum potential.

They had a really nice situation in 2016, and again after the excellent 2018 draft, but did things like have no WR1, and refused to add what was truly necessary to get over the hump.

They pulled the same yet again after a very good 2020 draft. There was another window but they just would not do what was necessary to get over the top.

That’s why I have no faith, because even if they DO get lucky and get close with draft only, they won’t do what’s needed for the extra mile….when it was clear the team was good but had a very obvious weakness.

Why? So they don’t have further cap problems and losing seasons? Watch what’s about to happen regardless.

Gotta take your shot when you have it. These two aren’t building this back. It was a minor miracle they got things to where they were.

The strategy of ‘overpay for your own draftees but refuse to participate in FA because “it’s not worth it” is never gonna add up. Pretty sure that’s been proven. Still, they do nothing different. Bounce of the ball.

 

[kskboys]

That alone is game-set-match as far as a deep playoff run, but I think the plan is more about getting their head above water instead of some longer term rebuild.

They are neither rebuilding properly nor are anywhere near close enough to a serious contender due to the refusal to use FA. I really will never understand why they think any particular draft will turn a team around.

Can argue that 1975, 1991 and 2005 did that, but they each featured multiple first round picks, and dudes named Landry, Johnson and Parcells were calling the shots.

It feels as if they are trying to do some sort of reboot and also contend at the same time, and that’s not gonna work. There’s are too many teams doing the try to win thing properly, and others doing the tear it down completely thing. These two seem to be trying to middle that…and will end up nowhere.

Nope. Jerry simply wants to stay relevant. He just built the best 8-9 team you could ask for!!!!