I agree with a lot of this, especially building in the trenches first. But I need to know more about Guyton before I spend draft picks or CAP space on that spot. Does he come back better in 2025? I would take my chances that Guyton and Beebe will improve over last year. I would start with the defensive line. I think the Cowboys need to spend a couple of draft picks on DT, one of the top 2.. Then they can let Osa go because he is going to cost them too much money. Every mock draft I run, I find DTs on day 2 and 3 that look like they could help. I don't put much faith in mocks but the fact is, there are a lot of DTs in the draft which is perfect timing for the Cowboys.
I also think taking an Edge guy early is not the worst decision in the world if that impact DT is not there for them. If Walker is there for example, having him play opposite Parsons might make the pass rush much more effective.
I absolutely agree on not taking a RB at 12. I know a lot of people will hate passing on Jeanty, if he is there, but I would. There are guys who will get the job done later in the draft. And your point about RBs being washed up in 5 years is spot on. There is the option to take 2 RBs in this draft. One quick and speedy RB1 and maybe later a pounder. The one thing that might be different this year, is watching the Eagles success with Barkley may convince some teams that taking a RB would make them a better team and the RBs could go early.
I agree on the free agents. We don't have to go big either. Guys in the second tier of free agency will help. Maybe we find a Zack Baun type who gets paid nothing but turns out to have a breakout year. I don't mean a LB, I am talking about the contract. The point is we don't need to sign 20 guys like WAshington did. But adding two solid players will help.
I disagree with the June 1 cuts. First, June 1 cuts don't help much in 2025. I understand why you would want to cut both Diggs and Steele, but perhaps that could wait one more season. Also, I hate cutting players with good reputations like Diggs. Let him come back from injury then see if he can get us anything in return in a trade. Even if he gets us a 3 it's better than nothing. If we are going to rebuild, then draft picks are needed and getting them in trades is how the Eagles and Lions got it done. Cutting him doesn't even get us a comp pick. I am not convinced Diggs is done. I would have to know a lot more about his medical condition.
Steele's contract is another problem. Why they chose to extend him for the money they did after he had 1 decent year is yet another Jerry Jones mystery. But he showed improvement towards the end of last year so maybe he is worth keeping. They can restructure his contract to save about $9 million in 2025 and only add about $3 million to his 2026 CAP number. That means they can still cut him or trade him after 2025 and get a CAP save should they find a replacement. Right now they do not have a replacement. Of course they could move Guyton to RT, but how do we know he will get it done there. That is pure conjecture at this point. And that leaves a gaping hole at LT. They can use a late round pick on a OG or OT hoping it works out like Steele did, but IMO DL is the higher priority. If the Cowboys are going to truly turn into a run first offense, then a guy like Steele, who is better in run blocking than pass blocking, would be good to have around. This would be a no brainer if that idiot in charge did not make him the 12th highest paid RT in the league.
I have said multiple times, they are not going to turn this thing around in one year. It will take at least 2 and maybe 3. That means make a plan on how to get it done. What do they need and where will they get it? What they do not get in 2025, because opportunity does not present itself, or they don't have the CAP room, they can put off to 2026.
Especially Commanders free agency.......they have over $100M. Quinn has them eating out of his hand. Look for him to be aggressive coz a Super Bowl buys him 2-3 extra years extension. I'm expecting them to add top RB ( draft ), WR ( Higgins) and/or Edge ( Crosby). You are right.......we are battling the Giants for the basement
