An aggressive two year plan to be competitive

[fivetwos]

One thing you can’t say about these two numbnuts is being aggressive in player acquisition. This is what happens when you have a lifetime contract. No urgency or creativity required. Relying primarily on the draft which doesn’t get you much and weaknesses are left for the next draft. FA obtained cheaply on one year deals by dumpster diving and as long as there is a pulse and can fill out a uniform.

Don’t expect them to alter their habits and MO anytime soon.

So I had to just delete an entire post that said about the same thing lol.

This is so on the money…and sad really.

Stephen once called it “secret sauce.” Haven’t heard him say that in a while.

 

[jblaze2004]

Trenches easier said than done. Last 4 first round picks went on OL / DL.

Exactly, We have been drafting players for the trenches. They just either need time or haven't panned out.

 

[Chasing6]

Exactly, We have been drafting players for the trenches. They just either need time or haven't panned out.

We have been bad at identifying DT's in the draft.
Which means we have to resign Osa and should be looking for one in.

 

[rambo2]

The deal with not taking Jeanty could come back and hurt you when you let another team get the best back in the league. It could come back and bite you in the ***.

 

[gimmesix]

My offseason plan would be (keeping in mind the Joneses' cheapness in FA):

Re-sign Rush as backup QB, Hoffman as ERFA, Turpin as RFA, Anger as punter, Sieg as LS, Golston as DE, Odighizuwa as DT, Thomas as RFA and Bell as RFA.

Extend Parsons and restructure Lamb and Dak to open up more than $60 million in cap space.

OFFENSE

Try to sign RB Nick Chubb (offer three years, $21 million with $10 million guaranteed; first-year hit would be $5 million, second-year hit $7 million and third $9 million ... or $3.25 million dead cap to cut him.) Alternately, re-sign Rico Dowdle, but because he stayed healthy and had a 1,000-yard season, he will likely cost as much and I'd rather swing for the fences.

Try to sign WR Stefon Diggs (Diggs was on his way to another 1,000-yard season when he got hurt, but should come cheaper because of the injury. I'd offer him an incentive-laden contract: two years, $6 million fully guaranteed with bonuses each years for yards, catches and TDs and possibly Pro Bowl and All-Pro, giving him a chance to earn up to $11 million each year.)

I would do nothing at tight end and only either re-sign Edoga at OL and/or bring in someone the new coaching staff is familiar with to contend with our young players. I would move Guyton to RT to contend with Steele, with Steele being traded if Guyton proves to be as good as Steele or better.

In the draft, I'd take an RB in the second or third round to contend/share carries with Chubb and be there in case Chubb's injury history haunts him.

DEFENSE

I didn't mention him among the FAs we'd retain, but I'd retain Lawrence if he's cheap. Pairing him with Kneeland, Williams, Golston and then Parsons on passing downs would be fairly solid, although I would not be upset with getting another pure pass rusher. I'd re-sign Carl Lawson for that role to keep pass rusher from being as much of a draft priority.

I'd let Eberflus go after a starting LB to pair with Liufua (and Parsons on early downs), possibly E.J. Speed with Overshown possibly sidelined.

I'd bring back CB Stephon Gilmore on a one-year deal similar to what he got in Minnesota (Gilmore played for Eberflus in Indy.) with Diggs possible sidelined. Of course, Gilmore may be considering retirement.

I'd also draft DL with two of our first three picks. I prefer that it be DTs (especially Walter Nolen or Derrick Harmon) and other than an RB or two and a late-round QB, I'd take defense with the rest of our picks, particularly LBs.

My roster would be:
Offense
QB: Prescott, Rush, Draft pick
RB: Chubb, Draft pick, Draft pick (or Vaughn)
FB: Luepke
WR: Lamb, Diggs, Turpin, Mingo, Tolbert, Flournoy
TE: Ferguson, Schoonmaker, Spann-Ford
OL: Richards, Smith, Beebe, Hoffman, Guyton, Steele, Bass, Thomas, Edoga/Free agent, Waletzko
Defense
DE: Lawrence, Kneeland, Williams, Golston, Lawson
DT: Odighizuwa, Smith, Draft pick, Draft pick
LB: Parsons, Speed, Liufau, Draft pick, Draft pick (Overshown)
CB: Bland, Gilmore, Lewis, Carson, Butler, Oruwariye (Diggs)
S: Wilson, Hooker, Bell, Thomas, Draft pick
Special teams
P Anger
K Aubrey
LS Sieg

That's one more than 53, so probably Waletzko would be my cut if everyone was healthy to start the season and Steele held on to the starting RT spot. (Otherwise I'd trade him.) I expect Diggs and Overshown to start on PUP.

I also only have eight draft picks listed and we have 10 (2 DTs, 2 RBs, 2 LB, 1 QB), so I'd either throw a couple of DEs in the mix, a CB, a S or an OL. Probably the DEs because if we don't fix the front, the back end isn't going to matter.

Again, I'm not saying these are the free agents I want (Chubb, Diggs, Speed, Gilmore) but I'm trying to be realistic about what this team would do. I could also see them bringing back Tyron Smith as a backup OT since he's coming off injury. I would have no problem with that, sort of like we did with Jason Peters, as a veteran backup. I'd much rather put Tyron out there in reserve than someone like Edoga. The question is whether Tyron would return for reserve money.

 

[shabazz]

Gonna disagree with that. The Cowboys are just a better team.

In the 2024 season i agree with you, however the Giants are in position to pick up a franchise Qb that will be mentored under Daboll. Additionally, unlike us they will be 60 million under the cap for 2025 and they most likely shore up their deficiencies via free agency.

I can absolutely see them as having the potential to do exactly what the Commanders did last season......I'm not saying they will but the potential is real

 

[TwentyOne]

The roster Brian Schottenheimer has inherited as of this moment is not going to strike fear in any opponents eyes. There are obviously a few talented players here but if we plan on getting to at least that elusive conference championship, here‘s a mini-vision to get that done. Holes are abundant but they can be addressed fairly quickly. I think it will realistically take two years to develop.

Heres the big picture plan and it starts in the trenches where all great teams are built. Quite simply, the Cowboys need to get waaaaaay more physical. The two teams playing the SB this year (and most years) have a dominant DT (chiefs have Chris Jones, egirls have Jalen Carter) Time for us to recognize this and take action.

• Here’s a truth long forgotten in Dallas: The fastest way to build a great roster is to start with the trenches. A dominant OL/DL is a foundation! Focus on developing a monster of an OL and DL. We need at least 2 new starting OL and at least 2 beast DL run stoppers/pocket collapsers. This year’s draft is deep in DTs who could immediately have an impact.
• Don’t take the bait in drafting a RB at 12. Don’t do it. This is a deep draft for RBs and we can get a really good one on Day 2. Drafting a RB in round one is a waste because unless you find a generational talent, they will be washed in 5-6 years. Hello Zeke.
• Add at least two upgrades a year with FAs. I don’t care what a talking Jones guy tells us that we are a “draft and develop” team only, without at least 2-3 mid-level FAs a year added to your roster, you cannot be a serious contender. The next two years we should look at adding help at LB, WR, and perhaps OL if the draft doesn’t give us immediate impact.
• Since are stuck with Dak for at least 3 years, build a monster OL and running game. The top 6 rushing teams in this league all made the playoffs in 2024 and it‘s a trend. A strong running game is exactly what Dak needs. A great running game opens play action back up, something we haven’t been able to use effectively in a while.
• Consider two key June 1 cuts that can save future cap space. Many won’t like this but I would release Trevon Diggs as a June 1 cut and Terance Steele in 2026 as a June 1 cut. Diggs IMO will never be the same with his knee and he costs way too much to be just above average. Deron Bland is better anyway. Steele is already in decline and we could possibly move Tyler Guyton to RT at some point which is a more comfortable position for his skills. Tough decisions have to made and this FO isn’t ruthless enough with its roster.

Amazingly, the fundamentals of football still matter, especially if you don’t have an elite QB, which very few teams do. (Jalen Hurts is nothing special but he’s surrounded by a great OL and running game) The teams that can block and tackle the best are always going to be competitive. So let’s build a big, physical monster of a team the next two years!

I dont like this narrative

"If you dont have an elite qb, which very few teams do"

That sounds like our qb is not elite but he is good enough. And its hard to find an elite qb so dont bash on our fo or dak. Its hard, everybody else has the same problems.

First. Its not like dak isnt elite but good or good enough. He is not and its not even a competition. Dak is not good he is not even average or below that. He is flat out bad. And he has been during the whole lot of his career. Our FO still gave him two big contracts. Thats to that.

Right now the league has no elite QB. Imo Burrows comes the clostest to it.

So nothing against your suggestions. You put a lot of work into that. And i respect that. I too think football games are won in the trenches first unless you have really great qb play.

So yes start up front on both sides of the ball. But if decide to go with the lines make sure you build the groups as a whole. If you only have one or two great players those can easily be schemed out of the game by oponents. You always build a whole group as the strength of your team. You just have to decide which group is the most important in the NFL for winning.

Garrett did this very well with our OL.

And yes: you never draft a rb in the first two rounds. Never. Regardless of his talent. Saquon shines because Phillies passing game is so deadly and cant be stopped. You pick a rb in the lower part of the 3rd round.

 

[gimmesix]

In the 2024 season i agree with you, however the Giants are in position to pick up a franchise Qb that will be mentored under Daboll. Additionally, unlike us they will be 60 million under the cap for 2025 and they most likely shore up their deficiencies via free agency.

I can absolutely see them as having the potential to do exactly what the Commanders did last season......I'm not saying they will but the potential is real

We will be $60 million under the cap once we restructure Dak and Lamb and re-sign Parsons. Technically, we can create much more space than that, but those three are the easiest (and most logical) moves.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/01/28/cowboys-cap-space-2025-schottenheimer-free-agency/

 

[TheCritic]

Had we not wasted a 4th round pick, I would agree with picking up a RB in later rounds. But for right now, this team needs a RB that can make it happen on their own without a stellar OL. Can't afford to wait for the OL to gel with new coach. Jeanty fits the biggest need of the moment and is the fastest way to improve the team immediately. No other player in the draft is going to give the Cowboys the immediate jolt they need IMO.

 

[Mcsports]

If Jeanty had done what he did in the B1G or SEC, maybe he could be looked as a “generational talent”. He played in the Mountain West Conference. And I’m a big MWC (UNR) fan, it’s better than its reputation, but it’s a gamble thinking Jeanty is going to be very productive in the NFL. Certainly too big a gamble for a top 20 pick in the draft.

Good points.
Far far fewer future NFL defenders in MWC

 

[shabazz]

We will be $60 million under the cap once we restructure Dak and Lamb and re-sign Parsons. Technically, we can create much more space than that, but those three are the easiest (and most logical) moves.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/01/28/cowboys-cap-space-2025-schottenheimer-free-agency/

If that's the case, then i expect the Giants can do the same with their players contracts as well ( if possible). They can do the same with Burns Lawrence and Thomas, just off the top of my head.

But the biggest factor will be which team has the will to actually SPEND the money in free agency.....Jerry's late actions last year could have freed up 20 Million additional dollars to have used in FA...he dragged out the contracts and cried poverty instead.

 

[rambo2]

In the 2024 season i agree with you, however the Giants are in position to pick up a franchise Qb that will be mentored under Daboll. Additionally, unlike us they will be 60 million under the cap for 2025 and they most likely shore up their deficiencies via free agency.

I can absolutely see them as having the potential to do exactly what the Commanders did last season......I'm not saying they will but the potential is real

Or they can draft a qb that doesn’t work out and they are stuck in the cellar for another 5 to 10 years.

 

[gimmesix]

If that's the case, then i expect the Giants can do the same with their players contracts as well ( if possible). They can do the same with Burns Lawrence and Thomas, just off the top of my head.

But the biggest factor will be which team has the will to actually SPEND the money in free agency.....Jerry's late actions last year could have freed up 20 Million additional dollars to have used in FA...he dragged out the contracts and cried poverty instead.

Most teams can create space, so yeah, it's not unique to us. We're in position, though, if we want to do like most teams in free agency, we have to create space. I think the three moves that are given are very likely ones because those contracts are set up for restructures, but that doesn't mean that we'll do much with the money (outside of signing our own FAs) even if we use the restructures.

 

[Bagman]

The roster Brian Schottenheimer has inherited as of this moment is not going to strike fear in any opponents eyes. There are obviously a few talented players here but if we plan on getting to at least that elusive conference championship, here‘s a mini-vision to get that done. Holes are abundant but they can be addressed fairly quickly. I think it will realistically take two years to develop.

Heres the big picture plan and it starts in the trenches where all great teams are built. Quite simply, the Cowboys need to get waaaaaay more physical. The two teams playing the SB this year (and most years) have a dominant DT (chiefs have Chris Jones, egirls have Jalen Carter) Time for us to recognize this and take action.

• Here’s a truth long forgotten in Dallas: The fastest way to build a great roster is to start with the trenches. A dominant OL/DL is a foundation! Focus on developing a monster of an OL and DL. We need at least 2 new starting OL and at least 2 beast DL run stoppers/pocket collapsers. This year’s draft is deep in DTs who could immediately have an impact.
• Don’t take the bait in drafting a RB at 12. Don’t do it. This is a deep draft for RBs and we can get a really good one on Day 2. Drafting a RB in round one is a waste because unless you find a generational talent, they will be washed in 5-6 years. Hello Zeke.
• Add at least two upgrades a year with FAs. I don’t care what a talking Jones guy tells us that we are a “draft and develop” team only, without at least 2-3 mid-level FAs a year added to your roster, you cannot be a serious contender. The next two years we should look at adding help at LB, WR, and perhaps OL if the draft doesn’t give us immediate impact.
• Since are stuck with Dak for at least 3 years, build a monster OL and running game. The top 6 rushing teams in this league all made the playoffs in 2024 and it‘s a trend. A strong running game is exactly what Dak needs. A great running game opens play action back up, something we haven’t been able to use effectively in a while.
• Consider two key June 1 cuts that can save future cap space. Many won’t like this but I would release Trevon Diggs as a June 1 cut and Terance Steele in 2026 as a June 1 cut. Diggs IMO will never be the same with his knee and he costs way too much to be just above average. Deron Bland is better anyway. Steele is already in decline and we could possibly move Tyler Guyton to RT at some point which is a more comfortable position for his skills. Tough decisions have to made and this FO isn’t ruthless enough with its roster.

Amazingly, the fundamentals of football still matter, especially if you don’t have an elite QB, which very few teams do. (Jalen Hurts is nothing special but he’s surrounded by a great OL and running game) The teams that can block and tackle the best are always going to be competitive. So let’s build a big, physical monster of a team the next two years!

Great post ! I wish you were the GM.

 

[Blast From The Past]

Build this defense and add to the offense what you can when you can, draft or fa. Defense wins championships. Offense brings excitement but if you can stop them you don't have to score a bunch. Less excitement but a proven recipe for the Lombardi. Building on either side of the ball from inside out should yield progress each season if you are diligent. A three year rebuild and bam!

 

[gimmesix]

Offense
QB: Prescott, Rush, Jaxson Dart
RB: Chubb, Kaleb Johnson, RJ Harvey (or Vaughn)
FB: Luepke
WR: Lamb, Diggs, Turpin, Mingo, Tolbert, Flournoy
TE: Ferguson, Schoonmaker, Spann-Ford
OL: Richards, Tyler Smith, Beebe, Hoffman, Guyton, Steele, Bass, Thomas, Tyron Smith/Edoga/Free agent, Waletzko
Defense
DE: Lawrence, Kneeland, Williams, Golston, Lawson
DT: Odighizuwa, Smith, Walter Nolen, Alfred Collins
LB: Parsons, Speed, Liufau, Jay Higgins, Kobe King (Overshown)
CB: Bland, Gilmore, Lewis, Carson, Butler, Oruwariye (Diggs)
S: Wilson, Hooker, Bell, Thomas, Hunter Wohler
Special teams
P Anger
K Aubrey
LS Sieg

I tried to put some names with the draft picks just to make it interesting.

 

[Chuck 54]

I understand your feeling about not taking Jeanty but that dude is a generational talent and would be hard to pass on if he was sitting there at 12. I know that most RBs only last 5-6 years at most but Derrick Henry just played his ninth season and was fantastic so there are exceptions. A compromise would be to trade down to 15 or 16, still get Jeanty because the teams from 13 to 15 already have their RB and move up in the second or third round or get an extra pick in the first few rounds and get your DT or offensive lineman

Well, we won’t draft a QB.
We know Travis Hunter won’t be there.
The only other players I could take over Jeanty would be DT Graham, DE Carter, and WR McMillan, maybe OT Simmons if he gets the medical nod as ready to go.

There is no one else you can take over Jeanty And even begin to justify it. If not Jeanty at 12, then I’d say trade down, get another day 2 pick, and draft a WR to play opposite Lamb. Then you may have to take RB in round 2 if you want a playmaker. Otherwise, a small run and you may not have a RB to draft. We need speed everywhere, in my opinion.

 

[Coogiguy03]

The Cowboys went 7-10 in the clusterfest of what was last season. Just one good off season and they can be competitive again.

It's all up to the Jones clan. Which path are they going to take? Another 2024 approach to FA would likely give the Cowboys a top 4-5 pick.

And I'm not drafting a RB at 12 either. I'd prefer a trade down and stock up on day 2 picks.

Post of the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bobhaze]

We have been bad at identifying DT's in the draft.
Which means we have to resign Osa and should be looking for one in.

I’m excited about this year’s draft depth for IDL. There are some talented players that could slide even to round 2 that have impact. That is not common. Most draft years the number of talented interior DL is slim. This year is one of the better years for DL which gives us a better shot at finding one who can have immediate impact.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Gonna disagree with that. The Cowboys are just a better team.

Not by much.