An aggressive two year plan to be competitive

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

Barkley is a great example of why we should NOT draft a RB.

How did Barkley help the Giants? Did anyone fear him in NY the last few years? No. Why not? He's the same guy who is getting ready to bring the all time rushing yards in a season (reg season + playoffs).

Philly's oLine would put Dowdle in the ProBowl. Their line will put Barkley in the HOF.

Drafting a RB at 12, with our soft oLine, is like buying $2000 racing tires, and putting them on a Hyundai Excel. Which means it's exactly the kind of move Jerruh will make. Instant gratification and jersey sales to the dopey segment of Cowboy fans (the majority). Like those fat people at Walmart that buys the Mountain Dew and Skittles for their obese 8 year old children... it's horrible for them, but it shuts them up for a while.

The key thing with Barkley's success (beside their oLine) that most people don't comprehend, is what the threat of Hurts running ability on the read option does for Barkley. That threat literally removes a defender. Did anyone see their last reg season game against Wash? Barkley was running up and down the field like normal, UNTIL Hirts got injured and left the game. With their backup QB in, even though he was passing better than Hurts at that time, Wash ignored the read option, and Barkley was shut down the rest of the game. Nobody will respect Dak's ability to rip off runs, so we literally could draft Walter Peyton 2.0 and it just won't matter too much with our sissy soft team.

 

[mote]

Barkley is a great example of why we should NOT draft a RB.

How did Barkley help the Giants? Did anyone fear him in NY the last few years? No. Why not? He's the same guy who is getting ready to bring the all time rushing yards in a season (reg season + playoffs).

Philly's oLine would put Dowdle in the ProBowl. Their line will put Barkley in the HOF.

Drafting a RB at 12, with our soft oLine, is like buying $2000 racing tires, and putting them on a Hyundai Excel. Which means it's exactly the kind of move Jerruh will make. Instant gratification and jersey sales to the dopey segment of Cowboy fans (the majority). Like those fat people at Walmart that buys the Mountain Dew and Skittles for their obese 8 year old children... it's horrible for them, but it shuts them up for a while.

The key thing with Barkley's success (beside their oLine) that most people don't comprehend, is what the threat of Hurts running ability on the read option does for Barkley. That threat literally removes a defender. Did anyone see their last reg season game against Wash? Barkley was running up and down the field like normal, UNTIL Hirts got injured and left the game. With their backup QB in, even though he was passing better than Hurts at that time, Wash ignored the read option, and Barkley was shut down the rest of the game. Nobody will respect Dak's ability to rip off runs, so we literally could draft Walter Peyton 2.0 and it just won't matter too much with our sissy soft team.

Someone is fired up today.

 

[CCBoy]

Right. I’m not sure why some fans want to credit the draft on McClay.

He’s just our chief talent scout as VP of player personnel. He sets the board up to select from. Ultimately our GM and Son make the selections.

No, they are held accountable and just part of the group. They have an opinion and all opinions are voiced. You are talking accountability is theirs. Not individual selection process that is at the field level in standard. That is upon staff until deemed to be replaced.

 

[Bobhaze]

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

Yeah but those first round picks three of the last four years were made late in round one when the drop off after picks 1-15 can be significant. Here’s what I mean:

• 2021 first rd pick: LB/edge Micah Parsons. Stud. Taken with the 12th pick.
• 2022 first rd pick: OL Tyler Smith. Stud. We were lucky to find his gold with the 24th pick.
• 2023 first rd pick: IDL Mazi Smith. So far he’s a bust. Taken with the 26th pick.
• 2024 first rd pick: OL Tyler Guyton. Taken with the 29th pick. Did not meet expectations this year.

So the 2021 and 2022 picks have been outstanding. Parsons was the 12th pick and Tyler Smith the 24th. The ‘23 and ‘24 picks have been disappointing although still too early on Guyton to give up.

My point is, finding immediate impact players late in round one is much more difficult than in early part of round one. We struck gold with Tyler Smith but not with Mazi and Guyton. We have a better chance with the 12th pick finding an impactful IDL than we did the last two drafts.

 

[DuncanIso]

Need RB1 in the 1st.

trade up if needed.

 

[Bobhaze]

Need RB1 in the 1st.

trade up if needed.

Gotta disagree with you on this one. Picking a RB in round one is IMO a bad long term decision. Especially trading up. Very few RBs have an effectiveness shelf life of more than 5 years. Look at Atl taking Bijan Robinson a couple years ago. They don’t have a great OL so he’s been good but not great.

On the other hand a very talented DL/OL can give you a decade or more of outstanding play. (Zack Martin for example) We can get a really good RB on Day 2 in rounds 2-3 or even in rounds 4-5 on Day 3.It is much easier to find a really good RB than it is to find a guy like Aaron Donald or Jalen Carter or Chris Jones. The Cowboys desperately need help in the trenches, especially on defense.

I know Ashton Jeanty is an exciting and talented player but having some more monsters that can control the LOS is way more needed. Just my opinion.

 

[KingCorcoran]

We might be stuck with Dak. But that doesn't mean we can't draft his replacement, and if he beats Dak out, he can either sit on the bench or ask for a trade.
It's hard to build a team around a quarterback players do not believe in.
I don't want to waste 3 years when you can be developing the stud quarterback that's going to take you to the Super Bowl.
We are not going to have a good winning record this year, so it's a great time to hit the quarterback draft in 2026.

How would you convince one of the 31 other teams to not only want Dak Prescott and his 4 year, $60 million AAV, $231 million guaranteed deal, but actually give the Cowboys something to get him? Don’t say there’s always a team out there desperate for a quarterback or a GM stupid enough to trade for him. There is no NFL team run by someone as stupid as Jerry Jones.

Dak could beg to be traded and it wouldn’t matter. There’s no market for a quarterback of his skills, which are considerable by NFL standards, with a contract that pays him more than any player in the league now or ever. Any ideas?

 

[Cowboyny]

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 we 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 agree about fixing the trenches first, but not wholesale personnel changes within the OL, DL yes, but not OL. We actually now have a legitimate OL coach who can develop talent now. The likes of Guyton, Bass, Richards, Hoffman, Beebe, even Steele can get better. Probably best to sign a veteran to help this young group.

-Disagree, with passing on Jeanty. We said two years ago, great deep rb class and we drafted Duece , a healthy scratch the majority of his career. If there is a good back available, you take them. Jeanty might be a top 5 player in this draft, him at 12 would be excellent value. I'm taking a back no later then the 3rd rd, might take two in a deep class.

-Cannot continue to sign big extensions and cut the player in the middle of their contracts. This destroys the cap. Steele was far better with Philbin, especially in the run game. Diggs is a pro bowl type talent when healthy. The expectation is he will come back to full strength after his recovery.

Focus needs to be fixing their rushing offense and run defense, adding a legitimate #2 receiver and finding veteran stop gaps for the likes of Overshown and Diggs for next season.

My plan would be:

-Resigning Osa, Lewis, DLaw, Golston.
-Free Agency-#2 WR, starting MLB, veteran corner who can spot start, Veteran OL either a low cost starter or a backup type
-Draft-the focus is all about the trenches: RB, DT, LB

 

[Sheepherder]

Gotta disagree with you on this one. Picking a RB in round one is IMO a bad long term decision. Especially trading up. Very few RBs have an effectiveness shelf life of more than 5 years. Look at Atl taking Bijan Robinson a couple years ago. They don’t have a great OL so he’s been good but not great.

On the other hand a very talented DL/OL can give you a decade or more of outstanding play. (Zack Martin for example) We can get a really good RB on Day 2 in rounds 2-3 or even in rounds 4-5 on Day 3.It is much easier to find a really good RB than it is to find a guy like Aaron Donald or Jalen Carter or Chris Jones. The Cowboys desperately need help in the trenches, especially on defense.

I know Ashton Jeanty is an exciting and talented player but having some more monsters that can control the LOS is way more needed. Just my opinion. I go Emmit here every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

39993"]
Need RB1 in the 1st.

trade up if needed.
[/QUOTE]
: 42800"]
Someone is fired up today.
[/QUOTE]

Yeah but those first round picks three of the last four years were made late in round one when the drop off after picks 1-15 can be significant. Here’s what I mean:

• 2021 first rd pick: LB/edge Micah Parsons. Stud. Taken with the 12th pick.
• 2022 first rd pick: OL Tyler Smith. Stud. We were lucky to find his gold with the 24th pick.
• 2023 first rd pick: IDL Mazi Smith. So far he’s a bust. Taken with the 26th pick.
• 2024 first rd pick: OL Tyler Guyton. Taken with the 29th pick. Did not meet expectations this year.

So the 2021 and 2022 picks have been outstanding. Parsons was the 12th pick and Tyler Smith the 24th. The ‘23 and ‘24 picks have been disappointing although still too early on Guyton to give up.

My point is, finding immediate impact players late in round one is much more difficult than in early part of round one. We struck gold with Tyler Smith but not with Mazi and Guyton. We have a better chance with the 12th pick finding an impactful IDL than we did the last two drafts.

I get where you're coming from on this Bob. Another thing that needs to be looked at is the character of these players. What kind of a person is the individual. But then again, there are staffs that are good at this and people that aren't. An example of that is when the Cowboys drafted Emmitt Smith that was later in the first round. Compare that to Zeke higher in the first round. I see two different characters here. I go Emmitt because he was a more mature coming out of college.Elliot, not so much.

 

[mote]

Yeah but those first round picks three of the last four years were made late in round one when the drop off after picks 1-15 can be significant. Here’s what I mean:

• 2021 first rd pick: LB/edge Micah Parsons. Stud. Taken with the 12th pick.
• 2022 first rd pick: OL Tyler Smith. Stud. We were lucky to find his gold with the 24th pick.
• 2023 first rd pick: IDL Mazi Smith. So far he’s a bust. Taken with the 26th pick.
• 2024 first rd pick: OL Tyler Guyton. Taken with the 29th pick. Did not meet expectations this year.

So the 2021 and 2022 picks have been outstanding. Parsons was the 12th pick and Tyler Smith the 24th. The ‘23 and ‘24 picks have been disappointing although still too early on Guyton to give up.

My point is, finding immediate impact players late in round one is much more difficult than in early part of round one. We struck gold with Tyler Smith but not with Mazi and Guyton. We have a better chance with the 12th pick finding an impactful IDL than we did the last two drafts.

Check out the Eagles picks since 2020 in the first two rounds. Two receivers and a QB (Hurts) - and Eagles fans still upset about taking Reagor over Justin Jefferson in 2020- but otherwise it's very much focused on defensive and OL.

 

[Sheepherder]

39993"]
Need RB1 in the 1st.

trade up if needed.

: 42800"]
Someone is fired up today.
[/QUOTE]
I get where you're coming from on this Bob. Another thing that needs to be looked at is the character of these players. What kind of a person is the individual. But then again, there are staffs that are good at this and people that aren't. An example of that is when the Cowboys drafted Emmitt Smith that was later in the first round. Compare that to Zeke higher in the first round. I see two different characters here. I go Emmitt because he was a more mature coming out of college.Elliot, not so much.
[/QUOTE]
Zeke was drafted 4 in the 1st round and Emmitt was drafted 17th in the first round.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

Someone is fired up today.

Passionate Cowboy fans like CowboysLakersBuckeyeFan and TheGreat Mote cannot be silenced.

 

[Whyjerry]

I like good old building the team inside out. How about getting real monsters on the DL? OL could be good but I think the need one more guy there. Move Guyton to RT, Smith to LT, CB to Guard and draft a real Center. I think that and a real RB will really help. One more guy…I want a real burner on the outside. Turpin is great but he is a gadget guy. I prefer Lamb out of the slot and a burner on the outside to take the top off defenses. I think if you add those and pray DO is healthy I think you are good to go.

 

[exciter]

Yea, Im not sold on him either. Almost non factor in playoffs.

I’d take someone like a Brooks from Texas Tech in middle rounds. He led Big 12 in rushing.

Eh, I wouldn’t use that game as a barometer. Boise st vs Penn st isn’t ever going to be much of a contest.
I’d be more worried at his durability both stature and 374 carries in one season is mind boggling.

 

[kskboys]

Can we at least let Jeanty play a couple of seasons in the NFL before we label him a generational talent. From what I gathered Jeanty was most effective and excelled at outside zone runs. Based on the chart comparison someone post of the new OC, his preference was inside zone and man. I’m sure Jeanty could perform adequately but would think a bigger back like Hampton or Henderson would be a better fit!

Especially since chain mover RBs are the type most conducive to super bowl contention. The speed backs absolutely must have a power back to complement them.

 

[kskboys]

Right. I’m not sure why some fans want to credit the draft on McClay.

He’s just our chief talent scout as VP of player personnel. He sets the board up to select from. Ultimately our GM and Son make the selections.

Most simply don't understand how it works. The scouts give their evaluations on players, they do not tell Jerry who to draft. And it's obvious that we either have bad scouts or Jerry doesn't listen to them. There is no way a good scout would agree w/ drafting Mazi/Kelvin/Schooner/Sam Williams in the 1st/2nd round. Someone should be fired for that, and I highly highly doubt it has anything to do w/ McClay. We have not drafted worth a cowpie the last 3-5 yrs. Luckily for us we fell into Parsons and Lamb. Just look at all the other misses in the first 3 rounds. At least this last draft looks promising.

 

[kskboys]

I like good old building the team inside out. How about getting real monsters on the DL? OL could be good but I think the need one more guy there. Move Guyton to RT, Smith to LT, CB to Guard and draft a real Center. I think that and a real RB will really help. One more guy…I want a real burner on the outside. Turpin is great but he is a gadget guy. I prefer Lamb out of the slot and a burner on the outside to take the top off defenses. I think if you add those and pray DO is healthy I think you are good to go.

Moving Smith to OLT would be a huge error and would cost us down the road. He lacks the foot quickness for OLT and would be passable there at best. Why would you want to dump your top 5 OG? I really don't understand this.

 

[Whyjerry]

Moving Smith to OLT would be a huge error and would cost us down the road. He lacks the foot quickness for OLT and would be passable there at best. Why would you want to dump your top 5 OG? I really don't understand this.

Here is my thought process…I think Smith can play anywhere. Steele is finished. Guy can’t play. Guyton is not an NFL LT. Any chance he has should start at RT, his position in college. Starting LT is one of the toughest positions in the NFL. Dallas needs their top picks to rebuild that DL which will need a major talent upgrade. They might even lose ODiggyziggy to FA. I really like Richards as a swing guy and they might need him at RT. Bottom line is Smith is the best option unless you want to start Tomato Cans along the DL.

 

[kskboys]

The eagles have the next Aaron Donald in Jalen Carter. That guy is a defensive wrecking ball. If we can get someone close to that we will be infinitely more competitive immediately.

To get Carter, the Eagles traded away a QB who still had the potential of being good, and had been very good in the past. This is where you have to have an NFL-savvy GM, to make trades like that. And sometimes you have to trade players that you don't want to trade. You're not going to get anything in return trading away Eric Scott.

And why wasn't DLaw made available? He was going to be gone anyway, why not talk to a team like BUFF who desperately needed an outside rush? We were not going to win, DLaw was going to be gone. Just more incompetence by the GM.

 

[Whyjerry]

To get Carter, the Eagles traded away a QB who still had the potential of being good, and had been very good in the past. This is where you have to have an NFL-savvy GM, to make trades like that. And sometimes you have to trade players that you don't want to trade. You're not going to get anything in return trading away Eric Scott.

And why wasn't DLaw made available? He was going to be gone anyway, why not talk to a team like BUFF who desperately needed an outside rush? We were not going to win, DLaw was going to be gone. Just more incompetence by the GM.

We like to run our made men into the ground. Take that value to zero. It’s the Jones way.