Archer: For Cowboys, draft can't answer every need

[Alexander]

For Cowboys, draft can't answer every need

• Todd ArcherESPN Staff Writer
  

IRVING, Texas -- As the Dallas Cowboys get ready to head to Indianapolis this week for the scouting combine, perhaps there is no better time to talk about free agency.

Confused? Don’t be.

Once the compensatory picks are announced, the Cowboys are expected to have nine draft picks. They currently own their first-, second-, third-, fourth- and sixth-round picks. They should get another fourth-rounder and three seventh-rounders for their losses in free agency last year.

For all of the needs and wants the Cowboys have -- at cornerback, defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, running back, quarterback, wide receiver, safety and tight end -- it will be impossible to fill them all in the draft.

There is simply no guarantee they can get who they want, let alone what they want, to take care of all of their issues as they come off a 4-12 season.

The Cowboys will have to use free agency, at least to a degree, to fill those needs.

In the past coach Jason Garrett has said the goal is to get into the draft without being forced to take a player at a particular position. If a team has holes, then it is more difficult to put together a true draft board because naturally those needs get pushed up.

So, where would the Cowboys look in free agency?

Running back would make the most sense, but likely not at the top end of the market. The Cowboys have Darren McFadden and Rod Smith under contract from last year. Lance Dunbar is coming back from a torn ACL and is a free agent. He could be back, but that shouldn’t be the only pre-draft move.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4749505/for-cowboys-draft-cant-answer-every-need

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Free agency would be a poor move for a RB. You get a veteran that someone else has used up their prime years for the most part.

 

[Longboysfan]

Where the brain trust sees they can get a good player?
In the position areas they feel their most need resides in?

 

[big dog cowboy]

There is simply no guarantee they can get who they want, let alone what they want, to take care of all of their issues

Same can be said for most of the teams in the league.

 

[Ashwynn]

at cornerback, defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, running back, quarterback, wide receiver, safety and tight end

Out of that list, I think you can take WR and TE off the list. Draft at the other positions and fill in around them through FA, but WR and TE are the least of the NEEDS. Our woes on the D line and secondary and QB take precedence over all other needs in my mind. Fill these with a good young buck in the draft. Add to them in FA. But above all, get a good QB somewhere, I prefer the draft as all the retreads talked about in FA do not excite me in the least.

 

[Bullflop]

at cornerback, defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, running back, quarterback, wide receiver, safety and tight end

Out of that list, I think you can take WR and TE off the list. Draft at the other positions and fill in around them through FA, but WR and TE are the least of the NEEDS. Our woes on the D line and secondary and QB take precedence over all other needs in my mind. Fill these with a good young buck in the draft. Add to them in FA. But above all, get a good QB somewhere, I prefer the draft as all the retreads talked about in FA do not excite me in the least.

Agreed. Also, QB can be counted twice, as I'm not yet convinced that Kellen Moore is the answer at our veteran backup spot. That makes a grand total of ten. Some of those needs could be done without for the time being but they are all needs that must be addressed before this team is likely to seriously challenge for postseason glory.

 

[Daillest88]

DE,CB,DT,LB biggest needs, yeah were going defense this draft

 

[SHAMSzy]

everything is a need besides OL, and even if they love an OL at their spot they should take him. this team simply needs good football players

 

[Virginia-Dave]

Very few teams, if any, can address all of their needs in the draft. This is not news.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

FLYING BY THE SEAT OF OUR PANTS FOR 20 YEARS AND STOPPED COUNTING

 

[StarBoyz83]

Cowboys will have to work some miracles to be players in FA. Last I saw was they have 9 mil. in Cap space. Only 4 teams are in worst shape than dallas.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

That's what them FA dollars are for fellas and Amy

 

[Daillest88]

Cowboys will have to work some miracles to be players in FA. Last I saw was they have 9 mil. in Cap space. Only 4 teams are in worst shape than dallas.

11 million and we could EASILY get up to 40 million if we wanted to. Cap is not a problem

 

[Nightman]

How can we be so bad at rounds 5-7 in the draft and so good at UDFAs?

I think we try to get too cute with the late picks and target hidden upside type players instead of going with proven stars that come from smaller programs or guys that fall for injury or discipline issues.

Every year the draft gurus around here target 6-10 sleepers and every year they fall in the draft and every year we pass them by for guys that no one sees coming. The biggest insight to the teams thinking is they love to draft guys they bring in for visits. It might not hold this year since we got a hands on approach at the Senior Bowl.

 

[Silver Surfer]

The first domino: Cromartie released by Jets.

 

[StarBoyz83]

That's what them FA dollars are for fellas and Amy

We need to get fa dollars first

 

[BARRYRAY]

You know I for one am sick of other teams like Denver managing their cap to have such a great team but yet we spend nothing.I mean Dallas sold more tickets last year than any team in the NFL and yet I question whether they are not willing to spend what it takes.We are so living on your reputation.I vote for drafting a qb and get out the checkbook for the vets. I mean Denver for instance managed to snag a qb prospect yet has an amazing defense.Their cap is the same as ours.We had more revenue how about some results here.I am tired of next year.I'm not getting any younger..And Barry Switzer looks better every year.He didn't go to ivy league college but he won a Super Bowl.

Sorry tired of being the dormat and the old Romo will be better nest year..He cannot stay vertical for 16 games he has a bad back and other issues.

Thanks for letting me rant.Dallas was so bad I changed the channel for the last sevral games.

 

[Nightman]

You know I for one am sick of other teams like Denver managing their cap to have such a great team but yet we spend nothing.I mean Dallas sold more tickets last year than any team in the NFL and yet I question whether they are not willing to spend what it takes.We are so living on your reputation.I vote for drafting a qb and get out the checkbook for the vets. I mean Denver for instance managed to snag a qb prospect yet has an amazing defense.Their cap is the same as ours.We had more revenue how about some results here.I am tired of next year.I'm not getting any younger..And Barry Switzer looks better every year.He didn't go to ivy league college but he won a Super Bowl.

Sorry tired of being the dormat and the old Romo will be better nest year..He cannot stay vertical for 16 games he has a bad back and other issues.

Thanks for letting me rant.Dallas was so bad I changed the channel for the last sevral games.

DEN went all in on FA spending. They got Peyton, Talib, Ward, Ware, Sanders, DThomas and more.

Now they have 2 SB appearances, 1 title and plenty of space to move on with Miller and Osweiler.

FA doesn't have to be a bad thing. Just choose better players like the draft and with re-signs.

 

[Daillest88]

We need to get fa dollars first

Cut Brandon Carr as a June 1st casualty and restructure dez and Tyron you go from 11 million in cap space to 34 million..not to mention there's Romo,witten and Barry church.. Barry church at best is an average safety.. Cut him you save 4 million in cap space

 

[rynochop]

11 million and we could EASILY get up to 40 million if we wanted to. Cap is not a problem

Exactly they can sign whoever they want..but it's more fun to pretend Jerry is mismanaging the cap

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

We need to get fa dollars first

Best way is to avoid eye contact with John Mara