Based on free agency through today

[Acceptablename]

All right. Have to adjust my needs picks based on today's free agency and trades.

12 WR Luther Burden III, Missouri (WR is the only need position we haven't addressed)

44 DT Alfred Collins, Texas

76 RB RJ Harvey, Central Florida

149 CB Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina (wanted to take a CB earlier than this, but didn't work out valuewise)

171 LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

174 QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana

204 C Jake Majors, Texas

211 RB Ja'Quindon Jackson, Arkansas

239 DL Ty Robinson, Nebraska

247 CB Tommi Hill, Nebraska

If nothing else I like your flexibility

 

[gimmesix]

Not difficult if not picking for need

1: Harmon (DT) or Simmons (LOT)
2. Johnson (iowa RB)
3. Schweisinger (LB)

Can do this if we run FA the right way but we dont

You feel those are top-end starters. Not everyone feels that way. Harmon would even be considered a reach at 12. Fans get invested in certain players, but it doesn't mean those are the ones who will succeed. Burden is actually a value pick compared to Harmon at 12, especially if using PFF's rankings, which is what I used. (Harmon is 22 on their board.)

If I wasn't picking for need, their board says I should go with DE James Pearce Jr. at 12.

 

[CCBoy]

Cowboys Re-Signing OL Dakoda Shepley To Two-Year Contract​

By
Tony Camino
-
March 13, 2025

Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports the Cowboys are re-signing OL Dakoda Shepley to a two-year deal.

https://nfltraderumors.co/cowboys-re-signing-ol-dakoda-shepley-to-two-year-contract

 

[Pass2Run]

No way they draft 2 RBs that early.

Of all teams, we know we can get a RB in the later rounds.

I'm sad. I still wish they had kept Rico. I guess I'll never figure that one out. They should have matched any offer.

Oh well.

 

[Pass2Run]

Yeah, I'll probably switch it up at some point. For the moment, I just thought it would be interesting to take look at our FA signings and try to figure out needs priorities for a draft. I think needs always need to be considered, but not to the point where you are passing up much better players, which I could be accused of doing with these drafts.

Drafting for need is the worst thing you can do. Foolish teams draft for need.

Smart teams add depth so you're never forced to draft for need.

The more you draft the best player, the better your team gets as a whole.

I believe you should never draft for need. There are other ways to acquire needs. In the draft, go get the best player(s).

 

[gimmesix]

Drafting for need is the worst thing you can do. Foolish teams draft for need.

Smart teams add depth so you're never forced to draft for need.

The more you draft the best player, the better your team gets as a whole.

I believe you should never draft for need. There are other ways to acquire needs. In the draft, go get the best player(s).

I think there's a balance there between BPA and need. A lot of teams use tiers because there is not much difference in a group of players. It may be three players in the first tier, five in the second, four in the third and so on. I believe in drafting from the best tier available when it's your pick. If that best tier also has a position you need, then you take the player at the position you need.

I don't think any teams use actual 1-500 rankings where player 80 should be necessarily taken before player 81. However, if 80 is in a 75-80 tier, then you would take 80 instead of 81 no matter the position.

It's all about trusting your evaluations, but the deeper you get into the draft, the larger the tiers get, so it's much easier to find a player within that tier who meets a need.

 

[Pass2Run]

I think there's a balance there between BPA and need. A lot of teams use tiers because there is not much difference in a group of players. It may be three players in the first tier, five in the second, four in the third and so on. I believe in drafting from the best tier available when it's your pick. If that best tier also has a position you need, then you take the player at the position you need.

I don't think any teams use actual 1-500 rankings where player 80 should be necessarily taken before player 81. However, if 80 is in a 75-80 tier, then you would take 80 instead of 81 no matter the position.

It's all about trusting your evaluations, but the deeper you get into the draft, the larger the tiers get, so it's much easier to find a player within that tier who meets a need.

I hear you. You make good points. I've just always liked our drafts when we draft BPA.

To your point, Tyler Smith, for example, sort of fits what you're saying. Not sure if he was a tier but they hit on the player at a position of need that year.

To my point, we got Lamb and Parsons by drafting BPA. Those two guys, as so-called Super Stars, give you an identity and keep you routinely competitive. Although I'd say Tyler Smith isn't some slouch either so I also get your reasoning. Sometimes the stars align -- no pun intended.

 

[baltcowboy]

If the Cowboys sign Kupp, I won’t have any idea who they will draft. I think that will be good thing. When does the 30 visit start.

 

[gimmesix]

I hear you. You make good points. I've just always liked our drafts when we draft BPA.

To your point, Tyler Smith, for example, sort of fits what you're saying. Not sure if he was a tier but they hit on the player at a position of need that year.

To my point, we got Lamb and Parsons by drafting BPA. Those two guys, as so-called Super Stars, give you an identity and keep you routinely competitive. Although I'd say Tyler Smith isn't some slouch either so I also get your reasoning. Sometimes the stars align -- no pun intended.

I think Lamb and Parsons are examples of players who were in a higher tier than those available. They were the outliers and should have been taken regardless of position. Maybe there will be a player like that at 12 this year. Let's say TE Tyler Warren falls. If ratings are accurate, Warren would be in a higher tier than the receivers, corners, running backs (assuming Jeanty doesn't fall), DTs and DEs available at 12. Do we take Warren?

I have trouble with going with a tight end there, but if we did it, I couldn't be upset because he would be the best value.

 

[CCBoy]

Derrick Harmon, a defensive lineman from Oregon, fits the bill if he is there. Harmon does a lot of things well and would help give the Cowboys help with Osa Odighizuwa. He would fit nicely in Matt Eberflus’ four-down defense. He’s likely never going to be a high-end sack guy, but Harmon can stay on the field because of his ability to affect the run and pass.

We will have to wait and see, but the front office hasn’t done anything to get us excited about the 2025 season, and it sucks that we will probably have to live with that. Washington is only getting better, and we know what the Eagles bring, so they may be looking up all season long for the second year in a row.

https://insidethestar.com/a-position-of-strength-in-the-past-may-struggle-early-in-2025

 

[CCBoy]

"The Cowboys did well to get some interesting defensive depth, but nothing stands out given they also lost a few key pieces. The offensive line needs more work along with the backfield, as Williams seems like a downgrade from Dowdle. Jerry Jones needs to bring it in the draft." — Iyer

(The signing of Sanders improves the running back roster, quite a bit.)

While he's correct that the Cowboys need to have a great draft to round out their roster, the grade feels a little low. Dallas has ensured they have starters at nearly every position — with the exception of wide receiver.

They could look for upgrades at several spots but unlike 2024 when they needed starters at tackle, guard, and running back, they're in far better shape this year.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/arti...work_during_nfl_free_agency/s1_16709_41903237

 

[Montanalo]

I like what the Cowboys have done so far in FA. They have signed a few quality players. However, they're primarily 1 year "rent-a-players".

This appears to be a fairly deep draft for DL, OL and RB (although, very few appear to be "can't miss" pro bowl talent).

Despite the FA additions I would really like to see the Cowboys add both DL and OL early in draft.

I have dusted off the Monte Carlo simulation model I've used previously and will post results soon.

 

[MonsterD]

I think it's CB too, way too strong of feeling with the RBs and Dline they already got. It shouldn't stop them from drafting a DT/DE or RB with 12 but traditionally they think that way.

So far they are in more dire need at DT, but they always mess that up in the first 2 rounds and have had more success in round 3. So I think CB is likely a 60-70% chance to be the top pick, possibly with a trade down.

 

[gimmesix]

All right. Have to adjust my needs picks based on today's free agency and trades.

12 WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

44 CB Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State

76 RB RJ Harvey, Central Florida
149 QB Tyler Shough, Louisville
171 LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
174 T Logan Brown, Kansas
204 RB Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma
211 DL Ty Robinson, Nebraska
239 DL Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
247 CB Tommi Hill, Nebraska​

Not much changed based on free agency today. Signing Fowler in addition to Turner kind of cements that DE is low on the list. I don't think Miles Sanders affects the plan too much at RB since his production has been down the last couple of years.

I'm shifting receivers because even though he's ranked lower by PFF as a prospect, I like Egbuka better than Burden. I'd prefer to trade down slightly to get him, but I'm not going to predict trades.

I also sadly had to drop DT out of my picks on the first two days because I think our corner situation has to be addressed early. It didn't work out for me to get them early, so I'd really love it if Robinson and Cross go as low as these rankings have them.

 

[gimmesix]

Inspired by another thread in the Draft Zone, I decided to include a trade and still address our priority needs in the first three rounds. (I also decided to eliminate some players from consideration in the later rounds who I think PFF is undervaluing, so Shough, Robinson, Stutsman and Cross are out because I think they might go within the first four rounds.)

20 DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon​

44 CB Azareyeh Thomas, Florida State

51 WR Jack Bech, TCU

76 RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

149 LB Jalen McLeod, Auburn
171 QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
174 DT Thor Griffith, Louisville
204 RB Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State
211 OL Luke Kandra, Cincinnati
239 DL Aaron Lewis, Rutgers
247 CB Tommi Hill, Nebraska​

 

[baltcowboy]

Inspired by another thread in the Draft Zone, I decided to include a trade and still address our priority needs in the first three rounds. (I also decided to eliminate some players from consideration in the later rounds who I think PFF is undervaluing, so Shough, Robinson, Stutsman and Cross are out because I think they might go within the first four rounds.)

20 DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon​

44 CB Azareyeh Thomas, Florida State

51 WR Jack Bech, TCU

76 RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

149 LB Jalen McLeod, Auburn ​

171 QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana​

174 DT Thor Griffith, Louisville​

204 RB Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State​

211 OL Luke Kandra, Cincinnati​

239 DL Aaron Lewis, Rutgers​

247 CB Tommi Hill, Nebraska​

Four potential starters. Good draft. It is also realistic.

 

[gimmesix]

Four potential starters. Good draft. It is also realistic.

Thanks. I tried to reel in some of those late-round picks from earlier because despite PFF's rankings, they didn't seem that realistic. Several of them were rated third-round picks on other sites. I mean, they could fall since players do every year, but I didn't want to count on it.