Before Combine and F.A. Starts:

[kiheikiwi]

So I was looking at the Cowboys roster today, specifically the Practice Squad and Injured players coming back - Maybe.
The list is surprisingly large.
On the Reserve/Futures list, the names that stand out are Rico Gathers and Andy Jones - both should/could contribute next year. Also Jameill Showers, at 230 lbs can he be a SS/Special teamer ? As he spent llast year.
Then we have the whole slew of injured players set to return - La'el Collins, Charles Tapper, Geoff Swaim, Chaz Green, James Hanna and of course Jaylon Smith.
That's 9 guys right there ! Now, not all of them might make it to the 53, let alone training camp. But it's a good starting point when looking pre-draft and F.A.
Knowing some of these guys will be available, will that help set up peoples draftboards and what they think this team will do - if anything in free agency ???

 

[Killerinstinct]

So I was looking at the Cowboys roster today, specifically the Practice Squad and Injured players coming back - Maybe.
The list is surprisingly large.
On the Reserve/Futures list, the names that stand out are Rico Gathers and Andy Jones - both should/could contribute next year. Also Jameill Showers, at 230 lbs can he be a SS/Special teamer ? As he spent llast year.
Then we have the whole slew of injured players set to return - La'el Collins, Charles Tapper, Geoff Swaim, Chaz Green, James Hanna and of course Jaylon Smith.
That's 9 guys right there ! Now, not all of them might make it to the 53, let alone training camp. But it's a good starting point when looking pre-draft and F.A.
Knowing some of these guys will be available, will that help set up peoples draftboards and what they think this team will do - if anything in free agency ???

IN my opinion it does. For instance I would not be looking for a TE. I would not be looking for an inside LB.

I don't expect much in FA. While I read countless articles about how we are not in cap hell and it is situation normal we have already restructured the two I feel comfortable doing so with and we are limited in funds. I expect we sign some of our own back and maybe a cheap piece or 2 from other teams.

 

[tm1119]

Besides the obvious Collins, I think Tapper is the only guy I would count on to get anything significant from...and even his injury still leaves a huge ?

Rico is fun to think about, but he's still hasn't played a meaningful football game in a long time. The other 2 TE's are depth that can be upgraded. Hanna and Swaim shouldn't keep us from drafting a talented TE.

Jaylon Smith...I have my fingers crossed but I'm not getting my hopes up. We definitely can't pencil him in for 16 games next year.

Green needs to prove he can stay even remotely healthy. He looked like he can play in the time he was on the field, but can't count on a guy that is hardly ever available.

Jones and Showers are closer to the Canadian league then they are the 53 in my opinion.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Besides the obvious Collins, I think Tapper is the only guy I would count on to get anything significant from...and even his injury still leaves a huge ?

Rico is fun to think about, but he's still hasn't played a meaningful football game in a long time. The other 2 TE's are depth that can be upgraded. Hanna and Swaim shouldn't keep us from drafting a talented TE.

Jaylon Smith...I have my fingers crossed but I'm not getting my hopes up. We definitely can't pencil him in for 16 games next year.

Green needs to prove he can stay even remotely healthy. He looked like he can play in the time he was on the field, but can't count on a guy that is hardly ever available.

Jones and Showers are closer to the Canadian league then they are the 53 in my opinion.

While that may or may not come to pass. The idea is that we have a hand full of players that give us options to think about - before free agency and the draft even begins. Showers I don't have a lot of faith in, Andy Jones - maybe... Green and Collins I have faith will be players this year, if Green can't stay healthy he will not make it beyond this season. Rico is the wild card for sure, I would hope he will become a roll player this season and keep progressing. And Jaylon, This is my guy. Don't expect him to be all world this season, but by next I do.
And again, these are players that weren't available to us last year or part there of. Feels almost like an added bonus .....