News: BTB: How The Recent Past Can Help Predict What The Cowboys Do In Free Agency

[NewsBot]

Free agency will bring about some changes, but when it comes to the Cowboys, has the front office put enough clues in place to spoil the surprise?

One of the great things about having a front office that is disciplined enough to stick to their plan is that after a while – you can start see the method to their madness. By now, many are privy to the idea that the Cowboys don’t spend a lot of money in free agency. They have a simple formula – plug holes in free agency, but build the team through the draft. It’s a really good formula that appears to be working. Using free agency to fill gaps allow you to draft as pure as possible rather than forcing a selection based on need. The Cowboys try to attend to as many of their basic needs as they can during the free agency period so they are free to pluck off the best talent from the tree that is the NFL Draft. And it’s been a plentiful tree full of delicious treats, but before we get to all that goodness, let’s try to dial in what the Cowboys will do in March when free agency hits.

As I like to do from time to time before I put on my fortune teller hat, let’s have a looksy at the Cowboys free agent movement over the last two seasons and see if there is anything we can learn from it.

2015


Starting from most urgent to less critical, here are the snap counts that the team would need to replenish from the 2014 season.

Wide Receiver (1487)

It may have not felt like it, but the Cowboys had some gaping holes at the wide receiver position entering the 2015 season. The contracts of Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley, and Dwayne Harris had all expired. Most people fully expected the team to bring back Bryant and Beasley, and sure enough – they did. All that was really left was replacing Harris’ snaps who signed with the New York Giants. While he didn’t log many reps on offense, he was a significant contributor on special teams. Dallas would find his replacement by signing undrafted free-agent, Lucky Whitehead.

***Large snip***


Continue reading...

 

[jobberone]

FA at DE in particular is going to be very interesting and crucial this year if we're to improve.

 

[movaughn88]

FA at DE in particular is going to be very interesting and crucial this year if we're to improve.

I'm just not sure our bigtime DE is out there in FA. I'd rather replace McClain with one of the top DT FAs big bodies, and also sign like the #3-5 ranked CB that McClay likes. Then add one more Mayowa type DE and one at #28.

 

[jobberone]

I'm just not sure our bigtime DE is out there in FA. I'd rather replace McClain with one of the top DT FAs big bodies, and also sign like the #3-5 ranked CB that McClay likes. Then add one more Mayowa type DE and one at #28.

I doubt we pursue a DT in FA unless something happens like deaths and arrests to what we have at DT now. If they had the chance to get a prized 3 Tech then maybe but not just a 0 tech DT.

Their best chance at edge rusher is a 3-4 OLB to play the SAM or Will as well as rush particularly in a SP. That's not to say there isn't a 4-3 rusher out there just harder to obtain.

 

[AzorAhai]

 

[Setackin]

So... tanoh kpass in the 2nd?

 

[jobberone]

So... tanoh kpass in the 2nd?

Appears to be a better 3-4 DE but we'll see. I'm thinking McKinley, Fields and Phillips. The Senior Bowl should shake up the current order.

 

[conner01]

FA at DE in particular is going to be very interesting and crucial this year if we're to improve.

I would love to find a good DE in fa but just don't see it happening
Few hit the market and the few that do are very expensive

 

[T-RO]

It does seem the Cowboys have changed their free agency philosophy

1. Value your own guys. They know your system. But don't be over-eager before the market takes shape.

2. Go young. Big name guys are usually on the downside of their career and are overpriced.

3. Try to find young emerging talents that may be unknown and bring good value

4. Use the credit card...but don't tap it out.

 

[jobberone]

I would love to find a good DE in fa but just don't see it happening
Few hit the market and the few that do are very expensive

Any vet FA DE will cost us if we expect some production.

 

[Bullflop]

Any vet FA DE will cost us if we expect some production.

Yep -- that's a fact. I think if we acquire a vet FA at DE, It would be a 2nd or 3rd tier guy as a safety net against what might be an anemic rush. Of course, it'd be assuming a draftee or others couldn't produce as early as anticipated.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I doubt we pursue a DT in FA unless something happens like deaths and arrests

Bite your toungue!

 

[CCBoy]

Any vet FA DE will cost us if we expect some production.

It would likely require a trade and a large cap commitment...but to this fan, worth both.

 

[conner01]

Any vet FA DE will cost us if we expect some production.

Especially the proven good ones

 

[Nightman]

DAL will see if our guys get snatched up ........if we lose Leary, Church, Mo, TWill, Carr, McFadden, TMcClain, etc...... then we may go the Comp pick route.... 4 picks is hard to turn down

We would go after guys that were cut or maybe even make a trade

It will be a very patient(naseauting) approach ...even Romo could linger until June

 

[Trouty]

We need to be players during the FA period. We are close. In two of the last three years we've gone 12-4 and 13-3. We can't sit on our hands, this is the time to attack. Before, we were so far away, both with record (8-8 and below) and with personnel, that it was wise/prudent to stay away from big names.

We aren't anymore (far away from being contenders, plus we're young). Even a hit in the first or second round (as great as it is) won't have the same impact as a hit in FA.

 

[haleyrules]

It does seem the Cowboys have changed their free agency philosophy

1. Value your own guys. They know your system. But don't be over-eager before the market takes shape.

2. Go young. Big name guys are usually on the downside of their career and are overpriced.

3. Try to find young emerging talents that may be unknown and bring good value

4. Use the credit card...but don't tap it out.

Amen. Don't go crazy with the mercenaries. Stay the course! A trade could be the answer.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

FA at DE in particular is going to be very interesting and crucial this year if we're to improve.

Very true re DEs.
But unless the collegiate DE is a monster, the draft is for projects. An FA DE can step in immediately to help.

As to the op, I do not agree the best formula is the draft, and FA to plug holes.
It has not worked until last year's gold strike in the draft. Help from FA has been negligible in recent history. Sounds good, the formula, but the Cowboys have largely weathered poor of seasons (O line acquisitions from the draft have been the lone bright spot).

 

[reddyuta]

No rookie De is going to change our pass rush,FA is our best bet to take the next step.

 

[Nightman]

No rookie De is going to change our pass rush,FA is our best bet to take the next step.

FAs were rookies once.......some can help right away