CFZ Cowboys players who probably won't be back next year

[loublue22]

Jerry only has eyes for our guys

 

[Kingofholland]

Agreed. It‘s hard to have success acquiring a good young QB if you almost never draft one. The Cowboys have only drafted 5 QBs since 2000…5. Here they are and when they were drafted:

• 2001- Quincy Carter round 2
• 2007- Isiah Stanback- round 4 (never took a snap as a QB because he was converted to WR)
• 2009- Stephen McGee, round 4 (part of the worst draft in team history)
• 2016- Dak Prescott, round 4
• 2020- Ben DiNucci- round 7

That‘s it. In 24 drafts, the Cowboys have selected 5 QBs, none in round one.Contrast that with the niners who over the same period have drafted 12 QBs.

As I’ve said many times, you can’t catch a fish if you don’t throw a hook in the water.

In many respects we were lucky to stumble into Romo and Dak with limited draft capital so I can understand not feeling the need to spend a 1st rounder. Look at teams like the Bears, Jets, Panthers, and even the Browns that just have taken so many swings and misses. We did almost draft Paxton Lynch and Johnny Manziel which obviously would have been wastes of 1st rounders so sometimes you get lucky with the moves you don't make.

With all that said we've definitely under committed resources to QB, and at some point you have to consider options. We needed to be more aggressive with it after Aikman and it held this franchise back until Romo. Dak is now on the other side of 30, hasn't gotten over the hump, and is a large financial commitment. So whether if you like Dak or not bringing more talent into the room is worth it. I liked the Lance move whether if it works out or not, but you gotta bring QB talent in across rounds to hopefully develop one.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

There are multiple players on our roster, many who will be FAs next year who likely will not be on the roster next year either because of cap restrictions or just needing to move on. I’m intentionally leaving Dak off this list because that is a much more complex situation that requires a separate category. I’m not against moving on from Dak, but don’t want to discuss it here.

Some of these names will be obvious, some may not. Most of the guys I’m about to list will be FAs. Here are my predictions for players we will (should) be considered for an exit:

• Tyler Biadaz- finished his rookie deal and will command a hefty raise. But IMO, he’s just ok. He’s a good starter but he’s not worth a big raise on a team full of cap challenges.
• Michael Gallup- has never been the same since his knee injury 2 years ago. His contract is structured for an out this year. He gone.
• Tony Pollard- after one year on the cap at $10 mil a season, he’s going into 2024 with no contract. He will not be worth the contract he will garner next year. He’s gone.
• Leighton Vander Esch- LVE - His neck injury is a quality of life thing. He needs to retire.
• Dorance Armstrong- he’s a good but not great player who benefits greatly being a part time pass rusher opposite Parsons. He will get offers for more than we should pay.
• Stephon Gilmore- he is a FA. Honestly at 34, he is probably mostly done. We have Diggs on a big deal and Bland. Time to move on.
• Tyron Smith- He is signed through 2024 I think. But honestly, even though he had an ok year in terms of not missing as many games as he had been missing before. That’s a low bar. He will be an old 34 next year. He’s not owed that much. I would move on. He’s no longer dependable. I love Tyron. He was truly a great player; a great player who‘s time is up.
• Jourdan Lewis- He will be 29 next year. He had a pretty good year last year but is he worth getting a raise on a cap strapped team?
• Jayron Kearse- Kearse has been good. Great? No. He’s probably going to get some higher offers that make it hard to keep him. I could see him following wherever Dan Quinn lands.
• Dante Fowler- he’s a good pass rusher but is he worth keeping at the same price or more? No.
• Neville Gallimore- finished his rookie deal and is just a rotational guy with only occasional flashes. JAG.
• Noah Igbinoghene - guy we got in the KJoseph trade last fall. Played very little when it mattered. His rookie deal is up. So…bye.
• Sean McKeon- Now the 4th or 5th TE who is mainly a blocker. We have a better TE room than 2 years ago.

There are a few other FAs that may be gone. Some of the guys above may also sign here again. Many of the replacements for the guys above would likely come from the draft or cheaper FAs. Will be a very interesting offseason to say the least.

I think Tyron is back for one more year.
I think the rest are gone. perhaps we keep Gilmore one more year. not sure.
would like to keep Armstrong, but he will get paid to be a starter somewhere.


but this is not a who-is-who of NFL list. some of them should be gone.

 

[plasticman]

There are multiple players on our roster, many who will be FAs next year who likely will not be on the roster next year either because of cap restrictions or just needing to move on. I’m intentionally leaving Dak off this list because that is a much more complex situation that requires a separate category. I’m not against moving on from Dak, but don’t want to discuss it here.

Some of these names will be obvious, some may not. Most of the guys I’m about to list will be FAs. Here are my predictions for players we will (should) be considered for an exit:

• Tyler Biadaz- finished his rookie deal and will command a hefty raise. But IMO, he’s just ok. He’s a good starter but he’s not worth a big raise on a team full of cap challenges.
• Michael Gallup- has never been the same since his knee injury 2 years ago. His contract is structured for an out this year. He gone.
• Tony Pollard- after one year on the cap at $10 mil a season, he’s going into 2024 with no contract. He will not be worth the contract he will garner next year. He’s gone.
• Leighton Vander Esch- LVE - His neck injury is a quality of life thing. He needs to retire.
• Dorance Armstrong- he’s a good but not great player who benefits greatly being a part time pass rusher opposite Parsons. He will get offers for more than we should pay.
• Stephon Gilmore- he is a FA. Honestly at 34, he is probably mostly done. We have Diggs on a big deal and Bland. Time to move on.
• Tyron Smith- He is signed through 2024 I think. But honestly, even though he had an ok year in terms of not missing as many games as he had been missing before. That’s a low bar. He will be an old 34 next year. He’s not owed that much. I would move on. He’s no longer dependable. I love Tyron. He was truly a great player; a great player who‘s time is up.
• Jourdan Lewis- He will be 29 next year. He had a pretty good year last year but is he worth getting a raise on a cap strapped team?
• Jayron Kearse- Kearse has been good. Great? No. He’s probably going to get some higher offers that make it hard to keep him. I could see him following wherever Dan Quinn lands.
• Dante Fowler- he’s a good pass rusher but is he worth keeping at the same price or more? No.
• Neville Gallimore- finished his rookie deal and is just a rotational guy with only occasional flashes. JAG.
• Noah Igbinoghene - guy we got in the KJoseph trade last fall. Played very little when it mattered. His rookie deal is up. So…bye.
• Sean McKeon- Now the 4th or 5th TE who is mainly a blocker. We have a better TE room than 2 years ago.

There are a few other FAs that may be gone. Some of the guys above may also sign here again. Many of the replacements for the guys above would likely come from the draft or cheaper FAs. Will be a very interesting offseason to say the least.

I wish they would draft a QB in one of the top three rounds and have him compete with Trey Lance for the starting position in 2025. I wouldn't give Dak another contract. I like him but I think they need to make the tough choice and look elsewhere after next season unless they get to the SB.

Of course this would then put Cooper Rush on your list.

I would like them to keep Biadaz just because I wouldn't want to many changes on the O-line at once.

 

[IrishAnto]

We do have a lot of holes to fill. And…one of the weaknesses or our organization IMO is overvaluing its own talent. If the talent we’ve had has never given us more than a wild card win, why do we believe we can’t afford to,lose anyone from that pool of talent?

In reality if you think they can't properly evaluate our own talent (and I agree with you) then it would seem to me they won't be any better evaluating other teams talent either!

 

[G2]

Id include Fowler and Gilmore.

I like both, especially Gilmore.

 

[G2]

'Splain, Lucy. You want Dorance or not?

It was answered

 

[NDGAEDE]

Keep Tyron and Jlew.

I can see the team moving Tyler to LT though and getting a G in the draft, possibly even believing in Bass enough to be a starter. They were close to doing that in round 1 last year. Basically, if there is a cheaper in house option they will take it, whether it's a good idea or not.

 

[Swagger]

I believe it happens because when they stumble on a QB that can play like they did with Romo and with Dak, they just act like “we’re set” and never give much thought to it again. It’s GM malpractice IMO.

Look at the great QBs drafted when at least a decent starter was already in place:

• 2000- NE drafted Tom Brady in rd 6 when they were already happy with Drew Bledsoe, a pretty decent starter. They ended up drafting the greatest QB in history because they didn’t think they were “set“at QB.
• 2005- Packers had HOF QB Brett Favre as their QB (and he started 3 more years in GB!) but the pack chose to draft Aaron Rodgers with the 24th pick in rd 1.
• 2012 Sea drafted Russell Wilson in round 6 even though they had just spent big FA money on Matt Flynn. Ended up being a great move for sea.
• 2017- KC drafted Patrick Mahomes with the 10th pick after aggressively moving up to get him. They had a good starter in Alex Smith who had led them to the playoffs. I honestly believe the Cowboys would have kept Smith.
• 2022- SF drafted Brock Purdy in rd 7 as a long shot despite having Trey Lance they had drafted in rd 1 in 2021. Cowboys would never make that move.

This is just a short list. Again, you can’t find a diamond in the rough if you don’t mine for one.

Smith at KC or Dalton at the Bengals are basically the same as Prescott at the Cowboys. Good regular season QBs that reach the play offs before being bounced early. The Chiefs drafted Mahomes which has already brought in 2 rings and another Superbowl appearance whilst the Bengals brought in Burrow that has already yielded a narrow Superbowl defeat.

Either play it safe and remain a loser or move on.

 

[shabazz]

why do we believe we can’t afford to,lose anyone from that pool of talent?

You already know the answer to this, Bob

The owner/gm won't admit bad choices either through drafting or free agency so he retains and rewards them

Conflict of interest be thy name. At least Belichick admitted failure by not giving 2nd contracts to the duds he drafted for the last several years ......

It's really just that simple

 

[TheGoat73]

There are multiple players on our roster, many who will be FAs next year who likely will not be on the roster next year either because of cap restrictions or just needing to move on. I’m intentionally leaving Dak off this list because that is a much more complex situation that requires a separate category. I’m not against moving on from Dak, but don’t want to discuss it here.

Some of these names will be obvious, some may not. Most of the guys I’m about to list will be FAs. Here are my predictions for players we will (should) be considered for an exit:

• Tyler Biadaz- finished his rookie deal and will command a hefty raise. But IMO, he’s just ok. He’s a good starter but he’s not worth a big raise on a team full of cap challenges.
• Michael Gallup- has never been the same since his knee injury 2 years ago. His contract is structured for an out this year. He gone.
• Tony Pollard- after one year on the cap at $10 mil a season, he’s going into 2024 with no contract. He will not be worth the contract he will garner next year. He’s gone.
• Leighton Vander Esch- LVE - His neck injury is a quality of life thing. He needs to retire.
• Dorance Armstrong- he’s a good but not great player who benefits greatly being a part time pass rusher opposite Parsons. He will get offers for more than we should pay.
• Stephon Gilmore- he is a FA. Honestly at 34, he is probably mostly done. We have Diggs on a big deal and Bland. Time to move on.
• Tyron Smith- He is signed through 2024 I think. But honestly, even though he had an ok year in terms of not missing as many games as he had been missing before. That’s a low bar. He will be an old 34 next year. He’s not owed that much. I would move on. He’s no longer dependable. I love Tyron. He was truly a great player; a great player who‘s time is up.
• Jourdan Lewis- He will be 29 next year. He had a pretty good year last year but is he worth getting a raise on a cap strapped team?
• Jayron Kearse- Kearse has been good. Great? No. He’s probably going to get some higher offers that make it hard to keep him. I could see him following wherever Dan Quinn lands.
• Dante Fowler- he’s a good pass rusher but is he worth keeping at the same price or more? No.
• Neville Gallimore- finished his rookie deal and is just a rotational guy with only occasional flashes. JAG.
• Noah Igbinoghene - guy we got in the KJoseph trade last fall. Played very little when it mattered. His rookie deal is up. So…bye.
• Sean McKeon- Now the 4th or 5th TE who is mainly a blocker. We have a better TE room than 2 years ago.

There are a few other FAs that may be gone. Some of the guys above may also sign here again. Many of the replacements for the guys above would likely come from the draft or cheaper FAs. Will be a very interesting offseason to say the least.

Replacing 11 who had significant playing time in an off season is daunting.

 

[Mobinvans]

Sad part is I don’t even care anymore who stays or goes

What does it matter

 

[America's Cowboy]

Based on the guys I think we need to let go and based on our obvious weaknesses, this off-season will require major talent upgrades at the following position groups:

• LB (biggest defensive need)
• OL (getting old and need a C or T)
• DL (need some run stuffers)
• RB (A huge need going into 2023 that was overlooked)
• (Maybe) Safety
• QB - I would draft a QB regardless of whether we keep Dak or not. Based on past history I can almost 100% guarantee you this front office won’t draft anyone until round 6 or 7.

BH, why would you want to draft a QB? Isn't that why Jerry used this upcoming drafts 4th round pick to trade for Trey Lance?

No, the Cowboys absolutely do not need to waste another costly draft pick on another QB. They already did on Trey Lance.

 

[Bobhaze]

BH, why would you want to draft a QB? Isn't that why Jerry used this upcoming drafts 4th round pick to trade for Trey Lance?

No, the Cowboys absolutely do not need to waste another costly draft pick on another QB. They already did on Trey Lance.

AC, I respectfully disagree that we don’t need to draft a QB. That’s not a knock on Dak or any QB whoever starts for us. The better teams in this league are drafting QBs often, even if they already have a good one in place.

I wrote a thread on this earlier today: https://cowboyszone.com/threads/the-better-teams-in-the-nfl-are-often-drafting-qbs.521313/

 

[America's Cowboy]

AC, I respectfully disagree that we don’t need to draft a QB. That’s not a knock on Dak or any QB whoever starts for us. The better teams in this league are drafting QBs often, even if they already have a good one in place.

I wrote a thread on this earlier today: https://cowboyszone.com/threads/the-better-teams-in-the-nfl-are-often-drafting-qbs.521313/

Understood, BH, but like I mentioned before, the Cowboys already used their 4th round draft pick to bring in Top 3 overall drafted Trey Lance. No team drafts 2 QBs in the same draft.

 

[Teague31]

Who will Jerry use the tag on? They use it every year.

 

[Bobhaze]

Who will Jerry use the tag on? They use it every year.

Good question.

 

[Roland]

Also - Overshown helps at LB, no ?

we certainly hope so. Some folks on here have said he is not the staunch, head on lb we need, but more of the hybrid/tweener lb type. I do know there were high expectations for him though. I honestly dont know what he will bring but I do hope that he meets and excels those expectations. We need lb help.

 

[MikeT22]

Yeah it’s just more evidence of front office dysfunction. You should ALWAYS be looking for better players at every position. Honestly I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sports FO that gets more satisfied with their own work - they are more in love with their players than with getting better. It’s mystifying.

And going back to the beginning, most of the decisions made that helped get us to the SB, like the Herschel trade, would’ve never been made if he had been acquired by Jerry.

Back then they were able to clean house and make difficult decisions because they had no ties to the players or coaches they inherited.

Now we just like our guys, overpay and over-extend them. No foresight, only make changes after it’s too late and already came off the rails.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Tom Brady: 199th

Yeah I know, just hated to berate the obvious, and most everyone knows where Brady was drafted. But thanks for adding one...