Cowboys really need to use this draft to change their identity

[Cowboyny]

We heard last yr that after losses that they weren't physical enough and were dominated inside the trenches on both sides of the football, they weren't mentally tough and struggled playing from behind. It ultimately did them in against probably the most physical team in the NFL with the 49ers.

I don't think it's a coincidence that they traded Amari Cooper who many question if he is an alpha receiver, released Collins who had questionable decisions off the field and allowing Connor Williams to walk, the same player who had the most holding penalties in the entire league, even missing a few starts after his benching.

This team has to use this draft to change their identity of become more physically and mentally tough. They need to target those so called dogs who love the game and want to dominate.

I know many dislike Burks, but he fits that profile, So does Tyler Smith who generated the most pancake blocks in the entire nation. Travis Jones destroyed all the top competition at the senior bowl and people took notice. Sam Williams has that desire to be great! Find a darn TE who actually likes to block, a Linebacker who initiates physical contact.

 

[Pass2Run]

I agree. I'm tired of drafting for talent only. Bring me guys with both, or lets move along.

 

[Killerinstinct]

i have been warming up to Burks for a while. I am almost fully on board.

I think a Burks/Kinnard combo is better than Green/whoever is left which by the way won't be Pickens or Watson or Mechie or Sky Moore. They will be gone before 56.

The bad part about coming around to Burks is realizing he won't be there at 24. Green Bay, Arizona right above us and K.C. with tons of picks and few needs right behind us will make sure Burks is gone.

 

[morasp]

Along those lines the RB I've been looking at is Zamir White from Georgia, his comp is Marion Barber

Overview
White is a naturally powerful runner with a lower half that is hard to knock off-balance no matter how clean the shot. He's not very dynamic as a runner but is a two-way creator with lateral jump-cuts to avoid tackles and the power to run through them. He's a wide-base runner who should excel in gap and inside zone schemes but his running style might not lend itself to a long career. He has two ACL tears in his background and is unlikely to play on passing downs, but he's a formidable "thunder" back waiting to be paired with a "lightning" cohort and will give running games a chance to test the resolve of defenses for four full quarters.
Strengths

• Weight-room warrior with five-star physique.
• Permanent team captain in 2021.
• Loves to play the game with elevated physicality.
• Creates with power and elusiveness.
• Processes movement and cuts back accordingly.
• Absorbs contact like it's nothing.
• Lateral cuts come easily for being a power back.
• Can obliterate lesser tacklers or the uncommitted.
• Vision to find a pathway to open field once he hits second level.
• Drags tacklers with him to fall forward.

 

[Gaede]

Such a good post.

I wonder though if they're willing to take players who have that quality but will need time to learn, like Burks or Smith. I want dogs too, ppl who will change the identity, but the unfortunate consequence of doing nothing free agency is that we need immediate contributors, too.

 

[cnuball21]

They can work towards an identity all they want but at the end of the day they should be focused on building a talented roster.

Cooper is one of the best and most consistent WRs in football and Daks numbers are always better when he was on the field. Letting him walk was a very poor decision IMO.

 

[Cowboyny]

They can work towards an identity all they want but at the end of the day they should be focused on building a talented roster.

Cooper is one of the best and most consistent WRs in football and Daks numbers are always better when he was on the field. Letting him walk was a very poor decision IMO.

He also as a Cowboys disappeared on the road and in big games. We were paying him to be one of the best receivers in the league. Yes, you need the talent, but you also need your stars to play big in big games.

 

[Cowboyny]

i have been warming up to Burks for a while. I am almost fully on board.

I think a Burks/Kinnard combo is better than Green/whoever is left which by the way won't be Pickens or Watson or Mechie or Sky Moore. They will be gone before 56.

The bad part about coming around to Burks is realizing he won't be there at 24. Green Bay, Arizona right above us and K.C. with tons of picks and few needs right behind us will make sure Burks is gone.

The majority on this board hate Burks, think he is a raw developmental type that is too slow to be a factor in this league. How many players dominate an Alabama defense when they know he is the only player who can beat them?

 

[Cowboyny]

Along those lines the RB I've been looking at is Zamir White from Georgia, his comp is Marion Barber

Overview
White is a naturally powerful runner with a lower half that is hard to knock off-balance no matter how clean the shot. He's not very dynamic as a runner but is a two-way creator with lateral jump-cuts to avoid tackles and the power to run through them. He's a wide-base runner who should excel in gap and inside zone schemes but his running style might not lend itself to a long career. He has two ACL tears in his background and is unlikely to play on passing downs, but he's a formidable "thunder" back waiting to be paired with a "lightning" cohort and will give running games a chance to test the resolve of defenses for four full quarters.
Strengths

• Weight-room warrior with five-star physique.
• Permanent team captain in 2021.
• Loves to play the game with elevated physicality.
• Creates with power and elusiveness.
• Processes movement and cuts back accordingly.
• Absorbs contact like it's nothing.
• Lateral cuts come easily for being a power back.
• Can obliterate lesser tacklers or the uncommitted.
• Vision to find a pathway to open field once he hits second level.
• Drags tacklers with him to fall forward.

I have been putting Haskins from Michigan in many of my mocks, think he could become the team's primary back in 2023 if drafted.

 

[Cowboyny]

Such a good post.

I wonder though if they're willing to take players who have that quality but will need time to learn, like Burks or Smith. I want dogs too, ppl who will change the identity, but the unfortunate consequence of doing nothing free agency is that we need immediate contributors, too.

That's an excellent point. They did draft Kelvin Joseph last yr, where many thought he might need a little development time due to his lack of experience. I believe both Burks/Smith can start day 1 and become a factor if put in the right situations.

 

[morasp]

The majority on this board hate Burks, think he is a raw developmental type that is too slow to be a factor in this league. How many players dominate an Alabama defense when they know he is the only player who can beat them?

I don't necessarily agree but Cowboys insider Bobby Belt likes him better than Lamb.

 

[Cowboyny]

I don't necessarily agree but Cowboys insider Bobby Belt likes him better than Lamb.

Burks is like a Lamb on steroids. He is like a linebacker in the open field.

 

[cnuball21]

He also as a Cowboys disappeared on the road and in big games. We were paying him to be one of the best receivers in the league. Yes, you need the talent, but you also need your stars to play big in big games.

But are we 100% sure that’s on him?

Our OC does an absolutely terrible job of getting 10+ targets a game to our best players. He can only make the plays when the targets and volume are coming his way.

 

[morasp]

Burks is like a Lamb on steroids. He is like a linebacker in the open field.

His 16.7 yards per catch is pretty telling.

 

[baltcowboy]

He also as a Cowboys disappeared on the road and in big games. We were paying him to be one of the best receivers in the league. Yes, you need the talent, but you also need your stars to play big in big games.

Totally agree. Love Cooper but after 2018 season it appeared Amari gained some weight and started getting hurt. What happened to the guy who went for 80 yard touchdowns every other game? I think the foot and hamstring injuries just caught up to him. The word is he couldn’t really practice the last two seasons and could not participate in offseason workouts.

 

[Teague31]

Garrett’s RKG strategy was a total failure.

 

[Flamma]

Now that I look at these players and who is likely to fall to us, would it be better to have the Jets two 2nd round picks over our 1st and 2nd?

They have picks 35 and 38. That looks better to me than 24 and 56.

 

[Cowboyny]

But are we 100% sure that’s on him?

Our OC does an absolutely terrible job of getting 10+ targets a game to our best players. He can only make the plays when the targets and volume are coming his way.

People were already questioning if he was a true #1 receiver even before Lamb was drafted. Outside of a few home divisional games, can you even remember a big performance from him in a big game?

 

[Cowboyny]

Now that I look at these players and who is likely to fall to us, would it be better to have the Jets two 2nd round picks over our 1st and 2nd?

They have picks 35 and 38. That looks better to me than 24 and 56.

All for trading back if a deal presents itself. I would target Jones or Smith in a trade back

 

[Flamma]

All for trading back if a deal presents itself. I would target Jones or Smith in a trade back

Yeah, these players probably won't be there at 56. The projected early 2nd seems to have some good talent. I'm not so sure we're getting a much better player at 24 in this draft, at those positions.