Cowboys talking mostly defense at NFL Combine

[waving monkey]

Jerry Jones says,"We want DeMarco enough that I’ve got some serious flexibility in my bracket,” he said

 

[DFWJC]

I'm not going to say they got lucky with Martin still being there last year, but we could be in the same situation this year. At 27 all the highest rated players on our board could be 2nd rounders . I'm still on record as saying at least a 50/50 chance to trading down this year.

True.
Big difference between picking 16th and 27th.

Players fall every year though. The sweet spot does look like the 2nd and 3rd rounds, but who knows for sure

 

[Stash]

All of this information only strengthens my own resolve that the only way this team (specifically defense) sees improvement is by adding a marquee pass rusher. Even if you get a good one at #27 (pick your personal favorite), that kid isn't coming in and lighting the league on fire. Therefore, they are not making the huge difference that this team needs in its' pass rush.

Conversely, if you were to get that free agent pass rusher, you're now free to truly go with the very best player available to you at #27, or to trade down for more picks if the opportunity presented itself, rather than trying to convince yourselves that a lesser defensive player would be 'good enough'.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

This is ridiculously short sighted. Thinking immediate production only. I'm talking long term team building.

You found Romo where? In UDFA? To say you couldn't find one as high as 27 in the draft is foolish. The possibility is there. It's the same with the WRs. You absolutely can find a starting caliber wideout. Think past this year. If you can.

Free or Parnell are mediocre. I don't care if the team likes somebody on the roster to fill that spot. Who is that player that's going to be our RT of the future? Where is he on the roster? Give me a name. He's not there.

Did you just ask me if Mackenzy Bernadeau is a viable option to be our starting G in the future? Am I talking to Rowdy or Rich Dalrymple, by any chance? No, a career backup isn't a viable option for the future. Unless you want to go back to "getting by" along the OL so you can stockpile irrelevant cornerbacks.

You know full well I'm on the BPA train. Always have been. It is why I'd be fine with Gurley at 27 if that's the way the cookie crumbles.

But you're making it out as if our offense is about to crater.

 

[jobberone]

A piece of an article from DMN

Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said Thursday that Dallas has plans to meet with "all those top backs."

"This draft is actually heavy as it has been in running backs," Jones said. "This is one of the strongest years it has ever been for running back."

This along with the list of known player interviews from the combine shows what many have suspected and many have denied. The Cowboys know they need defensive help. They also are showing that they will definitely consider a RB in the top 2 Rds and consider it a need with interviews with Gordon, Gurley, Ajayi and Abdullah being reported. They wouldnt have interviewed them if they weren't at least considering taking a RB high as all of those will go RD 1, 2 or maybe RD 3 for Abdullah. Some may not like it, but the reality is they are at minimum thinking about it.

Are you listening Murray?

 

[NeonDeion21]

They were leaning defense last year also but ended up with Martin.

“We felt just as strong last year that we needed defense and we took offense,” Jones said. “We had five guys we were slated to pick ahead of Zack and they were all defense. And then they were all gone. It’s obvious to everybody that our offense was very strong last year, and we spent a lot of money on our offense compared to our defense. We need help over there.

1. Clowney
2. Mack
3. Donald
4. Shazier
5. Barr

In that order. Jerry is lying about only being five though. They had a higher grade on Jake Matthews and Sammy Watkins to name a few. Bortles was their only round 1 QB.

 

[Idgit]

You know full well I'm on the BPA train. Always have been. It is why I'd be fine with Gurley at 27 if that's the way the cookie crumbles.

But you're making it out as if our offense is about to crater.

It's what he does. Exaggerate. But he's right about taking the best players wherever you can. No position group is so deep you don't look at adding starters to it. Or develop long term prospects for those key jobs when guys you love are available.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hope to get defense in rd one but there is no way of knowing who will be on the board at 27. I will not rule out an offensive player, it really comes down to who is on the board and what another team may offer up to get the 27 pick. Main thing get quality picks. Overall I think the main focus in the draft will be defense but would not rule out offense at 27 it just depends.

 

[DFWJC]

All of this information only strengthens my own resolve that the only way this team (specifically defense) sees improvement is by adding a marquee pass rusher. Even if you get a good one at #27 (pick your personal favorite), that kid isn't coming in and lighting the league on fire. Therefore, they are not making the huge difference that this team needs in its' pass rush.

Conversely, if you were to get that free agent pass rusher, you're now free to truly go with the very best player available to you at #27, or to trade down for more picks if the opportunity presented itself, rather than trying to convince yourselves that a lesser defensive player would be 'good enough'.

I think they got a little desperate with Lawrence already last year.
They panicked and traded up.

 

[Stash]

I think they got a little desperate with Lawrence already last year.
They panicked and traded up.

Agreed. And how do we all think that turned out overall last year?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

We could go either side of the ball in this draft and find players of value.

 

[AzorAhai]

We could go either side of the ball in this draft and find players of value.

It is definitely smart to not key in on one side of the ball, and definitely not a specific area on one side of the ball. I cant recall a year in recent memory where free agency has been of such importance to the draft. I really am looking forward to seeing which expected holes are filled, and if some unexpected holes present themselves before the draft.

 

[Crown Royal]

It isn't as though one single player at number 27 is going to suddenly turn this defense around. Nobody would debate that we need talent, and certainly if you have two players at that position who you love, one offense and one defense, the defense may get a nod, but you need quality players in the first round. Full stop. If that means taking a great WR, so be it. But whoever you take needs to be a contributor very quickly and be a good one as well.

Going into the draft grabbing defensive players just to address a team weakness is a foolhardy errand. WE need 3-5 good defensive players from both FA and the draft. No need to up the ante just to grab them.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Are you listening Murray?

They wouldn't be doing their jobs not to. They also had the team dock ask for a certain test on QB Winston. What's the chances of landing him?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Finding a replacement starter (now or down the road) for Romo at 27 means one of two things...Winston or Mariota fell a great deal...or you reached in the first round for a QB because any other QB at that spot would be considered a reach.

I also don't see a starting WR available at 27 that would be remotely as good as Dez. Sure you could find one as good as TWill but I don't think we worry too much if we lose Twill vs Dez.

If the defensive player does not correlate to BPA at 27 than I would say the only other positions of BPA meeting with Need/Depth would be OG, RT and RB. I think if we are being honest...RB might be the only one they would take that would trump a Defensive player as I don't see them wanting to draft another first round Olinemen unless they really have no choice.

So I go with BPA and that BPA could be on offense but I also want to think logically that I don't think they will tie anymore first round picks into the Oline so RB might be the only one they take a first round pick on...and that might be only if all the D players they like are gone and they can not find a trade partner to move down.

 

[links18]

We need a special teams draft.....

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

We need a special teams draft.....

We need to ban people who say that...even in jest.

 

[xwalker]

1. Clowney
2. Mack
3. Donald
4. Shazier
5. Barr

In that order. Jerry is lying about only being five though. They had a higher grade on Jake Matthews and Sammy Watkins to name a few. Bortles was their only round 1 QB.

I thought they had a high grade on Manziel but passed on him despite the grade.

 

[Stash]

Finding a replacement starter (now or down the road) for Romo at 27 means one of two things...Winston or Mariota fell a great deal...or you reached in the first round for a QB because any other QB at that spot would be considered a reach.

I also don't see a starting WR available at 27 that would be remotely as good as Dez. Sure you could find one as good as TWill but I don't think we worry too much if we lose Twill vs Dez.

If the defensive player does not correlate to BPA at 27 than I would say the only other positions of BPA meeting with Need/Depth would be OG, RT and RB. I think if we are being honest...RB might be the only one they would take that would trump a Defensive player as I don't see them wanting to draft another first round Olinemen unless they really have no choice.

So I go with BPA and that BPA could be on offense but I also want to think logically that I don't think they will tie anymore first round picks into the Oline so RB might be the only one they take a first round pick on...and that might be only if all the D players they like are gone and they can not find a trade partner to move down.

I could see them once again going O-line if the value were there. At this point, the team has no starter under contract at that RT spot, and LG Ron Leary's long-term future is unknown too.

If the value isn't there on defense and Gurley is gone, I wouldn't have an issue taking the versatile Cameron Erving there.

 

[Silverstar]

If the defensive player does not correlate to BPA at 27 than I would say the only other positions of BPA meeting with Need/Depth would be OG, RT and RB.

I can see them reaching for CB at #27 regardless, if Carr doesn't restructure. Carr may be a June 1st cut anyway and doubt Claiborne will be ready for TC. A player like CB Ronald Darby or even FS Gerod Holliman for example could surprise at #27.