Defenders - Keep or Shop?

[T-RO]

Almost every Cowboy cut so far this year has been picked up by another team. Many posters thought no team would pick them up.

Your OP and this post show that you don't understand NFL contracts and trades.

And your view on Lawrence is flat wrong. He's a top-ten defensive end.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

I think the players had given up on his defense and were just going through the motions. No excuse for that by the players, but I think that’s what happened.

I also think the players gave up to a certain extent. I think after Dak got hurt, some of these players were going through the motions because they had a built-in excuse.

 

[Typhus]

Almost every Cowboy cut so far this year has been picked up by another team. Many posters thought no team would pick them up.

The Vikes had a really good off season and draft,, wouldnt shock me if Woods does well there.

 

[charron]

The Jaylon Smith trade rumor thread got me thinking who are the definite keepers and who are the players I would shop around. I took a quick glance at the roster now (keeping in mind who I picked up in FA, the draft, and UFAs) and rated the players who were here last year and still on the roster.

My definite keepers, not shopping them around: CB Diggs, DL Gallimore, DL Gregory, CB Brown, CB Lewis, DL Hamilton, and S Wilson. These are the players I want to keep based on potential, experience, talent, and contract. Took a quick glance and maybe missed some. Not that I necessarily want to get rid of all the others but I would listen intently to all offers for the others.

1) Lawrence - Production not worth the ridiculous contract. Peaked years ago and I don't see much going forward. See him as a progress stopper at this point. Doesn't give me a whole lot more than the FAs and draftees in my opinion. Contract is a killer. I would need to give up picks for some team to take that contract. I would give a 3rd round pick if someone would eat that contract. Most likely no takers anyway. Maybe if I ate $10M of his salary this year, some team would offer something. Maybe a 3rd I could get if I ate $10M. If Odiggy, Golston, and the FAs show something in camp, I would pull the string on eating $10M and getting a 3rd rounder. Most likely dumping Lawrence next year anyway in my opinion.

2) Jaylon Smith - I eat 1/2 his salary this year and you give me a late round pick or player and I am tempted. Got Parsons, Cox, Neal, and maybe some others to cover his loss.

3) LVE - Borderline keep for this year or dump. Can he stay healthy is the gamble. Final year and often injured but has potential. Show me a player or a 4th round pick and I am tempted.

Who would be your definite keepers and who would you shop on defense?

I shop every player. Can we get similar production at half the cost?

Honestly better to do this at the start of free agency or right before trade deadline. For DLaw we might have been able to trade him then sign clowney for half what we pay DLaw on a 1 year deal. No one is signing our LB's right now.