Do we really need another defensive end?

[Verdict]

DE is listed as one of the primary needs for the team in this draft, So much in fact that Bosa is mocked to us probably more than any other player, even though he really doesn't appear to be a "sack machine".

Before you say hell yes it is a top need, lets examine the facts:

1. We already have Lawrence who we gave up not one, but TWO premium picks to draft in his second year.
2. We drafted Gregory who was supposed to be all that and a bag of chips, in fact a FIRST ROUND TALENT. Yes, he is suspended for 4 games, but if I remember correctly, so was Hardy,
3. We signed the DE from the Raiders who is supposed to be an up and comer.
4. Russell who was also drafted last year is in his second year. Will he play DE?
5. We resigned Crawford, who was a steady, if unspectacular contributor. Would he be worse at DE than the Golden Cock was at NT? Probably not.
6. Irving purportedly has position flex and may kick out to end. Would he suffice for 4 games while Gregory is suspended?
7. What if we drafted another DT and played Thornton at the 3 tech? Could Crawford serve as the strong side DE and kick Lawrence back to the other side?

I'm not saying that we are SET at DE. But really shouldn't we EXPECT our second rounders to fill the two starting end roles this year? If not they were a waste of draft capital.

 

[visionary]

You are making the same mistake many fans make

Just because our FO overpaid (in cap dollars or draft picks) for mediocre players does not mean the 'have taken care of the problem'

Having said that, I do believe (and have been saying on this forum for years) that we need better DTs (esp 1T) for this DL to be really good. Our coaches and FO finally wake up after years and years of ignoring the position and pick up an average player in Thornton.

So to answer your question, yes, DT and DE are both needs but DT more than DE

 

[DogFace]

I doubt many will agree but I do. I don't want Bosa and I really liked the way Irving played in limited time and could see him being a decent to good DE. This year. I wish he would've gotten more opportunities.

 

[MonsterD]

I actually kinda agree, especially if we sign Jason Jones. We aren't in dire need at that point, but we still need one guy who will wreck it for all the other lineman. I had my doubts about Gregory before we drafted him, he has part of this year to show real promise, otherwise next year for sure we draft or get a FA.

 

[Jarv]

Great post Verdict!

Considering the proposed strength at DT in this draft maybe that is where we should focus. Crawford was drafted as a DE and moved to the 3T. I see Irving as the next Too Tall....Lawrence will be growing on what was essentially his rookie year....we have a slew of 2nd tier guys at DE that we drafted and picked up and traded for.

Let's create pressure up the middle which will only help our DEs.

Not saying we shouldn't draft a DE somewhere in the draft...but let's go with the drafts strength at DT first.

 

[AmishCowboy]

Sign Jason Jones then go after a DT

 

[Typhus]

In agreement, but only because this draft is weak at DE.
Like others have said, this draft however is very, very deep with 1 and 3 techs, that actually fit a Marinelli profile for once. Marinelli doesnt want the 330 lb "trash can full of dirt" type 1 tech.
He basically wants a slightly bigger 3 tech that can move around, but still anchor the 1.
Billings, Day, could both be sitting there at 34 if not later, more likely Day, might have to trade back up to get Billings.

 

[robjay04]

Just because our FO overpaid (in cap dollars or draft picks) for mediocre players does not mean the 'have taken care of the problem'

Who exactly?

DLaw? He is the best passrusher on our team and if he can consistently play like he did during the second half of last season, he is the next great Dallas passrusher.

Gregory? It`s not looking good right now but it`s early and he was a low second round pick. Taking a chance on a top 10 prospect in the second round is not overpaying.

Crawford? Once again, it is early but at the end of the day, he isn't paid elite money for his position (7th highest) but he has something to prove. I like the player and the signing, if he can stay healthy this season, he will be an a top 10 4-3 DT starter which is what he is being paid to be. This is the only thing based on opinion though.

Thornton? Way too early and he got paid peanuts compared to what similar production was getting on the market.

Those are the only players on the DL with a significant investment so who is overpaid? You can have Crawford though I disagree, nobody else is overpaid.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Sign Jason Jones, don't draft Bosa.

What is so hard about that?

 

[visionary]

Who exactly?

DLaw? He is the best passrusher on our team and if he can consistently play like he did during the second half of last season, he is the next great Dallas passrusher.

Gregory? It`s not looking good right now but it`s early and he was a low second round pick. Taking a chance on a top 10 prospect in the second round is not overpaying.

Crawford? Once again, it is early but at the end of the day, he isn't paid elite money for his position (7th highest) but he has something to prove. I like the player and the signing, if he can stay healthy this season, he will be an a top 10 4-3 DT starter which is what he is being paid to be. This is the only thing based on opinion though.

Thornton? Way too early and he got paid peanuts compared to what similar production was getting on the market.

Those are the only players on the DL with a significant investment so who is overpaid? You can have Crawford though I disagree, nobody else is overpaid.

"Best pass rusher in our team" means exactly what? That he was worth our rds 2 and 3 picks? If SD or Cleveland were to offer their Rd 2 &3 picks for Lawrence would you trade him? In a heart beat. We reached and overpaid because of need.

Crawford is nothing more than an average DT and paid like a top DT

Again, just because our incompetent FO overvalued or overpaid for players dues not make them good

Is a great DL player a need?

Absolutely

 

[StarBoyz83]

DL has questions all over the place. Still need to draft to build the line so it can be decent in the future.

 

[slick325]

Good post. With the talent available at DT in this draft the DL would vastly improve should the team select one or two. Acquire talent, top talent, any place on the DL and the defense will improve. I would be fine if they sign Jason Jones and don't draft a single DE...as long as a day 2 pick goes to a DT.

Praying Vernon Butler slips to #34.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

"Best pass rusher in our team" means exactly what? That he was worth our rds 2 and 3 picks? If SD or Cleveland were to offer their Rd 2 &3 picks for Lawrence would you trade him? In a heart beat. We reached and overpaid because of need.

Crawford is nothing more than an average DT and paid like a top DT

Again, just because our incompetent FO overvalued or overpaid for players dues not make them good

Is a great DL player a need?

Absolutely

so should the front office continue to overvalue and overpay players playing the same positions? I have been saying this for a while, you can't continue to throw high picks at the same positions, recently it's been DB and DE, it was TE before that. At some point the coaches have to develop the talent that is given them. For me this draft need to come out with a QB, RB, S, DT and WR.

 

[cowboyblue22]

if you drafted players you could depend on to be able to play you have to draft players that are able to play so lets just keep drafting de and cb sure is making us a better team and really helping our won and loss column. NOT

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

You can never have too many pass rushers or linemen.

 

[morasp]

Yes. The Broncos had Ware and Miller and still picked Shane Ray with their first round pick. We don't even have a Miller or Ware. The FO must think so, why else would they spend so much time researching Spence according to Broaddus. Having said that, we also have a lot of other positions that need to be upgraded.

 

[robjay04]

"Best pass rusher in our team" means exactly what? That he was worth our rds 2 and 3 picks? If SD or Cleveland were to offer their Rd 2 &3 picks for Lawrence would you trade him? In a heart beat. We reached and overpaid because of need.

Crawford is nothing more than an average DT and paid like a top DT

Again, just because our incompetent FO overvalued or overpaid for players dues not make them good

Is a great DL player a need?

Absolutely

Nope you don't trade Lawrence for a second and a third now. I don't feel like looking it up but I would bet he was top 5 in the league during the second half of last season in terms of production. If we cut him tomorrow, some team would give him a huge contract based on his position. He was more productive last season than Oliver Vernon has been the last 2 and Vernon is the highest paid 4-3 DE in the NFL.

He is not a reach considering he was considered a round 1-2 pick by both NFL and CBS and he was taken in the beginning of the second. You can argue we overpaid but we got the guy we wanted.

As for Crawford? You can make the argument we overpaid, I say it's too early to know. If he has another season like last year, I will agree but I will give him the benefit of the doubt considering he toughed it out and played injured.

 

[Craig]

If the best guy there is an end you dont pass them up because you invested picks there recently. You dont pass them up at all if theyre the bpa, but doing so for that reason would be extra dumb.

 

[Cowboys22]

Yes, we have enough bodies at DE to get by but the team doesn't have a single DE that can be counted on to get consistent pressure on the QB and end the season with 10-12 sacks. If Gregory had managed 5-7 sacks last year and wasn't one puff away from a 16 game suspension, then we likely would feel better about DE. Signing Jones just adds another body but doesn't add the consistent pressure that is lacking. The need at DE is a 3rd down rush specialist that can get to or near the QB more than what we currently have. To get that, you typically have to pay through the nose in free agency or spend a high draft pick.

 

[Sandyf]

I actually believe once the Cowboys have the draft board in place that Buckner will be higher on the board than Bosa. Buckner has position flex as a DT and a DE. He can play the RDE or LDE spot or the 3 tech or 1 tech spot. Has extremely long arms which would be a nice help to any defense knocking down passes. I believe his ceiling (growth potential) is higher than Bosa or Lawson. I think that San Diego and Baltimore and Tampa Bay probably have him higher than Bosa also. To me he fits Marinelli D type lineman better than Bosa.