CFZ Here's what I'd like to see them do the rest of FA

[Chuck 54]

Pollard is the starting RB….period. Malik Davis showed plenty last year as a capable backup. Yes, we will draft a RB, but a short yardage back or more will be available in rounds 3-4, good ones who may be starters one day. I’m not at all worried about DT. Hankins and Watkins are better than most of the FAs out there, and they are just sitting and waiting to be resigned. No matter how badly we want a stud at DT, unless we get one early in the draft some day, it’s not going to happen, and clearly the man running the defense isn’t too concerned.

We need depth at LB, unfortunately, colleges are not producing run stuffing LBs these days. It’s the nature of the game. There are only 2-3 MLB types in the draft this year. Most are 220 lb guys who run to the ball and can’t take on blocks.

It will be interesting if Mike goes for a quality FB and a blocking TE.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I agree we can certainly use an upgrade at DT but our run defense wasn't as bad as some will have to believe. Notice the 2022 run defense stats for all 32 teams. There were 497 rushing attempts for 2198 yards against the Cowboys D all of last season, but let's take look at the there other teams in the division ( all having elite DTs on their Dline)

• Eagles had 446 rushing attempts for 2068 yards against their D ......... 130 yards less than the Cowboys
• Commanders had 441 rushing attempts for 1926 yards against their D........272 yards less than the Cowboys
• Giants had 469 rushing attempts for 2451 yards against their D............. 253 yards MORE than the Cowboys

So at the end of the day, our rush D was better than the Giants, just as good as the Eagles but pretty far off from being as good as the Commanders but they missed the playoffs. My point is there is some give and take, never as bad as it appears.

https://www.nfl.com/stats/team-stats/defense/rushing/2022/reg/all

 

[Sydla]

Pollard will be healed by May. We won't carry 4 backs, and this draft has Santa loaded with RBs. The only way I could agree to your plan is if you have a guy in mind for like 1.4 mil with no guaranteed money. Somebody we could flip or cut w/out pain.

Oh to be clear, that's precisely what I am looking at for a vet TB. Some one year deal, no more than $2 million. I am not advocating going out and grabbing a Sanders or type like that, that will get a multi-year deal. Sorry if I led you to believe I wanted that kind of vet.

But as Mr_437 point out, those guys can be had post-draft.

 

[Mr_437]

Yea, you are probably right about there being more than enough vet TBs post draft.

Who do you like that's still available?

 

[ESisback]

The Cowboys will NEVER get EVERYBODY that EVERYONE wants, so can we just relax, and TRY to wring SOME enjoyment out of this?

And before people overreact and jump all over me, please remember, I understand the angst and frustration too.

 

[Sydla]

Who do you like that's still available?

Maybe someone like D'Onta Foreman or Jerick McKinnon. Neither are flashy but would at least provide you with a decent option.

Rashad Penny, who went to Philly, would have been ideal as well. That type of low cost TB.

 

[cnuball21]

The most obvious for me is finding a freaking DT. Geezus their blindspot to that position is mindnumbing. But I suspect they don't really care about the position all that much and will wait awhile and see what cheap bodies they can grab a week from now. I hate it but it is what it is. Getting Hankins back and then adding a guy like Robinson would be ideal at this point. I see nothing that would lead me to believe they have any interest in any of the few remaining decent DTs in FA.

Go get a vet TB. There are some good ones out there that can be pretty cheap. Yes, Pollard is likely the guy but having a quality vet backup would be pretty smart IMO, especially if Pollard takes time to get his feet under him (like Gallup). It also buys you insurance heading into the draft as you don't have to force a TB pick. The position is deep so if you have a vet already behind Pollard, you can just see what comes to you in the draft. I am afraid with what they are doing, they are considering using a first round pick on Gibbs or Robinson.

Assuming Fowler gets signed, I'd look for a vet LB. No, Wagner is a pipe dream although that would be awesome. But LVE, as decently as he played last year, is still an injury risk. Behind him are all inexperienced guys. Bad LB play could derail this defense.

Hanks and Watkins cheap is a great run stuffing tandem.

 

[Sydla]

Hanks and Watkins cheap is a great run stuffing tandem.

Great?

OK.

 

[xwalker]

8The most obvious for me is finding a freaking DT. Geezus their blindspot to that position is mindnumbing. But I suspect they don't really care about the position all that much and will wait awhile and see what cheap bodies they can grab a week from now. I hate it but it is what it is. Getting Hankins back and then adding a guy like Robinson would be ideal at this point. I see nothing that would lead me to believe they have any interest in any of the few remaining decent DTs in FA.

Go get a vet TB. There are some good ones out there that can be pretty cheap. Yes, Pollard is likely the guy but having a quality vet backup would be pretty smart IMO, especially if Pollard takes time to get his feet under him (like Gallup). It also buys you insurance heading into the draft as you don't have to force a TB pick. The position is deep so if you have a vet already behind Pollard, you can just see what comes to you in the draft. I am afraid with what they are doing, they are considering using a first round pick on Gibbs or Robinson.

Assuming Fowler gets signed, I'd look for a vet LB. No, Wagner is a pipe dream although that would be awesome. But LVE, as decently as he played last year, is still an injury risk. Behind him are all inexperienced guys. Bad LB play could derail this defense.

No need to add a veteran RB. Many here wanted to go into the draft without Pollard or Zeke.

Pollard plus draft pick at RB..
Maybe draft 2 RBs and Davis.

Need DT...

 

[Techsass]

I agree we can certainly use an upgrade at DT but our run defense wasn't as bad as some will have to believe. Notice the 2022 run defense stats for all 32 teams. There were 497 rushing attempts for 2198 yards against the Cowboys D all of last season, but let's take look at the there other teams in the division ( all having elite DTs on their Dline)

So at the end of the day, our rush D was better than the Giants, just as good as the Eagles but pretty far off from being as good as the Commanders but they missed the playoffs. My point is there is some give and take, never as bad as it appears.

https://www.nfl.com/stats/team-stats/defense/rushing/2022/reg/all

Lots of posts claiming our Run D was better than it looked, but I don't think DQ got it under control until near the end of the season. And our Pass D paid a hefty price for the adjustments that he made. Now this is pure "Saw it with my own eyes" crap talk & the actual stats might prove I'm wrong, but I think our Run D needs upgrading big time.

 

[T-RO]

That type of low cost TB.

It's a very very little thing, but curious why use "TB" when talking about running backs. Are you abbreviating "Tailback"?

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Why would we need Odell after just adding Cooks?

You plan on playing a ton of 4 WR sets?

I would love to run more four WR sets. Odell is also great Gallup and Cooks insurance. He can take the Schultz slot snaps, and gives Dak a great route runner.

I'll rarely turn down opportunities to improve the pass offense, as that's the most important unit.

I would also reach out to Julio Jones, if the Odell $ doesn't make sense.

 

[Corso]

I agree we can certainly use an upgrade at DT but our run defense wasn't as bad as some will have to believe. Notice the 2022 run defense stats for all 32 teams. There were 497 rushing attempts for 2198 yards against the Cowboys D all of last season, but let's take look at the there other teams in the division ( all having elite DTs on their Dline)

• Eagles had 446 rushing attempts for 2068 yards against their D ......... 130 yards less than the Cowboys
• Commanders had 441 rushing attempts for 1926 yards against their D........272 yards less than the Cowboys
• Giants had 469 rushing attempts for 2451 yards against their D............. 253 yards MORE than the Cowboys

So at the end of the day, our rush D was better than the Giants, just as good as the Eagles but pretty far off from being as good as the Commanders but they missed the playoffs. My point is there is some give and take, never as bad as it appears.

https://www.nfl.com/stats/team-stats/defense/rushing/2022/reg/all

I don't think you can take those stats and use them in a vacuum.
There's a ton of nuance in NFL games, let alone a season.

I get what you're trying to say though.

 

[Big_D]

Agree on all fronts.

Go get a vet RB with game experience and you still address the position in the draft. Gives you a little flexibility. Want to see a lot of new faces in the running back group in camp. Then see how that plays out.

 

[Rayman70]

we traded for Hankins mid year. Just resign him. He fit in well. Resign him and Watkins.

 

[Xavier187]

LG like Avila
DT like Siaka
RB like the 2nd guy in TEXAS
If a guy we Cannot refuse falls take him. Example Branch Porter ETC

 

[Mr_437]

Maybe someone like D'Onta Foreman or Jerick McKinnon. Neither are flashy but would at least provide you with a decent option.

Rashad Penny, who went to Philly, would have been ideal as well. That type of low cost TB.

Penny was my guy for veteran FAs, and he was dirt cheap $1.35M. Foreman is signed already. McKinnon would add a receiver out the backfield, speedy type RB. A lot of RBs have been signed, but there's a few left I like: Marlon Mack, Damien Harris, Devin Singletary and Rico Dowdle.

 

[movaughn88]

Yes, please get us an amazing DT where the position market value is being reset at an all time high.

Simple, really.

 

[817Gill]

Great thread discussions here. Alot of logical football takes backed with data and educated opinions. Love to see it!

 

[Cowboys5217]

DT is the biggest need, and OL depth is next. I'd want to get some OL in the draft that can develop. This could be a year to trade down to get an extra second and third unless a stud RB or DT falls that far.