How high are DE's & DT's on the board, really?

[J-man]

I was thinking about the D-line. Checking out possible picks and looking at the current roster. I started to wonder how high the FO actually has DL was on the priority list?

Currently at DE we have:
D-Law, Jackson, Armstrong, Jelks and Crawford. Smith and Gregory seem to be a couple of aces up Jerry's sleeve he's hoping to pull out at the last moment. But is it wise to count on that? Does that matter to JJ?

Currently at DT we have:
McCoy, Poe, Hamiltion, Hill and Crawford. Woods is still not signed but is an ERFA

*Is Crawford still considered either one? Or will they settle him to one spot?

I could see them thinking if they get either or both Smith/Gregory back, plus re-sign Woods, that they are good to go for this year and may not see the D-line as much of a priority. And probably really at DT more so than DE. Thinking long term replacements for Poe and McCoy will be needed sooner than a DE will be.
In their eyes they could be envisioning:
LDE 3T 1T RDE
D-Law McCoy Poe Smith as the starters.
Crawford Hill Woods Armstrong as primary back ups.
Jackson Hamiltion Jelks as 3rd string guys.

So a lot questions start popping in my head:
1. What would ya'll think if this was our line up?
2. How likely we get Smith and/or Gregory back?
3. Will Woods get signed?
4. Will they have DE very high on the board?
5. Will they have DT higher?

*I think Chaisson is the probable pick at 17, but that's only because the value is to high to him pass up. If he's not the pick, how high will they look at another DE?

 

[BigTimeBlues]

1. What would ya'll think if this was our line up?
"Fine" for the year.

2. How likely we get Smith and/or Gregory back?
Best to count against it, imho..that's the "safest" bet

3. Will Woods get signed?
Shouldn't prevent them from drafting solid depth, regardless

4. Will they have DE very high on the board?
They most definitely should. There is a ton of uncertainty along the lines and the "depth"

5. Will they have DT higher?
I'd say the uncertainty for the future is equal, so neither should be above the other. Equal parts important, again, imho

 

[Creeper]

Woods is going to get signed for a league minimum contract. Even with Poe and McCoy, they need more depth at DT. But I posted before I don't think the Cowboys front office values DT in the draft. They seem to be tipping us off that if Kinlaw is available they will pass on him. If true that should tell us all we need to know about the DT position in Dallas. I think they can get away with the DEs they have or should have. I have a feeling Aldon Smith is going to be comeback player of the year. I think Gregory will be pretty decent too. Let's put it this way, they will both surprise us with their ability to play after they shake off some rust. Which, btw, reminds me. If training camp and preseason are cut short because of this virus, it may hurt guys like Smith and Gregory the most. They need time get back into football shape.

I guess what I am saying is DT has to be a priority, but it won't, and DE is not a big priority but it probably will be.

 

[MonsterD]

I'm having a hard time figuring out how they draft a Dlineman in either first or second over a safety or corner. The math says they will go CB,S first then a split on either DE/DT or WR.

 

[Carson]

I'm having a hard time figuring out how they draft a Dlineman in either first or second over a safety or corner. The math says they will go CB,S first then a split on either DE/DT or WR.

From what I’m seeing if Chaisson is gone we go elsewhere.

I don’t think DL is will be as pressing as some think

 

[BigTimeBlues]

I'm having a hard time figuring out how they draft a Dlineman in either first or second over a safety or corner. The math says they will go CB,S first then a split on either DE/DT or WR.

From what I’m seeing if Chaisson is gone we go elsewhere.

I don’t think DL is will be as pressing as some think

I feel y'all, I really do. I understand both sides of the discussion.

I personally would feel better with Chido/Brown/Lewis and a 2nd/3rd day rookie or two if we shore up on some big nasties. I am in the "pass rush hides secondary deficiencies" club. All day. You can have 3 all pro corners, they can't cover all day if the QB has enough time to pen a letter to his prison pal in Siberia.

Regardless, the depth and theoretical talent in general seems lacking on both fronts..the secondary and Dline that is. Not to mention the length, or lack thereof, on some of those contracts Dallas doesn't have.

 

[Carson]

I feel y'all, I really do. I understand both sides of the discussion.

I personally would feel better with Chido/Brown/Lewis and a 2nd/3rd day rookie or two if we shore up on some big nasties. I am in the "pass rush hides secondary deficiencies" club. All day. You can have 3 all pro corners, they can't cover all day if the QB has enough time to pen a letter to his prison pal in Siberia.

Regardless, the depth and theoretical talent in general seems lacking on both fronts..the secondary and Dline that is. Not to mention the length, or lack thereof, on some of those contracts Dallas doesn't have.

Agreed with your points.

My thought process is, I don’t want to draft a corner just to draft a corner. If they are an upgrade I am absolutely for it.

Lewis, Chido and Brown aren’t elite. But they are experienced and can play in this league. I’d hate to miss out on a better player just because we need a CB.

It’s always hard debating this pre draft. We never know how the board will fall and who we will pass on!

 

[BigTimeBlues]

My thought process is, I don’t want to draft a corner just to draft a corner. If they are an upgrade I am absolutely for it.

I would hope we can all agree on this, but for any position. Otherwise we wind up with another Taco, amirite?

It’s always hard debating this pre draft. We never know how the board will fall and who we will pass on!

Yes it is, but I do enjoy a good debate that doesn't sour as soon as someone doesn't agree. Well played sir!!

I'm so ready for tomorrow night.

 

[Carson]

I would hope we can all agree on this, but for any position. Otherwise we wind up with another Taco, amirite?



Yes it is, but I do enjoy a good debate that doesn't sour as soon as someone doesn't agree. Well played sir!!

I'm so ready for tomorrow night.

Same here my friend! Just hope we can improve and not reach on somebody who won’t have a huge impact!

Just ready for us to get #6!

 

[JBell]

Here's what 2021 looks like as of right now:

DE: D-Law, Dorance Armstrong, Joe Jackson
DT: Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, Trysten Hill

CB: Anthony Brown
S: Donovan Wilson

As you can see, all of those positions desperately need help. Any combination of DE, CB, DT, and S early in the draft is needed. The order doesn't matter as long as they get value.

 

[youngjerryjones]

I'm under the philosophy right now that I'd rather have K'lavon over Terrell. I really feel like if we bolster up the D-Line we can survive with mediocre CB play, I think the Jones realized even with an "elite" DB like Byron we still played like crap. So what's the difference with swapping him out with another good player, the results will be the same and how much really worse can the secondary be.

 

[youngjerryjones]

Agreed with your points.

My thought process is, I don’t want to draft a corner just to draft a corner. If they are an upgrade I am absolutely for it.

Lewis, Chido and Brown aren’t elite. But they are experienced and can play in this league. I’d hate to miss out on a better player just because we need a CB.

It’s always hard debating this pre draft. We never know how the board will fall and who we will pass on!

I'm ok with this, taking the Chiefs route. Even look at teams like Seattle - secondary is really mediocre around the league.

 

[CF74]

80% chance we go D-Line unless MM was blowing up a smoke screen...

 

[J-man]

I'm under the philosophy right now that I'd rather have K'lavon over Terrell. I really feel like if we bolster up the D-Line we can survive with mediocre CB play, I think the Jones realized even with an "elite" DB like Byron we still played like crap. So what's the difference with swapping him out with another good player, the results will be the same and how much really worse can the secondary be.

I agree, we had very good CB's and the secondary still got torched last year. Without a pass rush the DB's can't cover forever.
But on the flip side, even if you have a good pass rush, if your DB's can't stay tightly locked up for the first few seconds (and/or also make a frigging play on the ball), you still get torched because the QB will get the ball out quickly before the pass rush gets home.

IMHO, what we need to be a great defense in today's NFL are DB's who can stay super tight locked up for about the first 5-7 seconds, and a good pass rush. So the QB can't make a quick read and be able to get the ball out before the rush gets home. Or just as good he hurries the throw and causes an int.

The past several years we seemed to go back and forth. Either tight coverage from the DB's but no pass rush, or a good pass rush but lose coverage from the DB's.

Lets hope Magic Mike McCarthy is able to change this.

 

[Sydla]

IMO, you'll get effective, but maybe not great DT play from Poe and McCoy. Woods is a good backup. I just don't know what to think about Hill. If Tomsula can't get anything out of him, he's a lost cause. This is why I'd take Kinlaw if he fell to us.

I expect Lawrence will be very good this year but other than that................ there are just questions after questions at DE. No, Crawford is not a DE. But I suspect they'll try him there. What can we honestly expect out of Smith and Gregory?

 

[Verdict]

I was thinking about the D-line. Checking out possible picks and looking at the current roster. I started to wonder how high the FO actually has DL was on the priority list?

Currently at DE we have:
D-Law, Jackson, Armstrong, Jelks and Crawford. Smith and Gregory seem to be a couple of aces up Jerry's sleeve he's hoping to pull out at the last moment. But is it wise to count on that? Does that matter to JJ?

Currently at DT we have:
McCoy, Poe, Hamiltion, Hill and Crawford. Woods is still not signed but is an ERFA

*Is Crawford still considered either one? Or will they settle him to one spot?

I could see them thinking if they get either or both Smith/Gregory back, plus re-sign Woods, that they are good to go for this year and may not see the D-line as much of a priority. And probably really at DT more so than DE. Thinking long term replacements for Poe and McCoy will be needed sooner than a DE will be.
In their eyes they could be envisioning:
LDE 3T 1T RDE
D-Law McCoy Poe Smith as the starters.
Crawford Hill Woods Armstrong as primary back ups.
Jackson Hamiltion Jelks as 3rd string guys.

So a lot questions start popping in my head:
1. What would ya'll think if this was our line up?
2. How likely we get Smith and/or Gregory back?
3. Will Woods get signed?
4. Will they have DE very high on the board?
5. Will they have DT higher?

*I think Chaisson is the probable pick at 17, but that's only because the value is to high to him pass up. If he's not the pick, how high will they look at another DE?

I’m not super excited about Chaisson at 17. He probably won’t be a bust but I don’t think he is worthy of #17. I could see us forcing a pick at #17 at CB, Safety or DL.

I would be more comfortable with the pick if I see them pick a player that is not a position of need. That’s almost a lick that they went BPA.

I won’t be surprised if we go WR, OT, C, or LB in the first round. That may be where the value is when we pick.

 

[J-man]

I’m not super excited about Chaisson at 17. He probably won’t be a bust but I don’t think he is worthy of #17. I could see us forcing a pick at #17 at CB, Safety or DL.

I would be more comfortable with the pick if I see them pick a player that is not a position of need. That’s almost a lick that they went BPA.

I won’t be surprised if we go WR, OT, C, or LB in the first round. That may be where the value is when we pick.

I could easily see them forcing a DB pick at 17. I'd take WR Jefferson instead. Not sure if any of the rd 1 DT's will be availbale adn I don't think there is any others that would give close to enough value to take one at 17. Doubt they take an OT in rd 1, yes it's a need, but really only for back up insurance purposes. No C is worthy of 17th pick, Ruiz maybe at the end of the 1st. LB could be the pick but again, it's for a back up/insurance 3rd down type player so I doubt it's rd 1 worthy.

 

[Verdict]

I could easily see them forcing a DB pick at 17. I'd take WR Jefferson instead. Not sure if any of the rd 1 DT's will be availbale adn I don't think there is any others that would give close to enough value to take one at 17. Doubt they take an OT in rd 1, yes it's a need, but really only for back up insurance purposes. No C is worthy of 17th pick, Ruiz maybe at the end of the 1st. LB could be the pick but again, it's for a back up/insurance 3rd down type player so I doubt it's rd 1 worthy.

I think the team will want to move back. I can see a trade back with the Patriots to allow the Patriots a shot at a QB.