How many of our starters would start for the 5 best playoff teams in this league?

[Bobhaze]

I’m not sure I’d place Minn as a top 5 team based purely on record. I’d take Balt over Minn. And if we took them out then Dak is out as starter leaving only Lamb who is only offensive weapon we have.

On defense only Parsons starts for any team . That’s it.

And of course Aubrey.

If Overshown could stay healthy I’d more likely throw his name in there over Bland or Diggs who I’d argue are both over hyped as CB’s based basically on one season with a high number of picks .

I know this is all subjective. But Lamb, Tyler Smith, Parsons and Aubrey would probably be starting for any team. Hard to not think Turpin would not be the KR/PR man for any team. Otherwise, we don't have a ton of top shelf talent.

 

[Bobhaze]

This is kind of a bad question. What if Tyler Guyton had been drafted by the Chiefs? Would he have developed into a top 5 LT? Dallas might not have the talent of the teams listed, which I think is the point of the original post but maybe it is due to coaching and culture and not talent alone.

I don’t think the chiefs would have ever drafted him.

 

[gtb1943]

Being solid in the trenches makes everyone else's job easily. Not sure why Jerry can't figure this out.

Jethro played at guard in college and still has no clue about how valuable DTs are to a defense

 

[Kevinicus]

Diggs absolutely would be a starter on more than 1 of those teams.
Steel would absolutely start on the Chiefs (their tackles are horrible).

 

[Einstein]

Interesting take, but if you flipped it I'm not sure there would be many more from the top 5 teams that would come here and would be a guaranteed start over our guys.

 

[Mark]

I'm on the fence about Bland. By any measure, he had an exceptional run last year. But has he been the same since? He definitely should be starting for DAL, but who would he walk in & unseat on the top teams mentioned in the OP?

 

[Jimbo123]

I'm surprised there's not more love for Jourdan Lewis in here. I think he'd be a great slot cornerback for any of the playoff teams. They'd really appreciate his scrappiness.

He's not better than DeJean.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

OFFENSE

• QB Dak Prescott- would he start for any of the 5 best teams? Maybe Minn. But that’s it.
• RB Rico Dowdle - No.
• WR Cedee Lamb - Yes. Any of the 5.
• WR Brandin Cooks- No.
• WR Jalen Tolbert - No.
• LT Tyler Guyton. No
• LG Tyler Smith. Yes. Any of the 5.
• C Cooper Beebe. No. (He does have a bright future though)
• RG Zack Martin. Sadly, no because of his injuries.
• RT Terance Steele - No.
• TE Jake Ferguson - No.

So on offense, we have 2 players who are yes, and one maybe.
DEFENSE

• DE DeMarcus Lawrence - No because of age and injuries. I almost said maybe.
• DT Mazi Smith - Hard No.
• DT Osa Odighizhua- Maybe.
• DE Micah Parsons - Yes.
• LB Eric Kendricks - No.
• LB DeMarvion Overshown - if he was healthy yes. As it is now, sadly no.
• CB Deron Bland - Yes.
• CB Trevon Diggs. No.
• Slot CB - Jourdan Lewis. I say maybe but that may be generous.
• S Donovan Wilson - No.
• S Malik Hooker - No

Tyler Smith and Landon Dickerson are a push, so I say 4 of 5. Barring injury, they both will probably be PB for the next 6-7 years.
A healthy Diggs would find a spot, maybe on Buffalo, the Vikes, or Eagles (Slay is still listed as the #2 CB, so I'd take him over Old Man Slay. DeJean is still officially the nickel).
If Darnold turns into the old Darnold, I'd take Dak.

I agree, I’d take fully healthy Diggs over Slay in Philly, but Bland would only get action in dime packages

 

[Hadenough]

I would trade Dak Prescott for Sam Darnold straight up right now.

Darnold looks like Lamar Jackson in mobility when compared to Dak.
Stronger arm and more accurate. But had a terrible game last night and looked just like Dak.

 

[Whyjerry]

Here is the question I’m asking: Of the 22 starters we have right now on our depth chart, how many would be starting for the better playoff teams this year? My assessment will be based on the teams with the 5 best records in both conferences, regardless of seeding in playoffs. Followed by the question, “Would this Cowboys starter start for one of these teams?” Answers will be yes, no or maybe.

Here are the top 5 teams by record:

• Detroit Lions - 15-2
• KC Chiefs- 15-2
• Minnesota Vikings - 14-3
• Philadelphia eagles - 14-3
• Buffalo Bills- 13-4

Below is our depth chart based on who would be our starting lineup if everyone was healthy. I will then give my opinion as to whether our starter would be a starter for any of the five best teams, yes, no or maybe?

OFFENSE

• QB Dak Prescott- would he start for any of the 5 best teams? Maybe Minn. But that’s it.
• RB Rico Dowdle - No.
• WR Cedee Lamb - Yes. Any of the 5.
• WR Brandin Cooks- No.
• WR Jalen Tolbert - No.
• LT Tyler Guyton. No
• LG Tyler Smith. Yes. Any of the 5.
• C Cooper Beebe. No. (He does have a bright future though)
• RG Zack Martin. Sadly, no because of his injuries.
• RT Terance Steele - No.
• TE Jake Ferguson - No.

So on offense, we have 2 players who are yes, and one maybe.
DEFENSE

• DE DeMarcus Lawrence - No because of age and injuries. I almost said maybe.
• DT Mazi Smith - Hard No.
• DT Osa Odighizhua- Maybe.
• DE Micah Parsons - Yes.
• LB Eric Kendricks - No.
• LB DeMarvion Overshown - if he was healthy yes. As it is now, sadly no.
• CB Deron Bland - Yes.
• CB Trevon Diggs. No.
• Slot CB - Jourdan Lewis. I say maybe but that may be generous.
• S Donovan Wilson - No.
• S Malik Hooker - No.

So on D, Micah Parsons and Deron Bland were a yes. Osa Odighizhua and Jourdan Lewis are maybes. I believe Overshown would be a yes if he were healthy.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• K Brandon Aubrey - yes.
• P Brian Anger - Maybe.
• LATE EDIT: KR Kevante Turpin - yes

So overall, I see us having 2 yes players on offense - Cedee Lamb and Tyler Smith. I see 2 yes players on D - Parsons and Deron Bland. 1 yes on ST in K Brandon Aubrey and KR Kevante Turpin. So that’s 5 players I would consider the core of this team that would be starting on any NFL team.

Translation: I know this is subjective, but it looks like we have 5 really good players, a few pretty good players (the maybes) and a bunch of JAGs at multiple positions. We have a lot of talent gaps to fill.

What are your assessments of our starters?

I think this is spot on. No add ins here.

 

[IceStar-D7]

Maybe two.. CeeDee and Micah...FG kicker might make 3.

 

[Landryhat73]

Every year

Hurts was terrible last year 15 ints and 9 fumbles with unbelievable weapons, not to mention one of the best offensive lines in football. If he was on the cowboys this board would be giving him similar or worse treatment than Prescott.

 

[IceStar-D7]

I know this is all subjective. But Lamb, Tyler Smith, Parsons and Aubrey would probably be starting for any team. Hard to not think Turpin would not be the KR/PR man for any team. Otherwise, we don't have a ton of top shelf talent.

Shelf talent....

 

[Bobhaze]

Interesting take, but if you flipped it I'm not sure there would be many more from the top 5 teams that would come here and would be a guaranteed start over our guys.

IMO…Just take Detroit- Almost their entire list of starters on offense are better than ours! I would take these guys any day over ours- RT Penai Sewell, LT Taylor Decker, RB Jahmir Gibbs, WR Amon-Ra St Brown (as a slot WR), TE Sam LaPorta.

That‘s 5 guys from just one team that are way better than ours at those positions.

 

[nightrain]

Detroit could probably use some help. Somewhere near 20 guys on IR.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

Here is the question I’m asking: Of the 22 starters we have right now on our depth chart, how many would be starting for the better playoff teams this year? My assessment will be based on the teams with the 5 best records in both conferences, regardless of seeding in playoffs. Followed by the question, “Would this Cowboys starter start for one of these teams?” Answers will be yes, no or maybe.

Here are the top 5 teams by record:

• Detroit Lions - 15-2
• KC Chiefs- 15-2
• Minnesota Vikings - 14-3
• Philadelphia eagles - 14-3
• Buffalo Bills- 13-4

Below is our depth chart based on who would be our starting lineup if everyone was healthy. I will then give my opinion as to whether our starter would be a starter for any of the five best teams, yes, no or maybe?

OFFENSE

• QB Dak Prescott- would he start for any of the 5 best teams? Maybe Minn. But that’s it.
• RB Rico Dowdle - No.
• WR Cedee Lamb - Yes. Any of the 5.
• WR Brandin Cooks- No.
• WR Jalen Tolbert - No.
• LT Tyler Guyton. No
• LG Tyler Smith. Yes. Any of the 5.
• C Cooper Beebe. No. (He does have a bright future though)
• RG Zack Martin. Sadly, no because of his injuries.
• RT Terance Steele - No.
• TE Jake Ferguson - No.

So on offense, we have 2 players who are yes, and one maybe.
DEFENSE

• DE DeMarcus Lawrence - No because of age and injuries. I almost said maybe.
• DT Mazi Smith - Hard No.
• DT Osa Odighizhua- Maybe.
• DE Micah Parsons - Yes.
• LB Eric Kendricks - No.
• LB DeMarvion Overshown - if he was healthy yes. As it is now, sadly no.
• CB Deron Bland - Yes.
• CB Trevon Diggs. No.
• Slot CB - Jourdan Lewis. I say maybe but that may be generous.
• S Donovan Wilson - No.
• S Malik Hooker - No.

So on D, Micah Parsons and Deron Bland were a yes. Osa Odighizhua and Jourdan Lewis are maybes. I believe Overshown would be a yes if he were healthy.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• K Brandon Aubrey - yes.
• P Brian Anger - Maybe.
• LATE EDIT: KR Kevante Turpin - yes

So overall, I see us having 2 yes players on offense - Cedee Lamb and Tyler Smith. I see 2 yes players on D - Parsons and Deron Bland. 1 yes on ST in K Brandon Aubrey and KR Kevante Turpin. So that’s 5 players I would consider the core of this team that would be starting on any NFL team.

Translation: I know this is subjective, but it looks like we have 5 really good players, a few pretty good players (the maybes) and a bunch of JAGs at multiple positions. We have a lot of talent gaps to fill.

What are your assessments of our starters?

Well....right now Detroit would take ANY teams defensive players they've had so many injuries.. but them aside on offense and defense only .Micah and Lamb would be guaranteed a starting spot on any team, and that's only assuming you counted the 3rd WR as av"starter".

"LG Tyler Smith would start on any team". INCORRECT. Philly's LG has made the pro bowl every year.... Smith would be Landon Dickerson's backup...at least in their scheme.

LAMB? It's about scheme, and I don't think Detroit nor Philly would demote either of their top 2 for Lamb and his style of play...but as their #3? Sure.

Not sure how each team would employ Micah, but I know any of the 5 would fund a way to get him on the field almost every play one way or the other. Overshown too (baring injury).

And sure, our 2 special teamers would "start". Yippee

 

[StarOfGlory]

Interesting take, but if you flipped it I'm not sure there would be many more from the top 5 teams that would come here and would be a guaranteed start over our guys.

What??? Just look at Detroit and Philly. Just offense. Players not listed in any order.

QB: Goff, Hurts, Dak. I'll take Goff, and maybe Hurts. So our guy is #2 or #3.
WR1: Cee Dee, St. Brown, AJ Brown. I would take CD, but it's very close in talent. Our guy is #1.
WR2: Williams, Smith, Cooks. Both Williams and Smith are better than Cooks. Our guy is #3.
WR3: None are all that good, but Robinson is probably the best one. Our guy is at best #2.
RB: LOL. Barkley and Gibbs over Rico. Our guy is #3.
LT: Mailata and Taylor are better than anyone we have there. Our guy a clear #3.
LG: Smith, Dickerson, Glasgow. Dickerson and Smith are about equal. Tie for #1.
C: Jurgens, Ragnow, Beebe. Beebe is a clear #3 here.
RG: Hoffman, Zeitler, Becton. We come in at #3 here as well.
RT: Johnson, Sewell, Steele. Steele a clear #3 here.
TE: LaPorta, Goedart, Ferguson. Again, our guy is a clear #3.

 

[Brooksey]

Sorry to disagree but I think Dak is better than Hurts and with good protection probably better than Goff.

Dude don't make me laugh

 

[KingCorcoran]

Sorry to disagree but I think Dak is better than Hurts and with good protection probably better than Goff. And never forget that as bad as we may think our offensive linemen are, they are consistently graded out among the top 10 in the league.. Which is a testament to how bad offensive line play has gotten int eh NFL. I think a healthy Lawrence and Overshown are solid yeses too. And I would upgrade Kendricks to a maybe. Dude was pretty solid when he was on the field.

If all of these guys were as good as you suggest the Cowboys would be in the playoffs.

 

[KingCorcoran]

I judge players by their full body of work rather than a single season or game. Dak has been a better player overall up until this unfortunate season and I'm not convinced that once the line started blocking and the run game didn't wake up that Dak would not have surpassed them this year too. Yes they were better this year.. IMHO largely because their teams were much better. How many games did either of those guys go into thinking they had to score 40 because the defense was iffy to show up? It is what it is.

How do you know they couldn’t if they had to?