How much is enough draft help at linebacker?

I really hope we can get a trade for Brooks - will probably need to be post June 1st.

Even so, I’d still draft at least one with a bit of dynamism and leadership about him - preferably another Mike as all our current LBs are Wills.
 
RELAX. They have 4 on the roster, and a few DE will play a hybrid DE / OLB pass rusher role.

They will sign / draft 2 more, a few UDFA of not a trade.

They will have the usual 2 over in TC of however many they plane to keep, as usual.
Example.
In a 4-3, you think they would need 6 LB's, then they would have 7 or 8 in TC to compete, then would keep 5 on the roster.
In a 3-4, you think they would want 7 or more like 8. They would have 8 or 9 in TC to compete, then keep 6 or 7, using DE's to say position flex.

Then when injuries start they activate PS LB's or use a S as a LB.
In the mean time, they would have 17 WR's in TC to keep 5 or 6 on the roster.

It is the Cowboy way.

Though I am very surprised, as of now they have only 6 WR's on the roster, 7 counting Pickens on the tag.

I am also surprised they only have 65 players signed. 67 if you count Pickens and Aubrey. Leaving 23 roster spots open for TC.
I guess they plan to sign 23 UDFA after the draft. Unless a few vet FA's or trades. As the 8 draft picks do not count against the roster until they are signed.
 
big dog cowboy said:
Cowboys need to draft at least 2 LB's. One need to be day 1 or day 2. Maybe both.
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Yes. I think the Cowboys will probably need at least one edge out of this draft class out of the top 45-50 players. I believe that the Cowboys will need at least two and probably three linebackers out of this draft class. One will likely be 5th round or later.

If the Cowboys trade back they can fill most of their needs from this draft class and probably add talent also that are not technically holes. That’s very feasible with that 12th pick.

If they stay put at 12 and 20 and don’t draft again until in the 90s I’m not sure the players we draft would be much better quality players and far fewer of them.
 
Kwyn said:
Unfortunately for us, with the weak draft at the top, there are lots of teams looking to trade down.
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There are a few that seem to really be motivated to trade up. The Cowboys are in a unique spot at 12 in that OT and WR may be available and teams will really be motivated to go up and get those guys. OT quality is relatively scarce in this draft class.

A team might also pay a QB tax to move up for the Bama QB.
 
jazzcat22 said:
RELAX. They have 4 on the roster, and a few DE will play a hybrid DE / OLB pass rusher role.

They will sign / draft 2 more, a few UDFA of not a trade.

They will have the usual 2 over in TC of however many they plane to keep, as usual.
Example.
In a 4-3, you think they would need 6 LB's, then they would have 7 or 8 in TC to compete, then would keep 5 on the roster.
In a 3-4, you think they would want 7 or more like 8. They would have 8 or 9 in TC to compete, then keep 6 or 7, using DE's to say position flex.

Then when injuries start they activate PS LB's or use a S as a LB.
In the mean time, they would have 17 WR's in TC to keep 5 or 6 on the roster.

It is the Cowboy way.

Though I am very surprised, as of now they have only 6 WR's on the roster, 7 counting Pickens on the tag.

I am also surprised they only have 65 players signed. 67 if you count Pickens and Aubrey. Leaving 23 roster spots open for TC.
I guess they plan to sign 23 UDFA after the draft. Unless a few vet FA's or trades. As the 8 draft picks do not count against the roster until they are signed.
Click to expand...
I can’t tell you what the Cowboys intentions are but I would be trading back and loading up on numbers of players in this draft class. There seem to be some real gems in this draft class if Dallas can move around a bit to take them at the right spots.
 
At the bare minimum the first 2 picks of edge/linebacker passrusher and offball 2nd level linebacker must both be home run high impact starters for this defense not to struggle again.

Not supplementing with a better edge(than Gary) or no linebacker help to go with Overshown was roster building malpractice.

So it's another hope strategy of depending on this FO braintrust to make the right defensive picks.
Not something they've proven to be good at without getting pure lucky with Micah.

So again, its a fingers crossed and hope for the best thing.
Or luck.
Or both.
 
jazzcat22 said:
RELAX. They have 4 on the roster, and a few DE will play a hybrid DE / OLB pass rusher role.

They will sign / draft 2 more, a few UDFA of not a trade.

They will have the usual 2 over in TC of however many they plane to keep, as usual.
Example.
In a 4-3, you think they would need 6 LB's, then they would have 7 or 8 in TC to compete, then would keep 5 on the roster.
In a 3-4, you think they would want 7 or more like 8. They would have 8 or 9 in TC to compete, then keep 6 or 7, using DE's to say position flex.

Then when injuries start they activate PS LB's or use a S as a LB.
In the mean time, they would have 17 WR's in TC to keep 5 or 6 on the roster.

It is the Cowboy way.

Though I am very surprised, as of now they have only 6 WR's on the roster, 7 counting Pickens on the tag.

I am also surprised they only have 65 players signed. 67 if you count Pickens and Aubrey. Leaving 23 roster spots open for TC.
I guess they plan to sign 23 UDFA after the draft. Unless a few vet FA's or trades. As the 8 draft picks do not count against the roster until they are signed.
Click to expand...
Good post.
 
Verdict said:
I can’t tell you what the Cowboys intentions are but I would be trading back and loading up on numbers of players in this draft class. There seem to be some real gems in this draft class if Dallas can move around a bit to take them at the right spots.
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Yeah the current roster's signed linebackers is not an impressive talent pool.

So the whole relax they have enough numbers is irrelevant because the current numbers they have at the position are not any good.

So the basic answer to the OP is YES the team needs more quality linebackers.
And as I stated in my previous post, at the bare minimum, the 2 first picks should be the offball 2nd level linebacker and then passrush edge linebacker.
And BOTH of them need to be plug n play high impact starters immediately for the defense not to struggle again.
Edge and Offball linebacker are the 2 most glaring roster holes.

Well, left tackle too but that's for a different thread.
 
Verdict said:
I was doing a mock draft and have been fiddling around targeting linebackers primarily in that second round sweet spot. There are about 4 premium linebackers in that sweet spot that I believe would likely really help us.

There is a tier below that that primarily has Kyle Louis in that tier, and one might argue that’s a tier by itself.

Then lower you have Perkins/York, etc.

Suppose the Cowboys take an OLB/Edge early: one of Bain/Reese/Bailey/Mesidore/Faulk (I don’t care for him) Howell or Thomas. Do you think Kyle Louis and a lower tier linebacker (Perkins/Elarms Orr/York/) is enough help this year on defense at ILB?

I ask that because I believe there may very well be higher valued players than ILB on the board when Rodrigues/Hill/Golday/Trotter are on the board.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
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We need two, hopefully o. In the first and a DB or DE.

One that has fallen in round 3 or 4
 
The Cowboys could demonstrate their commitment to a 3-4 defense by drafting two LBs at the least.

When you consider the talent level on the current roster, it wouldn't be wrong to take two LBers in the first three picks.

I expect the Cowboys to trade down and end up in that LB"sweet spot".

Getting both Hill and Rodriquez would be a major victory
 
plasticman said:
The Cowboys could demonstrate their commitment to a 3-4 defense by drafting two LBs at the least.

When you consider the talent level on the current roster, it wouldn't be wrong to take two LBers in the first three picks.

I expect the Cowboys to trade down and end up in that LB"sweet spot".

Getting both Hill and Rodriquez would be a major victory
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I’m hoping for two (2) of Rodrigues, Hill, Golday and Trotter. And one (1) of Louis, York, Elams-Orr and Perkins.
 
gtb1943 said:
after being a total disaster
the point is they thought he was going to be a key piece last offseason
you seem unable to make the connection
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They thought he was as a key piece? Or did they simply settle and think Eberflus couldn’t do something with him?
 
Verdict said:
I’m hoping for two (2) of Rodrigues, Hill, Golday and Trotter. And one (1) of Louis, York, Elams-Orr and Perkins.
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Those first four guys are in the range of the top of the 2nd round which is why I want the Cowboys to trade down. I don't want them to lose so much value by reaching with the #20 pick.

After the top half of the 2nd round, the LB position dries up until we reach the bottom half of the 4th quarter through the top half of the 5th round.

Once you get into the 6th round you will find a LB on an average of every 11 players which is a little sparce since a team has at least 3 LB starters on a team of 22 starters when you combine offense and defense.
 
plasticman said:
Those first four guys are in the range of the top of the 2nd round which is why I want the Cowboys to trade down. I don't want them to lose so much value by reaching with the #20 pick.

After the top half of the 2nd round, the LB position dries up until we reach the bottom half of the 4th quarter through the top half of the 5th round.

Once you get into the 6th round you will find a LB on an average of every 11 players which is a little sparce since a team has at least 3 LB starters on a team of 22 starters when you combine offense and defense.
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I think you are spot on.
 
Jerry cares for the LB position as much as he does for the HC gig. So easy, a caveman can do it.
 
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