Idea for how to keep Dak, but also fix this defence

[RustyBourneHorse]

That's still a long 20 years of support. Fair play to you.

My worry going forward is that the old offensive line looks to be coming to an end. Especially if the team will be paying Prescott a lot of money to play behind it then he needs to be protected.

We have to think/hope that Collins will be good to go for next season.

But how much longer will we have Smith and Martin? We might have to use one of our premium picks on a left tackle in 2021.

If we can play our cards right, especially if we start a rebuild now, I think we can get a LT and fix the defence all in one offseason.

 

[SSoup]

It's not like it would take crazy amounts to improve on the defense. It's historically bad for a reason. Because tons of the guys absolutely stink. You could put on a blindfold next April, spin around in a circle until you're dizzy, throw a rock and you're probably going to hit a defensive prospect who can upgrade what we already have on the roster at his position.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

So many problems require a two year plan.
1. Cut the deadwoods we can like Crawford, Poe, Lee, etc
2. See what we can get in trades for some players like Jarwin, Gallup,
3. After year 2, cut or trade Lawrence, Cooper, Jaylon, and Zeke
4. Acknowledge that Tyron and LVE aren't long for this game with their injury histories and prepare to move on.
5.Never ever draft another player with an injury history in college.
6. Never ever draft a RB high in the first round.
7. Improve FA signings. No more signing players with damaged quads and a 50% possibility of it rupturing.
8. No more extending rookie contracts early.
9. Reevaluate Will McClay. Let him do his job without pressure from jag coaches and Jerry. If he sucks, fire his ***.
10. Emphasis on drafting players from big schools in the P5 conferences.

Obviously, we'll never get the Barnum & Baily inbreds out of the personnel decision process. We can only hope they have a moment of clarity

I think we will have a 2 year rebuild as well. However, by making trades now, we can shorten how much of a rebuild that will be. I think your points are right on each and every part of what you have said. Still, we need to start making moves now to set the stage for that. Like how the Raiders started gutting their contracts in 2018. Their trading Coop and Mack was brilliant. They're starting to see some of those dividends at 3-2, and they beat the Chiefs this season here in KC. Not only did they beat them though, they destroyed them with how they played defence. If we can start making moves now, we can get to that level. Maybe better given that Dak can carry us.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

It's not like it would take crazy amounts to improve on the defense. It's historically bad for a reason. Because tons of the guys absolutely stink. You could put on a blindfold next April, spin around in a circle until you're dizzy, throw a rock and you're probably going to hit a defensive prospect who can upgrade what we already have on the roster at his position.

Oh, I agree with that. However, we can start making moves now that will help expedite that and expedite the obviously needed rebuild.

 

[CarolinaFathead]

I think we will have a 2 year rebuild as well. However, by making trades now, we can shorten how much of a rebuild that will be. I think your points are right on each and every part of what you have said. Still, we need to start making moves now to set the stage for that. Like how the Raiders started gutting their contracts in 2018. Their trading Coop and Mack was brilliant. They're starting to see some of those dividends at 3-2, and they beat the Chiefs this season here in KC. Not only did they beat them though, they destroyed them with how they played defence. If we can start making moves now, we can get to that level. Maybe better given that Dak can carry us.

cutting ties with Mack and Cooper were huge moves that signaled an absolute rebuild was their intention. They didn’t have massive contracts to off load with those trades though either.

The way it seems to me is that Gallup is probably our most valuable trade commodity at this point and it doesn’t seem close. Outside of Gallup I don’t see a lot of valuable trade options that are going to give us premium picks in the draft. I’m not even sure what Gallup is actually worth either.

Draft math, like cap math, is not something I’ve taken the time to master.

 

[stilltheguru]

Who is trading for Jarwin after an acl tear?

 

[conner01]

I agree with trading Jarwin. I'm not seeing much of a dropoff with Schultz, and then we have Bell too.

I'd keep Gallup because selfishly I just want him to remain a Cowboy.

Crawford is obviously gone. As is Poe. And possibly Griffen.

Another guy I might trade is Vander Esch. Doesn't look like he can play 6 games without getting injured. We can maybe get a 4th or 5th for him? And draft a middle LB.

Cutting Crawford doesn’t save money
He’s a FA after this season
If you cut him now you still owe him for the season

 

[cityochamps]

I'm interested but do you have a short version?

 

[Williamsboys]

You really want to fix the defense and have alot of cap space, find a GM or two you can blackmail with some photos after getting him drunk, then pawn off both Amari Cooper and Elliott..We have 2 good young receivers and Schutz, play Pollard and draft a running back later, (they're a dime a dozen") Get draft picks/players for both players we just traded...Use the next couple of drafts and free agency on defense and offensive line..

 

[America's Cowboy]

Our defence is absolutely pathetic. I know, I know, that is obvious. However, we saw last night another problem. We need Dak. I know, those of you that don't like Dak will probably never come to terms with this. However, I think last night's showing provided a great example as to why we need Dak. He's the heart and soul of this team. The offense was completely heartless and looked obviously like they were without their pack leader. If you plan to have any success in the NFL, you must have a QB. We have that in Dak. Furthermore, let's face it. We lucked into Romo and Dak. Aside from those two, our track record since Aikman has been pitiful! Leaf, Storner, Hutchinson, Carter, Testeverde, Bledsoe, and all the QBs we've had backing up Romo and Dak. None of them have been good. If you still want Dak gone, do you trust that Jerry will select a great QB? Mind you, our only 1st round QB that we've taken since Jerry became the owner was Aikman. Plus, with a 1st, we have MUCH more pressing needs than QB if we keep Dak. If you let Dak walk, you open an even BIGGER problem for the team. So, with all of that, I think it is imperative that we keep Dak. However, in doing that, I think we have some difficult decisions to make. Additionally, we MUST fix this atrocious defence AND try to rebuild our oline if possible.

There is good news however. I think this team is heading for a high pick IF we don't win the division. I hate the thought of surrendering. However, I think last night became clear that we're probably not going anywhere without Dak. Let's say we finish 2nd in the NFC East and miss the playoffs at 5-11 (because this division is that bad). That should give us, say, perhaps the 8th pick. I think the first thing we should do is see who we can trade down with to get a few extra picks. We will need a lot of picks to fix this defence.

Here are a few other moves that we should make to help with the cap and/or give us extra draft picks:

1, Cutting Tyron Crawford saves us cap space, and it's not like he's been helping us at all. In fact, he had an idiotic taunting penalty against him last night despite getting torched by Kyler Murray. So, no real loss there if we cut him.

2. Try to trade Cedric Wilson. This is one of those tough decisions I was talking about. I like Cedric a lot, and I vouched heavily for him to be picked by us. However, he's a tradeable. Now, before anyone lambasts me about trading him, we need to start making some moves to fix this defence, and we're probably not going anywhere this year. I'd sell high on Wilson soon. There are teams that need WRs, and we can probably get a good pick for him. We got him in the 6th round. I think we realistically could get him for a 3rd depending on how badly a team might need a slot WR (which I think Wilson has proven to be capable of being). For example, the Titans look great and may need a a slot WR to help take their offense to the next level. I think we could get a 3 from them for Cedric Wilson.

3. I'd also look to try to trade Blake Jarwin in the offseason. I think we can get a good pick for him, and Schultz has proven to be a solid TE for us. This makes Jarwin tradeable for us. So, maybe we can see what we get for him too. I think a 2nd round pick for Jarwin is feasible, but, given his ACL, a 3rd may be more reasonable. So, for discussion sake, let's call it a 3rd round pick. This gives us at least 4 3rd round picks at least between likely 1 comp 3rd round pick, the 3rd we'd have anyway, and 2 more 3rd rounders. That is some serious firepower if we want to try and get another first round pick, or stand pat and see what falls to us.

4. This is another tough decision, but we may also need to look into trading Gallup. I hate the thought of this. I really hate this thought. However, I think we have to if we're going to fix our defence. Again, we are not likely going anywhere this season. Even if we make the playoffs, we will get embarrassed in the first round if we do make it. So, trading Gallup may help us get a nice pick. Say, perhaps a 2nd, maybe a 1st if we hit the trade right. Especially if it is a team that is battling for a playoff spot and/or is in a tough spot within the division and needing an edge to get a top spot in their division. Perhaps Chicago or Seattle? Chicago has been surprisingly good, and I could see them wagering a first for Gallup. Seattle, on the other hand, could use Gallup as a compliment to Metcalf and Lockett. So, I think one of those may view Gallup as worth giving us a first for Gallup.

If it plays out like this. before any trade downs, we'd have 2 first round picks, a second round pick, 4 3rd round picks, and several other picks including comp picks. That's a lot of solid picks for our draft. If we draft properly, I think we will be able to turn this team around next season while also keeping Dak. Also, unless COVID gets really bad again next year, we should have a proper offseason next year. So, the players will be able to understand their roles and how to fit into this team while also starting a good rebuild.

These are a few ideas that I have that I think can fix this team. It will be difficult, but I think this is the best way to do it.

Good stuff bro. I totally agree with everything except for trading Gallup. I believe with a high 1st round pick that we can trade down if needed, a high 2nd and 3rd round picks, plus the extra 3rd rounders would be enough to address our needs on Defense and our Oline while being able to keep Dak.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

cutting ties with Mack and Cooper were huge moves that signaled an absolute rebuild was their intention. They didn’t have massive contracts to off load with those trades though either.

The way it seems to me is that Gallup is probably our most valuable trade commodity at this point and it doesn’t seem close. Outside of Gallup I don’t see a lot of valuable trade options that are going to give us premium picks in the draft. I’m not even sure what Gallup is actually worth either.

Draft math, like cap math, is not something I’ve taken the time to master.

I think we have some other tradable options aside from Gallup, but Gallup is our highest valuable trade commodity at the moment.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Good stuff bro. I totally agree with everything except for trading Gallup. I believe with a high 1st round pick that we can trade down if needed, a high 2nd and 3rd round picks, plus the extra 3rd rounders would be enough to address our needs on Defense and our Oline while being able to keep Dak.

Thank you, and fair enough. That is always an option with the trade down. And yes, I should hope those picks would be sufficient to fix the defence. We also need one pick for a LT.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Good stuff bro. I totally agree with everything except for trading Gallup. I believe with a high 1st round pick that we can trade down if needed, a high 2nd and 3rd round picks, plus the extra 3rd rounders would be enough to address our needs on Defense and our Oline while being able to keep Dak.

As I stated as well, I hate the idea of trading Gallup. I really hate that thought. However, I do think Chicago or Seattle might bite on a 1. My stance has been that I'd want at least a 1 if we were to trade Gallup, and that remains.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I'm interested but do you have a short version?

Cut Crawford, trade Cedric Wilson, trade Jarwin, and try to trade Gallup for a first. I think Seattle and/or Chicago might be teams that would be able to part with a 1 for Gallup.

 

[cityochamps]

Thank you sir, I should start reading these earlier in the day...Agree hate see Gallup go but I think anybody is fair game here,(except Dak) I couldn't believe we traded Hershel Walker way back when but I am sure glad we did.

 

[HungryLion]

Oh, I agree. Still, we have to do something to fix the defence. And I'm hoping that this would help.

Nah I hear ya. I mean something needs to be done my friend. Whether they make trades or not. They gotta hit on some draft picks on defense. They need impact players.

they need defenders that turn over the ball too.


They should be drafting defenders with a history in college of forcing turnovers. It’s a talent. It’s an innate ability that some players have. They need to find those players who have that god given talent to turn over the football.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Thank you sir, I should start reading these earlier in the day...Agree hate see Gallup go but I think anybody is fair game here,(except Dak) I couldn't believe we traded Hershel Walker way back when but I am sure glad we did.

Np, and I agree. Other than Dak, everyone should be fair game for a trade. Any way to fix our Defence. Maybe it's time we pull a 1989. Try to get some big trades in and see what we can get for draft picks. Turn around, and use them to rebuild this defence. It may take a little bit, but at least we've got a starting QB.

 

[Kolemmitt]

Good topic for a thread, but I disagree with the premise of trading good offensive players for draft picks.
Don't rob Peter to pay Paul.
If we are going to be competitive in 2021, it's going to be because the offense is going to be very good - which it can be by just getting healthy- and the defense can just be average.

First, get a little bit of money to make good moves in FA (for once) with the cap going down, it will be a buyer's market for teams with a little money.
How to get a little cash?
Sign Dak to a long-term deal instead of the franchise tag.
Cut Poe - saves 4mill, cut Jones and draft a punter -save 2 mil, cut D. Thompson - save 1.2 mil, cut Canady - save 1 mil.

Get a better DC - Nolan is horrible. Always has been, always will be. Won't be hard to improve here.

Draft really well with a focus on D.

It's doable.

 

[cityochamps]

Np, and I agree. Other than Dak, everyone should be fair game for a trade. Any way to fix our Defence. Maybe it's time we pull a 1989. Try to get some big trades in and see what we can get for draft picks. Turn around, and use them to rebuild this defence. It may take a little bit, but at least we've got a starting QB.

would you trade zeke, cooper? I think I would let one of them go if it could be done getting us 1st and 3rd

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Nah I hear ya. I mean something needs to be done my friend. Whether they make trades or not. They gotta hit on some draft picks on defense. They need impact players.

they need defenders that turn over the ball too.


They should be drafting defenders with a history in college of forcing turnovers. It’s a talent. It’s an innate ability that some players have. They need to find those players who have that god given talent to turn over the football.

I agree. We need players with a nose for the ball. Dlinemen who not only sack the QB, but strip the ball out of his hands. DBs that intercept, and RBs that rip the ball out of his hands at every chance he gets. We need players that are nasty on defence. Not complete pushovers like we have now. I don't just want INTs, though that would be a start. I want our defence to force fumbles too. Anything to get our offense short fields.