I'm glad people are excited about our offensive line

[MichaelWinicki]

I was surprised to read this morning that Broaddus thought Coleman and Bishop were outplaying McClain at DT. Despite not being high draft picks they may turn into something , stranger things have happened. We are usually pretty good at finding late round and UDFA gems.

I don't think it's a stretch to say that Bishop is also better than Hayden.

Could this be the DT rotation next season?

Bishop/Brent

Crawford/Coleman

That wouldn't surprise me. At this juncture I can't see the Cowboys picking up Melton's option at $9 mil next season.

 

[CATCH17]

Maybe this will convince people that we also need to look at our defensive line with the same emphasis.

Unlike our offensive line, we're actually probably in better shape than where we started on the offensive line.

We have some potential on the line already that could be used as potential building blocks for our defensive line.

#1 Henry Melton - If Melton can return to form as this season continues, we could avoid having to make a heavy investment here.

#2 Tyrone Crawford. Crawford is another guy that we can only hope continues to develop, especially as he finds a home at defensive tackle. He might ultimately allow us to cut ties with Melton next year.

#3 Demarcus Lawrence. Unfortunately he is a huge question mark right now, but hopefully he can come back from his injury, fresh and strong.

#4 Michael Sam. I'm really surprised that we haven't brought him up yet, even if it is just for 3rd downs. The longer things go without him being activated to the 53, the less hope I think there is of him ever playing, which is surprising given what he did in preseason.

Within the top 3 picks next year we obviously need to draft defensive end and defensive tackle. And we're probably going to have to do it again the year after that.

I don't think we need the convincing. It's always been Jerry that needed it but he's wanted to dumpster dive for linemen.

 

[morasp]

I don't think it's a stretch to say that Bishop is also better than Hayden.

Could this be the DT rotation next season?

Bishop/Brent

Crawford/Coleman

That wouldn't surprise me. At this juncture I can't see the Cowboys picking up Melton's option at $9 mil next season.

Me either. The Seahawks rotation of mid to upper level talent isn't a bad blueprint to follow. They picked up Williams this year for $2.1 million $250K guaranteed and he's been making a few plays and doing a good job for them.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Me either. The Seahawks rotation of mid to upper level talent isn't a bad blueprint to follow. They picked up Williams this year for $2.1 million $250K guaranteed and he's been making a few plays and doing a good job for them.

Exactly right.

Add a vet to the mix at a reasonable price (be it Melton or someone else) add a mid-range draft pick and let them go at it next training camp.

DE is another story. I can see an early and late round draft pick devoted to that position.

 

[xwalker]

while I agree with that in principle, the focus MUST be defense in the draft...I don't think they focus on a position like locking in on a DE (for example), but they need to focus on that side of the ball

Some of it also depends on who gets re-signed. Murry, Free, Carter, R. McClain, etc.. If say Carter and RoMc return but Murray and Free leave, then it changes the emphasis of what they need.

 

[xwalker]

I disagree. BPA should be the route we go. If we have needs spend it in FA with a proven player.

Yes, Frederick, Martin and to an extent T. Williams were BPA. The top "need" at the time of those picks was perceived to be defense.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

The type of people who think we should draft a QB next year, or perhaps the people who complained about the Frederick and Martin draft picks...

I'm saying with the success of the offensive line and them becoming an engine driving the offense, perhaps people have/will come around to doing the same on the defensive line.

Our linebackers might be set. Our secondary probably doesn't need A LOT of help at this point. It all boils down to getting better players on this line, but even this line might become wildly better by years end if Spencer, Sam, Brent, and Lawrence can contribute.

Agreed on the people who complained about Frederick and Martin, which we absolutely had people doing.

I think this next draft very easily could be focused entirely on the front 7 for the Cowboys depending on rather they resign Murray or not.

 

[DallasBlockersClub]

Maybe this will convince people that we also need to look at our defensive line with the same emphasis.

Unlike our offensive line, we're actually probably in better shape than where we started on the offensive line.

We have some potential on the line already that could be used as potential building blocks for our defensive line.

#1 Henry Melton - If Melton can return to form as this season continues, we could avoid having to make a heavy investment here.

#2 Tyrone Crawford. Crawford is another guy that we can only hope continues to develop, especially as he finds a home at defensive tackle. He might ultimately allow us to cut ties with Melton next year.

#3 Demarcus Lawrence. Unfortunately he is a huge question mark right now, but hopefully he can come back from his injury, fresh and strong.

#4 Michael Sam. I'm really surprised that we haven't brought him up yet, even if it is just for 3rd downs. The longer things go without him being activated to the 53, the less hope I think there is of him ever playing, which is surprising given what he did in preseason.

Within the top 3 picks next year we obviously need to draft defensive end and defensive tackle. And we're probably going to have to do it again the year after that.

Would like to see what Sam can do exclusively as a third down pass rusher.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Isn't Spencer a SDE ? Up grading is required no doubt.How the BPA falls thats the ticket but we're certainly getting after
some defensive line talent and line backers and defensive backs. We have placed ourselves finally where we really can take BPA
without a lot of knee jerking unless some super talent is falling near by.

I honestly wouldn't count on Spencer. It's good we resigned him this year since we were desperate going into the season. But we've been building a good young team and I want to keep it that way. Give me guys like Crawford and Lawrence over guys like Melton and Spencer.

 

[Galian Beast]

Agreed on the people who complained about Frederick and Martin, which we absolutely had people doing.

I think this next draft very easily could be focused entirely on the front 7 for the Cowboys depending on rather they resign Murray or not.

I think our linebackers should be set

1. Sean Lee
2. Rolando McClain
(3.) Bruce Carter
(4.) Justin Durant
5. Anthony Hitchens
6. Kyle Wilber/Korey Toomer

The entire draft should be focused on defensive line, especially if we re-sign Doug Free to a manageable contract.

 

[xwalker]

Defense is a bit different than o-line in this regard. Defensive linemen are placed on a priority compared to offensive linemen. I don't have the numbers but if you look at 1st and 2nd round draft picks, I'm sure you'll find more defensive linemen than offensive linemen.

We shouldn't reach, but it really isn't about reaching, especially if we do well this year, we're not going to be in position for any prime players. I think we need to get the best defensive linemen available, and they're almost always there regardless of where you're picking without significantly reaching.

If we can turn this over with star power, we can at the very least get the rotation a lot deeper.

Looking at the past few years drafts, there have been more OL some years, more DL some years and it's about even some years in terms of the 1st round.

 

[Galian Beast]

Looking at the past few years drafts, there have been more OL some years, more DL some years and it's about even some years in terms of the 1st round.

I said first and second round.

 

[Primetime42]

I don't think it's a stretch to say that Bishop is also better than Hayden.

Could this be the DT rotation next season?

Bishop/Brent

Crawford/Coleman

That wouldn't surprise me. At this juncture I can't see the Cowboys picking up Melton's option at $9 mil next season.

I'm very intrigued to see what happens with Amobi Okoye in a couple of weeks.

 

[DandyDon1722]

I'm very intrigued to see what happens with Amobi Okoye in a couple of weeks.

YES! Thank you, I was waiting for somebody to mention him. He deserves some consideration, you never know.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm very intrigued to see what happens with Amobi Okoye in a couple of weeks.

Yeah, he and Brent are both wildcards. Who knows? They could both make decent contributions and stick through to next season.

Bottom line for me is that I'd like to look at the DT position and the end of this season and think, "Hmm, you know the DT spot is more than acceptable, maybe the Cowboys won't have to spend a high draft pick or sign a FA DT to shore it up."

 

[waving monkey]

The drafting philosophy the last several years has been good with Mo being the exception.
Like they drafted this year have your targets but take the best player available. Still get
soom whee in the draft your needs. I know I know my post is a 'duh' but I had to write something.

 

[RS12]

I don't think it's a stretch to say that Bishop is also better than Hayden.

Could this be the DT rotation next season?

Bishop/Brent

Crawford/Coleman

That wouldn't surprise me. At this juncture I can't see the Cowboys picking up Melton's option at $9 mil next season.

That would surprise me, I think they draft or sign one.

 

[RS12]

I think our linebackers should be set

1. Sean Lee
2. Rolando McClain
(3.) Bruce Carter
(4.) Justin Durant
5. Anthony Hitchens
6. Kyle Wilber/Korey Toomer

The entire draft should be focused on defensive line, especially if we re-sign Doug Free to a manageable contract.

I think if a Shazier type LB is there, and is a draft board value, they'll take the cheese.

 

[cowboys1981]

YES! Thank you, I was waiting for somebody to mention him. He deserves some consideration, you never know.

Absolutely right and I hope he comes out and produces.

 

[big dog cowboy]

At this juncture I can't see the Cowboys picking up Melton's option at $9 mil next season.

No way we pick up that option on Melton. But I can see some kind of new deal for 2-3 years.