Impact of new analytics department felt in Cowboys' 2024 draft haul

[big dog cowboy]

This is a GREAT read. Really explains the thinking that goes into the draft and the part analytics played into it.

The Cowboys appear to have drafted for serious value.
By David Howman@_DH44_ May 2, 2024

The Cowboys have rounded out yet another draft class with the 2024 NFL Draft over and done now. However, unlike most years where there is a level of consensus around how the team did, this year’s class has proven to be rather divisive. Even the national sites that published grades for the Cowboys’ haul were pretty split on their opinion this year.

Some of that has to do with certain draft experts just not liking the players that Dallas selected, but much of it also has to do with the perception that the Cowboys didn’t fill enough needs through the draft. That second line of thought is fully at odds with the Cowboys’ philosophical approach to the draft, especially this year.

Shortly after the conclusion of the regular season, I took a deep dive into the Cowboys’ organizational overhaul of their analytics department that took place last offseason, as the team transitioned from a small, undermanned unit led by Tom Robinson to what is now one of the largest analytics departments in the league, headed up by John Park. In the final installment of that series, an attempt to forecast what was next for Park’s team focused on the draft'



Much more: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ics-department-2024-will-mcclay-stephen-jones

 

[VaqueroTD]

Didn’t realize the Jones Boys had finally modernized. Remains to be seen but definitely felt like a solid draft. Not at all the same sinking feeling had last year.

 

[shabazz]

They almost had to get some positive grades for drafting for need of position.....they had over 7 damn openings

 

[doomsday9084]

I was joking before the draft that Dallas needed to draft a LT, C, DT and LB in the first round and a RB in the 2nd round. The team had so many holes after free agency that it was completely unrealistic to think the draft could fill them. As is, Dallas filled several of them with players who weren't reaches. They also got bigger and stronger. Its the best you could really ask for.

 

[McKDaddy]

The numbers should tell you the same thing no matter who is running the show.

The only thing that matters is the evaluation of the subjective. People (ie, flawed & with unique viewpoints) have to evaluate and decide if the prospect tests\measures poorly but is a heck of a player or they look like Tarzan & plays like Jane.

 

[cald0d30s0]

Data doesn’t play on Sundays. Im a data guy btw…

 

[reddyuta]

Its a meat and potato draft which we sorely needed,this team gets bullied by tougher teams on both sides of. the ball.

 

[Creeper]

So the value of the analytics is only as good as the consensus board and does not take into account the overall talent level of the draft class. I love using data, but using a consensus board is using a subjective measurement rather than a data generated outcome. What this analysis shows is how well each team did based on the consensus value of each player but this is not a prediction of how well a player will perform in the NFL. It is really just a guess. In 3 years we can compare this analysis to the fate of all these players and see how good the consensus board was.

Too bad they can't come up with a way to actually reduce players to performance metrics that can predict their potential in the NFL. Now that would be something.

 

[visionary]

Any tool is only as good as the workman using it

Give the “analytics” to Idiot and Cap boy and you will still get garbage

Im not holding my breath

 

[Flamma]

So the value of the analytics is only as good as the consensus board and does not take into account the overall talent level of the draft class. I love using data, but using a consensus board is using a subjective measurement rather than a data generated outcome. What this analysis shows is how well each team did based on the consensus value of each player but this is not a prediction of how well a player will perform in the NFL. It is really just a guess. In 3 years we can compare this analysis to the fate of all these players and see how good the consensus board was.

Too bad they can't come up with a way to actually reduce players to performance metrics that can predict their potential in the NFL. Now that would be something.

It's basically what I do to judge a draft. Since I don't watch college football, I go by who they picked based on the consensus. I have nothing else to go by.

 

[reddyuta]

So the value of the analytics is only as good as the consensus board and does not take into account the overall talent level of the draft class. I love using data, but using a consensus board is using a subjective measurement rather than a data generated outcome. What this analysis shows is how well each team did based on the consensus value of each player but this is not a prediction of how well a player will perform in the NFL. It is really just a guess. In 3 years we can compare this analysis to the fate of all these players and see how good the consensus board was.

Too bad they can't come up with a way to actually reduce players to performance metrics that can predict their potential in the NFL. Now that would be something.

that is a media guys opinion.you think the cowboys are using a consensus ranking on making their draft board?.for example Liufau must have very higher on their board than almost all media guys.

 

[jazzcat22]

that is a media guys opinion.you think the cowboys are using a consensus ranking on making their draft board?.for example Liufau must have very higher on their board than almost all media guys.

I will take the scouts and McClay's opinion over the media guys.

 

[lkelly]

So the value of the analytics is only as good as the consensus board and does not take into account the overall talent level of the draft class. I love using data, but using a consensus board is using a subjective measurement rather than a data generated outcome. What this analysis shows is how well each team did based on the consensus value of each player but this is not a prediction of how well a player will perform in the NFL. It is really just a guess. In 3 years we can compare this analysis to the fate of all these players and see how good the consensus board was.

Too bad they can't come up with a way to actually reduce players to performance metrics that can predict their potential in the NFL. Now that would be something.

The next evolution really is to just ask a drunken Larry Lacewell who to pick.

 

[lkelly]

It's basically what I do to judge a draft. Since I don't watch college football, I go by who they picked based on the consensus. I have nothing else to go by.

I'm going to have to say that if I sat down and made a pros/cons list comparing two opportunities, Watching College Football would finish well ahead of Listen To Media Consensus On Players.

Then again, the latter option is starting to look appetizing compared to Watching Dallas Cowboys.

 

[Gorgon]

This is a GREAT read. Really explains the thinking that goes into the draft and the part analytics played into it.

The Cowboys appear to have drafted for serious value.
By David Howman@_DH44_ May 2, 2024

The Cowboys have rounded out yet another draft class with the 2024 NFL Draft over and done now. However, unlike most years where there is a level of consensus around how the team did, this year’s class has proven to be rather divisive. Even the national sites that published grades for the Cowboys’ haul were pretty split on their opinion this year.

Some of that has to do with certain draft experts just not liking the players that Dallas selected, but much of it also has to do with the perception that the Cowboys didn’t fill enough needs through the draft. That second line of thought is fully at odds with the Cowboys’ philosophical approach to the draft, especially this year.

Shortly after the conclusion of the regular season, I took a deep dive into the Cowboys’ organizational overhaul of their analytics department that took place last offseason, as the team transitioned from a small, undermanned unit led by Tom Robinson to what is now one of the largest analytics departments in the league, headed up by John Park. In the final installment of that series, an attempt to forecast what was next for Park’s team focused on the draft'



Much more: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ics-department-2024-will-mcclay-stephen-jones

To me, the rank order has to be QB, DL, OL, DB, DLinebackers, skillz including RB. Dallas in the 1970s proved that with a great D and a good OL and a great QB, you can make it to the Super Bowl without a star RB.
They won the SB when they added Dorsett. IF (always a big if) Beebe and their other OL and D picks can start & play well, we can get to the playoffs without a RB. IF at that point, all looks good (remember Martin will need to be replaced soon), then an "all-in" on a RB, might make sense.

 

[Flamma]

I'm going to have to say that if I sat down and made a pros/cons list comparing two opportunities, Watching College Football would finish well ahead of Listen To Media Consensus On Players.

Then again, the latter option is starting to look appetizing compared to Watching Dallas Cowboys.

Of course. That shouldn't even be debatable. I've also heard that some teams take a player based on a better combine, than actual tape.

 

[DasTex]

I was joking before the draft that Dallas needed to draft a LT, C, DT and LB in the first round and a RB in the 2nd round. The team had so many holes after free agency that it was completely unrealistic to think the draft could fill them. As is, Dallas filled several of them with players who weren't reaches. They also got bigger and stronger. Its the best you could really ask for.

Bigger and stronger....that's what I loved most.

 

[Killerinstinct]

If the analytics department determined Liufau was the best player on the board at 87 scrap it and start over.

 

[jazzcat22]

If the analytics department determined Liufau was the best player on the board at 87 scrap it and start over.

Maybe it was a glitch in the program and formula?

Jerry spilled his JWB on the computer?

 

[Jipper]

I will take the scouts and McClay's opinion over the media guys.

Exactly and this is why Phillys class always gets good marks....