We are finally out from under the dark cloud of Jerry Jones's personnel decisions. Ever since Stephen Jones and Will McClay have become the power-holders in the personnel department the team has begun being built correctly with an inside-out philosophy. O-lineman instead of flashy skill position players, a D-line littered with top 100 picks and savy acquisitions (David Irving), a cornerback group that is talented and athletic, and using the 2015 debacle to hit a home run with Zeke.
Fans who argue that the team hasn't been a great drafting team in the McClay-S.Jones era are wrong. They've changed the way we as a fanbase look forward to the draft because we can be confident guys drafted in rounds 4-7 and undrafted FA's can come in and contriibute; not to mention the mostly stellar 1st round pick selections. In any given draft a team can expect to get 2 contributors out of their haul, the Cowboys have routinely been able to get 4-5.
The only thing I've questioned the front office about is the free agency process. Even though they've been able to find one or two year rentals for bargain prices (Rolondo McClain), the team rarely found guys that stuck around for more than that. In their philosophy in fact, they only see free agents as one or two year stop-gaps in between guys they bring in via the draft. This seemed to always be what held the roster back from its true potential in terms of depth and talent,especially in 2017 where their bargain bin strategy bit them in the butt with their lack of depth being one of the biggest issues in last years campaign. But the sign of a good front office is the ability to self-scout and learn where they can improve. This off-season they made a big money attempt at Sammy Watkins (which might have made casual fans happy but serious fans disappointed), and where able to sign Allen Hurns on a team-friendly deal as they usually tend to. They were also able to use their 10 picks from all the guys they allowed to walk to trade around and land Tavon Austin and solve the speed issue on offense.
Not only did the team step out of their comfort zone a bit, they have also used the team friendly philosophy to be in line for huge cap space in 2019. Stephen Jones has said he has no problem paying a big free agent if they can perform to the level their contract warrants. Earl Thomas's inevitable availability in 2019 along with his public desire to be a Cowboy played into the team keeping their 1st/2nd round picks and giving Woods a year to prove if he can be relied on. If the team indeed acquires Earl Thomas, and a lot of evidence suggests that; then they officially have my full support.
Unfortunately team building is only half of it, the coaches must put this team in position to win on the field. That is what we should be worried about, not the FO.