This off-season, it was certainly obvious even to the average fan (and more importantly football experts) that the Cowboys needed major help at several positions including C, LT, LB, but most glaringly at DT and RB. It was visible a mile away. What did our FO do to address these positions?
- Drafted Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe to shore up OL needs. (Both appear to have major upside)
- Drafted DE Marshawn Kneeland who has good upside as an edge run stopper, and has flashed some good potential.
- Drafted LB Marist Liafau who also shown potential.
- Drafted CB Caelen Carson who also has flashed lots of upside.
- Drafted WR Ryan Flournoy in round 6. Has made the team but hasn’t played yet.
- Drafted two 7th rounders - a long shot T Nathan Thomas (on IR) and DT Justin Rogers who was cut.
The penny pinching Cowboys Free agency moves to address needs: Signed retread RB Royce Freeman, now on his 5th team in 6 years, a slow and washed up Zeke Elliott, and eventually signed DT Linvall Joseph from his retirement couch. Then in August traded for DT Jordan Phillips who has just been placed on IR for a wrist injury Phillips says is “fine”. Ouuuuuch!
After two games this season, the two positions that scream “help needed immediately“ are DT and RB. Just like they were back in March when the off-season started.
In the Cowboys last 16 games (including last year’s playoff loss to GB) we have literally been blown out by teams that were physical and could run the ball and we could not run the ball against them. We lost to SF 42-10, Buffalo 31-10, GB 48-32, and to NO 44-19. In each of those blowout losses, it was obvious we can’t stop the run, nor run the ball.
Heading into game 3, I don’t know what this organization can do to fix these huge holes at DT and RB except try to make a trade or get lucky finding a player in the trash heap. Both are long shots. And I go back to March when options were available especially in the draft. It was visible a mile away.
