It was one pick, not armageddon!

[JoeyBoy718]

This idea that we don't have a good defense so we should spend it on offense to help the defense instead of trying to use premiurm resources on the defense is the height of stupidity.

Especially since it's not even true. There was a 1 minute differential in TOP for this team between 2014 and 2015. I bet 99% of that variation can be explained by not having number 9.

But by all means lets pretend it's because we didn't have Murray....a 3rd round rb.

That's true too. I was confident with our running game going into this season. Hard to really judge where we're at without a healthy Romo. Maybe McFadden and Morris would've been just fine.

 

[casmith07]

It shows the incompetence of our organization and just the complete lack of forward thinking.

And let's face facts, the days of Jerry actually wheeling and dealing and fleecing a team in a trade int he draft and having the Cowboys come out on top are long gone. I guess business has changed because his negotiation skills are a joke.

We took a Big-10 RB in an Urban Meyer system with not nearly the athleticism and explosiveness of Adrian Peterson 4th overall when Peterson was taken 7th overall. We were supposedly offered a trade with the Ravens that we didn't take. Jerry trying to claim the Ravens were taking EE is nonsense. They had no reason to pick him up when they had been looking at Stanley, Tunsil and Ramsey all along. So we could have traded down, still gotten EE and then used that trade down to then trade up and get Lynch.

Meanwhile, we missed in what Mike Mayock called a 'once in a generation defensive back' on a team that desperately needs DB's. And as far as Mayock goes, he's got a great track record with judging DB's (likely because he was a former CB himself).

We'll go 8-8 again and move to 17th in the draft and Romo will eventually have to retire and we'll be stuck trying to find a replacement with the 17th overall pick that has to start right away. So then we'll give up the farm to move up the draft to hopefully get a QB that can play.




YR

Go back to bed, you're still grouchy.

 

[tyke1doe]

Process over results.

Process over results? That can be interpreted so many ways.

We followed our process of taking the best player available. And why follow process if it doesn't lead to results?

EE could do great but that doesn't mean the decision to draft him was correct.

Well, if he ends up being great for us it does. I mean, what other ways are we to judge the decision?

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Go back to bed, you're still grouchy.

I should. Hopefully I can wake up and realize it was a bad dream.





YR

 

[superonyx]

Some people act like the only place to ever get a quality starter is in the first round.
Oh no if we didn't draft a tweener CB/Safety in the first round then we are now doomed to 7-9.
Look around the league and see where the starters and some of the best players were drafted. Its not first round or garbage.

The truth is this years draft had as many players on both sided of the ball with huge question marks on and off the field as any draft I can remember.
There isn't a pass rusher in this draft that doesn't have concerns, corners all have concerns, even the WR's all have real concerns.
Qb's all have concerns and were overdrafted. All of them.

Zeke Elliott is probably the player with the least amount of question marks in this draft...both talent and off the field.
No way I am going to be upset and act like we are doomed because of this selection....

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Unlikely.

Agreed I think this is at least a 9 win club ASSUMING Romo and Bryant do not miss a chunk of the season.

 

[JD_KaPow]

So the NFL isn't holding drafts anymore?

This is the ONLY draft we'll be able to take players in?

No, we're not missing the big picture. Players come and go. We make good picks, we make bad picks.

We rebound the next draft.

They'll be another Jalen Ramsey or DeForest Buckner in future drafts.

Some of you act as if the Cowboys are forever doomed because they didn't take this player or that player.

We'll survive and have another chance to get better in subsequent drafts whether Ezekiel Elliott becomes another Emmitt Smith or not.

Completely missing the point. The question is, does the team have a draft philosophy and process that will lead to consistent success, and if so, do they stick to that process? The pick at 4 strongly suggests that the answer to at least that second question is no. It's not about one pick. It's about what that pick says about our entire approach to the draft.

If Zeke was the highest player on our board, then I feel better. But at least some have reported that Ramsey was, in which case we ignored our board and went for the shiny bauble.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Not that I disagree with you but 2015 there was no Romo.

If we had Romo im confident we could've put more points on the board.

That's the fly in the ointment of the "It was all Murray and the running game" argument.

Take Romo & Bryant off the 2014 team and see how many points it scores per game.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I guess I knew there would be a meltdown on the board by a good chunk of the population. I understand the argument against taking a RB that high in the draft, and I'm still not sure about how I feel overall about it.

But ...

To those of you arguing that we should have used the pick on defense, here's what I'm not able to wrap my head around. I do indeed understand that we need to shore up our defense.

This was only one pick.

Yes, it was the highest we've picked in years. But let me ask you a question: would a Jalen Ramsey or DeForrest Buckner have really improved our defense that dramatically this year?

I think if we took all of our remaining picks and spent them on offense, our defense would probably be in about the same shape as we were heading into 2014. Right? We might be a shade better at the safety position with Byron Jones, and maybe Cedric Thornton improves the line a little, but for the most part, it would be a wash .

So, lets say even if we quit the 2016 draft right now, ruling out any health issues, we're pretty much at the same talent level on defense, and maybe a bit better on offense than the 2014 team we fielded that made it to the playoffs.

But here's the thing ...

We still have 8 (?) more picks to improve our defense. And there are some pretty talented players left on the board.

I guess what I'm saying is, in the big picture, why don't we wait and see how the rest of the draft pans out before we decry that our defense is going to drag us down to the abyss in 2016.

The way I see it, we're probably a bit better (on paper) talent-wise than we were heading into 2014 ... and we have several draft picks ahead of us that could really tip the scale pretty heavily in our direction!

People that talk short term or the affect on 2016 simply dont understand team building.

Elliott will be wonderful to watch and he will probably help us make the playoffs a few times in the next 4 or 5 years. But in 5 years when Romo is toast and he is 26 and all used up we will be right back to where we are now. Needing a stud RB and a stud QB. And since we didnt get the stud defensive player here, we will probably still need one of those also. Drafting in the 20's isnt going to get you that shut down corner or pass rushing monster. Typically not.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I should. Hopefully I can wake up and realize it was a bad dream.





YR

I wasn't pleased with taking a RB at #4 either.

But if the Cowboys and some defensive depth between today and tomorrow, I'll feel much better about the entire situation. I do think Elliott was head & shoulders above all the other backs out there and he's probably the most ready to contribute of all the rookies. No, I don't like paying a #4 overall draft pick for him, but it's not all negative.

 

[CowboyRoy]

It is amazing that as fans we believe we know what is best. You have to wonder where the comments will be if Ramsey is a bust or moved to safety after one year and if Buckner doesn't pan out. If the sources are right that the Cowboys had Elliott and Ramsey with the same draft grade and both at the very top of their board then you should understand the pick. As to trading down with Baltimore, they came out this morning and said they did try to trade up to #4 and their pick was not going to be Ramsey but Elliott. How about them apples?

And anyone could say the same thing about Elliott. One busted knee and his career is toast. And MOrris and McChicken might be able to rush for 1800 yards all on their own. Quite frankly, unless Zeke rushes for 1800 yards and 20 TD's for the next 6 years it was a wasted pick.

 

[erod]

In 2014 we had the best QB in the NFL.
In 2015 we...ummm...how do I put this....did not.

Are you seriously saying that Murray was the biggest difference? That if only we had a Zeke type last year things would have been ok?

I'm trying to keep it real. You aren't even keeping it realistic.

It would help of you could understand the point.

You're all about these stats, but you want to ignore points.

 

[xvendettax914]

Okay, 7-9. Can't wait to see Garrett clapping.





YR

well, I mean, you don't HAVE to watch..

 

[Cas2800]

Jerry isn't known for telling the truth.

There's no way the Ravens were interested in drafting EE that high.

At best, they may have told him that while really wanting Ramsey (who they interviewed heavily) in fear that the Cowboys wanted Ramsey.

Jerry got played if that was the case. Nothing new.





YR

Nope. More like the Ravens got played if they lied and really wanted Ramsey. Jerry got his guy. Ravens didn't.

 

[superonyx]

People that talk short term or the affect on 2016 simply dont understand team building.

Elliott will be wonderful to watch and he will probably help us make the playoffs a few times in the next 4 or 5 years. But in 5 years when Romo is toast and he is 26 and all used up we will be right back to where we are now. Needing a stud RB and a stud QB. And since we didnt get the stud defensive player here, we will probably still need one of those also. Drafting in the 20's isnt going to get you that shut down corner or pass rushing monster. Typically not.

The FO said Elliott was a cornerstone level player who was also the highest rated player on their board.
This is exactly the type of player you build a team around.... are you suggesting that you pass on your highest rated player for a lesser player out of need and that somehow is team building?

 

[Doomsday]

The draft has fallen really well for Dallas to be able to get a good defensive linemen.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

It would help of you could understand the point.

You're all about these stats, but you want to ignore points.

You are comparing apples and a porterhouse.

Our dip in points form 2014 to 2015 had absolutely nothing to do with our rushing ability.

 

[CowboyRoy]

The FO said Elliott was a cornerstone level player who was also the highest rated player on their board.
This is exactly the type of player you build a team around.... are you suggesting that you pass on your highest rated player for a lesser player out of need and that somehow is team building?

Its much more than just being rated high. Shelf life, need, value all play a factor. If Henry is the highest guy on their board when they pick in the 2nd round should they take him too? Anyone that doesnt fact in need to some degree is lying.

 

[CowboyRoy]

You are comparing apples and a porterhouse.

Our dip in points form 2014 to 2015 had absolutely nothing to do with our rushing ability.

McFaddens inability to get into the endzone with all his yards and carries was an issue.

 

[superonyx]

Its much more than just being rated high. Shelf life, need, value all play a factor. If Henry is the highest guy on their board when they pick in the 2nd round should they take him too? Anyone that doesnt fact in need to some degree is lying.

2nd round and later is where you look to fill needs and give more weight to position. Top 5 picks in the draft are cornerstone players. Second round, third round ect are not.