My Concern with this team

[Verdict]

My concern is the same front office steering the ship into the same ice berg for the 30th consecutive time.

I haven’t heard it described that way before, but it does drive the point home.

 

[Typhus]

While any team can win a championship in any given year (unless they are a complete bottom feeder) this Cowboys team is not one of the favorites to hoist a Lombardi next year. This team should keep that in mind when the draft rolls around later this month.

1. Concern #1: The perceived “need” at WR2 and the scarcity of players who can step in as a day one starter in this draft seems to be hinting at a forced WR pick at #12. I view this as another potential “Taco” situation in that this seems to be a weak recover class overall and there may not be a receiver worthy of the #12 pick.

2. Concern #2: Running back depth is deep and we have a need at running back. This situation eerily reminds me of the year that the draft was very deep at DE and we had a need at DE. The team kept kicking the can down the road round after round and ended up missing entirely on the deep pool of players at that position because the team under rated the run on talent that was on the board.

3. Concern #3: This draft seems to be very “needs” driven by the Cowboys and usually when the Cowboys draft for needs they fail miserably. We can’t afford to come out of this draft with wasted picks on players that can’t play.

4. Concern #4: This team is weak up the middle on both sides of the ball. While this team shouldn’t “force” need picks in those areas, if the BPA lines up with an up the middle positional group the Cowboys should not devalue those critical up the middle players in favor of a money 5 position.

5. Concern #5: The Cowboys shouldn’t hesitate to double dip a positional group if that’s where the BPA lines up. 2 RBs? No problem if that’s the way it lines up. 2DTs? Pull the trigger if that’s the way it falls.

As you can see, my concerns all have some element of how the Cowboys prioritize “needs”. If this team drafts based on need I predict that this draft will be largely a whiff and a miss. And this team can’t afford that.

Just draft the BPA and then fill in to the extent possible in the second round of free agency and UDFAs.

You have to believe in your board, otherwise what value do you give to McClay and his staff of scouts.
I'm sticking to my board and taking the BPA regardless of position.
When you draft from need rather than taking BPA you end up busting especially if it's your first overall pick.
Sitting currently at 12 now and if that stays true, then I'm taking the best player on my board without any hesitation.

 

[Sandyf]

We should draft BPA but when your pick comes up and you have several players with the same draft grade then you take the one that fills a need. Don't over think it, don't draft someone because he went to the owner's school. Draft guys that fit your offensive and defensive scheme. Quit drafting guys to change them because it doesn't work, i.e. Quinn trying to get Mazi Smith to be a 3 tech by losing 40 lbs. It ruined the kid.

 

[GMO415]

With a new coaching staff and gaping holes throughout the team, this will be a "trail or wait-and-see" season.
Learn it
Love it
Live it

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Unfortunately, we got a mule entered in the Kentucky Derby.

 

[Bagman]

There are too many needs. We might as well draft BPA. That's my opinion, which means nothing.

Exactly right. Just keep adding quality players. This team could get pretty good, pretty fast. It's all about adding quality guys that DON'T need to be replaced in 2 years

 

[plymkr]

My concern is the same front office steering the ship into the same ice berg for the 30th consecutive time.

Me too

 

[quickccc]

Oddly i'm not worried about McClay picking a WR in first round .per CeeDee Lamb.. but becuz McClay has been struggling to cement that No.2 WR in the further rounds
ala Michael Gallup.. Jalen Tolbert,. ..Jalen Brooks, . Ryan Flournoy.... and now Jon Mingo -

waz going on to where we cannot solidfy the No.2 WR role in the deeper rounds ?

 

[Established1971]

your subject line promised 1 concern

 

[5Stars]

I have no comment. But, I want Dak and man child spoiled Micha off the team. They won't even lend you a dime...please buy my Jersey.

Money, come home, pour that honey on them.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The concern is pretty simple, we don't have enough talent. Not even close.

And our QB who has never gotten it done is coming off a serious injury. He's not getting better in his tenth year.

BTW, I totally disagree that all but the bottom feeders can win it all in this league. Maybe six or seven teams at most can.

 

[krs1bro]

unfortunately we are stuck with yoda and company. Laughing stock of the NFL. Nothing will change until they sale the team. Wishful thinking.

 

[kskboys]

You have to believe in your board, otherwise what value do you give to McClay and his staff of scouts.
I'm sticking to my board and taking the BPA regardless of position.
When you draft from need rather than taking BPA you end up busting especially if it's your first overall pick.
Sitting currently at 12 now and if that stays true, then I'm taking the best player on my board without any hesitation.

Taco was BPA. Mazi was BPA. Now what?

 

[kskboys]

Exactly right. Just keep adding quality players. This team could get pretty good, pretty fast. It's all about adding quality guys that DON'T need to be replaced in 2 years

That's actually what Jerry does. And it doesn't work. Leaves too many areas of need.

Neither need nor BPA is a standalone draft strategy. Way too simplistic, though fans sure do love to scream it.

 

[Bobhaze]

While any team can win a championship in any given year (unless they are a complete bottom feeder) this Cowboys team is not one of the favorites to hoist a Lombardi next year. This team should keep that in mind when the draft rolls around later this month.

1. Concern #1: The perceived “need” at WR2 and the scarcity of players who can step in as a day one starter in this draft seems to be hinting at a forced WR pick at #12. I view this as another potential “Taco” situation in that this seems to be a weak recover class overall and there may not be a receiver worthy of the #12 pick.

2. Concern #2: Running back depth is deep and we have a need at running back. This situation eerily reminds me of the year that the draft was very deep at DE and we had a need at DE. The team kept kicking the can down the road round after round and ended up missing entirely on the deep pool of players at that position because the team under rated the run on talent that was on the board.

3. Concern #3: This draft seems to be very “needs” driven by the Cowboys and usually when the Cowboys draft for needs they fail miserably. We can’t afford to come out of this draft with wasted picks on players that can’t play.

4. Concern #4: This team is weak up the middle on both sides of the ball. While this team shouldn’t “force” need picks in those areas, if the BPA lines up with an up the middle positional group the Cowboys should not devalue those critical up the middle players in favor of a money 5 position.

5. Concern #5: The Cowboys shouldn’t hesitate to double dip a positional group if that’s where the BPA lines up. 2 RBs? No problem if that’s the way it lines up. 2DTs? Pull the trigger if that’s the way it falls.

As you can see, my concerns all have some element of how the Cowboys prioritize “needs”. If this team drafts based on need I predict that this draft will be largely a whiff and a miss. And this team can’t afford that.

Just draft the BPA and then fill in to the extent possible in the second round of free agency and UDFAs.

Good post and the concerns are real.

My take on how I hope this FO approaches the draft - When you have as many roster needs as this team has, there are some major dos and don’ts to approach each round to avoid having a bad draft featuring too many reaches.

KEYS TO A GOOD DRAFT

• Stay with your board rankings each round. For example this team clearly needs a RB, WR, DT to name a few. In round one if a RB or WR does not have a first round grade, don’t take one at 12 just because you really need one.
• Draft the best available player in round one especially. When you have the needs this team has, BPA will probably serve this team well, especially round one. The most impactful talent always resides in round one. Remember 2020 and 21 drafts? We drafted Cedee Lamb and Micah Parsons, arguably our two best players when we weren’t especially looking for a WR or LB early.
• Prioritize your needs. Impactful DTs are harder to find after rounds 1-3, so we need to keep that in mind. This is a very deep RB draft so it makes sense to wait on Day 2 and 3 to pick up RB talent. Prioritize positional needs in alignment with available talent.
• It always pays off to draft a great football player ahead of a positional need. What I mean by this is if there is a great football player that isn’t exactly what we need positionally take the better football player. Not doing this is how you end up with a Taco or Tyler Guyton.

This draft will hinge on how disciplined the FO stays with their scouting work. Stay true to the board like they did in 2020 and 2021 and they should do well.

 

[john van brocklin]

While any team can win a championship in any given year (unless they are a complete bottom feeder) this Cowboys team is not one of the favorites to hoist a Lombardi next year. This team should keep that in mind when the draft rolls around later this month.

1. Concern #1: The perceived “need” at WR2 and the scarcity of players who can step in as a day one starter in this draft seems to be hinting at a forced WR pick at #12. I view this as another potential “Taco” situation in that this seems to be a weak recover class overall and there may not be a receiver worthy of the #12 pick.

2. Concern #2: Running back depth is deep and we have a need at running back. This situation eerily reminds me of the year that the draft was very deep at DE and we had a need at DE. The team kept kicking the can down the road round after round and ended up missing entirely on the deep pool of players at that position because the team under rated the run on talent that was on the board.

3. Concern #3: This draft seems to be very “needs” driven by the Cowboys and usually when the Cowboys draft for needs they fail miserably. We can’t afford to come out of this draft with wasted picks on players that can’t play.

4. Concern #4: This team is weak up the middle on both sides of the ball. While this team shouldn’t “force” need picks in those areas, if the BPA lines up with an up the middle positional group the Cowboys should not devalue those critical up the middle players in favor of a money 5 position.

5. Concern #5: The Cowboys shouldn’t hesitate to double dip a positional group if that’s where the BPA lines up. 2 RBs? No problem if that’s the way it lines up. 2DTs? Pull the trigger if that’s the way it falls.

As you can see, my concerns all have some element of how the Cowboys prioritize “needs”. If this team drafts based on need I predict that this draft will be largely a whiff and a miss. And this team can’t afford that.

Just draft the BPA and then fill in to the extent possible in the second round of free agency and UDFAs.

This team has so many holes that bpa should line up with a need.

 

[goshann]

While any team can win a championship in any given year (unless they are a complete bottom feeder) this Cowboys team is not one of the favorites to hoist a Lombardi next year. This team should keep that in mind when the draft rolls around later this month.

1. Concern #1: The perceived “need” at WR2 and the scarcity of players who can step in as a day one starter in this draft seems to be hinting at a forced WR pick at #12. I view this as another potential “Taco” situation in that this seems to be a weak recover class overall and there may not be a receiver worthy of the #12 pick.

2. Concern #2: Running back depth is deep and we have a need at running back. This situation eerily reminds me of the year that the draft was very deep at DE and we had a need at DE. The team kept kicking the can down the road round after round and ended up missing entirely on the deep pool of players at that position because the team under rated the run on talent that was on the board.

3. Concern #3: This draft seems to be very “needs” driven by the Cowboys and usually when the Cowboys draft for needs they fail miserably. We can’t afford to come out of this draft with wasted picks on players that can’t play.

4. Concern #4: This team is weak up the middle on both sides of the ball. While this team shouldn’t “force” need picks in those areas, if the BPA lines up with an up the middle positional group the Cowboys should not devalue those critical up the middle players in favor of a money 5 position.

5. Concern #5: The Cowboys shouldn’t hesitate to double dip a positional group if that’s where the BPA lines up. 2 RBs? No problem if that’s the way it lines up. 2DTs? Pull the trigger if that’s the way it falls.

As you can see, my concerns all have some element of how the Cowboys prioritize “needs”. If this team drafts based on need I predict that this draft will be largely a whiff and a miss. And this team can’t afford that.

Just draft the BPA and then fill in to the extent possible in the second round of free agency and UDFAs.

Except no team in the nfl has drafted BPA in years
Teams may draft the BPA within a subset of needs but they never draft BPA anymore.

You think the Texans will draft a BPA QB in round 2?
You think the Bengals will draft a BPA WR in round 1?

 

[goshann]

This team has so many holes that bpa should line up with a need.

Don’t think we will draft a qb, center, OT or safety regardless of BPA. All teams draft BPA within their needs

Wouldn’t be surprised with any other position

 

[Bobhaze]

Except no team in the nfl has drafted BPA in years
Teams may draft the BPA within a subset of needs but they never draft BPA anymore.

You think the Texans will draft a BPA QB in round 2?
You think the Bengals will draft a BPA WR in round 1?

I agree with you there are positional exceptions of course to BPA. And QB is one of them for us.

But when you say no team has drafted BPA in years, it’s just not true. We did that in 2020 and 2021 with the Cedee Lamb and Micah Parsons picks and they are now arguably our two best players.

If you go back and look at the primary needs we had in the 2020 draft, we were not looking to draft a WR early. When Lamb fell to us we wisely took him. Same with Parsons in 2021.

BPA is not needed in every round at all times of course. But to draft only for need in all 7 rounds is not wise. Especially when you have as many holes as this team does at so many positions. It is critical in round one especially to draft the best player you can (with the QB exception in some cases) early because that player needs to have immediate impact. Reaching for a player in round one because of positional need is a classic mistake.

 

[conner01]

Yes…all valid concerns. I somewhat disagree about WR in round 1. I think McMillian and Golden are solid middle of first round prospects. McMillian was considered a top 10 pick until the combine and Golden had one of the better combines of any player.

The concern about line play and middle defense is the main one for me. Seems like a two year project where we build from the outside in. An eight or nine win season is the best we can hope for unless interior play improves.

I’m not as high on golden, like burden more. But if draft goes like most think, WR will be BPA at 12. When we’ve made mistakes drafting for need we reached for need. There’s 3-4 WR in this draft that wouldn’t be a reach at 12