My Draft objectives for this year, based on the roster

[fivetwos]

I've heard Whitt our new secondary coach leans on starting veterans over young prospects. However, if they draft a corner at 10, they are starting day 1.

Think if they want a quality free safety who can start right away, they have to land either Moehrig or Grant and they may have to trade up to do so.

Agree, linebackers, two down Defensive Lineman can easily be found later in the draft.

I SINCERELY HOPE the days of listening to assistant coaches as far as what type of players to draft are long over.

Also if what you're saying is true...I hope even more that doesn't influence them to bring back 24 26 or 25.

Again its more backward crap with this organization....bring in a guy that wants veteran DBs when we have three that are FA and the secondary needs to be rebuilt.

Fully agree the safety has to be picked early or they won't see the field.

It almost a full miss as far as need meeting value in a year we have a top 10 pick. Figures.

 

[fivetwos]

Yeah, corner at 10 is probably the only way to get a big first year contribution from a rookie CB. A second or third round corner probably won’t play a whole lot this season, though I could be wrong about that.

if Dallas went:

1) Surtain CB
2) Moehrig S
3) McNeil DT
3) McGrone LB

I think three of those four (Surtain, Moehrig, McNeil) play a lot very early on, with Surtain starting from day 1 and Moehrig possibly starting very early. I also see McNeil being part of a rotation from the start as well.

However, if Dallas took:

1) Slater OT
2) Newsome CB
3) McNeil DT
3) Hufanga S

I think both the CB and Safety in this instance might take a while to get much playing time. Slater would probably start at Connor Williams’ LG position and McNeil would help the rotation on the DL right away.

If we want immediate help at corner from a rookie this year, then that likely needs to come at 10 where Surtain would be a walk-in starter with his polished and experienced game. Farley would play early but might need some more time since he missed 2020 and didn’t have a lot of experience to begin with.

If they start with Surtain/Farley then Moehrig they can do whatever and I won't complain.

 

[AsthmaField]

If they start with Surtain/Farley then Moehrig they can do whatever and I won't complain.

Me too... but I now doubt that Moehrig lasts to the Dallas second round pick. Even if he does make it out of the first, he will go quickly thereafter IMO.

 

[Malhavoc]

I think Farley’s pro day will go a long way with cementing him as a top 15 pick. Obviously the medical reports will be key. I think Moehrig is going to fly up draft boards especially after his workout. There are certainly things he can improve on. Derwin James and Jamal Adams he is not. But I could certainly see him as a top 20 pick.

 

[fivetwos]

Me too... but I now doubt that Moehrig lasts to the Dallas second round pick. Even if he does make it out of the first, he will go quickly thereafter IMO.

There's a lot of surprises come draft day/s, so we never know.

I'm liking what I hear about Grant.

Let's say this.....I'm much more confident in one of those safties being there at 44 than the team actually pulling the trigger on it.

I can hear it already how whoever they took had a first round grade blah blah blah and its guard or a running back.

The position must be devalued per people making the board relative to other teams, then something similar to the above happens.....yearly. That's how we end up with 6th rounders and street guys at safety....for a decade.

 

[AsthmaField]

There's a lot of surprises come draft day/s, so we never know.

I'm liking what I hear about Grant.

Let's say this.....I'm much more confident in one of those safties being there at 44 than the team actually pulling the trigger on it.

I can hear it already how whoever they took had a first round grade blah blah blah and its guard or a running back.

The position must be devalued per people making the board relative to other teams, then something similar to the above happens.....yearly. That's how we end up with 6th rounders and street guys at safety....for a decade.

Yeah, the team hasn’t loved taking safeties early for sure.

Maybe Quinn impresses upon the front office how important a good ball-hawking FS is in his system.

 

[Malhavoc]

There's a lot of surprises come draft day/s, so we never know.

I'm liking what I hear about Grant.

Let's say this.....I'm much more confident in one of those safties being there at 44 than the team actually pulling the trigger on it.

I can hear it already how whoever they took had a first round grade blah blah blah and its guard or a running back.

The position must be devalued per people making the board relative to other teams, then something similar to the above happens.....yearly. That's how we end up with 6th rounders and street guys at safety....for a decade.

At this point we almost have no choice because Woods is FA. I guess we could re-sign him. But you really do need a quality guy at the FS position to be successful. Grant and Moehrig IMO are upgrades to Woods at this point. The numbers don’t lie. When your defense is historically bad you have to take a long hard look at your personnel. FS and DT are without question the biggest needs on this team. How they go about addressing it is the real question.

 

[Cowboyny]

I’d be fine with a trade back, but that situation rarely manifests itself in reality. It does happen sometimes but that is fairly rare. Like you, I think some of the same players would be in play at pick 15.

As for Parsons, I’m torn on him and I have some of the same concerns as you. I naturally lean more towards a guy like Bolton who has proven LB instincts and a tangible grit to his game. However, he doesn’t have the size or athleticism that Parsons does.

Ultimately, I just end up shying away from picking a LB in the first round. I keep thinking that Surtain in the first, McNeil in the second and McGrone in the third will serve the Cowboys much better than Parsons at 10, Newsome in the second and Shelvin in the third.

QB's always drive interest in team's making trade ups, as well as the team directly behind your pick. This year it's the Giants. They like us have holes on one side of the football. A team who likes the two Bama receivers, Pitts could decided to move ahead of the Giants to land their guy.

Parsons seems to be more of a boom/bust type prospect as many will be banking on his potential upside due to his elite, physical traits. We have seen first hand here that athletes don't always translate in great football players; Jaylon, Bruce Carter. Bolton is my favorite LB in the class, cause I know exactly what I'm getting and what are his limitations.

You can find immediate impact linebackers later in the draft, not so simple for a corner or even a safety. If the team wants the most immediate impact I tend to think one of the top 3 corners makes the most sense, take the best defensive player available with your day 2 selections.

 

[Cowboyny]

I SINCERELY HOPE the days of listening to assistant coaches as far as what type of players to draft are long over.

Also if what you're saying is true...I hope even more that doesn't influence them to bring back 24 26 or 25.

Again its more backward crap with this organization....bring in a guy that wants veteran DBs when we have three that are FA and the secondary needs to be rebuilt.

Fully agree the safety has to be picked early or they won't see the field.

It almost a full miss as far as need meeting value in a year we have a top 10 pick. Figures.

Coaches throughout the league influence draft picks, however, the Cowboys have giving them too much influence who they take. Nothing wrong with playing a veteran, while the young prospect is developing behind him. Many times, injuries happen and they are forced into action before they are ready.

Defensive value at 10 doesn't look good, really hoping to find a trading partner and still get one of our defensive targets as these offensive players should push them further down. Would love an extra 2, it would be ideal to have the ammo to trade or take two starters.

 

[AsthmaField]

Coaches throughout the league influence draft picks, however, the Cowboys have giving them too much influence who they take. Nothing wrong with playing a veteran, while the young prospect is developing behind him. Many times, injuries happen and they are forced into action before they are ready.

Defensive value at 10 doesn't look good, really hoping to find a trading partner and still get one of our defensive targets as these offensive players should push them further down. Would love an extra 2, it would be ideal to have the ammo to trade or take two starters.

A coach like Quinn telling the front office the type of players needed for his scheme is just fine. In fact, it is needed. If he needs a rangy safety for his scheme to be its best, then he needs to make sure that McClay and the Jones’ know that.

However, if Quinn starts telling the front office which player to draft, that is where I don’t like that happening.

If he needs better safety play then by all means the front office needs to know that an upgrade is necessary.

As for a trade back, it would be very good for the team if they don’t love anyone at 10. To get a mid first and have two seconds and two thirds, they could seriously help the defense.

something like:

1) Horn
2) Grant/Moehrig
2) McNeil/Tufele
3) McGrone/Cox
3) Hufanga

That would be ideal.

 

[fivetwos]

Coaches throughout the league influence draft picks, however, the Cowboys have giving them too much influence who they take. Nothing wrong with playing a veteran, while the young prospect is developing behind him. Many times, injuries happen and they are forced into action before they are ready.

Defensive value at 10 doesn't look good, really hoping to find a trading partner and still get one of our defensive targets as these offensive players should push them further down. Would love an extra 2, it would be ideal to have the ammo to trade or take two starters.

Yep makes full sense that coaches should have a say, but otherwise there's an actual football mind who is taking it all into account.

These two are relying way too much on it, as you said.

 

[Cowboyny]

Yep makes full sense that coaches should have a say, but otherwise there's an actual football mind who is taking it all into account.

These two are relying way too much on it, as you said.

Scouts should have the biggest weight in their decision making, but it's up to the coaches to communicate what type of players to find. Since Quinn, is a late hiring, his opinions should carry a lot of weight to start the process and get the scouts on the same page moving forward.

 

[Cowboyny]

A coach like Quinn telling the front office the type of players needed for his scheme is just fine. In fact, it is needed. If he needs a rangy safety for his scheme to be its best, then he needs to make sure that McClay and the Jones’ know that.

However, if Quinn starts telling the front office which player to draft, that is where I don’t like that happening.

If he needs better safety play then by all means the front office needs to know that an upgrade is necessary.

As for a trade back, it would be very good for the team if they don’t love anyone at 10. To get a mid first and have two seconds and two thirds, they could seriously help the defense.

something like:

1) Horn
2) Grant/Moehrig
2) McNeil/Tufele
3) McGrone/Cox
3) Hufanga

That would be ideal.

It's should be a team efforts, it's up to the scouts to find the players, communicate their skills and the coaches to filter through the info so the team can make the best decision. Marinelli in the past was the key decision maker for the defense, that can no longer happen if they want success in the draft process. Why have a scouting department then?

I have seen this trade scenario floating around that makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys. Dolphins take Sewell at 3, but want DeVonta Smith. They offer us 18 & 50, exact match for the trade chart. Hell, if the want the player so badly and are afraid the Giants would take him (huge bama ties with Giant HC), I would ask for 36 and give up a later pick. That would be a prime area to land our Safety, where at 18, Horn has an excellent chance to still be there.

 

[fivetwos]

Scouts should have the biggest weight in their decision making, but it's up to the coaches to communicate what type of players to find. Since Quinn, is a late hiring, his opinions should carry a lot of weight to start the process and get the scouts on the same page moving forward.

I think not having a consistent philosophy has hurt over the years.

Signing Carr and dealing up for Claiborne to suit the Rob Ryan defense then canning him for a scheme that devalued corners is a perfect example.

This organization changes coordinators like underwear figuring thats the problem.

We a know it isn't but thats a different discussion.

 

[fivetwos]

It's should be a team efforts, it's up to the scouts to find the players, communicate their skills and the coaches to filter through the info so the team can make the best decision. Marinelli in the past was the key decision maker for the defense, that can no longer happen if they want success in the draft process. Why have a scouting department then?

I have seen this trade scenario floating around that makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys. Dolphins take Sewell at 3, but want DeVonta Smith. They offer us 18 & 50, exact match for the trade chart. Hell, if the want the player so badly and are afraid the Giants would take him (huge bama ties with Giant HC), I would ask for 36 and give up a later pick. That would be a prime area to land our Safety, where at 18, Horn has an excellent chance to still be there.

I have no issue with that.

In fact I could see someone coming up for Pitts at 10 also.

Same with a Trey Lance potentially.

The only one I'm eager to draft at 10 is Farley, and even thats only because we are so starved for DBs with ball skills since whenever now.

We are probably better off going backward for more lottery tickets in whats probably going to be the biggest crapshoot of a draft in history.

Thing is, it takes two to tango...and there has to be someone there someone wants to come up for....which is impossible to know in advance.

 

[Cowboyny]

I have no issue with that.

In fact I could see someone coming up for Pitts at 10 also.

Same with a Trey Lance potentially.

The only one I'm eager to draft at 10 is Farley, and even thats only because we are so starved for DBs with ball skills since whenever now.

We are probably better off going backward for more lottery tickets in whats probably going to be the biggest crapshoot of a draft in history.

Thing is, it takes two to tango...and there has to be someone there someone wants to come up for....which is impossible to know in advance.

That is the biggest issue, finding that dance partner. I think with the Giants right behind us, those high valued offensive skilled players, could be very attractive. Heard Jax really likes Pitts and they have a boatload of picks, come and get him!!

 

[Croomraider]

1) Surtain CB
2) Moehrig S

If this happens Dallas would be significantly better. Our secondary could actually help us win games.
This is my favorite 1/2 punch I've seen. Great stuff.

 

[kskboys]

Let's hope they don't road map the draft, like they have in the past. Take the best player available. I agree, it would surprise me if the pick isn't a corner at this juncture.

Why would you take a RB or another WR? I don't get your line of thinking.

 

[waving monkey]

1) Find 3 immediate or sometime in year 1 starters at these positions, in no particular order: CB, FS, DT1

2) Draft two developmental players who have a chance to compete to become starters within 1-2 years: LB/OT.

3) Improve Team Depth on all three levels of the defense.

I think most of us see it this way. However I really like this Jeremiah Owusu O kid.

 

[J-man]

Note: I apologize for the length.

This draft is a little bit of a conundrum for me.

The only defensive guys that I really see that are worth the 10th pick are Surtain and Farley. I really want to find a DT in the first but unless Nixon or Barmore rise a good bit, 10 will be too high for them. However, that is the position I’d most like to have a dominant rookie at.

Parsons, I’d be ok with, and physically, he’s a phenomenal talent, but there are a few concerns there for me:

1) I’m not crazy about using a top 10 pick on an off-ball 43 LB. You can find good LB’s in the first 3 rounds pretty easily IMO. Jimmy Johnson almost always drafted his in the second or third round. He’d just find a guy who liked to hit and could run like crazy who also had a good head on their shoulders. Dixon Edwards. Godfrey Myles. Vinson Smith. Darren Smith. Those guys were all fairly smart, fast, and a little bit undersized. They all had great change of direction. Just what I like to see in a 43 LB. The only LB Jimmy used a first round pick on was Robert Jones at MLB... and that was a very late first rounder.

2) I’m concerned about his possible immaturity issues. I have no idea if he has them and how big those issues actually are. Speaking for myself, loving the game of football and feeling the impact of the duty you have to your team and your team mates, is very, very important. Particularly in a top 10 pick. If there are any concerns about how seriously he takes football or how much he loves the game, I’d be out on him, no matter how talented he is. Now, if the concerns are just that he got carried away in a college hazing incident and his team mates loved playing with him, then I wouldn’t worry too much about that and I’d think hard about taking him at 10.

3) I don’t think the team is ready to give up on either Smith or LVE. I honestly doubt that Dallas will use a top 10 pick at that position because primarily just two LB’s play on most downs and in the team’s eyes... they have that covered with Smith/LVE. However, if Quinn might have designs on using Parsons some at LB and some at LEO getting after the passer, then I’d be more than down with that. Parsons is incredibly athletic and can do so much on defense to help, including being a pretty accomplished pass rusher. If they’re going to be creative with him and put him in position to make plays, then not only would I pick him at 10... but I’d be very excited about us picking him.

So, if they pick Parsons, I’d have to assume they vetted his immaturity issues and that they have a plan for him to impact the game.

Other than those 3 defenders, at this point I don’t really see anyone else on that side of the ball that is a target for 10. Again, I hope Nixon tests through the roof and moves up to that area.

So, if it isn’t one of those 3 (or 4) guys then it is either a trade-back or take an offensive guy. That could be Sewell (doubtful he falls), Slater (I’m ok with it), or Pitts (if he even makes it there I’d be very ok with it).

So while I agree that Dallas needs defense in a bad way, if they don’t want an early corner (or if they’re both gone) and they don’t like Parsons, then they almost will be forced to either reach way too much or go offense.

Kind of a weird draft for Dallas with the way it is falling. They will get a player that will be a good add to the team no matter what but it definitely could be on the offensive side of the ball.

For me, I’d be happy with any of the 3 defenders. I love both corners, though I lean towards Surtain. If the team takes Parsons, we can assume he has no issues and that the team has a plan... which would probably excite me more than anything else because he can be such an explosive difference maker. If they go with Slater or Darrisaw (yes I like him), then I’m ok with that too because it would upgrade the line both now and in the future. I think it would be a smart pick and I won’t freak about it not being defense.

And, if they took Pitts... well I’ll probably be giddy because that dude would be here for the next decade and with his physical traits along with just his natural instincts for playing football, he has a chance to be a game changer for a long, long time. Just my opinion, but I think that guy has a chance to be the best in the league very quickly.

I think a FS, corner or DT can be had that will help a lot in both the second and third rounds. So 3 players for Dallas in addition to their first pick.

DT McNeil, Tufele, or Shelvin.
FS Moehrig, Hufanga or Grant.
CB Newsome, Adebo, Stokes, Campbell or Melifonwu.
LB McGrone, Cox, or Browning.

Those guys can be had in the second to third round and can help on defense in year one. Maybe not start right away but Dallas can get defensive help that matters with their second and two thirds. No matter what they do with the 10th pick. That’s why I just want them to take the best talent at 10, no matter who that is. They’re going to get plenty of defensive help, even without figuring in free agency.

Plus, having guys buying in to the defensive scheme is going to make the biggest difference of anything that Dallas can do. Quinn replacing Nolan is going to change everything on that side of the ball.


That’s a lot to read, I know, but it is currently just how I view this draft pre Senior Bowl.

Long yes, but a great post. I agree with everything you said. Except on Nixon being the top DT for us. I wouldn't be mad if he or another like him was picked in rd 2, but I like the idea of drafting a good 1T more so than another 3T. But DT upgrade is needed badly so as long as they address the 1T at some point, I wouldn't complain at all.
We must also consider the very real possibility that a WR maybe the top remaining player available at 10. And without a good trade back option, I'm sot sure what to do if that happened.