The Cowboys showed this offseason they had a plan. Its clear they have talent on the team, but it was even more clear last season that they had very bad depth. The plan was sign FAs and draft to improve that. Dallas has alot of very young players that they like and fit with what they want to do. Last yr some of them were jut forced into action sooner then they wanted because of injuries or bad play by vets they were counting on. I understand that fans are all about the win now. And alot will not give players like Wilcox and Heath and Hollomon time to grow as players. As its shown how they have written off these players after their rookie yrs.
Before FA started Stephen Jones told everybody they would go into FA looking for DL because they didnt want to go into the draft with the Cubbard bare. So they did and came away with a probowler and 2 guys that fit in a rotation they want to play very well. Mincey an experienced vet that will probably play 10-15 snaps a game and McClain who will probably start and play on first and second down. Then Marinelli's top choice a player he developed specifically for his system, Melton.
So going into the draft Dallas added 3 players to a bare DL the Cowboys had. But one thing they still didnt have was am aggressive weakside passrusher. They wanted Barr to be that guy but so did Minnesota, bye Barr. Then it was Donald to pair with Melton and get that inside pressure and the Rams spoiled that. Then it was Shazier who would have pushed Carter to SAM. Steelers suprised them and got Shazier.
So the Cowboys finished the draft with:
Demarcus Lawrence
Ben Gardner
Ken Bishop
3 more guys to add to a nice rotation. But most of all the passrusher for the weakside they needed.
So from the disaster they had in '13 they turned into a nice looking rotation for '14 at first glance
DE
Demarcus Lawrence
Tyrone Crawford
George Selvie
Ben Gardner
Jeremy Mincey
Martez Wilson
DT
Henry Melton
Terrell McClain
Ben Bass
Ken Bishop
Nick Hayden
Linebacker im thinking they wanted Shazier to form a fast athletic LBer core. But it wasnt to be had so Dallas has what it has.
Sean Lee: the QB of the defense. Some people say he should be moved, but thats not going to happen. He's one of the best players in the NFL. Bad luck has been his enemy.
Bruce Carter: A fast strong LBer who IMO is playing the wrong posistion. I do think he could use more time in the study room. Because he looked really lost at times. I do think the coaches did him no favors in keeping him on the field at times he should've been on the sideline.
And then a whole bunch of guys. Justin Durant, Davonte Hollomon, Kyle Wilber, Anthony Mitchens, Will Smith. I think this team would love for Hollomon to win this job, but Durant i think will end up starting. Atleast now Dallas has capable LBers as depth. Mitchens i think is going to be a ST nightmare for teams.
The other posistion i see with improvement is WR
Dallas had its starters in Dez and TW and a nice compliment in Beasley in the slot and a ST ace in Harris. But with Austin a June cut Dallas was missing that guy who could move outside if there was a injury to the first 2.
Devin Street, is a guy who runs nice routes and can run them all. He can move inside and outside and isnt affraid to go across the field. He will IMO be the third guy on the field.
L'Damian Washington, IMO he got hurt in draft stock because of his QB. You watch him against top teams like Texas A&M and Georgia and they couldnt handle the guy. His speed and size rival Martavis Bryant from this draft. I think this guy is the sleeper. He could be a PS guy or could even end up a big contributor on the team. You want this guy in the redzone.
Chris Boyd, this guy is just a talent. A better player than teammate Mathews. Think he could be the darkhorse to start opposite Dez if he can get his head on right. Which i think he will.
And then theres OL
Zack Martin IMO is going to the best OL in this draft. He should be the LG but i think you keep him on the right side because of Free's weakness. Dallas is building a very stout OL. People would alway say this team will never pick OL in RD1. 3 of the last 4 RD1 picks have been OL.
My early 53 man Roster
QB Tony Romo, Brandon Weeden
IMO just cut Orton, the money isnt a good enough reason to keep that kind of attitude he has around the team. Sometimes you win by cutting players loose.
FB JC Copeland or none
RB Demarco Murray, Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle
WR Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Chris Boyd, Devin Street, L'Damian Washington, Dwayne Harris
Hard to do but i think Beasley is replaced by bigger faster guys who can do more. Numbers game.
TE Jason Witten, Gavin Escobar, James Hanna
T Tyron Smith, Doug Free, Darren Weems, Jeremy Parnell
I think having a player like Matin you could go with 3 Ts
G Zack Martin, Ron Leary, Mack Bernadeau, FA
C Travis Fredrick
DE Demarcus Lawrence, Tyrone Crawford, George Selvie, Ben Gardner, Jeremy Mincey
DT Henry Melton, Terrell McClain, Ben Bass, Ken Bishop
With the ability of Gardner and Mincey to move inside on downs they go with 4 DL or could pick up a FA
OLB Bruce Carter, Justin Durant, Davonte Hollomon, Kyle Wilber,
MLB Sean Lee. Anthony Mitchens
CB Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne, Orlando SCandrick, Sterlin Moore, BW Webb, Terrence Mitchell
S Barry Church, JJ Wilcox, Jeff Heath, Ahmad Dixon, Matt Johnson
K Dan Bailey
P Sean Jones
Practice Squad
Cody Mandell
Dustin Vaughn
Chris Whaley
Will Smith
Davon Coleman
Casey Kreiter
Ben Malena
Marvin Robinson
Key Cuts
Kyle Orton
Cole Beasley
Nick Hayden
Martez Wilson
Jakar Hamilton
