Our Success Depends on the Next Couple of Drafts

[Pass2Run]

If you ask me, no matter what else we do outside of the draft, we have to have a good draft in 2023. If we somehow bomb this year's draft, it could be most costly. One good thing I noticed is that we have three 5th round picks this year, which is nice to have considering the talent in this draft. I expect to see some interesting, and quality players taken right around there for us.

In any case, I don't even care about the Super Bowl, although I do hope KC wins because I have family up that way. But I'm really looking forward to this draft.

 

[Acceptablename]

Well of course the draft is always important. But you’re right about this draft we need to get on it and complete the trenches. There are the other positions of course. Wide receiver, RB, CB end it LB

 

[cnuball21]

If we’re talking short term, of course the draft is important but I’d argue what we do in FA and roster churning is more important.

- Cut Zeke
- Let MG walk after next season
- Restructuring current deals to create add’l cap space
- Attack weaknesses in FA

It usually takes draftees 2/3 years to hit potential so if we’re talking about the current window with Dak, Martin, Tank etc than I believe the above is more important.

 

[InPhiltraitor]

Counting on the draft has been a Cowboy reliance for far too long. Actually, this is one aspect of management in which the organization has done a commendable job. Without doing so, we wouldn’t annually be prognosticating a 58-64% season win percentage.

The problem lies with the Jones’ inability to play outside of the draft. If the last couple of seasons don’t drive home the point that winning playoff games requires obtaining talent by means other the draft, then I don’t know what will. Sadly for us, our guys haven’t figured out how to play in that sand box.

The story about the scorpion and the frog dictates that one can't change his basic nature. If any of you believes JJ & Co. will come to their senses and try to procure season-altering talent by a method other than the draft, I beg of you, please think of the scorpion and the frog, and know that Jerry is the scorpion with a big old stinger and he's just about to plunge it into the back of the Cowboys playoffs dreams.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Unless they find Tom Brady in round 7, it won't matter. #4 is still the QB.

 

[beware_d-ware]

Drafting is one thing we have done well for a decade now. The draft is basically a crapshoot, yet McClay and co have consistently done better than the pack.

Re-signings and free agency are what has stopped this team from contending. Salary-dumping Amari Cooper and paying Michael Gallup cost us the 49ers game IMO. Imagine if we had a second CeeDee out there in place of Noah Brown.

And big second contracts to guys like Zeke and Jaylon who don't remotely pay them back is why we can't be active in FA. We already spent that money, and it was largely wasted.

 

[Sydla]

LOL.

We say this every year.

And then the next couple of years come and guess what? We have the same team. Good, not great, can get into the playoffs but likely bounced early.

Then a few weeks after that, someone pops up to talk about the draft and how it's important and how success is based on our draft.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

 

[Creeper]

The Cowboys have to draft well every year because they do not engage in free agency and they are not good at making trades. For a wealthy businessman Jerry sure does get fleeced a lot.

The problem with his draft only strategy is it depends on a lot of luck. For example, if you need a DT, you have to hope there is one that falls to you. If the good ones are all taken before you draft, you are stuck without one, or you are forced to gamble on one in the later rounds. That has been the problem with Dallas. They have not had success taking DTs in the later rounds. They have piled up a bunch of Jags but they never got the impact DT they have needed on defense. Plus, DTs take about 3 years to peak. In the meantime you are dealing with growing pains of the young DTs. The answer is to dip into free agency. On the plus side, Jerry has done that. They tried Dontari Poe, and Gerald McCoy. Poe was awful. McCoy got hurt in practice before the season and was released with having played a down for Dallas. This year they traded for Hankins which was a good move. But maybe it shows the Cowboys now see the value in the position.

I will not be shocked if they do try to sign a couple of DTs this offseason.

The Cowboys also need WRs and possibly a RB or two. They need a CB. These are the positions I would find in the draft, along with DE, safety, and OL. I would love to see them sign McGovern before the draft but I don't think they can do it.

 

[cnuball21]

Drafting is one thing we have done well for a decade now. The draft is basically a crapshoot, yet McClay and co have consistently done better than the pack.

Re-signings and free agency are what has stopped this team from contending. Salary-dumping Amari Cooper and paying Michael Gallup cost us the 49ers game IMO. Imagine if we had a second CeeDee out there in place of Noah Brown.

And big second contracts to guys like Zeke and Jaylon who don't remotely pay them back is why we can't be active in FA. We already spent that money, and it was largely wasted.

This time a gillion.

This offseason will be the ultimate test since we’re close. Do we actually want to win or continue to trot out Zeke for millions bc he’s one of our guys? Cutting Zeke is one of the easiest football decisions of all time but I have very little confidence the Jones will actually do it.

 

[DandyDon1722]

I’m sorry but drafts don’t matter.
Free agency doesn’t matter.
Salary cap doesn’t matter.

The QB matters and unless you have that…

Nothing matters.

 

[CATCH17]

Unfortunately until Dak is gone we probably can’t build the team necessary.

Our upgrades from 1 year to the next can’tjust be 20 year olds.

 

[G2]

When you can multiple rookies drafted that come right in and contribute, you've done a great job drafting.

 

[G2]

Unfortunately until Dak is gone we probably can’t build the team necessary.

Our upgrades from 1 year to the next can’tjust be 20 year olds.

Like Clockwork, lol

 

[xwalker]

If you ask me, no matter what else we do outside of the draft, we have to have a good draft in 2023. If we somehow bomb this year's draft, it could be most costly. One good thing I noticed is that we have three 5th round picks this year, which is nice to have considering the talent in this draft. I expect to see some interesting, and quality players taken right around there for us.

In any case, I don't even care about the Super Bowl, although I do hope KC wins because I have family up that way. But I'm really looking forward to this draft.

I'll start with my summary:

With slightly better offensive coaching/scheme/routes and a legit #2 WR, they would have defeated the 49ers.

Worst Case:
If they retained all players from 2022 into training camp, what do they absolutely have to upgrade?

On offense, the 2022 roster was good enough everywhere except #2 WR.

I don't think they would miss a beat in 2023 if they cut Zeke and didn't keep Schultz.

On defense they managed with Bland at outside CB and a rotation at DT.

They could keep Lewis and play him at Nickel CB unless Mukuamu or someone else beats him out.

I think Hankins is only 30. Having him to start the season would help at DT.

Sign a legit WR in Free Agency and contributions from rookies will be a bonus.

Sign a big time free agent DT and it's a slam dunk.

 

[visionary]

If you ask me, no matter what else we do outside of the draft, we have to have a good draft in 2023. If we somehow bomb this year's draft, it could be most costly. One good thing I noticed is that we have three 5th round picks this year, which is nice to have considering the talent in this draft. I expect to see some interesting, and quality players taken right around there for us.

In any case, I don't even care about the Super Bowl, although I do hope KC wins because I have family up that way. But I'm really looking forward to this draft.

You keep believing that buddy

 

[cnuball21]

I'll start with my summary:

With slightly better offensive coaching/scheme/routes and a legit #2 WR, they would have defeated the 49ers.

Worst Case:
If they retained all players from 2022 into training camp, what do they absolutely have to upgrade?

On offense, the 2022 roster was good enough everywhere except #2 WR.

I don't think they would miss a beat in 2023 if they cut Zeke and didn't keep Schultz.

On defense they managed with Bland at outside CB and a rotation at DT.

They could keep Lewis and play him at Nickel CB unless Mukuamu or someone else beats him out.

I think Hankins is only 30. Having him to start the season would help at DT.

Sign a legit WR in Free Agency and contributions from rookies will be a bonus.

Sign a big time free agent DT and it's a slam dunk.

Pretty much. Unless you’re one of our fans that hates our QB and thinks the only way to win is with an elite QB our roster is pretty darn close IMO.

It’d be so easy to make some targeted moves to get this team to the next level but I doubt the Jones’ do it.

 

[Pass2Run]

Counting on the draft has been a Cowboy reliance for far too long. Actually, this is one aspect of management in which the organization has done a commendable job. Without doing so, we wouldn’t annually be prognosticating a 58-64% season win percentage.

The problem lies with the Jones’ inability to play outside of the draft. If the last couple of seasons don’t drive home the point that winning playoff games requires obtaining talent by means other the draft, then I don’t know what will. Sadly for us, our guys haven’t figured out how to play in that sand box.

The story about the scorpion and the frog dictates that one can't change his basic nature. If any of you believes JJ & Co. will come to their senses and try to procure season-altering talent by a method other than the draft, I beg of you, please think of the scorpion and the frog, and know that Jerry is the scorpion with a big old stinger and he's just about to plunge it into the back of the Cowboys playoffs dreams.

I think it's important to hit on a WR that can come in and contribute, and we need a versatile halfback, someone like Abinikanda. Not trying to get too much into the draft, but it's important that we hit the right players in this draft. We need to up our game, even, from the last draft.

 

[G2]

Pretty much. Unless you’re one of our fans that hates our QB and thinks the only way to win is with an elite QB our roster is pretty darn close IMO.

It’d be so easy to make some targeted moves to get this team to the next level but I doubt the Jones’ do it.

There are some holes to fill, the QB isn't one. It would be strategic to get another solid draft in and go all in. Jmo

 

[CowboyRoy]

If you ask me, no matter what else we do outside of the draft, we have to have a good draft in 2023. If we somehow bomb this year's draft, it could be most costly. One good thing I noticed is that we have three 5th round picks this year, which is nice to have considering the talent in this draft. I expect to see some interesting, and quality players taken right around there for us.

In any case, I don't even care about the Super Bowl, although I do hope KC wins because I have family up that way. But I'm really looking forward to this draft.

You say this same thing every year.

 

[Verdict]

I'll start with my summary:

With slightly better offensive coaching/scheme/routes and a legit #2 WR, they would have defeated the 49ers.

Worst Case:
If they retained all players from 2022 into training camp, what do they absolutely have to upgrade?

On offense, the 2022 roster was good enough everywhere except #2 WR.

I don't think they would miss a beat in 2023 if they cut Zeke and didn't keep Schultz.

On defense they managed with Bland at outside CB and a rotation at DT.

They could keep Lewis and play him at Nickel CB unless Mukuamu or someone else beats him out.

I think Hankins is only 30. Having him to start the season would help at DT.

Sign a legit WR in Free Agency and contributions from rookies will be a bonus.

Sign a big time free agent DT and it's a slam dunk.

Totally agree.