Quick look at Toia

Lack of injury, The way the ball bounces,umpire calls
They can be factors for sure but if the foundation is flawed, luck won't save it.

Utilizing free agency Meaningfully
manipulating the salary cap,
signing smart contracts,
not overvaluing players,
admitting bad picks and cutting bait
Resigning players in a timely matter
Hiring a top GM instead of nepotism

These are just a few of the many things that create ones own "luck,"

How many things does this FO do?
 
All I ask of him is to anchor the middle; be a big barrier to runs between the tackles; anything up the middle. That is something we have not really had for like 15 years. IF he can hold his ground, stand up the OL and protect our LBs in the middle, that would be huge. THAT he can do as a rookie.
 
I am not sure if you're serious but if the Cowboys had taken both DTs Grant at 12 and Jordan Phillips in the 5th, (both of the Dolphins picks) this defense would have been set for years.
This was the draft to do just that.

All the other current Cowboy 2nd and 3rd line of defense question marks would have been greatly lessened based off a first line of incredibly serious talent. Those were the 2 impactful trench warriors to shore it all up.

Mazi and Odiggy or Toia, Akingbesote and Thomas for that matter, are not in the same neighborhood talent wise as those DTs.

jmo
The team stuck to quality in the selections and were productive in building support.
 
This pick is exactly why I don't understand why fans were pushing for DT with 12, especially after we signed Osa. It appears Mazi has the other job locked down. We needed a run plugger with two jobs: stop the run and keep LBers clean. So this is my fav pick behind Booker ..........
He looks good, in the film I have seen. He looks strong and hard to move He should be able to help the Linebackers and pass rushers.
 
Try being right in one's first look. Both play the same position in the defensive line.
I wasn't aware the poster I was originally replying to was only mentioning one name per position. He left Thomas off list of DL that we have was simply pointing that out. You'll be alright.
 
I wasn't aware the poster I was originally replying to was only mentioning one name per position. He left Thomas off list of DL that we have was simply pointing that out. You'll be alright.
Simply developing what is already presented isn't a discussion. I'm at the point where the entire defensive line is strong already as it grows together. This defensive unit can grow to be about the 5th best without much lost with more injury. Carry on...
 
Look at the offensive line.

LT 1st round pick
LG 1st round pick and new contract coming
C 3rd rounder
RG 1st round pick (+Martin Dead cap hits)
RT UDFA but on decent 2nd contract

To me, while Martin leaving sucks, guard isn't a position you have to draft in the 1st.
This draft had talent at DT, not just at NT either. Could of gotten Harmon, Nolen(who did fall prob due to red flags), or Grant.
All 3 may bust, be average or be great. However, they all had pretty high ceilings, and IMO the general need at DT was much greater than Guard, IMO.

Osa is a good player, but to me, he wasn't someone that is a cornerstone of the team. Dallas has always rotated heavily, so even if they took someone like Harmon, that would of been a 3 tech here, he still would of been rotated in and/or play along side Osa on passing formations(which is becoming more frequent.

Say, Toia turns out to be solid/good. Nice, however, getting hits in day 3 is rare. Sometimes players fall off the radar or just develop unexpectedly to scouts. But there's that prevailing thought of there's a reason why they fell where they did.

The hype train is rolling for these 7th round picks. Rather see hype than hate, but at the same time, I just hope people aren't counting their eggs before they hatch. The 7th is used to secure player rights instead of fighting for them in UDFA. Every player can have a highlight tape, doesn't mean that's what we'll get. Run pluggers for the most part are extinct unless they can actually move. The zone blocking scheme wiped them out.
If they can't move laterally, then, they can be easily taken out.
For every big 6'3-330lb+ guy, most don't amount to much, cause if they are a one trick pony which is being a plugger they are extremely niche in today's NFL.
Good points. I wanted to say something similar…as in just because you’re big doesn’t mean you’re an effective one tech.

An OG/OC who weighs 40-50 pounds less but has skills/technique/actual talent will push them out of the way for the few necessary seconds.

Counting on 7th rounders to pan out…especially when this team needs immediate help there is quite foolish….but it happens over and over,

Again, they think the big contract solves the problem when it probably made it worse.
 
Simply developing what is already presented isn't a discussion. I'm at the point where the entire defensive line is strong already as it grows together. This defensive unit can grow to be about the 5th best without much lost with more injury. Carry on...
Well, I appreciate your optimism, I don't share it. I'm concerned about CB especially slot CB.

I feel better about LBs than most but that's from a depth standpoint, I think we've done a good job of building depth there we haven't seen in awhile, but no one currently stands out. Will keenly be observing that during camp.

Edge we are fine, may be strongest unit on team not named WR.

I think 3t is fine. 1T is a question mark. I do like the last half. Of season for Mazi and thinks he builds on that. Love traits of Toia and think year 2 and beyond he plays significant snaps. But as of right now, 1T is a question mark.

Safety is meh. Serviceable. Would love to spend some resources there next year.

I see D as middle of pack right now, if I can rekindle what they've had in recent years, 2024 aside, middle of pack can take us far into playoffs.
 
Talented depth and what this strong defensive line group needs. Stay healthy and let the group grow together.

I like the linebackers and secondary without further people lost, also.
After trading for Kenneth Murray and signing Jack Sanborn in free agency, the linebacker position looked to be in decent shape heading into the draft, even with DeMarvion Overshown recovering from injury this offseason. With Murray, Sanborn, Damone Clark, and Marist Liufau on the roster, the linebacker room is pretty full, and that is without mentioning Overshown who plans to return at some point during the season.

In a crowded linebacker room, James will need to prove himself on the field this offseason on the defensive side of the ball, but even more on special teams. James has plenty of experience impacting the game in that phase, as he played a pivotal role on special teams for Florida for three years.

James could push Damone Clark for the final linebacker spot heading out of training camp, but there is a world where they elect to go heavy at linebacker keeping all five without knowing exactly when Overshown will be back. James’ role in 2025 will likely be a more rotational role, if he does make the roster, with the chance to make the game-day roster if he can be a difference maker on special teams. James has a skillset to stick at the NFL level, but expecting him to play a ton in year one is probably wishful thinking at this point given the Cowboys current roster on the defensive side of the ball.

James is a player the Cowboys would like to stick. While the linebacker room is currently crowded, both the Cowboys offseason additions, Murray and Sanborn, are only under contract through the 2025 season. Clark will also be a free agent at the end of the 2025 season. All of that goes into final roster cutdowns, so do not be surprised if James finds his way on the final roster, even if he does not play a pivotal role for the Cowboys in his rookie campaign.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...amp-rookie-protection-linebacker-shemar-james
 
He Sounds great , but whats negative? Why
This pick is exactly why I don't understand why fans were pushing for DT with 12, especially after we signed Osa. It appears Mazi has the other job locked down. We needed a run plugger with two jobs: stop the run and keep LBers clean. So this is my fav pick behind Booker ..........
he fall to rd 7
 
I like Toia, but I also think fans are overlooking Akingbesote. He's a good scheme fit and has some pass rush to his game.
 
He Sounds great , but whats negative? Why

he fall to rd 7
He’s not real athletic. He’s going to get reached and he’s not going to give you much penetration or pass rush.
Not many teams are necessarily looking for a true NT and this was a very deep DL draft.
 
He’s not real athletic. He’s going to get reached and he’s not going to give you much penetration or pass rush.
Not many teams are necessarily looking for a true NT and this was a very deep DL draft.
Very true. What fans think a NT in today game should be and what they actually are tend to be two very different things. The middle of the line pluggers have largely gone out of style other than in heavy/goal line fronts. Those early down rushes tend to be zone runs with a lot of movement from the OL, leaving bigger/lesser athletes to get walled off by one blocker.

Vita Vea is a great player, not because of his size, but the fact that hes that size and moves as well as guys 40 pounds lighter.
 
Back
Top