Ranking the Roster

[Toruk_Makto]

The purpose of this thread was to analyze the current roster "needs", and combine the upcoming potential draft picks in this draft.
I personally dont see a TE as a need, or even a draft day consideration, considering the much larger areas of concern.

One can say it's deprioritized because of Witten.

One cannot say the position is deep.

 

[9darter]

On defense I really don't care all that much about the DBs. As a group they just cannot succeed with the near awful front 7 this team trots out. You have Lee when healthy (not too often), Ro when motivated (not too often), DLaw, some rotation level players in T. Crawford, Hitchens, Thornton and a pothead no-show in Gregory. After that you have trash. They're just not getting to the QB. Can't consistently push the pocket or convincingly stop the running game - and yet people don't understand why you end up with no interceptions, and want DBs in FA and the draft to "improve the pass defense".

Now watch the FO select Ramsey and ignore the many nice DTs this draft offers. Just like they traded up for Claiborne and not Fletcher Cox. Plus signed Carr that same off-season.

 

[Sydla]

Witten
Escobar
Hanna
Swaim

I have it ranked 2nd overall on this current roster, how is that not deep considering Wittten a future HOF keeps everyone else on the bench?

Just having bodies doesn't mean you have depth. Escobar has been a disappointment. Hanna and Swaim are dime a dozen guys you can find on any roster.

You grossly overrate the TE position.

 

[FaSho]

The purpose of this thread was to analyze the current roster "needs", and combine the upcoming potential draft picks in this draft.
I personally dont see a TE as a need, or even a draft day consideration, considering the much larger areas of concern.

I'm with you here.

With that being said, they'll probably take one in the 2nd again.

 

[gimmesix]

WR - Dez Bryant stud WR1, we need a young stud that wants to be a legit WR1/2, (insert draft pick here),, TW had that chance and I believed in the guy to step up, but he failed miserably,, that sadly showed his true colors. Adding a legit WR2 in this draft, allows TW to be a really good WR3, Im good with that, TW is more like a Crayton and less like an Alvin Harper.

I think Williams gets more grief than he deserves. He showed last year that he cannot be a No. 1 receiver, after showing the previous year that he can play a complementary role to a star receiver ... which makes him exactly like Alvin Harper.

That doesn't mean we can't upgrade the spot, but I think the need to upgrade the spot is overblown. We were just fine at starting receiver when we went 12-4 in 2014.

Bryant, Williams and Beasley are an effective top three, and I'm intrigued to see what Butler can add to the mix after flashing his ability when put into the starting lineup last year. Whitehead's progress also intrigues me. However, I've seen nothing from Devin Street to make me believe he's worth retaining.

 

[gimmesix]

TE is not deep.

Well, deep is relative. We've got four TEs who are likely to make the roster, depending on Swaim's progress.

Witten still is one of the best QB-friendly options in the game, while Hanna was brought back for his blocking and is a decent No. 2 option. I think there's more to Escobar than we've seen because of limited opportunities, but I don't know how he'll be this year coming off injury.

Frankly, I wouldn't address the spot this year unless there's an absolute steal we can't pass up. I'd give it a year to see where Swaim stands before drafting another tight end. We'll have to replace Escobar next year anyway and probably will try to get our next Witten replacement when we do it.

 

[snapper]

I think Williams gets more grief than he deserves. He showed last year that he cannot be a No. 1 receiver, after showing the previous year that he can play a complementary role to a star receiver ... which makes him exactly like Alvin Harper.

That doesn't mean we can't upgrade the spot, but I think the need to upgrade the spot is overblown. We were just fine at starting receiver when we went 12-4 in 2014.

Bryant, Williams and Beasley are an effective top three, and I'm intrigued to see what Butler can add to the mix after flashing his ability when put into the starting lineup last year. Whitehead's progress also intrigues me. However, I've seen nothing from Devin Street to make me believe he's worth retaining.

Agreed. Williams is a solid #2 WR but the Cowboys need depth (and speed) and it would be nice if they can find his (Williams') replacement in this year's draft considering his contract is up after the 2016 season.

 

[gimmesix]

OLB - We are desperately thin here guys, sorry but Wilbur should be situational,,, this team needs a Myles Jack stud there to reack havoc from that position, an area that really affects this defense, and how limited we are in getting pressure up field, esp when considering the situation at DE.

I'm not against drafting Jack. I just don't see the desperate need. We have Lee starting at Will and McClain starting at Mike. The Sam spot isn't all that important in this defense, so we're going to spend our first-round pick on a player for that position?

We've got last year's fourth-round pick (Damien Wilson), the previous year's fourth-round pick (Anthony Hitchens), Wilber, Gachkar and a another draft pick whose physical ability intrigues me in Mark Nzeocha. If Nzeocha comes through, that's seven linebackers who should make this roster.

 

[gimmesix]

Agreed. Williams is a solid #2 WR but the Cowboys need depth (and speed) and it would be nice if they can find his (Williams') replacement in this year's draft considering his contract is up after the 2016 season.

I don't think we'll spend a high-enough pick on the position this year to find Williams' replacement. I see that as something we address next year if no one currently on the roster steps up.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Escobar has been a disappointment.

Based on?

He has done exactly what the coaching staff wants him to do. Any elevated evpectations on your part doesn't equate to him being a disappointment.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think Williams gets more grief than he deserves. He showed last year that he cannot be a No. 1 receiver, after showing the previous year that he can play a complementary role to a star receiver ... which makes him exactly like Alvin Harper.

That doesn't mean we can't upgrade the spot, but I think the need to upgrade the spot is overblown. We were just fine at starting receiver when we went 12-4 in 2014.

Bryant, Williams and Beasley are an effective top three, and I'm intrigued to see what Butler can add to the mix after flashing his ability when put into the starting lineup last year. Whitehead's progress also intrigues me. However, I've seen nothing from Devin Street to make me believe he's worth retaining.

Agree in a way and for those against TWill and In fairness to TWill...how can one prove anything with the likes of Weeden and Cassel and Moore throwing to you, or not throwing to you. Just some consideration there. We seen what he can do with Romo in there.

I want to see how Butler will do with Romo and Dez in there too. Street can be replaced with a mid to late round pick, or even the right UDFA.

 

[gimmesix]

Agree in a way and for those against TWill and In fairness to TWill...how can one prove anything with the likes of Weeden and Cassel and Moore throwing to you, or not throwing to you. Just some consideration there. We seen what he can do with Romo in there.

I want to see how Butler will do with Romo and Dez in there too. Street can be replaced with a mid to late round pick, or even the right UDFA.

The only real fault I have with Williams is his body-catching, which leads to some drops that would not happen if he used his hands. I was impressed with Butler's ability to catch the ball, and with his speed, it will be interesting to see if he can challenge Williams for playing time.

I don't think we have to replace Street. Our receiving corps next year without him would be Bryant, Williams, Beasley, Butler and Whitehead, and I'm not sure we'll carry more than five.

 

[CowboyRoy]

OL - Stacked
TE - Deep
RB - Decent
K/P - Solid
Everywhere else, not so much.

WR - Dez Bryant stud WR1, we need a young stud that wants to be a legit WR1/2, (insert draft pick here),, TW had that chance and I believed in the guy to step up, but he failed miserably,, that sadly showed his true colors. Adding a legit WR2 in this draft, allows TW to be a really good WR3, Im good with that, TW is more like a Crayton and less like an Alvin Harper.

DB - Adding Byron Jones gave this position a major talent infusion, getting Scan back is also huge, so another hit in this draft in the secondary will carry a lot of good weight. If thats Ramsey, than our secondary looks really good right now, but if not at 4, there are still nice additions to be had in this draft in the later rounds, that would be welcome in this secondary.

DL - Cedric Thornton will prove to be an enormous upgrade,, thats how bad things are guys. Right now we have 1 techs that are head scratchers, and 3 techs with a lot of maybes attached to their profile. This draft is all about the big DTs, 1 techs and 3 techs that fit our system to a tee, run deep in this draft. I would love to see this team walk away with two when the dust clears settles after this draft.

OLB - We are desperately thin here guys, sorry but Wilbur should be situational,,, this team needs a Myles Jack stud there to reack havoc from that position, an area that really affects this defense, and how limited we are in getting pressure up field, esp when considering the situation at DE.

These holes are not as glaring as they seem to be, just have to have a solid draft and put some key pieces in place, and all of a sudden, guys like TW, is a really good WR3, and Hayden is actually serviceable when spelling a true 1 tech.

Im in no way disrespecting this roster, I truly believe the build model is pointed in the right direction, and having a good draft, which we should this year, if we play our cards right, will make this 53 look really special, a lot different than it does right now.

There are those saying that we should have been bigger players in FA, and I look at this off season completely different. Resigning our own guys, isnt ignoring the situation at hand, we have resigned our own "depth", rather than going out and paying insane off the chart, market breaking contracts... we are creating depth with signing our own, and I truly believe that with a solid 2016 draft, the big picture will start to become very clear when we step back and look at the finished project, our final 53.

WR is definitely a strength. If ANYONES star WR goes down they are going to have issues.

 

[CowboyRoy]

OL - Stacked
TE - Deep
RB - Decent
K/P - Solid
Everywhere else, not so much.

WR - Dez Bryant stud WR1, we need a young stud that wants to be a legit WR1/2, (insert draft pick here),, TW had that chance and I believed in the guy to step up, but he failed miserably,, that sadly showed his true colors. Adding a legit WR2 in this draft, allows TW to be a really good WR3, Im good with that, TW is more like a Crayton and less like an Alvin Harper.

DB - Adding Byron Jones gave this position a major talent infusion, getting Scan back is also huge, so another hit in this draft in the secondary will carry a lot of good weight. If thats Ramsey, than our secondary looks really good right now, but if not at 4, there are still nice additions to be had in this draft in the later rounds, that would be welcome in this secondary.

DL - Cedric Thornton will prove to be an enormous upgrade,, thats how bad things are guys. Right now we have 1 techs that are head scratchers, and 3 techs with a lot of maybes attached to their profile. This draft is all about the big DTs, 1 techs and 3 techs that fit our system to a tee, run deep in this draft. I would love to see this team walk away with two when the dust clears settles after this draft.

OLB - We are desperately thin here guys, sorry but Wilbur should be situational,,, this team needs a Myles Jack stud there to reack havoc from that position, an area that really affects this defense, and how limited we are in getting pressure up field, esp when considering the situation at DE.

These holes are not as glaring as they seem to be, just have to have a solid draft and put some key pieces in place, and all of a sudden, guys like TW, is a really good WR3, and Hayden is actually serviceable when spelling a true 1 tech.

Im in no way disrespecting this roster, I truly believe the build model is pointed in the right direction, and having a good draft, which we should this year, if we play our cards right, will make this 53 look really special, a lot different than it does right now.

There are those saying that we should have been bigger players in FA, and I look at this off season completely different. Resigning our own guys, isnt ignoring the situation at hand, we have resigned our own "depth", rather than going out and paying insane off the chart, market breaking contracts... we are creating depth with signing our own, and I truly believe that with a solid 2016 draft, the big picture will start to become very clear when we step back and look at the finished project, our final 53.

I would venture to say that TE is going to soon be on the bad list. Witten is all but toast so in a year or two we will have no one. Unless Escobar is going to step up.

And RB, although "decent" it has no future there. So really the ONLY spot we are great is OL and then WR is set for while. Maybe ad a veteran.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Escobar probably won't even be healthy to start the year.

Swaim...has done what in the NFL? He was picked where?

We have Witten and Hanna and then who knows.

Escobar and Swaim are draft picks developing in the system. Hanna is a solid #2. Is depth only when you have starting quality guys at all positions?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

WR is definitely a strength. If ANYONES star WR goes down they are going to have issues.

TWIll is not a starting quality WR.

 

[CowboyRoy]

TWIll is not a starting quality WR.

Based on what? Weeden throwing to him with Garrett telling him to check down?

But..............I agree that he is an average to below average #2. Nothing special about him. He would be fine as a #3 guy. Bryant is a stud #1, I love beasley as the slot #3. But Witten has always been the #2 guy here. Williams has done fine with Romo and the others getting 700 yards and 6 or 7 TD's. Now when Witten goes, we will either need a stud TE, or a great #2 receiver. I agree on all that.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Based on what? Weeden throwing to him with Garrett telling him to check down?

But..............I agree that he is an average to below average #2. Nothing special about him. He would be fine as a #3 guy. Bryant is a stud #1, I love beasley as the slot #3. But Witten has always been the #2 guy here. Williams has done fine with Romo and the others getting 700 yards and 6 or 7 TD's. Now when Witten goes, we will either need a stud TE, or a great #2 receiver. I agree on all that.

Based on the fact that he plays small because he doesn't high point, he body catches because when he has small stone hands, he has disappeared for over a half dozen games for two seasons in a row, and he is dominated by double/bracket coverage. His best attribute is his run blocking. He's a mediocre starter.

He's not terrible but he is at best inconsistent in his first 3 years. The guys behind him are not much better or are pigeonholed inside.

Witten is getting old. He likely won't be here in 4 years even if he stays healthy.

I'm not saying in the 1st but after that if a WR is BPA then it will help the team a lot to select him.

 

[RJ_MacReady]

Big needs:
- WDE
- QB2

 

[CCBoy]

Good OP, Golden....

For me, simply...DE, DT, CB...proferably with a trade down in the first.




Scruggs: The Cowboys went 4-12. They were bad and now have a shot at a top five player. I would not pass a chance to get a blue chip player to trade down to ten or lower.

Craig Morton, John Niland, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Randy White, Tony Dorsett, Troy Aikman and Russell Maryland were top five draft picks. They were building blocks for some really great teams. I am against trading down.

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/dmn-...gh-to-consider-trading-down-from-no-4.346415/