Stephen Jones mentioned fixing LB and secondary positions!

[Cowboyny]

Ideally we get starters in FA and then draft the best players in the 1st...can double dip if the board falls that way.

The FA LBr class is led by Bush and Lloyd. Guys who have been mediocre for most of their careers and had big years heading into FA. Do we want to take that risk? Probably looking at about 15 mil per year.

Top CBs are likely Jamel Dean and Eric Stokes. Dean is going to cost a fortune but Stokes is an intriguing option.

If we're targeting a Mike in the draft I'm a fan of Styles but don't think Anthony Hill is too far behind him if not equal. More experience, more production and a similar type athlete.

Agree on Delane and McCoy being the top 2 CBs. Delane seems like a high floor prospect but I'm curious what kind of athlete he is. McCoy is a freaking stud and if we were drafting off of the 24' tape he's probably a top 7ish player in the class. If the medicals are 100% and he tests at the combine like a top 10 CB I'm fine picking him.

But to your point...if we don't have a pass rush it doesn't really matter how good our CBs are so that should be priority 1 IMO.

I think there is a very good chance one of those top two corners becomes a Cowboy on draft night.

Depending on whom they hire as their DC, it will shape how they attack fa and the draft. We need multiple edges if Clowney, Fowler, Sam Williams all depart. Maybe two linebackers, corner and a safety.

 

[Denim Chicken]

IMO -- You take CJ Allen with 20 (to 30 pick depending on trades). You put him behind LWilson but expect him to beat him out by mid season. (no one gets a free ride to start for my team).

Bro, if you have Wilson as your starting Mike next season, you're already in trouble. He should be released.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Agree on Delane and McCoy being the top 2 CBs. Delane seems like a high floor prospect but I'm curious what kind of athlete he is.

I think he's generally not a guy that going to get high RAS scores, but I am more one that looks at production. He allowed zero TDs in 2025 and (big for our stupid team) zero penalties.

 

[cnuball21]

I think there is a very good chance one of those top two corners becomes a Cowboy on draft night.

Depending on whom they hire as their DC, it will shape how they attack fa and the draft. We need multiple edges if Clowney, Fowler, Sam Williams all depart. Maybe two linebackers, corner and a safety.

You are probably right...hopefully we can get the DC squared away so they can start building the board.

Would love to bring Clowney back for a year.

We HAVE to do better in FA than to go dumpster diving like we did this past offseason.

 

[cnuball21]

I think he's generally not a guy that going to get high RAS scores, but I am more one that looks at production. He allowed zero TDs in 2025 and (big for our stupid team) zero penalties.

No doubt he has been a stud this year but he did allow 7 TDs the year before...

If you go look at the All Pros and Pro Bowl CBs I would bet the majority of them are stud athletes.

I dont put too much into the 6 foot plus with long arms but if the player doesnt meet that threshold he better be a freak athlete.

That is my only question mark on him.

 

[Cowboyny]

You are probably right...hopefully we can get the DC squared away so they can start building the board.

Would love to bring Clowney back for a year.

We HAVE to do better in FA than to go dumpster diving like we did this past offseason.

My thinking is they resign Clowney another veteran pass rusher like Fowler and use one of those 1st rounders at edge to help fix their pass rush

 

[starfan1]

Im very high on McCoy as a CB. I think he would have been a top 5 pick if he played this year. For me its between him, Downs and Peter Woods as far as the best value we could get at 12

Is he recovered from his injury?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

If Caleb Downs falls to 12....you run that card up there.

He can be an all purpose safety. Can play like a LB in the box. I think he could play as a nickle corner if need be. I also think they might take Reese if he falls as he can play LB and provide pass rushing ability.

But yeah...although I want them to take a good edge with one of their first two picks....I do see them going LB and CB instead.

Just depends on how things fall as to if they have the LB or CB players higher on their board. How would they pick between Styles vs Delane.

How do they see getting the best combo by taking one position first because they feel it is shallower and the other position later because they feel that it is deeper.

 

[zrinkill]

Stephen is talking about fixing it ....... in the 5-6 round.

 

[cnuball21]

My thinking is they resign Clowney another veteran pass rusher like Fowler and use one of those 1st rounders at edge to help fix their pass rush

Probably right but not moving the needle IMO...

 

[rambo2]

In the after the season press conference, Stephen Jones mentioned wanting to fix both Linebacker and Secondary positional groupings. Thus far all their DC candidates appear to have a background as a secondary assistant coach. This points to drafting a corner and a rangy linebacker. Of coarse, Stephen Jones failed to mention the elephant in the room needing to improve their pass rush, which suggest that could be addressed prior to the draft or keeping that need quiet.

Top two corners: McCoy, Delane. McCoy missed the entire season due to an acl, he must prove he is healthy or he his stock could take a major hit. Cease could also be in play in rd 1.

Caleb Downs-could very well be in play if the Cowboys truly want to upgrade the position.

Linebackers-you would think they may view Styles over Allen as he is the more rangy of the two and is considered better in coverage, where Allen is your best run defender.

At the end of the day, they should leave Stephen at home.

 

[baltcowboy]

If this is true, there is a chance he is even off the board at 12 as he is a legitimate top 5 prospect.

This NIL stuff is killing the 2026 draft. I remember before the college season there were like 4-5 quarterback prospects that could have gone in the first round. Allar, Leavet, Manning, Nusmier, Kubek, and Sellers. What happened??? The NIL is taking 2nd/3rd round players away as well. Frustrating because we have two first round picks this year.

 

[cnuball21]

This NIL stuff is killing the 2026 draft. I remember before the college season there were like 4-5 quarterback prospects that could have gone in the first round. Allar, Leavet, Manning, Nusmier, Kubek, and Sellers. What happened??? The NIL is taking 2nd/3rd round players away as well. Frustrating because we have two first round picks this year.

It is a crazy new dynamic...On a positive the QB run next year should let a good player slide to us next year.

27 should be a loaded class.

 

[baltcowboy]

It is a crazy new dynamic...On a positive the QB run next year should let a good player slide to us next year.

27 should be a loaded class.

Let me remind you that we not only traded one of our two first round picks for 2027 but the lowest one. I think it’s gonna be difficult making the playoffs next season. The only chance is to win the division. I was looking forward to the 2027 draft with all our draft picks plus the Packers pick. My dream became a nightmare.

 

[cnuball21]

Let me remind you that we not only traded one of our two first round picks for 2027 but the lowest one. I think it’s gonna be difficult making the playoffs next season. The only chance is to win the division. I was looking forward to the 2027 draft with all our draft picks plus the Packers pick. My dream became a nightmare.

All we can hope is old man Jerry goes back to his old ways in FA.

 

[baltcowboy]

All we can hope is old man Jerry goes back to his old ways in FA.

I made the mistake of looking at the free agent defensive players and got my hopes up. We could be a top 15 defense with an inventive defensive coordinator, free agent signings and the two first round picks. I think our defensive tackles are overrated but put some guys around them I don’t see how we couldn’t have a good front 7.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Is he recovered from his injury?

He is supposedly game ready now

 

[Cowboyny]

This NIL stuff is killing the 2026 draft. I remember before the college season there were like 4-5 quarterback prospects that could have gone in the first round. Allar, Leavet, Manning, Nusmier, Kubek, and Sellers. What happened??? The NIL is taking 2nd/3rd round players away as well. Frustrating because we have two first round picks this year.

There is still a ton of talent in this year's draft, yes NIL forces players to stay longer, but eventually they run out of time. This just means more experienced players will come out and be more NFL ready.

 

[Cowboyny]

At the end of the day, they should leave Stephen at home.

He is just repeating what they have discussed internally being in their meetings.

 

[Cowboyny]

Probably right but not moving the needle IMO...

My hope is that they hire a DC who runs a pressure type of scheme over one that plays that shell type that Fangio runs. A good coordinator can simulate pressure without having that elite edge rusher. Of coarse, more bodies you send, opens you up in the back-end. Now if you bring in a similar scheme like we just ran, you better have elite edge rushers as those scheme rarely send pressure.

Who is your top choice for DC?