Teams that improved the most at the 2018 NFL Draft

[Hardline]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...n=fb-nf-sf188055339-sf188055339&sf188055339=1

Dallas Cowboys: The timing of tight end Jason Witten's retirement news caught the Cowboys off guard, but the franchise legend might have done the team a favor. His playing speed slowed down the Cowboys' offense, and his playing time started to look like a nod to his career achievements. With Dez Bryant already cut, it makes sense for the Cowboys to get a clean break from the Tony Romo-era skill position talent, even if that break isn't their choice.

Witten's departure shouldn't distract from a productive week. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (Round 1, No. 19) is a baller who should replace Anthony Hitchens and terrorize ball-carriers alongside Sean Lee. Connor Williams (Round 2, No. 50), who could play tackle or guard, adds quality depth to an offensive line that cost the Cowboys games last year because it was so thin. Owner Jerry Jones was smart not to let his team's line success calcify, continuing to build on its strength. The team's bids for pass-catchers (third-round wideout Michael Gallup, No. 81; fourth-round tight end Dalton Schultz, No. 137; trade acquisition Tavon Austin) are long shots to make major impacts this year, but I like Dallas' first two picks enough to include the Cowboys here.

 

[Jipper]

He has 10 teams out of 32 there....doesnt seem like much of a distinction...but hey at least were in the list

 

[Bluefin]

The team's bids for pass-catchers (third-round wideout Michael Gallup, No. 81; fourth-round tight end Dalton Schultz, No. 137; trade acquisition Tavon Austin) are long shots to make major impacts this year.

Stephen Jones said tonight the team envisions anywhere from 12-24 snaps per game for Tavon Austin.

Can the Cowboys utilize TA's skills when the Rams could not?

I'm always hopeful, but the propensity for fumbling looms large in my mind.

 

[HungryLion]

Stephen Jones said tonight the team envisions anywhere from 12-24 snaps per game for Tavon Austin.

Can the Cowboys utilize TA's skills when the Rams could not?

I'm always hopeful, but the propensity for fumbling looms large in my mind.

I hear ya bluefin. I don’t trust our offensive coaches to be creative but we shall see.

Either way, I DO think Austin is going to be a very good punt returner for them, at the very least. Even if he is only that, it’s worth the 6th rounder they used.

 

[willia451]

The draft is always exciting. Everyone hopes they've hit a home run. The goal is to fill positions of need with quality football players. I think the Cowboys really tried to do that this draft. Instead of swinging for the fences for reasons that are suspect. So we'll see. Time will tell.

 

[gimmesix]

Stephen Jones said tonight the team envisions anywhere from 12-24 snaps per game for Tavon Austin.

Can the Cowboys utilize TA's skills when the Rams could not?

I'm always hopeful, but the propensity for fumbling looms large in my mind.

I think we'll see him in the backfield some and have him out there to fake and take the jet sweep. What we won't be relying on him to do is line up and be one of our top wideout options. I agree that the fumbling could sideline any plans.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Stephen Jones said tonight the team envisions anywhere from 12-24 snaps per game for Tavon Austin.

Can the Cowboys utilize TA's skills when the Rams could not?

I'm always hopeful, but the propensity for fumbling looms large in my mind.

I think when it came to the Rams.....they just had more options. Robert Woods, Kupp and Watkins......

 

[Sydla]

Stephen Jones said tonight the team envisions anywhere from 12-24 snaps per game for Tavon Austin.

Can the Cowboys utilize TA's skills when the Rams could not?

I'm always hopeful, but the propensity for fumbling looms large in my mind.

We are going to find out a lot about the coaching staff this year.

They’ve lost/added players that calls for a real change in how we run our passing game.

 

[Bluefin]

I hear ya bluefin. I don’t trust our offensive coaches to be creative but we shall see.

Either way, I DO think Austin is going to be a very good punt returner for them, at the very least. Even if he is only that, it’s worth the 6th rounder they used.

They thought it out and have a plan, we'll see how it goes.

Stephen Jones said Jason Garrett has been a big proponent of having a 'web-back' and that Scott Linehan viewed Tavon Austin as a second round talent when in the draft.

 

[conner01]

Stephen Jones said tonight the team envisions anywhere from 12-24 snaps per game for Tavon Austin.

Can the Cowboys utilize TA's skills when the Rams could not?

I'm always hopeful, but the propensity for fumbling looms large in my mind.

If you look a TA, teams have found ways to get him involved but teams couldn’t overcome the turnovers
If he can fix the turnovers he can contribute
If he turns the ball over he become a detriment

 

[Bluefin]

I think when it came to the Rams.....they just had more options. Robert Woods, Kupp and Watkins......

Perhaps.

But the Rams just traded a player they had paid a $4M bonus this off-season for a 6th.

We are going to find out a lot about the coaching staff this year.

They’ve lost/added players that calls for a real change in how we run our passing game.

Yup.

Conscious decision to go away from an offense that features a #1 wideout to one that looks to simply spread the ball around and do it with multiple targets.

They had no plan to move Ryan Switzer going into the draft, Oakland called after the Tavon Austin deal to see if he was available and just so happened to offer an appealing player in exchange.

 

[Sydla]

Perhaps.

But the Rams just traded a player they had paid a $4M bonus this off-season for a 6th.


Yup.

Conscious decision to go away from an offense that features a #1 wideout to one that looks to simply spread the ball around and do it with multiple targets.

They had no plan to move Ryan Switzer going into the draft, Oakland called after the Tavon Austin deal to see if he was available and just so happened to offer an appealing player in exchange.

More short, quick hitters, work the middle of the field more than we have, etc.

Going to be fascinating IMO.

 

[Bluefin]

More short, quick hitters, work the middle of the field more than we have, etc.

Going to be fascinating IMO.

Changing WR coaches is a big part of it.

Derek Dooley evidently wasn't on board with the direction of the scheme last season and it filtered down to his charges.

 

[gmoney112]

Stephen Jones said tonight the team envisions anywhere from 12-24 snaps per game for Tavon Austin.

Can the Cowboys utilize TA's skills when the Rams could not?

I'm always hopeful, but the propensity for fumbling looms large in my mind.

If he's getting that many snaps then he's going to be running quite a few 'clearouts'.

It could be interesting to line up s11 (3 WR, 1RB, 1TE), with our offensive line and having Tavon just clear it out from the slot. They have to at least account for him. More often than not you won't target him, but if he's open or they tried to cover with a safety, and he's beat, then hit him.

It does have some fun potential when you have an OL like ours and Zeke.

 

[Bobhaze]

In April? Let’s check back next January, then compare.

 

[ShiningStar]

everyone looks shiny in april. lets see what the coaches do these. we got some new coaches, some new talent.