The way the Cowboys handled this offseason, they just cannot go into the draft to take the best player available. With limited picks and so many needs, unfortunately this is set up for a need draft, which usually gets teams in trouble. When you look at the entire starting roster, what starter needs do they have to fill?
Offensive Line-2 starters left via fa. Nobody knows how high management is on their young prospects in house.
Running Back-Dowdle, Duece, Davis aren't quality #1 type of backs, they are better used within a rotation or #2 or #3 types.
Wide Receiver-their #3 receiver is no longer on the roster and Jalen Tolbert has failed to make an impact in 2 seasons.
Nose Tackle-all they really have is Mazi Smith who is coming off a disappointing rookie season. All they have behind him is a journeyman Carl Davis.
Linebacker-you would think the team has their 3 starters in place with Kendricks, Overshown, Clark.
Do they double dip on offensive line within the 1st three picks?
Do they use a top 100 pick at running back?
Will they address NT/LB or WR with a top 100 pick?
The more I think about this draft, with Dak/MM on prove it years, management is going to give them everything they need on that side of the football. This draft class is going to look offensive heavy early on, with a ton of defensive depth late. My final mock will be coming out this weekend to support this.
I think the only have-tos are center and running back. There are a lot of need-tos, but IMO, we have potential starters or get-by players there.
I think we can figure out LT/LG adequately with Tyler, Richards and Bass. I don't think we can do that at center because we only have Hoffman. If he sucks, then the line crumbles. I think there's potential here with Richards and Bass.
I think we can figure out third receiver with Tolbert and Turpin in particular. Doesn't mean we'll figure it out greatly with those two and a few others on roster, but enough to get by, and there's some potential here with Tolbert and Brooks.
I don't think we can say we can get by at RB with Dowdle, Freeman, Vaughn, etc. Maybe we can, but we don't have a proven starter in the bunch. And I'm not sure we have much potential. We know what Dowdle and Freeman are at this point.
I think we can get by at DE with Williams and Lawrence as the starters (and Parsons playing there on passing downs, of course) and need to see if Williams can live up to his draft value. I also think if needed we can get by with the depth there with Golston and Fehoko (more run-down players at DE than pass rushers).
I think we can get by starterwise at DT with Mazi and Odighizuwa. Osa was good but not great at 3-tech last year and Mazi is all about potential. We don't have much depth, though, esp. if Golston and Fehoko end up back at end, so we've got to add a DT at some.
Depth may be an issue at CB as well. We no doubt have our top three in Diggs, Bland and Lewis, and we did like what Scott was showing in camp last year. However, even with that, it's questionable after the top three.
I feel better about linebacker than some do. We've got starters in Kendricks and Parsons and competition for the other starting spot with Overshown and Clark. In the nickel, we'll also more than likely play Bell there. Could use more depth.
I think safety and tight end are the two positions we don't need to spend a pick on. I also don't think we address QB at this point with Dak, Lance and Rush.
