Although it has been relatively quiet, it has been a very good off season for the Dallas Cowboys thus far. They have put an emphasis on re-signing their own free agents, by locking up Morris Claiborne, Rolando McClain, James Hanna, and Kyle Wilber. They also went out and upgraded the starting 1T defensive tackle spot by bringing in former Eagle Cedric Thornton on a team-friendly deal.
Elsewhere in the division, the Giants took the opposite approach and spent as much money as they could upgrading their defense with average-at-best acquisitions.
The Eagles have parted ways with former Cowboy DeMarco Murray, but more importantly have also traded Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso to the hapless Dolphins. In return, they have moved up to the 8th spot in the upcoming draft.
This puts three of the four NFC East teams into the top 10 of the first round. Dallas will of course be picking at #4, while the Eagles hold pick #8 and New York is spotted to pick at #10 overall.
The Cowboys, if healthy, have aspirations of winning a Super Bowl in the coming seasons – and that starts with winning the division. To do so, they likely have to bring in some immediate impact talent during this draft – primarily with the fourth overall pick.
Even if the Giants took a step back in free agency, they will improve through the draft along with the Eagles and even the Redskins. While the consensus from Jerry Jones and the Cowboys this off season has been the belief that this roster should compete for the division easily in 2016 at 100% health, it can’t hurt to have an impact first-round rookie on the roster.
The Cowboys were the talk of the league last season after the draft when they walked away with three potential first round talents in Byron Jones, Randy Gregory, and La’el Collins.
While Gregory is still trying to find himself in this league, after having his rookie season washed away by injury before being suspended weeks ago for the first four games of 2016, Jones and Collins look like potential stars. The two could become the foundation for an incredible group of young talent when entering their second season alongside the team’s 2016 rookie class.
Many fans once advocated for the team to select a quarterback to backup Tony Romo with the fourth pick, myself included, but that has died down significantly. I am now much more in favor of this team bringing in a player like Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey or Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott.
The Cowboys defense could be on the verge of something special in 2016, and adding another play maker for Rod Marinelli’s secondary to be paired with Byron Jones will only further help them return to their turnover-forcing ways of 2014.
A ball-hawking defense paired with an offense that may not only feature a healthy Romo and Bryant but a rookie WR such as Josh Doctson could have this team near the top of the league early on next season – making fans forget about the future beyond Romo for the time being.
Likewise, Ezekiel Elliott could also take this offense to the next level running behind “The Great Wall of Dallas”. The return of Romo will keep defenses honest, allowing a tandem of Darren McFadden and Elliott to run all over opposing team’s.
Both of these selections would only further help the Cowboys separate themselves from the pack in the NFC East – as they look to contend for the Lombardi trophy in 2016 and beyond.
Who are you hoping gets their name called for the Cowboys in the first round? Do you still want a quarterback? Joining me on #TeamRamsey? Let us know! Leave a comment below or find me on Twitter @ShoreSportsNJ!
I think the conservative approach to free agency makes it clear Dallas is planning to focus on the draft for needed improvements, thus making QB in the first few rounds unlikely. What worries me is that they may have painted themselves into a corner with the need for a pass rusher. I hope they don't end up reaching on Bosa or Buckner out of necessity.
If the Cowboys could somehow get Eric Weddle without breaking the bank, picking up Ramsey with the 4th, if he's still there, would elevate the defense immediately, in my opinion. It would give them a formidable secondary they haven't had in a LONG time, since Darren Woodson was playing. These are all big if's, but I'd rather they use the pick on defense than offense.
Plenty of later round options for pass rush in this class, @Jess Haynie.
The depth at pass-rusher is part of the reason I think the Cowboys would pass on Bosa. I don't think he's necessarily a great fit for our defense anyway, and it almost feels to me like drafting a pass-rusher at #4 with such a deep class seems counter-intuitive unless he's just flat-out the best prospect you can get by far at that spot.
As for a quarterback, I do think the quiet free-agency probably precludes them from drafting one at #4. I still think they should at least target someone in the 3rd round or so like Dak Prescott. Let's at least take a shot at trying to get in a good position for the post-Romo era.
In what universe can you say the Cowboys defense may be on the verge of something special? Their secondary is a major concern, they have almost no proven pass rush, and their 2 best LBs are a injury or suspension away from being gone a whole year? Other than that, the defense's future is bright, indeed
When healthy, they played very solid defense at the end of this season. Was it the type of defense that wins you games? No. But it was something to hopefully build on. Drafting Ramsey not only gets you more turnovers but it tightens up the secondary – which is the first area you mentioned.
Pass rush is a serious concern. I hope we land Chris Long, get a very motivated Randy Gregory back, and then add a rookie such as Blair or Spence.
Pick up Ramsey with the 4th pick and hope Henry will be available in the 2nd rd. Get a pass rusher in the 3rd & maybe Cook or Prescott would be available in the 4th…both are decent QBS that could be groomed by Romo & Garrett. OR grab Elliott with the 4th pick and trade (2nd & 7th rnd pick) back into the 1st rnd and grab a pass rusher…THAT BOY FROM Ga. (Leonard) pretty good.