As I did some looking around this week about the Dallas Cowboys, we should all know by now Zack Martin is retiring, the gold standard and, yes, they will now need to overhaul this offensive line completely.
Yet, I have been seeing a lot of things about a different position when it comes to the draft in April.
Wouldn’t Surprise Me
So what exactly am I talking about here? Well, not only have I seen this in a few mock drafts, but it really sounds like some actually may not mind if the Cowboys pass up other needs and look to draft a cornerback with the 12th pick?
I am honestly asking, with all the needs they have with no running back, a very bad defensive line and needing a complete overhaul on the offensive line, would Jerry and the guys draft a cornerback with the 12th pick if Will Johnson from Michigan fell to them?
On the big board he is ranked 6th, and I get it, you don’t know what is going to happen with Trevon Diggs injury, and what is the future with DaRon Bland?
Solidifying the secondary and freeing up cap space is a win-win.
Field Yates mocked Michigan CB Will Johnson to the #Cowboys this morning.
And I'm starting to think that it could happen.
He's fallen a bit on the consensus board and the Cowboys have a huge need at CB.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 11, 2025
When he was healthy, Bland was among the top defensive backs in the league. Not only did he lead the league in interceptions in 2023, he set an NFL record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown (5) and most defensive touchdowns (5) in a single season.
We understand all of that, but I think this team has bigger needs at least in the first round, right?
Johnson is the No. 2 prospect in ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s latest Big Board rankings.
Johnson played in only six games this year because of a foot injury but still returned interceptions for touchdowns in wins over Fresno State and USC.
Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham is another name to keep an eye on, these Cowboys love drafting guys from Michigan that just don’t work out.
We are discussing LSU OL Will Campbell today on Locked On Cowboys.
And I found this video on YouTube of every pass-block rep for him vs. Texas A&M. Enjoy.https://t.co/8Sx8oGnB3e pic.twitter.com/LKOl3bhm8w
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 17, 2025
Not The Biggest Need
All of that is fine and dandy, and even if he falls to no. 12, I don’t want the Dallas Cowboys to take a cornerback if Ashton Jeanty, Will Campbell, Armand Membou or Mykel Williams are still on the board.
Those are bigger needs as we sit today than cornerback. Yes, you have to be able to cover folks and they are going to be lacking the depth, but you have a better chance to hit on a defensive back in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th round then you do something else.
Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin has informed the #Cowboys that he plans to retire, sources tell The Insiders.
One of the greatest linemen of his era and a probable Pro Football Hall of Famer, Martin walks away at age 34. pic.twitter.com/M4RqV7VoB8
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 20, 2025
They have done it with Diggs and Bland, they can do it again!
Look, I am not the guy running the team, but if I were I would do everything I could to try and win unlike Jerry Jones.
I also would not draft a cornerback regardless of how high he is rated, he isn’t Travis Hunter.
I know we have all been wondering how they will handle the offseason with the salary cap and if they will even resign their own players, if not go out and get anyone.
Earlier this week, the NFL informed teams the 2025 salary cap will be between $277.5 million to $281.5 million, well ahead of last year’s figure of $255.4 million,.
That should allow Dallas to at least think about doing something about all these pending free agents and maybe look to bring in a guy so they don’t have to hope a late round pick hits this season.
Nonetheless, I don’t think drafting a corner unless it is Travis Hunter is the right move at 12, you can agree to disagree, but I just feel like this team has bigger needs to start the draft off.
With this team and their financial malfeasance, there are few positions I wouldn’t draft in the 1st round, ST’s, TE, Safety, and RB/FB are about the only ones.
ST’s: Self-explanatory, unless you’re Al Davis.
TE: Not a big money position, and we have enough talent there. Besides, there aren’t any “game-changer” TE’s in this draft.
Safety: Even though ours aren’t that great, and they aren’t good fits for Eberflus’ scheme, there aren’t any “gotta have them” Safeties at the top of this draft. Besides, Safety isn’t exactly a premium position. I subscibe to the philosophy that the further away from the ball a position is, the lower the value. And, there are very few ball-hawking Safeties these days.
RB/FB: Should be self-explanatory, sadly, it isn’t. The only RB ranked as a “1st rounder” is the ultra-high mileage Jeanty. Even if he blows away teams at the Combine, which he likely won’t, drafting a 4/5 year player in the first round is a foolish waste of severely limited resources. Even if you do manage to re-sign a 1st round RB at a “reasonable price”, it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. RB’s that excel past their rookie contract are the exception, not the norm. Better to put those resources towards the “big money” positions.
All that being said, I feel that WR is a bigger need than many seem to believe. We’ve seen what happens when teams are able to concentrate on taking Lamb away. Dak gets happy feet and then either tries to force it to him anyway, goes to another receiver late, or folds up like a cheap poker table. All of which lead to sacks and turnovers.
They need another WR at least as good, as Lamb to gain Dak’s trust and keep the D from sitting on Lamb. A strong running game will certainly help, but there are always times where ya gotta pass. Plus, a two-headed passing attack opens up the running game as well.
We all know, it’s about JERRY.. watch the draft, he makes sure the camera is on him.
I would rather draft another PON/BPA then taking Michigan cb.
He can’t stop the run, he can’t run the ball, he can’t block for over priced Dak.
The salary cap can be increased if Stephen would put in the work required. But he’s lazy and will blame the salary cap instead.
Ever since Jimmy Johnson got run out of town by Jerry Jones’ ego, the team has been abysmal. They won’t re-sign their own players who have earned it; they won’t cut others who haven’t; they won’t bring in mercenaries to supplement the draft, etc.
It’s been the same ol’ same ol’ for the past almost three-decades. Nothing will ever change unless the team brass changes with the times.
Not gonna happen. The team will finish the ‘25 season, if they’re lucky, at a ho-hum .500.
And we all know JJ will pin the blame on the coaching staff, cuz he’s the Greatest GM the world has ever seen. He’s never wrong. Never has been, never will be.