Dallas, TX
Answering questions about how the Cowboys did in the draft
Each week, we will probably be taking questions on Twitter and Fb about Dallas Cowboys gamers and different questions surrounding the group. So let’s get proper into it.
“What are they planning on doing at LG since they didn’t draft any guards?
(Submitted by Dan McCoy through Fb)
Mike: As soon as the Cowboys obtained previous their third-round decide (decide quantity 90) the message was clear, they like what they’ve. I used to be completely with the bulk pondering the Cowboys wanted inside offensive line assist. However not utilizing a decide within the first three rounds says they’ve a plan, and that the blokes they’ve on the roster fill this teaching employees with sufficient confidence.
That plan greater than seemingly appears to revert to the unique lineup they’d final yr the place each Tyron Smith and Tyler Smith play on the left, Tyler Biadasz stays at heart and Zack Martin and Terence Steele play on the proper. The plus on this lineup is that that is one of the best beginning 5 the Cowboys presently have, and is a strong beginning 5 (which is what everybody at all times desires). However the draw back is that it messes as soon as once more with Tyler Smith’s improvement when the inevitable occurs with Tyron Smith. For now, they produce other choices to tinker with in each Chuma Edoga and newly acquired T.J Bass within the UDFA pool which we are going to see extra throughout coaching camp and get a greater analysis. I’m not shopping for the Josh Ball speak McCarthy made earlier than the draft.
Brandon: Dan, your guess is nearly as good as mine. In all seriousness, there’ll in all probability be a contest heading into coaching camp between Josh Ball, Chuma Edoga, and Matt Farniok as essentially the most skilled gamers on the group. Fifth-round decide Asim Richards might be thrown into the combo, however he would possibly sit again and take a red-shirt yr to study the place.
Edoga provides extra promise than Ball, however Farniok can be the darkish horse candidate to shock individuals this yr. He’s getting into yr three with the possibility to compete after getting a chance at guard in 2022 when Connor McGovern went down. If all else fails, they might kick Tyler Smith again inside and play Tyron Smith as their left sort out.
“Being that the Cowboys didn’t draft a QB, when and the place would they decide up a 3rd string passer?
(Submitted by Elizabeth Richardson through Fb)
Mike: They do have three quarterbacks on the roster with Dak, Cooper Rush and Will Grier, however utterly get the query by way of why didn’t they draft a QB to develop. Mike McCarthy is normally straightforward to foretell in that he just about at all times drafts a QB within the later rounds to develop and attempt to mildew. This yr nevertheless, with the wild choices being made that meant they went out and chosen an enormous worth working again, a a lot wanted cornerback for depth, and a sneaky under-the-radar extensive receiver with their final three picks. These guys actually have extra likelihood of creating the roster than a fourth QB making an attempt to beat out Grier’s place on the roster.
Brandon: The Cowboys have proven they’re snug with Cooper Rush and Will Grier taking loads of snaps within the offseason programming. Dak Prescott will get his work in, however I believe it comes right down to the teaching employees evaluating what they’ve in Grier.
It appeared like he was about to win the backup function over Rush earlier than he obtained injured, slowing down his progress. The place battle won’t be for the third quarterback spot on the roster however for the 53rd participant, which might be between Grier, Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis, Josh Ball, Neville Gallimore, or one other participant deep down the depth chart.
“After the draft is there any UDFA gamers you had your eyes on earlier than the draft?
(Submitted by Jossy Farries through Fb)
Mike: I believe I’ve been fairly vocal all draft season about FB Hunter Luepke from North Dakota State. Actually I had the nice honor of becoming a member of Brandon on Running a blog The Boys for a stay mock draft and particularly focused Luepke with the ultimate decide of the draft. He jogs my memory a lot of what the San Francisco 49ers have in Kyle Juszczyk. He can add to receiving sport and assist with the bottom sport in addition to be a pressure on particular groups. That’s a lot worth in a single participant. Add to the very fact the Cowboys will probably be implementing the west coast offense, which inserts each his ability units and function necessities, that makes this acquisition among the best within the Cowboys UDFA draft.
Brandon: The Cowboys haven’t had a conventional fullback in a very long time. When Mike McCarthy was in Inexperienced Bay, he at all times used a fullback in his offense, so it made sense they’d go after one of the best one from the category. As Mike talked about, we had a mock draft that had us taking Hunter Luepke within the seventh spherical.
Linebacker/defensive finish Isaiah Land is an thrilling identify I heard about earlier than the draft as a result of he was on the Senior Bowl. After re-watching his movie, it’s apparent why the Cowboys wished to carry him in. He’s a participant with many traits that remind me of what Dallas had in Randy Gregory throughout his rookie season—a participant with size however must develop his NFL physique.
“Might Dallas give Vaughn 30-40% of the touches to Pollard’s 60-70%? I additionally suppose Ronald Jones is a minimize candidate after camp?
(Submitted by through Fb)
Mike: Lets do the second half first and say I agree with Ronald Jones. As soon as the Cowboys drafted a working again it meant RoJo obtained placed on deck to get minimize, however he was at all times extra of a placeholder to guard the group throughout the draft. They could dangle onto him for now which is sensible in case of damage however with what the Cowboys have there, it makes Jones the odd man out. The cut up for Vaughn and Pollard although possibly extra distant than that. It’s Vaughn’s measurement, he simply can’t take an enormous quantity of reps within the league with out danger of damage or main decline in effectiveness. The opposite issue is Malik Davis and Rico Dowdle that this teaching employees actually need to discover touches for. Relying on who they hold within the backfield committee, that would be the issue to separate the handoff share whereas Vaughn will look to play extra of a change-of-pace again with excessive receiving upside.
Brandon: Opposite to opinion, Ronald Jones has a job on the group, being a special construct than the present backs on the roster. He’s additionally a veteran participant who the teaching employees may construct fast belief in important conditions. I may see the battle for the fourth working again spot between Jones and Luepke, determining who’s one of the best “big-bodied” participant.
With Deuce Vaughn, it’ll be attention-grabbing to see how McCarthy desires to make use of him on offense. If Kellen Moore had been nonetheless right here, it will be a extra exact image, given how he used Tony Pollard final season. With McCarthy taking on the play-calling duties, seeing his imaginative and prescient for Vaughn is hard as a result of he hasn’t known as performs since 2019. I may see the rookie getting ten to fifteen % of the snaps to start out, with room to go up if he exhibits sufficient on the sector.
Ballot Of The Week: Lastly on the Mailbag we requested what grade you’d give the Dallas Cowboys draft class this yr. Listed here are the outcomes and our tackle the ballot.
Mike: I believe I agree with this. To be extra particular I might go B+ for the Cowboys grade. I wished inside line of defense assist all alongside however by no means anticipated them to draft one within the first spherical since that’s by no means occurred since 1991. Mazi Smith actually makes this protection scary and extra environment friendly in opposition to the run which was the weak spot for Dallas for a stretch final yr. Tight finish was a necessity, they usually stuffed that want they usually did the identical at linebacker. Day 3 they stuffed all of the wants on the roster as properly. It wasn’t a horny draft which we’ve been so used to up to now, this was a needed draft. They went out concentrating on their guys and getting the gamers they wished to fill the roster with the lacking elements from free company. This entrance workplace has had a fantastic offseason to prepare for the preseason coaching program, so from free company and the draft I might give this group an A- for what they’ve completed.
Brandon: On Running a blog the Boys three-day draft protection, RJ Ochoa requested the identical query, and I gave a B+ for the general grade. Handing out a report card earlier than the rookies even arrive to Dallas is foolish, however I perceive the idea.
It’s not a draft filled with projections hoping gamers like DeMarvion Overshown, Junior Fehoko, and even Mazi Smith attain their full potential in yr one. It’s troublesome to imagine it’ll occur in a single day, however I really consider this class may shock individuals two years from now as being among the best below Mike McCarthy’s tenure as head coach.