Connect with us

Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys pre-draft 53-man roster projection

Published

on

Dallas Cowboys pre-draft 53-man roster projection


As we gear up for the 2024 NFL Draft, one of the key exercises is to see where the holes are on the current Cowboys roster. So using only current talent, we’re going to try to put together a 53-man projection. This is one of the clearest ways to identify how Dallas will prioritize its draft selections this week.

This is especially intriguing right now given the mass exodus of players this offseason with few replacements. Gone are Tyron Smith, Stephon Gilmore, Tyler Biadasz, Tony Pollard, Leighton Vander Esch, Michael Gallup, Jayron Kearse, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, and others who’d have probably made the team this August. So far, Dallas has only retained a few of last year’s free agents while adding two external free agents; a major disparity in departures over arrivals/keepers.

Thankfully, we know the Cowboys have this year’s draft and some remaining free agency work to improve on the current situation. But if they did have to play a game this weekend, what would the team look like?

OFFENSE (25)

Quarterback (3)

Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance

Running Back (3)

Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn

Fullback (1)

Hunter Luepke

Wide Receiver (5)

CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cook, Jalen Tolbert
KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks

Tight End (4)

Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker
Peyton Hendershot, John Stephens

Offensive Line (9)

Tyler Smith, Zack Martin, Terence Steele
Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass, Asim Richards
Chuma Edoga, Matt Waletzko, Josh Ball

The most glaring issue here is along the offensive line, of course. Smith, Martin, and Steele are your only clear starters going forward. While there are positive signs from prospects Hoffman and Bass, asking them to start next year is dicey. Hopefully, some of Dallas’ recent draft picks like Richards and Waletzko will be able to make it a competition. But even with this group of nine, you may not have a backup center. You can understand why most mock drafts have Dallas going OL early, perhaps even with their first- and second-round picks.

Advertisement

Keeping four tight ends and a fullback may seem rich, but John Stephens is sort of a hybrid WR/TE and gives depth at both spots. The Cowboys will probably shed weight here to keep more depth on defense, but based on current talent there was literally nobody else to keep on the other side of the ball. So for now, we’re leaning into offensive flexibility and being able to attack teams with a variety of looks and personnel.

At the top of the depth charts, we’re mostly good except for the offensive line and at running back. How early Dallas invests in a new starter at running back is one of the major talking points in this draft. The second round feels possible if Trey Benson or Jonathan Brooks are there, but many would prefer that the Cowboys wait until at least the third round to see what trickles down. You wait too long, though, and you may not be any better off than if Dowdle was the starter.

DEFENSE (24)

Defensive End (6)

Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams
Chauncey Golston, Villiami Fehoko, Tyrus Wheat

Defensive Tackle (3)

Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Carl Davis

Linebacker (5)

Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown
Markquese Bell, Buddy Johnson

Cornerback (6)

Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis
Israel Mukuamu, Nahshon Wright, Eric Scott

Safety (4)

Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson
Juanyeh Thomas, Sheldrick Redwine

This got ugly in a hurry, especially in the front seven. We couldn’t even move Markquese Bell to safety yet, as we know the team intends to do, because they’re so thin at linebacker. So it feels almost certain that at least one mid-round pick may be going there, and perhaps higher depending on who falls. Eric Kendricks is only here on a one-year deal, so having someone to compete with Clark and Overshown for the future would make sense.

We could only name three defensive tackles right now because that’s all Dallas has. Defensive ends like Golston and Fehoko may have been able to move inside some in Dan Quinn’s scheme, but Mike Zimmer likes bigger guys in more traditional roles. The Cowboys will almost certainly draft at least one defensive tackle this week, but could also be looking for some cheap veteran signings to fill the depth chart in the coming months.

The secondary feels pretty solid. Once Bell returns to safety, that’s probably curtains for Sheldrick Redwine. Younger prospects could take roster spots from the likes of Nahshon Wright and Israel Mukuamu, but at least Mukuamu gives some versatility as a corner and safety. It’d be nice to have at least one new corner with some upside, especially with Jourdan Lewis only back on a one-year deal.

Advertisement

SPECIAL TEAMS (4)

K Brandon Aubrey, P Bryan Anger
LS Trent Sieg, ST C.J. Goodwin

We don’t even call Goodwin a cornerback anymore because that’s not why he’s here. The veteran is all about special teams, serving as a gunner and leader for John Fassel’s crews. For years, we’ve assumed younger guys would step up and take his place. And every year, we’re proven wrong. Until the Cowboys actually decide to move on, just keep on penciling him in for the roster.



Source link

Dallas, TX

Petar Musa’s Brace Not Enough as FC Dallas Draws LA Galaxy 2-2

Published

on

Petar Musa’s Brace Not Enough as FC Dallas Draws LA Galaxy 2-2


For a moment, it looked like FC Dallas was on its way to another statement win at home tonight.

Petar Musa scored two first half goals, to extend his Golden Boot leading tally to nine goals. But after Dallas grabbed control, the Galaxy found a way back before halftime with goals from Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil.

The second half brought more chances and more frustration for Dallas, which finished the night with 13 shots to LA’s nine. In the end, the point stretched Dallas’ unbeaten run to five games, though just like last week, it felt like another match where Dallas left points on the table.

Key Moments

7’ – GOAL! After a poor pass back by a LA defender, Petar Musa was free to go one-on-one with the LA goalkeeper. After a touch to get ahead of a defender, Musa slotted home his eighth goal of the season from outside the penalty box.

Advertisement

21’ – Offside! Joaquin Valiente sent a floating ball over the Galaxy defense, where Musa was able to get behind the defense and make an easy play for what appeared to be his second goal of the night. The play was called offside despite a fairly lengthy review period.

38’ – GOAL! This one counts! Musa gets his second of the night off a great ball from Chris Cappis. Logan Farrington picked off the ball in the midfield. He then played Cappis wide to the left of the penalty area. Cappis immediately played a ball back across the goal for Musa to slide in and finish for his ninth of the season.

43’ – Goal LA. Lucas Sanabria got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to get outside the penalty box before firing a shot that beat Michael Collodi at the near post.

45+4’ – Goal LA. Gabriel Pec got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back a bit, which caught a pair of Dallas defenders. This allowed Joseph Painstil to get free behind the Dallas defense as Pec played him through inside the penalty area. Pec immediately smashed home a shot above Collodi to tie the game.

75’ – Another offside goal. This time on a corner kick for Dallas, after a scrum in the penalty box, Kaick hammered home what looked to be the go-ahead goal. But after a few seconds the flag was raised due to a deflection on Osaze Urhoghide, who was in an offside position.

Advertisement

Instant Reaction

Yeah, this is another disappointing result for this team. In a real way, it felt like the first half against Houston from last month. Dallas grabbed the lead, looked in control, but some defensive miscues opened the game up for the visitors to climb back.

With a double-game week coming up, this will certainly be another game where Dallas will wonder ‘what if’ more than anything else…especially when you factor in the two goals called off for offside.

About the Subs

Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time in the 66th minute, as he brought on Santiago Moreno for Logan Farrington. Quill went to his bench again 81st minute with Ran Binyamin and Nolan Norris coming on for Sebastien Ibeagha and Deedson. The final sub came during stoppage time with Herman Johansson and Joaquin Valiente coming off for Sam Sarver and rookie Nick Simmonds, who made his MLS debut.

Man of the Match

No question about it tonight, it has to be Musa.

Where does this fit into the season

As of this writing, the draw puts Dallas into a three-way tie for 5th place with Real Salt Lake and Seattle. Both are in action right now and look firmly in control of their games. I’d expect Dallas to be in 7th place by the end of the night.

Advertisement

What’s next for FC Dallas

Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand next Wednesday night as they host Minnesota United.



Source link

Continue Reading

Dallas, TX

Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft

Published

on

Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft


Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.

His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he’s a little older than you’d like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Dallas, TX

Dallas Hosting Public Safety Response Symposium

Published

on

Dallas Hosting Public Safety Response Symposium


The City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight is hosting a Public Safety Response Symposium to connect residents with public safety leaders. Here’s how to participate on May 9.

The Dallas Police Department posted to social media about the event on Friday afternoon. The post states, “Join public safety leaders for an inside look at how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled and how resources are deployed across Dallas.”

The symposium will be held at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., fro 11 a.m.-noon on May 9. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.

Topics for the symposium include:

Advertisement
  • How 911 calls are handled and dispatched
  • How DPD uses specialized units and technology to improve response times
  • When to use 311 for non-emergency services
  • How crisis and behavioral health teams collaborate through alternative response strategies

There will also be a community Q&A forum where residents can engage directly with public safety leaders. Moderation will be provided.

Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux will offer the opening remarks. Featured speakers include 911 Communications Center Assistant Director Robert Uribe; Major of Police Anthony Greer; 311 Senior Outreach Specialist Stephen Walker; and Emergency Management & Crisis Response Director Kevin Oden.

When it comes to parking: Enter through Gate 2 and drive straight to the Pan Am Gate, and continue to the Briscoe Center (located on the left).

RSVP for the Public Safety Response Symposium here.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending