‘We should be contrarians’: Five takeaways from Dallas Cowboys pre-draft press conference

FRISCO, Texas — Simply two days previous to the 2022 NFL draft, Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones, government vice chairman Stephen Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy held a information convention Tuesday afternoon.

If followers who tuned in for less than parts of the 45-plus-minute dialog derived conflicting messages, forgive them: The standard draft-week filibustering was in full power.

However by way of the votes for and towards unconventionality and the voices with each concern and encouragement about this draft class’s out there expertise, the Cowboys shed some mild on how they view their present roster and what which may imply for his or her 9 draft picks, starting with the twenty fourth total choice Thursday evening. Listed below are USA TODAY Sports activities’ 5 key takeaways from the session:

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ADVICE: What ought to Cowboys do to maximise picks?

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The place is wildcatter Jerry?

The Cowboys proprietor, who serves as common supervisor as properly, asserted that successful in a league of parity calls for creativity.

“We will probably be unconventional if we expect it should assist our group,” Jones stated.

But later, as he preached accountability’s everlasting significance, the 79-year-old weighed in on the place his philosophies have shifted since his 1989 buy of the Cowboys.

“There’s in all probability much less risk-taking in me right now than it in all probability was round 30-something years in the past,” he stated.

Upon first pay attention, the 2 mindsets appear incongruent. However Jones defined additional that he’s much less prone to pay high greenback or draft premium for gamers whose availability and rapid readiness he can’t depend on. Jones cited that availability concern in defending why the Cowboys misplaced cross rusher Randy Gregory to the Broncos in free company, and he reasoned 2021 second-round cornerback Kelvin Joseph’s historical past of crimson flags by saying “we thought he was one of many high, talent-wise,” including that Joseph “bought docked” on off-field issues. Jones emphasised that rookies should be able to contribute on a group strapped by payouts like quarterback Dak Prescott’s $40 million-per-year common charge, hoping the Cowboys will discover impression first- and second-rounders like 2020 picks CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, in addition to 2021 first-round linebacker Micah Parsons.

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“We’d like these gamers to play instantly,” Jones stated. “Perhaps somewhat extra conservative about (drafting) gamers on the come which have some creating to do, have to get some energy – as a result of I really feel like we have to use them now.”

Cowboys’ high positions of want in draft

Followers, scouts and even energetic roster members have voiced the necessity for the Cowboys to improve at key positions. Receiver, offensive line and cross rusher arguably high the listing, tight finish a middle- to late-round chance whereas cornerback grew to become a extra believable transfer after police linked Joseph to the scene of a deadly taking pictures. The Cowboys take into account this a deep draft at receiver, which may reassure them they needn’t spend their twenty fourth decide on a cross catcher if an elite participant isn’t there. McCarthy stated offensive line versatility and positional flexibility are valued much more extremely with the NFL’s growth to 17 regular-season video games.

And but, the Cowboys insist their roster will allow them to actually take into account one of the best gamers out there. They gained’t say aloud how dire a receiver decide is regardless of buying and selling four-time Professional Bowler Amari Cooper to the Browns and figuring out that re-signed Michael Gallup is anticipated to overlook two to a few video games finishing ACL tear restoration. The Cowboys didn’t concede Tuesday that their offensive line was a weak hyperlink in 2021 even earlier than they lower beginning proper deal with La’el Collins and allowed beginning left guard Connor Williams to signal with the Dolphins in free company. And definitely, they didn’t affirm the damage of dropping Gregory, as an alternative sticking to their occasion line that the mix of re-signing Dorance Armstrong and including Dante Fowler Jr. will supply superior profit to Gregory’s solo availability and talent.

The Cowboys dismissed any notion of positional urgency.

“I don’t suppose we’ve got any ‘musts’ going into the draft,” Stephen Jones stated. “Clearly you’d wish to search for 9 picks later and hope that you just actually helped your self throughout the board when it comes to not solely bettering your self with front-line gamers but additionally depth and issues of that nature. (However) I wouldn’t say we’ve got any ‘musts.’”

New chapter for NFL draft after COVID-19 restrictions

The NFL has eradicated the strict COVID-19 protocols that shifted the analysis and draft course of in McCarthy’s first two drafts as Cowboys head coach. Now, scouts, front-office members and coaches are assembly all collectively in particular person to simulate draft situations. The scouting mix and its in-person interviews returned, as did professional days and the Cowboys’ Dallas Day internet hosting native prospects for a gaggle exercise for the primary time since 2019. And but, the Cowboys are nonetheless availing themselves of digital sources, be it gamers tuning in for nearly for offseason conferences to permit for 100% mixed participant attendance or Zooming with draft prospects when additional info was sought. McCarthy believes the method has allowed the group to know not simply participant expertise but additionally participant match with scheme and training imaginative and prescient higher than in earlier years.

“Match is an enormous a part of a whole lot of our conversations,” McCarthy stated. “It makes us stronger as a gaggle, the decision-making course of is tighter. That is yr three. Yr one, we have been digital. Final yr was extra holistic. And that is actually the primary full yr that we’ve had as a employees. Our scouts are in-house, so this has clearly been one of the best means of my time right here due to the interplay, whether or not it’s on the street, getting out and seeing these gamers of their professional days and likewise interacting together with your scouts on the street. Simply a lot extra collaboration, interplay, and I believe with that it undoubtedly it improves your decision-making course of.”

Who will make the selections?

Jerry Jones addressed each significantly and in jest who will in the end make choices and the way when the clock begins to tick. Jones emphasised how he has the ultimate say however incorporates enter from a number of personnel and training colleagues earlier than pulling the set off. Stephen Jones argued Tuesday that Jerry Jones’ twin position as proprietor and common supervisor offers the group a bonus ought to they resolve to eschew an apparent choice or in any other case transfer aggressively.

“Having Jerry because the proprietor and common supervisor, we will make fast choices, could make onerous choices rapidly,” Stephen Jones stated. “So I believe that provides us a bonus when it comes to if we resolve to do one thing that’s on the actual aggressive facet, then we will do it.”

Buying and selling the tenth total decide to the division-rival Eagles final yr, and choosing Parsons at 12 was one instance of that strategic wheeling and dealing. On the time, questions abounded about why the Cowboys eschewed their wants for depth at a seemingly strong roster place, and all of the extra so choosing a participant 16 months faraway from his final faculty efficiency. The outcome: Parsons dominated from each protection linebacker and pass-rusher packages, driving a 13-sack, 84-tackle, three-forced-fumble marketing campaign to unanimous Defensive Rookie of the Yr honors.

“We had no concept Micah Parsons was going to be there,” Jerry Jones stated. “All of us had our eye on corners. The dangerous factor would have been to haven’t been versatile or keen do one thing that you just actually hadn’t gone to mattress the evening earlier than considering (doable). Flexibility, we’ve got it right here.”

Jerry Jones jested about how a lot better that decide fared than the Cowboys’ 2017 first-round collection of Taco Charlton, whom Dallas lower after two years. Charlton has since been signed by the Dolphins, Chiefs and Steelers, averaging two begins per yr.

“There’s a whole lot of speak on this enterprise about who makes the decision,” Jerry Jones quipped. “Taco was Stephen’s name. Parsons was my name.”

Would the Cowboys take into account a commerce and why?

Jerry Jones stated final week he would take into account buying and selling up. He strengthened Tuesday his willingness to entertain offers up and down whereas indicating his philosophy emphasizes discussing stated strikes greater than appearing on wild schemes.

“There’s nothing harmful about considering loopy issues,” Jerry Jones stated. “What’s harmful is once you get on the market and decide.”

The Cowboys don’t search to emulate the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Rams’ blueprint of mortgaging draft picks in daring trades for veterans. Dallas as an alternative doubled down on its perception the group construct its roster by way of the draft. Followers might have a look at the postseason sputters, and 26-year championship drought, as indications that Dallas’ entrance workplace is falling quick. However the Cowboys have drafted 16 Professional Bowlers since 2019, essentially the most within the NFL by way of that span (the Chiefs and Vikings rank second at 15 every). Between the rookie class that looms, expectations Prescott performs his healthiest season in three years and continued reliance on defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s knack for maximizing expertise, Jerry Jones says he believes his group could be as gifted as final yr’s 12-5, NFC East champion group that misplaced within the wild-card spherical.

“I believe we will very simply be the place we have been final yr talent-wise or be capable to play at that sort of expertise degree,” Jones stated. “I am not keen to concede in any respect that by the point we get to the playoffs this coming yr that we can’t be each bit the group that we had going into the playoffs final yr.”

Observe USA TODAY Sports activities’ Jori Epstein on Twitter @JoriEpstein.

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Dallas Cowboys: 5 takeaways from group’s pre-NFL draft press convention