Dallas Cowboys: Time To Turn Lemons Into Lemonade

The Dallas Cowboys had a very productive draft largely addressing the holes on the defensive side of the ball.

The Dallas Cowboys lost several players to free agency and had to replace them, mainly on the defensive side of the ball. The Cowboys lost defensive backs Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne, J.J. Wilcox, and Barry Church free agency.

At first glance, NFL critics and Cowboys Nation thought the Cowboys had lost their minds by not re-signing these veterans who had anchored the Cowboys to an unexpected 13-3 record. Most critics assumed the Cowboys should’ve re-signed them if they wanted to repeat as NFC East champs.

No worries about losing all of those veterans. The Cowboys made up for those losses by drafting defensive linemen Taco Charlton, Joey Ivie, John Carrell and defensive backs Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, Xavier Woods, and Marquez White.

On the offensive side of the ball, Dallas drafted wide receivers Ryan Switzer and Noah Brown.

No More Excuses

Now that Dallas has addressed its most pressing needs, pass rushing and a depleted secondary, its time for this team to turn the corner and go past the second round of the playoffs and do some damage.

By selecting players who has potential to be day one starters, its time for Dallas to take the lemons and make some sweet ole lemonade.

To put it bluntly, Dallas is out of excuses for not sacking quarterbacks on a regular basis (mainly Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers) and creating turnovers (interceptions). Dallas drafted Charlton to rush the quarterback and selected Awuzie, Lewis, Woods, and White to hawk the ball.

It’s that simple folks.

Although these players are rookies, much is expected from them, in terms of being productive starters or major contributors.

For example, you can expect a scenario where Woods starts opposite of free safety Byron Jones, while Awuzie plays corner along with Anthony Brown and Orlando Scandrick in the slot.

Woods is considered a ball hawking safety who plays the position like a center fielder, a void that hasn’t been filled in years. Woods had 14 career interceptions in college, something Dallas’ secondary needs more than anything.

Having a second string safety led your team in interceptions (Jeff Heath) is embarrassing on another level.

Also, there is Lewis. This talented athlete is considered another ball-hawking corner, which means he could eventually supplant Scandrick as the slot corner. Yes, he’s that good.

Lewis competes for every ball and plays well in press coverage. With his skill set and ability to take an interception to the house, Dallas got a steal with him. And a case can be made that Lewis is just as good as Awuzie.

Awuzie stands 6’1″ plays the position well and can tackle, too. He has the ability to play safety, also. This helps to have a player that can play either position, but has a nose for the ball. Don’t be surprised if all three of them are on the field at the same time, or starting altogether.

They are Upgrades, Not Replacements

See, Dallas’ front office didn’t draft solid and mediocre corners just like the ones who left for free agency. Dallas knew they needed an upgrade in its defensive backfield, regardless of how good the previous secondary played last season.

Plain and simple, the previous regime is not as good as this class of rookies, where there is a promising future. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has his type of players now, starting with Charlton, a player capable of being a major contributor next season.

Standing 6’6″ and weighing 272 lbs, long, athletic, and versatile, Charlton is a “Marinelli” type guy, someone who can learn and reach his full potential.

Charlton might not start right away, but I can see Charlton earning an end spot and playing inside too, joining a rotation that consists of David Irving, Maliek Collins, Charles Tapper, Cedric Thornton and Ben Mayowa.

Even though Charlton wasn’t the guy I wanted Dallas to select in the first round, he might surprise everyone and become the missing “war daddy” who can at least get constant pressure on the quarterback, allowing Dallas to rush only four linemen in its Cover 2 scheme.

If that’s the case, the defense can record more sacks and force more turnovers.

Offensive Injection

By drafting wide receiver Switzer in the fourth round, a dynamic return specialist and slot receiver, Dallas has created nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators, and made their offense more lethal.

If defensive backs and linebackers thought it was hard enough to contain slot receiver Cole Beasley, its only going to get worse with Switzer in the lineup.

Switzer is shifty, has quick feet, runs precise routes and is almost unstoppable with underneath routes. With Beasley, Switzer, Dez Bryant, and Terrance Williams on the field at the same time, defenses will surrender a lot of touchdowns. Switzer becomes another lethal weapon and safety valve for quarterback Dak Prescott.

More from Dallas Cowboys

Did I mention that Switzer tied an NCAA record for punt returns for touchdowns in a season (5)? Add Switzer’s return skills to the equation, and Dallas finally has a return specialist that is a threat to take a punt/kickoff return to pay dirt, and give them excellent field position.

Unless Lucky Whitehead has a superb preseason, his days in Big “D” are over.

The other draftees, White, Ivie, Carrell, and Brown have an outside chance of making the team or practice squad because of their potential.

But Charlton, Awuzie, Lewis, Woods, and Switzer are immediate difference makers and upgrades.

These players were drafted to help Dallas get over the hump, like return an interception for a touchdown, take an opening kickoff to pay dirt, and sack that quarterback named Aaron Rodgers on 3rd and 20.

Next: Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft Grades: Five Potential Starters?

It’s hot outside folks, summertime is approaching, and the Dallas Cowboys finally have lemons.

So what Jason Garrett and his coaching staff needs to do is take those lemons and make some sweet ole lemonade that will land America’s Team that long awaited Lombardi Trophy!

Home/Dallas Cowboys