Fixing the Dallas Cowboys in Five Moves: February Edition

Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys Draft: Best Available

Grab the Best Player Available in the First Round

The point of signing Gareon Conley was because he is a starting-caliber talent in need of some development and a confidence boost. Signing Conley to a cornerback room of Anthony Brown and Trevon Diggs is quite solid, if not a commendable group, to take into the new season. This room prevents the team from reaching on one of the top cornerbacks available at the risk of trying to fill a hole.

The Cowboys more or less did this with Aldon Smith as a designated pass rusher last season and the end product of that transaction resulted in CeeDee Lamb and K’Lavon Chaisson. Drafting is difficult; while a certain player might seem like a lock to become the next best player, he is an injury or incompetent coaching staff away from being seen as utterly useless. (Okay not really, but I think you understand the general point I’m trying to make)

Now with a CB2 locked up to a degree, if the team really felt they really liked one of the offensive tackles available at 10, they can pull the trigger without much buyer’s remorse. Then in the second round, much like last year, the team can go target the position they need with good players on the board. Conversely, if the team likes the cornerbacks at 10, draft one of them. Then draft a tackle in the second round and the team likely still comes away with good talent from the 2021 draft class.

The board generally falls in your favor if you don’t unnecessarily test it by reaching for prospects.

Grab a 1-technique defensive tackle in the third round

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The Cowboys have at least two third-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Cowboys should be able to find a defensive tackle at both picks that correspond value-wise to their draft position. This draft doesn’t have a bonafide three-down lineman, but it does have its fair share of 1-technique run-stopping maulers. The team needs to take advantage of that because they have now gone too long without good size on the interior and it has resulted in multiple seasons with bad run defenses.

When doing these moves I tried to approach it how the Cowboys front office would choose to attack player acquisition. However, while the team likes to sign aging veterans who may be playing their last few years in the league, I tried to grab some younger players with developmental upside.

If the Cowboys walked away from this offseason with Ndamukong Suh, Malik Hooker, Gareon Conley, Rashawn Slater, Ifeatu Melifonwu, and Tyler Shelvin, I’m not sure many Cowboys fans would be complaining come August. The organization has a golden opportunity to make this team better over the long run if they can do a little more risk-taking in an otherwise risk-averse approach.