High-Low: Cowboys' OL issues increase draft urgency – Patrick Walker, DallasCowboys.com
For Dallas to have any hope in 2024, it needs to fix its offensive line woes.
One of the most important decisions facing the Dallas Cowboys when the latest offseason began was the future of left tackle Tyron Smith. The future Hall of Famer made a comeback for the 2023 season. This was largely due to head coach Mike McCarthy's practice regimen, which forced him to practice very little, which ultimately led to Smith taking his talents to the New York Jets. . Bigger offer.
His departure helped further disrupt the offensive line heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, with starting center Tyler Biadasz, who followed former Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders, also packing up and leaving.
Don't get me wrong. If Dallas can't find the right answer quickly in the offensive trenches, there will be a problem. Because it requires not just a body on the field, but a body that can consistently move other bodies.
And that creates a tremendous level of urgency for this year's draft.
In our new series, “High Low,” we'll be digging deeper into this, with each edition focusing on a different position group heading into draft week.
How much CeeDee Lamb could make the Dallas Cowboys pay for the waiting game – Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys are holding back on Lamb's new contract and could pay a price.
There was one thing most of us expected the Cowboys to accomplish in the 2024 offseason. They were unlikely to spend big in free agency or actually improve the roster (no one expected it to be this bad before the draft), but once they had Mike Zimmer Betting on the entire free agency process beyond signing former linebacker , Eric Kendricks, we expected their award-winning player to be given a very big contract (or maybe a contract) .
Dak Prescott could very well sign a big new contract. He didn't. He currently has one year left on his second contract and is scheduled to become a free agent in 2025. There was a slim chance that Micah Parsons would earn a contract that would make him the highest-paid pass rusher in the game. He's slim because he still has two years left on his rookie contract, but the Cowboys did the same thing in 2019 when Ezekiel Elliott skipped camp and they relented. Perhaps the fact that they regretted it so soon after Elliott started to decline eliminated even the slightest possibility of speeding up the schedule with Parsons.
But most people thought that CeeDee Lamb, who is in his fourth year of pro career and has climbed the receiving charts in spectacular fashion and has only a $17.9 million fifth-year option to play this season, would earn a second contract. I think it was. I mean, if you're not going to spend money on free agency when the salary cap increases by $30 million in his one offseason, you have to spread it somewhere, right?
Cowboys (stupidly) play hardball with CeeDee Lamb – Jake Kemp, D Magazine
Why do the Cowboys always have to do this?
You know the smell of football season is starting to hang in the air. Because something as predictable as a solar eclipse is bound to happen. This is because notable Cowboys players who are about to sign are trying to hold out.
why? Because, for some reason, even though it couldn't really work in the club's favor, even though they haven't had any real playoff success in decades, this is the Cowboys Because that's how we are dedicated to doing business.
The reality is that the team should have aggressively locked up Lamb before last season. Despite some early struggles, it was clear what his trajectory was by the end of 2022, when Lamb entered his first full season as the primary focus of the passing game. He had 107 catches for 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns, earning second-team All-Pro honors. His targets, yards, catches, and touchdown numbers increased each year of his career. What did they think was going to happen as Lamb's career progressed at that point? Was he going to get even worse? Do you want to stop improving? He was 23 years old! I understand that both sides have to come to the table, but I don't recall hearing any rumors last offseason that the Cowboys were interested in giving Lamb a contract extension.
And lo and behold, Ram continued to emerge in his fourth year, rising to superstar status. Lamb, currently a first-team All-Pro, is reportedly aiming to surpass Tyreek Hill's $30 million a season and become the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver, but the cap will rise. It's only natural if you think about it.
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who is also due for an extension, reportedly turned down $30 million a year last offseason. Granted, Lamb isn't quite a Jefferson. However, the Vikings will likely pay Jefferson sooner or later. Let's say that number is he makes $35 million. If Lamb isn't signed to a deal by then, which seems increasingly likely, that number could be as high as $32 million or $33 million. It's all because the Cowboys are adamant about doing business this way. There's no way to know for sure, but it would be interesting to see an alternate world in which Dallas offered Lamb $25 million a season before his breakout campaign last year. The way they operate, they spend real resources in terms of building their roster.
Cowboys and 'The Beast' 2024 NFL Draft Guide: Breaking down Dallas' first three draft picks – John Machota, The Athletic
These picks will quickly fill some holes.
Round 1, pick number 24
Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma
This was the easiest choice of the three. The Cowboys would be thrilled if Guyton was still there at 24 years old. Left tackle is their biggest need and they will be acquiring a player that many project to be in the top 20. Other notable players still available at age 24: Penn State DE Chopp Robinson, West Virginia C Zach Frazier, Missouri DE Darius Robinson, BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia.
Brugler rates Guyton as the sixth-best offensive tackle in the class. The 6-7, 322-pounder has played primarily on the right side the past two years. He started nine games at right tackle last season. One criticism of Guyton is that he has only started 15 games in his career. Of course, there will be criticism of still having an offensive tackle left with the 24th pick. And there will be even more criticism if the Cowboys address him at the position beyond No. 56.
“Guyton is developing in several areas,” Brugler wrote, “although a steep learning curve is expected in his rookie season, he has the athleticism and ability to develop into a high-level offensive tackle. The fundamental skills are there. He has the talent to play either left tackle or right tackle, but his comfort level is clearly on the right side. As long as he stays motivated and healthy, he's on an upward trajectory. I will keep walking.”
Bargain free agent deals to fill team needs before 2024 NFL Draft – David Kenyon, Bleacher Report
A Super Bowl-winning free agent center available for the Cowboys at a bargain basement price?
Brian Allen, the starting center for the Los Angeles Rams who are aiming for a Super Bowl appearance in 2021, has faded into obscurity in recent years.
He played in just five games in 2022 due to knee and thumb injuries. Last season, he played in five games and logged just 34 snaps after Coleman Shelton started at center.
Still, Allen's resume screams as a potential comeback candidate.
The Dallas Cowboys may have a rookie in mind (No. 24 overall pick Jackson Powers-Johnson looks attractive), but adding a player like the Michigan State product could open up competition for the position. The sense of victory or defeat may be alleviated.
Allen, who turns 29 this season, deserves at least one more chance as the anchor of the offense.
Contract with Dallas Cowboys: 1 year, $3 million
Dallas Cowboys could find their next Sean Lee in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft – Mauricio Rodriguez, AtoZ Sports
Dallas needs to add another quality linebacker to the roster.
Junior Colson Scouting Report
Strengths
Quick play diagnosis and fit recognition
First day contributor at Michigan tournament, 36th career start
violent and safe tackler
Recognize screens and screen traffic
Proper leverage and active hand rub
Excellent vision and block prediction in run defense
Excellent stopping power to attack and absorb lead blocks
Weakness
Below average speed.No range to track outside runs
Lacks closing burst and length to disrupt catch points
Struggles to keep up with shallow crossers from zone coverage
Limited third-down skill set.Not suitable for deep zone drops or human cover
Sean Lee-esque play diagnosis and fit recognition would be great for linebackers, especially under coach Mike Zimmer. Mike Zimmer primarily wants his linebackers to be versatile and knowledgeable, not athletic freaks.
The Cowboys had better consider him if he was there when the second day clock ticked down.
