McCray details why Zeke is returning to Cowboys – Patrick Walker, DallasCowboys.com
Will McCray cited Zeke's 2023 Patriots film as proof Zeke still has it.
The Cowboys' front office likes what they've seen in the former two-time NFL rushing champion's lone season with the New England Patriots, and the Cowboys' front office is confident that 2023 will be the key to a reunion deal, not just now. It is pointed out that the performance of -Rebuild Dallas' offensive line.
“Zeke is winning and starting to get back into the league,” Vice President of Player Personnel Will McCray said.
“That's true, because while the Cowboys couldn't overcome postseason stumbling in Elliott's first stretch in Dallas, they won a lot of regular-season games together leading up to the former No. 4 overall pick. , and has won numerous awards.”
He may not be the person he was in 2016, but that doesn't mean he can't still be valuable considering what the Cowboys are trying to do next season, especially considering the rebuilding of the offensive line.
“When I turned on the tape, I saw him running power gap schemes, inside-outside zone, assisting in pass protection, etc. All of those things showed that the ability was still there. “It shows,” McCray said of Elliott's 2023 film. “By adding this player to this roster, we're adding a player who loves soccer, who wants to win here, who wants to be here, and we're adding to the roster not only from a playing ability, but from a leadership standpoint. ”
In Dallas, it will be a group effort, with Elliott leading the charge.
“I don't think the running back position in this day and age is what it used to be, where one guy is the lead back and the other guys fill that role,” McCray said. “It was by committee. And we are very excited to see what he will add to the group. Other works as well [that we’ve added] in addition. ”
Other players include first-round pick Tyler Guyton and third-round pick Cooper Beebe, both of whom are expected to be opening day starters, as well as seventh-round pick Nathan Thomas. , adding three very capable players to a depleted offensive line.
If all goes to plan, Elliott could be back for a ninth year, and everyone in the building is hoping for that.
Joel Klatt believes Dallas Cowboys' running back pass was an oversight – Griffin McVeigh, On3.com
Despite bringing back Zeke, Dallas still may not have done enough at running back.
Most thought Jerry Jones would make a second-day pick, but he ultimately didn't get a running back in his draft class, but FOX's Joel Klatt understands the move. There wasn't.
Jonathan Brooks was the one Jones publicly acknowledged the Cowboys were interested in. But he went 46th overall to the Carolina Panthers, 10 spots ahead of Dallas' second-round pick.
“Jonathan Brooks is leaving,” Klatt said. “And I'm thinking to myself, 'You know, that's probably good for Dallas.' Just try to be patient, and then in the third round he'll get two or he'll get three.” You will be able to choose.”
Klatt had three other guys on his big board that he liked. Trey Benson of Florida State, Blake Collum of Michigan and Marshawn Lloyd of the University of Southern California. By the time Dallas got time back, Benson was already gone, but they had a chance to acquire one of the remaining two players.
“So, we go into the third round. They had two picks in the third round… They took guard Cooper Beebe from Kansas State. What's interesting is that Interior… There's a lack of consensus at the top of the offensive line.”
The next time Dallas was scheduled to pick again at No. 87, the Rams took Colm and had what Klatt thought was a golden opportunity…until the Rams went in a completely different direction.
“There's only one person left right now, at least in my estimation,” Klatt said of Lloyd. “So now the Cowboys have the No. 2 pick in the third round and they need a running back. And they're taking Marist Liufau from Notre Dame at linebacker, off-the-ball linebacker. Off-the-ball linebacker. Okay, (Leighton) Vander Esch, the whole situation. They need that too.
“And the next pick is going to be Marshawn Lloyd with the Green Bay Packers, who will probably play at some point in the playoffs.”
Finding the right fit for all eight Dallas Cowboys draft picks – Brian Martin, BloggingTheBoys.com
Here are some of Dallas' top picks this year.
To give you time to re-evaluate and reflect on the eight new players the Dallas Cowboys added in the 2024 NFL Draft, here's a small list of what roles each of this year's draft picks could play as a rookie this season. I tried to summarize.
1.29 – LT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma State
The Cowboys traded five spots with the Detroit Lions and also acquired an additional third-round pick (73rd overall). In doing so, they acquired an immediate replacement for Tyron Smith and a player who should hopefully be their blindside protector for the next decade. He may have some growing pains early on as he continues to develop, but all the tools are there for many years at LT.
2.56 – DE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
The Cowboys surprisingly passed on RB Trey Benson here, opting instead to give Mike Zimmer a little more help on the defensive side of the ball. Marshawn Kneeland is a hard-nosed, greedy defensive end who brings instant toughness to Dallas' defensive line. He won't be a starter in place of DeMarcus Lawrence or Micah Parsons, but he should get significant playing time as a rotation player despite being a rookie.
3.73 – OC Cooper Beebe, Kansas
Cooper Beebe may have been the best player in the Cowboys' entire 2024 draft class. His toughness and aggressive mentality should immediately benefit Dallas' offensive line from day one. He may not have officially started at OC during his time at Kansas State, but he'll likely step into the position early to replace Tyler Biadasz. Given that No. 70 is entering his contract year, he could be Zack Martin's successor in the future.
3.87 – LB Marist Liufo, notre dame cathedral
Like Marshawn Nyland, Marist Liufau is the type of player Mike Zimmer's defensive scheme needs. Many thought the Cowboys overdrafted here due to the “need” at the position and the fact that they didn't pick until the fifth round, No. 174 overall, but former Notre Dame LB will compete for the right to participate. When I was still a newbie.
Cowboys' post-NFL draft depth chart: How will the O-line shape up? John Machota and Saad Yusuf, The Athletic
Two rookie starters on the O-line?
This is difficult to categorize into a position early in the process. Early predictions are that the starting line, from left to right, will be Guyton, Smith, Beebe, Martin, and Steele. However, there will be competition to see which players can break into the starting five. Martin, at right guard, is the only position written in ink.
Depending on which five turns out to be the best, Smith could play left guard or left tackle, Beebe could play guard or center, and Steele could be a sleeper and flip to left tackle if Guyton. There could be moves to fill positions, such as the right tackle who needs to be at the college position.
There are a lot of questions about how things will end up, but the Cowboys have the talent to field a formidable offensive line.
Cowboys decline Trey Lance's fifth-year option, sources say – Todd Archer, ESPN
All QBs on Dallas' roster are scheduled to become free agents after 2024.
Unsurprisingly, the Dallas Cowboys will decline to pick up quarterback Trey Lance's fifth-year option, sources told ESPN.
The decision was essentially made in August, when the Cowboys acquired Lance from the San Francisco 49ers for a 2024 fourth-round pick. If the Cowboys had taken this option, it would have cost $22.4 million, which is fully guaranteed and inconsistent with the club's stated desire to keep Dak Prescott beyond 2024.
As it stands, the Cowboys have no quarterbacks on the roster signed beyond this season, and Prescott, Lance and Cooper Rush are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in March. The Cowboys are unable to use the franchise tag on Prescott, and the quarterback recently stated that negotiations have not actually begun for an extension.
Lance is scheduled to earn $5.31 million in base salary and option bonuses this season as part of the fully guaranteed $34.1 million contract he signed with the Niners as the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft.
Lance was inactive for every game last year, but the Cowboys liked his progress in practice. Prescott hasn't played in an exhibition season since 2019, so expect his presence to expand in the three preseason games this summer.
Earlier this offseason, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Lance's “arrow” was pointing up.
