FRISCO — The Cowboys spent all three days of this year's NFL Draft discussing last year's draft class.
Last year was disappointing, so expectations are high for the 2023 class.
If you're wondering why the Cowboys can't sign big free agents, the 2023 and 2024 draft classes are the splash you've been looking for. You may not like it, but this is the reality of the Cowboys' world.
“We have a lot of young players here, but we also have a few guys who didn't play last year or didn't play as well as expected,” team owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Saturday. “They have to come.”
The Cowboys didn't find their running back of the future within seven rounds, but drafting a left tackle (Tyler Guyton), a center (Cooper Beebe), and a pass rusher (Marshawn Kneeland) was considered a success. .
I hope this draft class doesn't have the same issues as last year. The first-round pick (Maji Smith) played in 17 games, but only four in playoff contention. And his offseason hasn't gotten off to a great start either.
Smith is recovering from shoulder surgery.
The second-round pick (Luke Schoonmaker) had a limited offseason program last year as he recovered from a foot injury and was unable to be consistent once the season started.
Oh, and Schoonmaker is also recovering from shoulder surgery this offseason.
The best of the 2023 class, at least from what we've seen in training camp practices, is linebacker DeMarvion Overshorn. He tore his ACL in the second preseason game and missed the season. I could barely see the rest of the class.
Jones spoke several times during draft weekend about corner sixth-round pick Eric Scott, who did not play in the game, as a player with potential. Quarterback Dak Prescott praised receiver Jalen Brooks, a seventh-rounder.
It's almost unfair to evaluate a draft class after one season, and maybe even two seasons, but the 2023 class leaves a lot to be desired.
As evidenced by the Cowboys' actions in this draft, new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer wants more size on the field, and Smith faces the most pressure.
“Right now Maji has to do a lot better than he did last year and I think he definitely will,” Jones said.
The Cowboys selected edge rusher Kneeland in the second round, who was discovered by area scout/Mid-State's Brett Maxey. Nyland reminded assistant defensive line coach Greg Ellis that he is a guy who plays hard and mean. There's also Auburn defensive tackle Justin Rodgers, a seventh-round pick of the Cowboys.
“Justin Rodgers is a big troublemaker out of Auburn who has the length to play the big inside nose tackle position,” Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McCray said.
Smith will need to play with the awkwardness and physicality of these 2024 draft picks.
The Cowboys like what they've done with this roster and will demand competition throughout. Executive Vice President Stephen Jones spoke passionately about the competition for center between third-round pick Cooper Beebe and Brock Hoffman. The Cowboys liked Beebe's physicality, and coach Mike McCarthy noted that he had several knockdown blocks when he played at Kansas State.
Stephen Jones said that anyone who challenges Hoffman “better bring a lunch bucket because he takes it seriously.”
Sixteen players from two draft classes will join the 90-man roster heading into training camp in Oxnard, California.
It will be interesting to see how many of those players will make the final 53-man roster.
As McCarthy said, the Cowboys need a second-year breakthrough to reach their potential. Draft picks in the 2023 class will need to emerge as key contributors.
It seems that this year's classes have also been decided.
“Our history speaks for itself,” McCarthy said of the players' improvement since their rookie seasons. “Our young guys who played early probably played a little earlier than most teams I've coached. I think last year's class will definitely make that leap.”
The Cowboys' best move in free agency is probably to re-sign running back Ezekiel Elliott, considering Jerry Jones believes he can still be a starter in the NFL.
So do what the Cowboys couldn't do in free agency and embrace the past two draft classes. That's where the biggest impact happens.
“Our focus is on developing young players,” Coach McCarthy said. “Drafting and development is the baseline for us. Your young people need to step up and play faster than ever in this league. This is a young man's game and this is another great example. ”
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