THE OFFICIAL 2023 DALLAS COWBOYS OFF-SEASON THREAD || Cowboys Gonna Cowboy

Just started my draft stuff.

DE, DT, DB, FS, QB, RB.

I'll probably end up writing about 80 guys. Top 15 or so for everything, but FS.
 
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Almost done with DE. Kind of intrigued by Buckner who more teams say could move to a DE spot, or DT. Have him 1a & 1b with Bosa. Think I'd chose Bosa due to better athleticism.

But my steals at DE would be Noah Spence from Eastern Kentucky. Has gotten into a lot of trouble, got banned from Big Ten. But think he may be just as good as Shaq Lawson. Has really been accountable for his mistakes. Projected as a late first, early second. I think he'd be picked somewhere between 10-20 without the off-field substance abuse. If teams keep passing on him in the first 2 rounds because of it. Picking him in Round 3 would be a steal.

Also very intrigued by Stephen Weatherly of Vanderbilt. Plays DE, but seen as an OLB in 3-4. But is near the top with DEs in 40yd, 20yd, bench reps, arm length and hand length. Projected as 5-6 Round Pick. Honestly think he's good enough to get picked in Mid 3rd round. But in the late rounds, think he's a really high upside guy.
 
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Joey Bosa- Good strength. Very flexible. Explosive off the line that gives advantage over OT. Great Upper Body Strength, good hand technique. Good tackler. Keeps his balance. Lateral quickness to sidestep blockers. Stays low and gets initial push. With heavy good hands, can push blockers off balance. Disciplined, doesn't lose contain.
Rarely fooled, keeps eyes on backfield. Doesn't take himself out of plays by always hustling.

Weakness- Not as quick as elite edge rushers. Not quick rusher, more reactionary than action. Can leave too much of a gap trying to hold contain. When he is fooled, he crashes too far into backfield, and give RB easy lane to get to second level. When he makes a mistake, he overcompensates on the next play, leading to another mistake. Jared Allen comp.

DeForest Buckner - Long tall frame, ability to improve bulk. Huge wingspan. Able to use length to create space, at point of attack. Set Edge. Keep from getting angle blocks. Good lower body and footwork to athletic footwork to move laterally and break tight spaces. Plays low for size, makes it tough for blockers to get into his chest. Good chase skills to take down ball carrier in pursuit Uses upper body and momentum to get terrific initial push. Draws double team. Long arms get him into passing lanes. Never takes plays off. Has tremendous line versatility as seen in Oregon.

Weakness - Height can still be a negative. Can hurt ability to get leverage. Good blockers can get low, push up and knock him off balance. Struggles to get back to low stance if first push fails. Still needs to learn how to set up pass rush, and how to lull OL into counter moves. Sometimes sacrifices edge thinking he can always get in backfield. Still learning how to use hands, can't consistently turn speed to power. More reactionary on pass rush. Tackling is inconsistent when moving, gets off balance making a good wrap up difficult.

Shaq Lawson - Compact frame with good power makes him effective on run and pass. Has surprising initial quickness and agility. High motor. Quick, strong hands that create push. Great upper body strength. Legs move fluidily to drive OL back, and quickly change directions. Can leverage blocks on the edge. Uses his flecibility to get where he wants to go, and beat single blocks. Can set edge, play contain Able to work off blocks, and finish outside.

Weakness- Average athlete at End. Doesn't keep his pads low, and loses leverage quickly. Gets fatigued as game goes on. Can get lazy when play isn't run to his side. Has plays where his goal is to punish blockers rather than read the play, and can keep him from getting in position. Production based on effort decreases in NFL, needs to be a better and more skilled pass rusher. May have to move to 3-4 OLB if he has trouble producing. Seen more as a 3-4 edge setter to many scouts.

Noah Spence - Big motor. Tremendous endurance. Can stay at game speed. Good initial upfield burst. Can play standing or in ground. Doesn't give up leverage by engaging to quick in pass rush. Solid speed to the edge. Strong rip move. Takes good angles. Quick lateral side to close up running lanes. Will do everything to make a play if ball comes his way. Can elude lead blocker, and cut blocks. Seen has high IQ on and off the field. High sense of accountability, high character.

Weakness- Not as long as tall as prototype DE. Needs to develop more power at edge of attack. Needs to vary pass rush. Average speed to power. Has to stay lower, or good OT will swallow him up. Need underneath counter. Good athlete, but has trouble with quick twitch, sudden change. Has a lot on record negatively. Banned from BigTen for 2 failed drug tests. Treated for Drug Addiction.

Emmanuel Ogbah - Powerful frame, broad shoulders. Undersized as freshman, grew into frame, and learned to play with it. Can take contact, and keep going. OL have trouble redirecting, and kills TEs against Run. Power hand slaps are among best. Can brush away weak block easily. Can use power to get edge over speed. Really good power & rip to get around corner. Plus speed to power for initial bull rush. Power to win Point of attack, and win the neutral zone, and still make plays. Sack in 16 of last 21 games. 17.5 tackles for loss. An end, but can move inside.

Weakness- Can be stiff in hips. Not an elite athlete. Has moments of great awareness, and then plays where he looks lost. Can react quickly, but then lose awareness of the developing play. After winning point of attack, can get swallowed up when he turns shoulders to disengage. Small stride hurts upfield burst. One speed pass rusher. Unable to burn the edge quickly. Trouble disengaging quickly on bull rush. Needs to find 2nd & 3rd gear on motor. Also needs to be willing to not quit on pursuit.

Jonathan Bullard- Quick instincts off the snap. Can sense where the ball is going. Good at getting to zone plays. Uses hands and inside shoulder to brace against blockers presents cross face block.Can get out of the stance keeps his pad level correctly, gets good burst. Attacks gaps tremendously. 17.5 tackles for loss. High effort, high motor. Above average change of direction. Has versatility 4-3/3-4. Second gear to get to ball carriers in pursuit. Solid hands, but could be better. Able to generate bull rush.

Weakness- Pad level is good initially, but as play continutes, he gets taller and taller. Sometimes too much in a hurry. Can overrun the ball. Doesn't have much quick-twitch. Average explosiveness and prone to rising pad level means it needs a lot of change. Double teams completely take him out of plays. If initial pass rush fails, he sits on the play, and tries to bat ball down instead.

Kevin Dodd - Relentless. NFL Ready Frame. Always working, keeps OL a chore all game. Wants to get in and make plays. Doesn't quit when blocked, improves position after contact with footwork and strength. Eyes stay on ball location. Can get off block, and make play when ball comes near him. Great instincts, easy to coach.
Can diagnose screens, bootlegs. Very good keeping contain. Production spiked. 3 to 46 QB pressures. Athletic upfield burst. Good bend, and hip flex to get around edge.
Length & leverage to develop speed to power rush.

Weakness - Only 1 year of full-time experience. Still needs work on hand use. Too willing to take on blocks with lowered helmet. Can lead to blocks in his frame, rather than controlling how he gets blocked. Needs more diversity to how he gets free. Has limited moves. Lunges too often in space, rather than getting a better hit from a more balanced base. Is his production a result from playing opposite of Lawson?

Shilique Calhoun - Very Athletic. Above average pass rush production. 128 QB Pressures 26.5 sacks in 3 years. Rush with good forward lean, good knee bend. Keeps eunning after contact to push OL back. Improved shoulder dip to turn corner to get after QB. Flashes above average burst when he feels he can get sack. Good play recognition and awareness in run game. Good chase speed on backside run. Can change direction when needed. Has potential for complex pass rush attack with several moves and angles.

Weakness - Needs more aggression. Needs to be tougher at point of attack. Can give respect on block as opposed to running through them aggressively. Can get caught up slapping at blockers rather than using hand strength. Needs to develop feel for when to use power or finesse. Can be drawn offside. Could be stronger for his frame. Gives up when he faces double team.

Carl Nassib- Works tail off every play. Relentless pursuit. Told by Bill O'Brien to forget about playing pro. Gave him scholarship 6 months later. Big hands and comes off ball with good upfield burts. Straight line speed. Excellent feel navigating around pass rush. Uses hands and body lean to turn the corner. Good pad level off ball. Uses hips to get max strength. Doesn't over extend arms. Good vision, times shedding of blocks well to get RB in gaps. Smart, high IQ. Good instinct defender, can diagnose plays quickly. Led Nation in sacks. Forced 6 fumbles.

Weakness - One year of production. Not physical at point of attack. Mauled by power. Thin legs, needs mass on frame for base and to play with strength. Not fast twitch athlete. Average change of direction. Often out of position on tackles. Lacks agility. Ends up on ground too often. Tackles with hands to drag player down, no using body. Missed 10 tackles, only 4 run stuffs in 2015. Motor leads to fatigue in spots. Lacks speed to power rush. Needs counter moves. High upside, but really inexperienced.

Jihad Ward - Can play LDE & RDE, and fill inside at DT. Can add more muscle to good frame. Great effort, always plays through whistle. Length and quickness down the line gives him expanded playmaking range. Huge closing burst to get to the ball. Hard hitter. Keeps feet moving and active in pass rush. Can set quality edge setter. Tes have a lot of trouble with him. Has traits, but needs patience on development.

Weakness- Could be better at setting edge, even with current tools. Takes too long to get off blocks. Long legs keep him stalled at LOS on occasion. Below average against cut blocks. Instincts WIP. Needs to be tougher / nastier at point of attack. Counter moves are weak if initial rush is stopped. Won't always accelerate into contact limiting power on pass rush. Needs a good line coach that can get him motivated, get him to play angry, and build on strength.

Charles Tapper - Good size and build. Natural power at point of attack. Shows ability to fight and not lose ground. Has traits for good rush, but flawed technique. Can be great in bull-rush if keeps his pads down.Can play end on 3-4 or 4-3. Has straight line speed to close on QB in space. Heavy tackler, can take out runners. Shows flashes of potential. Raw with plenty of room to develop.

Weakness- Natural power & strength negated by horrible pad level often. Useless on thirds downs. Plays with very little dynamic movement as pass rusher, and just tries to move full speed ahead with no plan. Needs work on hands. Doesn't use hands effectively to control point of attack. Or improve position in pass rush. Instincts and awareness are lacking where they need to be. Slow recognizing plays developing. Slow disengaging from blocks to make tackles near LOS.

Stephen Weatherly - Long-limbed. Very strong, can add much more muscle. Was rotational DE, but moved to part-time 3-4 OLB starter. Became team leader from 2013 redshirt. Can play hand down or standing up. Played A-Gap blitzer at times, and easily snuck through line. Can use height to keep eye on ball at the line. Closes edge quickly, and powerful when unblocked. Long legs give him bigger range. Also close ground against indecisive backs.

Weakness - Lacked upfield burst. Too often hesitant on first move. Would be much better if he just cut lose. If he had a better bend and leverage, could use strength at point of attack. Doesn't take adavantage of length with effective punch. Stays glued too blocks for too long. Development prospect, needs work and time to be better at pass rush and off the edge. Could be backup Strongside OLB in 3-4. BUT has size to be a DE if he can get everything together.

Matt Judon - Massive production. 20 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss. 3 FF, 3 FR. Great body for DE. Natural power in compact frame with long arms. Swallowed up and disposed of OT he faced. Pass rush with plan. Rip move to get around edge, and has a counter to get back inside. Eyes stay on the ball.

Weakness - OTs with good feet and strength can keep him contained out of pocket. Misses some tackles due to lower body stiffness. Needs to improve use of hands. Tore ACL 2 years ago. Tweaked meniscus last year. Plays small school. Big Fish in Small Pond?

Bronson Kaufusi - Plays with high motor. Good hand work, and can redirect blockers. Good coverage on backside run. Comes out of stance and into pass rush with good pad level and lean. Never gives up on plays. Will pursue all the way down the field. Long frame that could put on more muscle.

Weakness - Can be swallowed up when blocked on angles. Tries to get low, but pads end up higher than normal because of height.
Needs stronger legs, loses base when hit with power. Tight hipped makes corner turn to QB longer. Sacks came due to extended plays with effort, not necessarily skill. Does not get consistent penetration into gaps. Tests well in combine, and predicted that he will be drafted way higher than he should because of it.

Ronald Blair - Some polish. Fires into blocker with good knee bend and pad level. Leverage and power to rock offensive lineman who get too high. Able to set strong edge. Leader. Works hard in film room. Can attack double team blocks with power from legs. Drives legs through tackles making a clean hard hit. Good moves. Good length and hands. Generates good bull rush.

Weaknesses- Short for an end. Lacks speed, agility and athleticism. Really heavy. Thought is if he loses weight it will hurt power that makes him an effective rusher. Lack of speed makes it hard to set pass rush edge. Unlikely to win one-on-one as pass rusher in NFL. Pad level gets too high at times, and can get knocked off balanced. Rotational 4-3 base end at best.
 
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Almost done with DE. Kind of intrigued by Buckner who more teams say could move to a DE spot, or DT. Have him 1a & 1b with Bosa. Think I'd chose Bosa due to better athleticism.

But my steals at DE would be Noah Spence from Eastern Kentucky. Has gotten into a lot of trouble, got banned from Big Ten. But think he may be just as good as Shaq Lawson. Has really been accountable for his mistakes. Projected as a late first, early second. I think he'd be picked somewhere between 10-20 without the off-field substance abuse. If teams keep passing on him in the first 2 rounds because of it. Picking him in Round 3 would be a steal.

Also very intrigued by Stephen Weatherly of Vanderbilt. Plays DE, but seen as an OLB in 3-4. But is near the top with DEs in 40yd, 20yd, bench reps, arm length and hand length. Projected as 5-6 Round Pick. Honestly think he's good enough to get picked in Mid 3rd round. But in the late rounds, think he's a really high upside guy.
if we get ramsley or jack in the 1st round i would personal want to get a DT in the 2nd round(getting bosa its clear we wouldnt need a DE again in the 2nd). with a elite DT it helps the pass rush on the outside out alot. we have got away with avg as hell DT for years. 
 
I don't think I want anything to do with Myles Jack. I like him as a player but I'm not sold on him being able to stay on the field every week.

Thinking about hitting up the Steelers game or finally heading out to Green Bay this year.
 
Myles Jack is too short. If we are going to take a linebacker with the 4th pick, I want a 6'5", 250lb monster that clogs the passing lanes and won't get run over by Cam Newton.
 
Almost done with DE. Kind of intrigued by Buckner who more teams say could move to a DE spot, or DT. Have him 1a & 1b with Bosa. Think I'd chose Bosa due to better athleticism.

But my steals at DE would be Noah Spence from Eastern Kentucky. Has gotten into a lot of trouble, got banned from Big Ten. But think he may be just as good as Shaq Lawson. Has really been accountable for his mistakes. Projected as a late first, early second. I think he'd be picked somewhere between 10-20 without the off-field substance abuse. If teams keep passing on him in the first 2 rounds because of it. Picking him in Round 3 would be a steal.

Also very intrigued by Stephen Weatherly of Vanderbilt. Plays DE, but seen as an OLB in 3-4. But is near the top with DEs in 40yd, 20yd, bench reps, arm length and hand length. Projected as 5-6 Round Pick. Honestly think he's good enough to get picked in Mid 3rd round. But in the late rounds, think he's a really high upside guy.

How much of a ceiling do you think Buckner has? I know that's hard to predict but even with my lack of knowledge I think he seems raw. Fine tune him and he'll be kicking ***.
Is there anyway of him excelling in our scheme, anyway?
 
Almost done with DE. Kind of intrigued by Buckner who more teams say could move to a DE spot, or DT. Have him 1a & 1b with Bosa. Think I'd chose Bosa due to better athleticism.

But my steals at DE would be Noah Spence from Eastern Kentucky. Has gotten into a lot of trouble, got banned from Big Ten. But think he may be just as good as Shaq Lawson. Has really been accountable for his mistakes. Projected as a late first, early second. I think he'd be picked somewhere between 10-20 without the off-field substance abuse. If teams keep passing on him in the first 2 rounds because of it. Picking him in Round 3 would be a steal.

Also very intrigued by Stephen Weatherly of Vanderbilt. Plays DE, but seen as an OLB in 3-4. But is near the top with DEs in 40yd, 20yd, bench reps, arm length and hand length. Projected as 5-6 Round Pick. Honestly think he's good enough to get picked in Mid 3rd round. But in the late rounds, think he's a really high upside guy.

How much of a ceiling do you think Buckner has? I know that's hard to predict but even with my lack of knowledge I think he seems raw. Fine tune him and he'll be kicking ***.
Is there anyway of him excelling in our scheme, anyway?

All depends. If you focus him on 1 position, the better. If you jerk him around too much, and don't let him get his foot into a spot, then you make it so much harder for him.

I think Bosa produces better Day 1 (Remember this is all guess work anyway).

Long term, probably Buckner is ahead of Bosa.

1a & 1b for me.

But Jalen Ramsey way ahead of both of them.
 
Myles Jack is too short. If we are going to take a linebacker with the 4th pick, I want a 6'5", 250lb monster that clogs the passing lanes and won't get run over by Cam Newton.
yeah but the NFL is going away from them type of LB's

and jack knee is fine. yall buying into them rumors that teams putting out to get him to drop 
 
We thinking about going to the home opener this year, would be too dope. Anybody else making those plans?
 
I don't think I want anything to do with Myles Jack. I like him as a player but I'm not sold on him being able to stay on the field every week.

Thinking about hitting up the Steelers game or finally heading out to Green Bay this year.
Looking at these two as well.
Fellas, dare i say NTSummit in Pitt??? lol

already got my hotel and flight jus waiting for ticketmaster to drop tiks.. customer service rep said mid June.
 
All depends. If you focus him on 1 position, the better. If you jerk him around too much, and don't let him get his foot into a spot, then you make it so much harder for him.

I think Bosa produces better Day 1 (Remember this is all guess work anyway).

Long term, probably Buckner is ahead of Bosa.

1a & 1b for me.

But Jalen Ramsey way ahead of both of them.

Remember that this team loves guys with position flex.
 
essential1 essential1 Ramsey to Dallas looks like the pick if they like him as much as the fans do

I'm glad the Eagles gave away the next three drafts, even if Wentz turned out to be Flacco (my projected ceiling for him) that team will be in cap hell his first 5-7 years because they have to field a team through free agency
 
@ProFootballTalk 46m46 minutes ago
As intimated by Dave Gettleman's comments, the Panthers are rescinding Josh Norman's franchise tender with the intent of parting ways.


Figure it out Dallas
 
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