Our latest mailbag features plenty of questions about the Dallas Cowboys.
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Every week, we take questions on X (Twitter) and Facebook about Dallas Cowboys players and other issues surrounding the team. So let’s get right into it.
“Do you think defensive tackle is still a need and who are realistic 3T/1T for the Cowboys?”
(@EShungo via Twitter)
Mike: I’m surprised they didn’t address it earlier in the draft. With Neville Gallimore gone, Chauncey Golston likely will get moved to edge (if he makes the cut), the 3-tech position is very light. Drafting Justin Rogers will help along with Mazi Smith on the defensive line in stopping the run, but Osa Odighizuwa is officially the only 3-tech.
It’s a very different skill set and style of playing the inside defensive line from 3-tech to nose tackle, and the quickest way to the quarterback is in a straight line. Finding that guy is tough now, so not addressing the position earlier in the draft is risky.
Brandon: From a numbers standpoint, the Cowboys could use another defensive tackle. Justin Rogers has a real shot to make the roster regardless of whether the team adds another body. They need bigger 1-techniques, and with Rogers’ size at 6’2” and 322 pounds, he fits what they are missing in a big man to stop the run.
Looking at the free agency pool right now, the water is a little low. Translation: There aren’t many options out there. Lawrence Guy, a long-time member of the New England Patriots, and Calais Campbell, who was with the Atlanta Falcons last year, are two players who come to mind.
Both are veteran players who could be instant leaders in a position group that lacks experience and could be ccost-effective given their age. If the Cowboys make any moves at the position, it’s more likely to come after training camp when roster cuts happen.
“Should the Cowboys add Hunter Renfrow?”
(@DatdudeTanner via Twitter)
Mike: The question there is whether we think Renfrow is better than Jalen Tolbert. If you think the answer is yes then go sign Renfrow up. But if Renfrow isn’t overtaking Tolbert on the roster then he’s just a depth piece, and there are cheaper options if the Cowboys want to go down that road. The big problem with Renfrow is that he has a lot of dropped passes. Last year he made only 25 receptions and with that he had six drops, that’s terrible efficiency.
The other part is Tolbert out produced Renfrow last year. Tolbert went for 268 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Renfrow went for 255 yards and zero touchdowns.
Brandon: Hunter Renfrow doesn’t have a place on this roster. The Cowboys want to give Jalen Tolbert every opportunity to succeed, and adding Renfrow to the mix would create more competition.
Behind their top two wide receivers in CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks sits Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, rookie Ryan Flournoy, and a crop of practice squad/undrafted players from a year ago. Not to mention the hype around what Martavis Bryant could be if he looks like his old self.
Barring any injury, I don’t see the Cowboys adding veteran wideouts who would be more than just a rotational player and work on special teams.
“Which Dallas draft choice could be considered a sleeper and could contribute this season?”
(@MrEd315 via Twitter)
Mike: Based on opportunity and athletic profile, Ryan Flournoy looks like he could have a rookie breakout. At Southeast Missouri State in the last two years, Flournoy went for nearly 2,000 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. But what’s seriously exciting about him is the athletic testing. He finished with a 9.89 RAS (relative athletic score) which is elite scoring. His 40-yard time of 4.44s was 75th percentile, vertical of 39½” finished 89th percentile, broad of 132” was 94th percentile and he pumped 19 reps in the bench. He’s just a special athlete that has huge upside.
Brandon: Looking at everything I know about Caelen Carson, I wouldn’t be shocked if he made an impact similar to DaRon Bland as a rookie. There is a catch—Bland came in towards the middle of his rookie year because Jourdan Lewis suffered his season-ending foot injury.
Carson could play his way into a starting role in training camp, but he’d have to do a lot to supplant Lewis, who was re-signed this offseason, to play in the slot. However, no one saw Bland’s rookie season coming, and Carson has traits similar to those of Bland when he was coming out.
Carson is aggressive, has good vision, and doesn’t retreat from a challenge. Based on his intelligence, analysts have said he could play on the outside or inside. The Cowboys will likely give Eric Scott Jr every opportunity to be CB4 behind Trevon Diggs, Bland, and Lewis, considering they traded up last season to select him. Nahshon Wright could also be a factor entering a contract season and could take a step forward with Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator.
There are a ton of bodies in front of Carson, but if there’s one rookie who could make his presence felt early going against Lamb and Cooks during one-on-ones in training camp, I’d put my money on the Wake Forest kid.
Poll
Which player do you consider a sleeper from this year’s draft?
Marist Liufau Caelen Carson Ryan Flournoy Nathan Thomas Justin Roger VOTE view results