Category: 2020 Mock Drafts

News: Jones in high demand, but Cooper not? Cowboys’ Dak contingencies

Also, backup plans for Dak Prescott, Michael Bennett eyes a Seattle return, Jaylon Smith talks business, and how coronavirus impacts Dallas.

Several Cowboys players are inching closer to new contracts, but some of them may be signed by other teams. Michael Bennett might be on his way out of Dallas, Byron Jones is a red-hot commodity, Amari Cooper may not be as sought-after as anticipated, and Robert Quinn’s status is a genuine wild card. And as Prescott Payday Watch drags on, some talking head-types are starting to kick around their thoughts on what the team should do if the starting quarterback holds out in a deal dispute.

All that, plus news on how the coronavirus is affecting team business, Blake Jarwin may be called on to step up, Jaylon Smith talks business, a Dallas wideout is in legal trouble, more mock drafts… and DeMarcus Ware shows he still has legitimate hops. Here’s the News and Notes.

Reports: Some teams expect Byron Jones to become the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history :: Blogging the Boys

Someone is about to break their piggy bank wide open for the Pro Bowl cornerback, but it almost certainly won’t be Jerry Jones as Byron Jones is expected to ink a deal worth between $16 and $18 million per season.

‘GMFB’: Cowboys’ contingency plan if Dak Prescott holds out :: NFL.com

The Good Morning Football crew do a round-table discussion on what Plan B might look like if Dak Prescott gets into a training camp staredown with the owner.

Why drafting Jalen Hurts would make sense for the Cowboys :: ESPN

The Get Up cast think drafting Heisman Trophy runner-up Jalen Hurts could be an interesting backup strategy for Dallas.

[vertical-gallery id=640098]

Cowboys may need to cross Michael Bennett off return-pending list :: Cowboys Wire

A veteran player returning to the team he had the most success with for one final tour of duty is nothing new.

Cowboys positional review: Is this the year TE Blake Jarwin sees a larger role? :: The Athletic

Jason Witten’s 2019 stat line looked awfully close to the one he posted the last year he played while Blake Jarwin’s 2019 numbers, were nearly identical to the ones he compiled the year Witten was gone.

Why the Cowboys want ‘real deal’ Quinn back :: The Mothership

Sacks don’t tell the whole story for defensive ends (see: DeMarcus Lawrence), but the Cowboys would be hard-pressed to easily replace the 11.5 of them that Robert Quinn produced in 2019. To hear both Quinn and Jerry Jones tell it, neither wants the team to have to try.

Dallas Cowboys: 3 lower-cost options to replace Robert Quinn at DE :: Sport DFW

On the other hand, if Quinn’s resurgence last season pushed his price tag beyond what the Joneses are willing to pay, there are more budget-conscious choices on the market.

Cowboys WR Ventell Bryant arrested on DUI charge in Florida :: Cowboys Wire

After admitting to “several margaritas” during a traffic stop in Tampa for operating without headlights, the 2019 undrafted free agent was charged by police with driving under the influence.

Could demand actually be lower than expected for Amari Cooper? :: Blogging the Boys

“What if Amari isn’t as valued around the league as we all thought?”

Dallas Cowboys’ Jaylon Smith: Invest in minority businesses to close income gap :: USA Today

The Pro Bowl linebacker tackles a different opponent in a column he’s written for USA Today, exploring the serious income disparity problem that many kids growing up in neighborhoods like Smith’s hometown face.

Different perspectives: Two complete 7-round Cowboys mock drafts :: The Athletic

More mocks! Jon Machota and Saad Yousuf each take a stab at filling out the Cowboys roster with seven rounds’ worth of college talent. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and cornerback Damon Arnette appear on both mocks, but it’s not all defense.

[vertical-gallery id=640915][lawrence-newsletter]

News: Some NFL owners hoping new CBA doesn’t pass, latest mock drafts

Some NFL owners don’t want the new CBA to pass in hopes of a better deal in 2021. The lastest mock draft has Cowboys adding speed on offense

The potential new CBA is what’s currently putting a hold on new contracts for the Cowboy’s two most important free agents, Dak Prescott, and Amari Cooper. Now, some of the NFL’s owners hope that the proposal doesn’t pass in hopes of getting a better deal in 2021.

Mock drafts are floating around more than ever with the NFL Draft less than two months away. The Cowboys will be looking to add defensive help, however, you can’t beat adding more speed and explosive play capability to the league’s top-ranked offense from a year ago. Dak Prescott’s gift the XFL’s Dallas Renegades, a top safety prospect possibly filling multiple roles for the Cowboys, and rather or not bringing back Dez Bryant will make sense is covered in the News and notes.

7-round mock draft gives Cowboys elite speed, defensive reinforcements:: Cowboys Wire

K.D. Drummond takes a deep dive into his very first 7-round mock draft. Big splashes, a few trades, and a few solid picks have Dallas filling all the necessary needs.

Every Top NFL Free Agent’s Biggest Red Flag:: Bleacher Report

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and possible free-agent-to-be Amari Cooper raises one here when it comes to production towards the end of the regular season.

Could Cowboys Land This “Small School” WR in 2020 NFL Draft? :: Inside The Star

While the experts focus on their mock drafts by keying in on the big-name stars, this small school wide receiver could quietly be the steal that the Cowboys are looking for.

NFL Free Agency 2020: The 1 Player Each Team Should Let Walk:: Bleacher Report

A lot of NFL teams are worried about bringing back their stars for the 2020 season. Byron Jones pops up on this list as someone who the Cowboys may want to be without due to the large salary he desires.

Crunching Cowboys stats: The 2019 divisional games may be why Kellen Moore stayed:: Blogging The Boys

Divisional games on an NFL season schedule are always the most pivotal to a teams’ success. Take a look at what Kellen Moore produced in some of the important divisional games in the 2019 season.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott gifted Beats headphones to the entire XFL’s Dallas Renegades team:: Blogging The Boys

The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants have been rivals for decades. Today starts a new rivalry in the new XFL and quarterback Dak Prescott made sure to know that the Cowboys have the Dallas Renegades’ backs.

Alabama’s Xavier McKinney Can Fit Multiple Roles Across Cowboys Defense:: Inside The Star

There’s no question that the Cowboys have done their homework on possibly choosing on the defensive side of the ball come the April draft. See how safety Xavier McKinney fits the mold of the new Cowboys defense.

Dez Bryant can still contribute in the NFL, but would signing him make sense for the Cowboys?:: Dallas Morning News 

Former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant hasn’t made it any secret they he not only wants to make an NFL return, but he wants to be back in Dallas. However, does it make sense for the organization?

Source: Some NFL owners hope CBA vote fails, eye 18-game season:: ESPN

Some of the league’s bosses are hoping it waits until next year, clearly thinking the players don’t have the resolve facing a work stoppage.

News: Crazy mock has Cowboys trading Prescott for draft picks

Speculation season runs wild as Philadelphia prepares to break the bank for Byron Jones and Dez Bryant name-drops as he lobbies to return.

In this dry period between the Scouting Combine and the start of free agency, it’s speculation season. It’s the time of mock drafts and hypothetical contracts, of outside-the-box trade scenarios and what-if hot takes. But for fans who don’t believe in an offseason, it’s the stuff that keeps the engines turning. And, truth be told, anticipating what might happen is a lot more fun than just waiting for something to actually happen.

Thursday in Cowboys Nation saw a mock draft that apparently took the Unthinkable Express straight out of Crazytown, a division rival possibly breaking the bank for a Dallas Pro Bowler, an agent talking through Dak Prescott’s potential short-term strategy, and Dez Bryant name-dropping as he lobbies for a storybook return to The Star. All that, plus an encouraging notion for Cowboys defensive linemen and a look at what’s next for the forgotten young talent buried in the Dallas linebacker corps.

Philadelphia Eagles reportedly preparing to ‘take a home run swing’ at Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones :: PennLive

Philadelphia appears to be serious about landing the Cowboys’ shutdown corner; media outlets in Pennsylvania are tossing around figures that would make Byron Jones an Eagle and the highest-paid cornerback in the league with a record-breaking deal when the legal tampering period begins on March 16.

What CBA player-vote window means to 2020 Cowboys :: CowboysWire

The football world continues to track the biggest news of the offseason as the Collective Bargaining Agreement has been sent to the players to vote on. The vote and its timing greatly impacts Dallas’s free agency plans. Cowboys Wire’s own K.D. Drummond takes a deeper look at the latest CBA news through a decidedly sliver and blue lens.

Agent’s Take: Can Dak Prescott get the short-term contract he seeks from the Cowboys? :: CBS Sports

The Jones family loves to lock down their superstars in long-term mega-deals, but recent quarterback history and the current CBA numbers suggest that Dak Prescott would rather buck the trend and sign a three-year contract instead. A former sports agent breaks down the dollars to make some sense of the negotiations in Dallas.

Will the Cowboys Open the NFL’s New Stadiums? :: The Mothership

The Rams and Raiders are set to open their new home stadiums this season in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, respectively, and Jerry Jones says the Cowboys would love to help them open their doors.

2020 Mock Draft Roundup: Cowboys commonly attached to Florida CB Henderson :: CowboysWire

With Byron Jones likely out of Dallas, cornerback is a big need in Big D. Tony Thompson breaks down why many experts think the Cowboys could go after this cornerback from the SEC.

Dez Bryant says he would be ‘perfect’ for the Cowboys, name-checks the stars on Dallas offense :: Blogging the Boys

Dez Bryant has been extremely vocal regarding his potential return to Dallas next season. His latest statements indicate how he thinks he could fit in with the rest of the Cowboys’ talented offensive weapons.

Every NFL team’s weakest link heading into free agency :: Bleacher Report

2020’s version of the Great Wall of Dallas could use some patching, according to this list, which calls out the left guard position as the team’s weakest link. With Connor Williams developing too slowly for some and Xavier Su’a-Filo about to hit free agency, maybe those Ronald Leary whispers sound just a little sweeter.

[lawrence-related id=640865]

What’s Up: Gifford likely to have expanded role :: The Mothership

The promising start to linebacker Luke Gifford’s rookie season took a serious hit in the first half of 2019’s first preseason game. Now fully recovered and in a positional group that’s full of question marks, the former Nebraska Cornhusker could get extra looks at some new opportunities.

Gil’s first No. 1 pick? Hall of Famer and “Mr. Cowboy” Bob Lilly. That’s awfully good company for The Playmaker to be in.

Redskins grant LT Williams permission to seek trade; Eagles letting LT Jason Peters test free-agent market :: NFL.com

In separate news items sure to delight the Dallas defensive line and coaching staff, a pair of division rivals could each see their elite-caliber left tackle suddenly leave the NFC East.

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Cowbys tag and trade Dak Prescott to Dolphins in outside-the-box first round :: CBS Sports

In the wildest mock draft making the rounds, Will Brinson has concocted a scenario whereby the Cowboys trade a non-exclusive-franchise-tagged Dak Prescott to Miami for their two 2020 first-round picks. Letting Prescott go may seem certifiably crazy, but what if it meant reloading the roster with Tua Tagovailoa, Grant Delpit, and CeeDee Lamb?

[vertical-gallery id=639104][lawrence-newsletter]

2020 Mock Draft Roundup: Cowboys now commonly attached to Florida CB Henderson

A new favorite has emerged for the Dallas Cowboys selection at No. 17 in the form of Florida Gators cornerback C.J. Henderson.

Mock draft season comes in waves. The first comes when the off-season is fresh on everyone’s mind and the picks are all focused on team needs. The combine comes and goes and the media begins to catch up to the curve and the names begin to change. This is that second wave.

The Dallas Cowboys glaring need remains the secondary, but the position of choice, much like the soon-to-be departing Byron Jones, from safety to cornerback. Florida Gator C.J. Henderson is the choice at No. 17 in multiple mock drafts. Both John Owning of the Dallas Morning News and Mark Schofield of Touchdown Wire had the Cowboys finding their replacement. From Owning’s recent Dallas-centric three round mock:

Henderson has the processing ability to play any coverage, but he undoubtedly thrives in man coverage, where his quick feet enable him to mirror and stay in-phase with receivers. Henderson is extremely effective in press coverage, where his length and timing enable him to disrupt the time of a receivers’ route at the line of scrimmage – check out the above clip of Henderson disrupting LSU WR Jamarr Chase, who multiple CBs said was the best WR they faced in college, at the line of scrimmage.

In addition, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler also mocked Henderson to Dallas in his three-round mock.

Henderson’s on-field play vaulted him up draft boards, his performance at the NFL combine solidified it. His combination of size and speed is extraordinarily rare. Take it from Twitter user Kent Lee Platte who has been tracking the Relative Athletic Score for prospects for years.

A perfect 10. The Cowboys will need some help in order for Henderson to fall for them, but they could certainly do a lot worse in a Byron Jones replacement than a cornerback who is capable of matching his athleticism.

[vertical-gallery id=639104][lawrence-newsletter]

Cowboys News: Outside-the-box Prescott proposal more outside reality

Mock drafts resume as Combine concludes. Prescott contract talk gets hotter, Byron Jones departing but potential replacement in FA emerges

With the NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror, mock drafts are adjusting to the new information of which prospects athletically project to power in the move up in competition.

While it seems inevitable Prescott is under center for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, it is still unclear as to who he will be throwing to. A few mock drafts have the Cowboys drafting wide receiver Amari Cooper’s possible replacement. Cooper isn’t the only one potentially departing, as Dallas fans everywhere prepare for life without cornerback Byron Jones. Some say a replacement can be found at the top of the cornerback class in free agency. Mike McCarthy brings some new juice to the Cowboys’ odds of winning the NFC East and even representing the NFC in the 2020 Super Bowl.

With Dak Prescott about to break the bank, here’s why an outside-the-box deal makes sense for both sides :: CBS Sports

This proposed contract for Prescott’s future mega-deal may qualify as malfeasance by his agent. The idea here is for Prescott to sign a 10-year-deal before the cap explodes and he’s left in the dust. With all signs pointing to a general explosion of the salary cap in the next several years, tying Prescott in to prices based on the current market makes little sense.

A Look at Every Team’s Cap Situation Heading into Start of NFL Free Agency :: Bleacher Report

A brief, if albeit incomplete look at where team’s stand in terms of the salary cap heading into the 2020 off-season.

In many respects, the $77 million and change the Dallas Cowboys have in cap space is a mirage. It’s fool’s gold.

Sure, over $75 million is a lot of wiggle room. But a quick look at the Cowboys who could be about to hit free agency causes that pile of money to shrink—quickly.

Report: Raiders expected to pursue cornerback Byron Jones in free agency :: Pro Football Talk

Reports already surfacing of the Philadelphia Eagles getting involved and now the Las Vegas Raiders have joined the party.

Cowboys’ McCarthy to scout Oxnard prior to first training camp :: CowboysWire

McCarthy plans on taking a trip to the Oxnard, California for a day or two to get the feel of where the Cowboys will host training camp for their 2020 season.

Odds to win the NFC East and NFC overall are somewhat favorable to the Dallas Cowboys :: Blogging The Boys

According to BetOnline, the Cowboys find themselves 7/5 to win the NFC East and 9/1 to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Cowboys G/C Joe Looney Could be Tough Free Agent to Keep :: Inside The Star

The beloved big man may have some suiters in free agency.

RB Overview: How To Maximize Zeke’s Talent? :: The Mothership

The running backs are up today as DallasCowboys.com continues to break down position by position of players who are under contract for 2020 and how they will be utilized in Mike McCarthy’s system.

Here’s why the Dallas Cowboys must open their wallet and get Dak Prescott’s deal done :: Star-Telegram

Clarence Hill discusses that the talk has to end and Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have to blink first when it comes to quarterback Dak Prescott’s new contract.

Scouting Combine ratings up only three percent :: Pro Football Talk 

Looks like the move to primetime was for naught. Negligible gains in viewership calls into the question the results of having some players not run their 40-yard dashes until late into the night.

[vertical-gallery id=639104][lawrence-newsletter]

So Defensive: 3-round Athletic mock has a theme for Cowboys

Dane Brugler of The Athletic sees Dallas shoring up 2019’s underachieving defense with a trio of collegiate stars in April’s NFL Draft.

Bolstering the secondary is the primary concern for many Cowboys fans this offseason. Whether it’s finding an improbable way to retain Byron Jones, courting a free agent veteran, making a splashy trade, looking to the college ranks in April’s draft, or piecing together a combo platter of those strategies, it’s no secret that the team needs DB help ASAP.

Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft for The Athletic (pay wall) has the club snagging one of the heroes of last week’s Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and using their first-round selection on a dazzling athlete who could flourish at the pro level. And his projections of the first three rounds has the team staying on the defensive side of the ball as they try to patch up one of 2019’s most disappointing units.

Round 1: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida

Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson “has a chance to be drafted in the top 10, so [the Cowboys’ 17th pick] might be the latest he comes off the board,” Brugler writes in The Athletic. “With Byron Jones destined to reach free agency, cornerback shoots near the top of Dallas’s draft needs. Henderson needs to be a better playmaker at the catch point, but he is a plus athlete with the size to blanket receivers.”

Henderson impressed during Day Four of the combine with a 40-yard dash time that was second-best at his position. His bench press, vertical jump, and broad jump numbers were all Top-10.

The junior was always seen as a first-day draft selection; his weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium only improved his draft stock. Many mocks project Henderson to be gone within the first 15 picks, so if he’s available to the Cowboys at 17, Brugler’s pick seems like a no-brainer.

The only knock on Henderson seems to be his tackling ability, but it’s probably not enough of a concern that Dallas wouldn’t jump at the chance to bring him aboard.

Brugler has Henderson being the second corner off the board, after Ohio State’s Jeffrey Okudah, mocked to go seventh overall to Carolina. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons (Clemson), defensive tackle Derrick Brown (Auburn), wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma), wideout Jerry Jeudy (Alabama), and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina) are all taken prior to Dallas’s pick in the Brugler mock. All are considered to be on a possible watch list for the Cowboys, as is Alabama safety Xavier McKinney. Brugler has McKinney going to the Saints with the 24th pick.

Round 2: Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M

In the second round, Brugler likes Justin Madubuike falling to Dallas at 51st. The defensive tackle from Texas A&M tallied 11 sacks over the past two seasons and worked under Maurice Linguist, who’s now on the Cowboys defensive coaching staff.

Mike McCarthy has a history of drafting defensive tackles highly, and Madubuike has made it clear he would love to play for the NFL team he grew up rooting for. “At 6-foot-2, 293 pounds,” writes The Draft Network’s Jonah Tuls, “Madubuike fits that mold of the undersized, quick one-gap penetrator in the middle.”

Round 3: Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State

With so much attention on defensive teammates Chase Young and Jeffrey Okudah, the Buckeyes’ 6-foot-3-inch linebacker is sitting slightly off the radar. But Brugler has the Cowboys pouncing on him with the 82nd overall pick. Current Dallas linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch can provide a dominant tandem, but the position could still use quality depth, especially with the question mark that is Sean Lee.

Harrison played in 42 games over his four years at Ohio State. He recorded 55 solo tackles as a junior and 49 in his senior season. In Indianapolis last weekend, he put up the best three-cone drill score at his position and ran the second-fastest 40 of any linebacker his size or heavier.

Defense wins championships, the saying goes. With those three picks in the first three rounds of the 2020 Draft, Cowboys Nation would likely feel pretty good about getting closer to a sixth Lombardi Trophy coming home to Dallas.

[vertical-gallery id=640098][vertical-gallery id=639104][lawrence-newsletter]

Winners & Losers from Day 2 of 2020 Combine Drills

Day 2 of NFL Scouting Combine in the books. Take a look at the winners and losers from running backs and offensive lineman

Day 2 of the Scouting Combine is in the books as the running backs and offensive lineman took the stage from Indianapolis. While on paper, the Cowboys seem all set at the running back position with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, they still need to be ready to get a sleeper in the later rounds if the situation warrants.

When taking a look at the offensive line, it remains to be one of Dallas’ strengths. However age and health can start to become a factor and in this league and one can never have too many big, young, tough offensive lineman on the depth chart. Sometimes someone does something so glorious at the combine they demand a longer look.

For example, take NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah’s No. 5 ranked player in the entire draft, Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton.

Here is a recap of the winners and losers from Friday night.

Winners

Tristan Wirfs – OL, Iowa

The testing for the 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive lineman really had scouts impressed. He set a record for his position as he pulled off a 36.5-inch vertical. He flashed his athleticism on the field moving effortlessly from side to side and back and forth being lead by the coaches. A flawless combine to say the least. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter was a big fan and had this to say to put a bow on Wirf’s combine:

Wirfs’ arms measured 34 inches earlier this week, which means an NFL team maTy try him at tackle given his size and athleticism. Put it all together, and a team is going to want to lock him up early in the first round.

Erza Cleveland – OT, Boise State

With already bench-pressing 30 reps before hitting the field, Cleveland showed that power was just one of the many attributes to be looked at by scouts this spring. He posted a 4.93-second 40 time as well showing he could also move for his size. He was also ranked first amongst all lineman in the three-cone drill with a very impressive 7.26-seconds.

Austin Jackson- OT, USC

Along with Wirfs, Jackson had a phenomenal showing at the combine as well. The 6-foot-5, 322-pound tackle looks to be a another top tier tackle taken in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He posted a 31-inch vertical and a 9-7 broad jump. His size and versatility will work well against some of the bigger and faster edge rushers in the NFL.

Jonathan Taylor- RB, Wisconsin

Posting the fastest 40-yard dash time of all running backs at this years combine (4.39), Taylor could be considered to be one of the top running backs in this years draft. He also showed a lot of promise in the pass catching drills as well despite the lack of receptions early in his collegiate career at Wisconsin. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter had this to say on Taylor’s day:

Taylor’s cuts were not as quick and effortless as those of Swift, Darrynton Evans or Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but his speed and vision have allowed him to find and exploit holes over the past three years for the Badgers.

Darrynton Evans – RB, Appalachian State

Standing in at 5-foot-10 and weighing just 203 pounds, Evans gave Taylor a run for his money as one of the fastest running backs at the combine (4.42).  Evans also showed his cutting and shifting ability during the bag drills as smooth as NFL.com’s Chad Reuter has seen this year.

He got his knees up and down in a hurry over bags and also cut as smoothly and quickly as any back I’ve seen at the combine. He also acquitted himself well in pass-catching drills. At 5-10, 203, teams may not consider him a three-down back, but I’m not sure there are many of those anymore.

Losers

Trey Adams- OT, Washington

Unfortunately for Adams, it would be a long road ahead for him to impress the scouts in Indianapolis due to his recent ACL and back surgeries in back to back years of 2017 and 2018. His on the field work was limited and his 40-yard dash time came in at 5.6-second with a 1.89-second 10-yard split which ranked second-worst in the group. Adams will likely have to wait a little while to hear his name called in Vegas.

Logan Stenberg – OG, Kentucky

According to NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, Stenberg always brings the intensity. Unfortunately for him, it’s usually towards the referees after being called for a penalty. His 5.3-second 40-yard dash time fell behind plenty of his fellow lineman. He struggled to move quickly laterally in the on field drills as well. They don’t rank intensity at the combine.

Tony Jones – RB, Notre Dame

Coming in at 220-pounds, Jones is already considered a power back. To impress scouts at the combine you have to show some athleticism even when given this categorization. His 4.68-second 40-yard dash time along with a subpar vertical (32.5-inch) will move him down the ranks on draft day.

[vertical-gallery id=640098][vertical-gallery id=639104][lawrence-newsletter]

Cowboys News: Maybe the last links before the new world order

News and notes for the Dallas Cowboys on February 25, 2020. A few mock drafts, and the new CBA will determine a lot for the Cowboys

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine has begun and that means mock drafts will soon look a little different. Andy Reid was very confident in speaking to the media Tuesday about what the Cowboys are getting in new head coach Mike McCarthy. Byron Jones could be on his way out and nobody seems to be bothered by it. Tight end is a position the Cowboys are already heavily involved in at the combine but another former NFC east tight end could be a good fit in Dallas.

The biggest news came overnight though, as the NFLPA player reps approved, 17-14 a barely different version of the CBA presented by the owners. It will now move to the full body, which could vote electronically, to approve by just 1 vote over 50%.

The players will get 48.5% of revenue for the 17-game season, but of course the NFL doesn’t include a large portion of actual revenue in the part the players get a piece of.

2020 NFL Draft: Cowboys Pre-Draft Tracker :: Cowboys Wire

A running tracker that keeps track of all player meetings announced during the combine. With QB, TE, WR having media availability Tuesday, three names were added to start the list.

Football Outsiders: ‘Cowboys shouldn’t overthink’, Prescott is even worth losing Cooper :: Cowboys Wire

Tying together with Stephen Jones’ words about the two top free agents, a look at the assessment of the Cowboys offense and just how integral the QB is.

Mock draft, combine special: NFL beat writers predict, college experts analyze :: The Athletic

A new challenger appears for the Cowboys No. 17 pick in the 2020 draft in the form of cornerback Trevon Diggs out of Alabama. In this scenario, Dallas decides to fix their secondary in the more traditional way. The usual suspects at safety Grant Delpit and Xavier McKinney are nowhere to be found in this one-round mock.

The Factors That Will Define the Cowboys’ Make-or-Break 2020 Offseason :: The Ringer

Robert Mays looks at the most important off-season the Dallas Cowboys have faced in many moons and believes that the contract decisions the front office made last summer will cost them at least one premier player in Byron Jones.

Bucky Brooks 2020 NFL mock draft 2.0: CeeDee Lamb to Dallas :: NFL.com

Many analysts believe Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is the best prospect at his position in the draft. He isn’t the first receiver off the board in this mock, but it’s safe to say the Cowboys would be delighted to see Lamb fall in their lap.

Imitating Andy Reid’s success with his second franchise is something the newest Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy should hope to emulate. After his comments at the NFL Draft Combine, count him as a believer.

Cowboys corner Byron Jones is about to get away. Why does nobody seem concerned? :: The Athletic

He is historically always healthy, he is provably “out-of-this-world good” at his position, and there is no comparable replacement for him just waiting in the wings somewhere, so why does a low tally in a single stat category- interceptions- leave Cowboys fans (and possibly the team) so nonchalant about letting Byron Jones leave Dallas?

Mailbag: Could Jordan Reed be the answer? :: The Mothership

Answering the inevitable question that pops up every time a marquee-name player hits the open market, the staff writers are skeptical about the team making a move to acquire former Washington tight end Jordan Reed.

Top 101 NFL free agents of 2020: Tom Brady fourth-ranked QB ::: NFL.com

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they have seven players on this list with Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper at No. 1 and No. 3 respectively.

Helman: This WR Class Is Too Good To Ignore :: The Mothership

David Helman knows there is a need to draft on the defensive side of the ball but refuses not to acknowledge the very deep wide receiver class.

David Irving says he’s in reinstatement process :: Pro Football Talk

The defensive end might be having a change of heart when it comes to playing in the NFL with a new CBA in negotiation looking to lessen the restrictions on marijuana use and testing.

Stephen on XFL Kickoff, Draft Needs, Dez & More :: The Mothership

Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones addresses the future of Jason Witten and Sean Lee along with his thoughts on some of the rules of the XFL.

Cowboys in tricky spot with big names in limbo amid CBA uncertainty :: ESPN

Archer takes a look at multiple ways this whole thing can play out if the CBA is extended or not.

Report: Cowboys expected to begin talks on bringing Blake Jarwin back to team in 2020 :: Blogging The Boys

The Cowboys intend to address the tight end position by re-signing RFA Blake Jarwin. In addition, Dallas is scheduled to meet with multiple tight end prospects at the Combine.

[vertical-gallery id=639523][lawrence-newsletter]

Pre-Combine Final Mock Draft Roundup: Cowboys consensus defense at No. 17

The Dallas Cowboys are in need of some defensive players and that is what these NFL Mock Drafts have the Cowboys drafting come April.

NFL draft season is in full swing as February starts to wind up. The NFL Scouting Combine begins Monday, as quarterbacks, tight ends and wideouts have already gathered in Indianapolis, with the 2020 NFL Draft set to take place two months from now, April 23.

The question many are wondering is, who will the Dallas Cowboys draft 17th overall in the first round? In the final pre-combine days, the general consensus is that Dallas will look to add defensive talent. Which makes a lot of sense due to the fact the Cowboys have 18 contracts expiring from the defensive side of the ball, seven of whom are from the defensive line.

Here’s a look at a few of the more notable awardings for Mike Nolan’s unit.

ESPN.com | Mel Kiper Jr.

NFL.com | Draft Analyst Chad Reuter

17. Xavier McKinney – S

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Dallas needs to find a playmaker at safety, as the team averaged just over one takeaway per game in 2019 to finish among the lower third of the league in that category.

The Draft Network | Benjamin Solak 

17. Javon Kinlaw – IDL

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

School: South Carolina | Year: Senior

In what I imagine might be the most emphatic “If he’s here at [my team’s pick], I will [do something uncharacteristic, absurd and ebullient to thank the universe for its gracious boon],” Javon Kinlaw makes it to No. 17 and the Dallas Cowboys.

The last pass-rusher the Cowboys had at defensive tackle was Jason Hatcher, in 2013, with an absolutely shocking 11 sacks in a career that, to that point, had averaged less than three sacks a year. It’s been a bleak and barren wasteland since. While Kinlaw may not be the solution in 2020, he certainly is the best chance they’ve had a blue-chipper there in a while. I like the fact that Kinlaw will be starting from Day 1 too. I think the best thing for his development is experience.

CBS Sports | Pete Prisco

17. Xavier McKinney – S

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

They have to improve on the back end of their defense, and this is the kid to do it. He can play the pass, but he’s also a willing run player.

Draft Wire | Luke Easterling

17. Xavier McKinney – S

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Sports Illustrated | Kevin Hanson 

17. Grant Delpit – S

Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

School: LSU | Year: Junior

Outside of Jeffrey Okudah, the Cowboys would have their choice of defensive backs in this mock draft scenario. The Cowboys were tied for the league low in passes intercepted (seven) last season and Delpit is a rangy playmaker with eight interceptions and 24 passes defended in his three seasons at LSU.

Bleacher Report | Kristopher Knox

17. Xavier McKinney – S

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

PFF | Michael Renner

TRADE!!

13. (VIA the Indianapolis Colts) Xavier McKinney – S

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

With a roster built to win now, Dallas goes up and gets an immediate impact player at safety. McKinney has the sort of all-around game that can do anything asked of him in Mike Nolan’s defense. He had grades over 79.0 in run defense, coverage and pass-rush each of the past two seasons.

WalterFootball.com | Walter Cherapisky

17. Grant Delpit – S

School: LSU | Year: Junior

The Cowboys tried to land Earl Thomas last offseason, but they haven’t been able to upgrade their hole at safety. Perhaps they’ll do that with this pick.

Grant Delpit is an exceptional talent who was once considered a top-10 lock, but has struggled a bit in 2019.

For those keeping score, McKinney was selected six times, Delpit twice and Kinlaw made his way out of the top 15 into the Cowboys arms just once.

[vertical-gallery id=639523][lawrence-newsletter]

Cowboys News: Combine memories, CBA talks shift tag windows

CBA talks could affect a few Cowboys players headed for free agency. Mock drafts have the Cowboys going addressing corner and receiver

Mock draft season is in full swing with the NFL Draft fastly approaching in April. With needs such as safety, corner, and wide receiver all needing to be addressed, the next few months will determine a lot about the 2020 Dallas Cowboys.

There are several important dates to keep an eye on as well when it comes to the NFL Combine, tag designations, and when teams can begin negotiating with unrestricted free agents. Who the Cowboys could possibly draft a safety in round one, what type of wide receiver would fit their offense, and should they consider re-signing a veteran corner is all covered on the News and Notes for Saturday, February 22, 2020.

Tag deadline changed, Cowboys may still get to use franchise, transition :: Cowboys Wire

With the players refusing to vote on the proposed CBA last week, the scene shifts to Indy. The league has since adjusted the franchise tag window in hopes a vote happens this week. The fallout is major for a handful of teams, specifically Dallas.

2020 Draft: Under-the-radar WR with No. 1 potential :: NFL.com

Bucky Brooks checks in with a quick scouting report on several draft prospects in a WR-heavy draft who could emerge as alpha dogs despite lasting into Rounds 2 and 3, including Baylor’s Denzel Mims.

PFF’s All-Combine Team of the 2010s – Pro Football Focus

Who were the athletic freaks that caused an uproar at the annual meat market known as the scouting combine? Cowboys’ 2015 and 2018 first-round draft picks Byron Jones and Leighton Vander Esch get the nod for their respective positions in a look ahead to this week’s festivities.

Predicting the Fates of Top Franchise-Tag Candidates in 2020 NFL Free Agency:: Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report gives 10 predictions about players who can potentially either sign their team’s franchise tag, sign to a long term deal, or, be traded. A very interesting take on Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper.

The Most Intriguing NFL Free Agents on the Market This Offseason:: Bleacher Report

NFL Free Agency is less than a month away and Bleacher Report gives their thoughts on the most interesting targets available. For the Cowboys, they take a look at defensive end Robert Quinn.

How Much Would it Cost Cowboys to Trade Up in the 2020 NFL Draft? :: Inside The Star

The 2020 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching. With the Combine, next week, will anyone jump out and catch the eye of the Cowboys to consider moving up? Inside the Star takes a deeper look at the value of pick 17 of this year’s draft.

Alabama’s Xavier McKinney Makes Sense if Cowboys go S in Round 1:: NGSC Sports 

Current starter at strong safety Jeff Heath and backup safety and special teams ace Kavon Frazier will both be unrestricted free agents in March, making addressing the position that much more important before the 2020 season.

Cowboys 2020 draft: Analyst identifies the type of wide receiver that fits the Cowboys offense:: Blogging The Boys

The wide receiver position is another the Cowboys would be wise to take a look at this offseason. This piece talks about what the Cowboys need at wide receiver to match their philosophy on offense and who that could possibly be.

Should the Cowboys Consider re-signing CB Anthony Brown?:: Inside The Star

The Dallas Cowboys top corner, Byron Jones, will be an unrestricted free agent in March and could price himself out Dallas. With a potential hole to fill, re-signing veteran corner Anthony Brown might not be a bad idea for depth purposes.