The Dallas Cowboys held their annual pre-draft press conference Tuesday afternoon, but this time there was a twist. The conference was held virtually, much like the NFL Draft will be beginning on Thursday night.
Cowboys writers and reporters were able to join a video teleconference and ask questions in real-time to owner Jerry Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy, while executive VP and de facto GM Stephen Jones would join the two later in the conference. Cowboys fans watched the stream close as arguably the three biggest decision makers in Dallas answered questions that focused on one of the biggest weekends in the NFL calendar year; the 2020 NFL Draft.
Draft Thoughts, Philosophy and Free Agency Impact
A pressing question for every team is drafting for need versus drafting the best available player. As is always their goal, the Cowboys think they did enough in free agency to not draft specifically for need.
“I think we did specifically address some areas that give us some slack as far as need in several positions, even our kicker,” said Jerry Jones. “I think we’ve done some things that will [have], in and of itself, apart from positioning for the draft, but in and of itself, improved us on the defensive side of the ball.” Jones would add that he thinks “without a doubt” he thinks there will be quality players available at selection No. 17.
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When asked specifically if cornerback would be in play with their early selections because of the loss of Byron Jones, the trio of was in agreement that their draft board rankings proceed all needs, but stated if the right prospect was there of course the position is in play.
“I just think it all depends on the [draft] board,” replied Stephen. We try to every year in free agency do what we need to do to feel good about our team regardless of what we pick in the draft, and I think we’ve done a good job of that.” He would go on to say, “We just don’t feel the pressure to have to take a certain position early.”
Of course, McCarthy and the Joneses don’t want to tip their hand just days before the draft.
Fans and analysts both suspect Dallas will add to their defensive and secondary during the draft. When asked about the depth of those two areas in the draft, McCarthy responded, “I do feel that there are very good numbers at those areas.”
The latter goes with mosts impressions of the draft, the latter does not. It’s seen as a draft without many immediate-impact ends as Day 2 and Day 3 come around.
Jamal Adams
Dallas has been linked to the Jets All-Pro safety for years now. A deal to get Adams would almost certainly involve at least the Cowboys first-round pick. When asked about the likelihood that Dallas trades pick 17 for an established star Jerry Jones said it is “highly unlikely.”
The Jets are saying its unlikely they’ll trade him, the Cowboys are saying its unlikely they’ll trade for him, yet the two remain intertwined until Adams strikes a long-term deal with New York. Are both sides being honest or negotiating in public?
Virtual Challenges
When asked what they thought the biggest challenges would be handling the virtual draft, the Cowboys owner and new coach sounded positive that changes being made wouldn’t effect their ability to scout players before the draft, and make selections when the Cowboys are on the clock.
McCarthy credited the IT department for the Cowboys smooth transition, and Jerry credited Will McClays hard work that has helped make the transition be seamless. Stephen Jones would add, “It’s been amazingly productive and efficient working virtually with these draft meetings… and I think we can be very efficient and very effective in terms of communicating with one another.”
Jerry Jones noted the team actually had a technical issue during the first virtual mock draft the league ran, and the Cowboys were able to handle the issue by having backup plans in place to handle their business. Hopefully the mock draft helped Dallas iron out those issues.
#Cowboys owner admits there were glitches during their mock draft, one during a “trade scenario” when they were selecting. Given their rehearsal and ability to troubleshoot yesterday he says he’s comfortable they will do kinds of things they have always done on draft day.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) April 21, 2020
The Cowboys staff made it clear they have direct lines of communication to each during this pre-draft process, and the group is working hard to be on the same page come draft time.
Dak Prescott’s Contract and Offseason Program Involvement
The press conference wasn’t solely draft related, as the biggest news of the Cowboys’ spring was brought up. Jerry started off the Prescott discussion by noting that he isn’t concerned at all about their ability to complete a long term deal with the franchise QB, and that Prescott will still do everything he needs to to be ready with his team.
Does that include attending voluntary virtual meeting that started on Monday? That was a little trickier for coach McCarthy to answer. While he never has a yes or no, he did state that he is happy with the communication Prescott has had with the position coaches.
Not much clarity as to what Dak Prescott's role has been to this point in the Cowboys' virtual offseason program, but Mike McCarthy says Dak has been in communication with the coaching staff.
McCarthy reminds that the offseason program is voluntary.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) April 21, 2020
The Jones’ raved over McCarthy’s ability to develop quarterbacks at a high level, and it seems like the Cowboys might use at least one later pick on a backup QB that McCarthy can attempt to groom while Prescott starts.
Offensive Changes
It’s no secret McCarthy is an offense-first coach, but his decision to keep Kellen Moore as the offensive coordinator showed he has a willingness to adapt, and adapt they now must.
McCarthy said the team must build on the successful offensive concepts that Moore, Prescott, Elliott and the gang were able to establish a season ago, and that combining the offensive terminology he’s used to with the Cowboys current language is something they are working hard at.
The sudden retirement of Travis Frederick shook up the offensive line depth chart. McCarthy noted the good job Joe Looney did in that role two years ago, and that “the two Connors” (Connor McGovern and Connor Williams) have a huge opportunity.
Williams ended the year with a torn ACL but the team hopes he’s ready to return and excel at the left guard spot. McGovern missed his rookie season with a torn pectoral muscle, but the third-round pick spent his sophomore year in college at the pivot position.
Defensive Changes
Mike Nolan joined McCarthy on the staff as the defensive coordinator, and fans have wondered what scheme changes this might entail. Nolan wasn’t there to speak but McCarthy cleared things up.
The teams will continue to be a 4-3 front, but McCarthy values versatility and variation, so changing fronts should be common. Recently the team has spoken of adopting a Sam/Designated Pass Rusher identity for some players, indicating the down linemen will be joined by more designed linebacker rushes in various configurations.
Suspended defensive linemen Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith were also a topic of interest. Both players are applying to be reinstated into the league and are awaiting the leagues decisions. McCarthy said he was able to spend some face-to-face time with Smith all the way back in December, and that the progress he had made and continues to make is outstanding. It would be a surprise if either players request was denied.
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Overall, the trio spoke with conviction and agreement regarding the biggest questions they faced just 2 days before the draft, and that is what fans want to hear. Time will tell if they are as prepared for this years extraordinary draft and season.
The entire press conference can be viewed below.