The entire sports world is still reeling from the recent impacts of the Coronavirus outbreak. The NFL had to cancel all face-to-face meetings, as well as pro days, just a month before the draft. Teams will have to adapt on the fly and prepare in ways that they aren’t used to. The draft is still on, for now, and so get familiar with five safeties that could possibly be instant improvements in Dallas, and read a hypothetical big-time draft-day trade for the Cowboys. Also, what if the Cowboys decide to go defense, but instead of secondary or DL help, they once again go linebacker?
Free agency is as close as ever, and the Cowboys know they must make the most of the signing period. There should be a handful of suitors ready to pay Amari Cooper handsomely, will Dallas be able to retain him? The Cowboys are paying closer attention to special teams free agents. As the XFL season ends, its players are jumping onto NFL teams’ radar.
Troy Aikman spoke on the Dak Prescott negotiations, and shared his feelings on if Prescott is the answer and why the team should be careful franchise tagging the free agent quarterback. Continue on to find all that and more in the news and notes for March 13, 2020.
Mailbag: Possible Perfect Trade Scenario? :: The Mothership
Who would be worth jumping up a few spots for in April’s draft? Team staff writer David Helman believes a defensive lineman like Auburn’s Derrick Brown or South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw might be worth a pick trade if either starts to slide in the first round.
Kenneth Murray has 15 visits planned, including to Cowboys :: ProFootballTalk
Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray is slated to meet with the Cowboys. It’s not unusual that the first-round talent is meeting with Dallas, but it does raise slight concerns about the health of their top pick from two years ago, Leighton Vander Esch.
Report: Dallas Cowboys were among teams in attendance for Gary Zauner’s free agent specialists combine :: Blogging the Boys
New special teams coordinator John Fassel is doing some window shopping, at the very least. A Dallas Morning News report says the Cowboys were one of 27 teams represented at a three-day combine last week in Arizona dedicated to punters, kickers, and long snappers.
PRO TIP: If you see @dallascowboys lineman La’El Collins running at you, get out of the way. 💫
(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/ySMO6bltAi
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) March 10, 2020
5 safety options for Cowboys in 2020 NFL draft :: CowboysWire
It’s been 18 seasons since the Cowboys last picked a safety in the first round of the NFL draft. This years safety draft class is full of talent, and the Cowboys could find the safety they need at pick 17, or even a round or two later. Julius Settles Sr. examines five safety options for Dallas in late April.
NFL Reportedly Bans College Player Visits Amid Coronavirus Pandemic :: Bleacher Report
Pro days and player meetings at colleges have always been an important part of the NFL draft scouting process. Players who didn’t attend the combine have a chance to showcase themselves, and combine participants can improve on the numbers or interviews from Indianapolis. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus, these events won’t be taking place. However, there are some other measures in place to help teams do their homework before the draft.
While in-person meetings between NFL teams and prospects are prohibited, teams are allowed phone and video calls.
– NFL teams can schedule no more than 3 phone/video calls with a player per week
– Each call cannot last longer than 1 hour.
– All calls must be documented.— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 13, 2020
XFL Players Can Immediately Sign With NFL Teams :: ProFootballRumors
The XFL was one of the last American sports to end their active season. This is positive news for many XFL standouts, however, as they essentially now become free agents right at the start of NFL free agency.
The XFL has advised players they can sign immediately with teams in the NFL or any other league once their exit physicals are complete tomorrow, per sources. So for the stars — Josh Johnson, P.J. Walker, Jordan Ta’amu, et al. — a chance to land quickly.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2020
Aikman: Cowboys tagging Prescott ‘could have damaging effects’ :: CowboysWire
Days from the franchise tag deadline, the Cowboys are seemingly close to tagging Dak Prescott. Hear why Troy Aikman believes Prescott is Cowboys best future option at QB, and how tagging him might strain the relationship between the front office and their signal caller.
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