Cowboys News: Neal officially signs, 2018 draft class impact, NFL offseason outline

The 2021 NFL Draft is close and Dallas’s potential picks are becoming more clear. The NFL also announced their plans for the offseason.

With the 2021 NFL draft two weeks away, the pieces are coming together on what could be a very exciting weekend for the Dallas Cowboys. Our own Ben Glassmire released his most recent profile on linebacker Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins, who could add to a linebacker room that is currently surrounded by questions.

The NFL also announced their schedule for offseason programs and with the decision for them to be voluntary at times for players, it could have a large impact on Dallas. Who will decide to opt out of these workouts? Who could Dallas go with at No. 44?

Cowboys News: Vander Esch on blast, WR talent unquestioned

What’s in store for the linebackers corps? What needs to be added to the wide receiver group? Prescott’s deal to be short and sweet?

Most of the focus on the linebacker position has been placed on Jaylon Smith, as the Dallas Cowboys’ most famous defender. However, there’s another player they invested major capital in who hasn’t lived up to his finest campaign in two years, either. Leighton Vander Esch gets the spotlight treatment.

While that position is a huge question mark, the exact opposite is the case when it comes to the fast and furious wide receiver corps, who stand among the league’s best. Are there any concerns there which need to be addressed this offseason, via free agency or the draft? Modeling Dak Prescott’s contract, changes to the defensive line and a look at the overall salary cap picture round out this edition of Cowboys News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Prescott’s post, Watt’s release, projecting the east

After the release of J.J. Watt from the Texans, there has been discussion of if the neighboring Cowboys should pursue the former All-Pro.

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After the release of J.J. Watt from the Texans, there has been discussion of if the neighboring Cowboys should pursue the former All-Pro. Demarcus Lawrence reached out to him through social media while also mentioning Patrick Peterson as a possible Cowboy in 2021. Dak Prescott made waves in social media as well, sharing some optimism with Blake Jarwin regarding “running it back” with Dallas.

In other news, the Cowboys released the top 10 plays of the season for Prescott and discussed Neville Gallimore’s promise and what his role could be in the future. Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain is in the discussion as the first-round pick for Dallas in the 2021 NFL draft and could become the starter across from Trevon Diggs. Here’s Friday’s News and Notes.

Cowboys News: 2021 draft sleepers, S1 Richie Grant, awesome trainers

Awards for the staff, Day 3 draft prospects, should’ve, could’ve, would’ve in previous drafts and what’s next for the Connor twins on the Cowboys offensive line.

One might expect that with the slew of injuries encountered by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 that their training staff may come under fire. Just the opposite, actually. The fanbase may have good reason to be enamored with the latest safety that the front office is most likely to ignore come April.

Meanwhile, there are a handful of draft sleepers to be aware of, as everyone knows that after a team is supposed to cash in on Day 1, what happens on Day 3 really defines what a draft class is all about. Awards for training staffs,  interviews with cornerbacks and so much more.

Cowboys News: 2020 rookie class may need to take team to Super Bowl

The rooks were used, a lot, and for good reason as both top picks went in the 1st round of a redraft. Will they lead the Cowboys to a SB?

The Dallas Cowboys had quite a rookie class performance when it came to playing time. Was it out of talent, necessity, or simply because the previous regime refused to play rookies? Whatever the case may be, they seem to be an integral part to the Cowboys’ future.

Is it a future with a Super Bowl in their path? If so, it may have to be sooner rather than later as there are a bunch of off ramps on the highway that fans may not have fully realized. The club has several decisions to make in free agency yet again, and there’s some advice on who should remain with the club if possible. Yes, the quarterback is among them. Bad free agency decisions in 2020 hampered the club, which rookies would be in Dallas if the draft had a do-over and a collection of the best tweets of the day. All this and more in Tuesday’s edition of News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Prescott ahead of schedule, Gilbert outplayed Hall of Famers

News and notes for all things Dallas Cowboys on November 10, 2020.

In a season full of strange and stranger things, the Dallas Cowboys finally enter a much-needed bye week with a chance to regroup for the second half of the NFL season. They’ll have time to get some players healthy, though not the ones that matter most, and attempt to put some play on tape that they can be proud of.

Garrett Gilbert started out strong, fizzled in the end but still ranked highly compared to some elite company. Elsewhere, there’s winners and losers, quotes from defenders and a bit of good news regarding the health of Dak Prescott.

Cowboys News: Cooling the Clowney chatter, fresh start for Awuzie, Herschel in the Hall?

Also, a fresh start for Chido Awuzie, drafting an all-time Cowboys roster, Dez Bryant makes dreams come true, and playing in empty stadiums.

Jadeveon Clowney reportedly wants to be in Dallas, but there are a few factors that make it doubtful that he joins the Cowboys, even though many fans are hoping for the team to engineer a Cam-Newton-to-New-England-type blockbuster signing. The current crop of Cowboys, according to Vegas oddsmakers, are set to make some serious noise in 2020. The defensive backfield could potentially hold Dallas back, but players like Chido Awuzie could take the next step with a fresh coaching staff.

NFL games, if they happen at all, are likely to be without fans. But the lack of fans might actually enhance the viewing experience. Cowboys writers take turns drafting their all-time Dallas rosters, and a former Cowboy believes he should be next in line for Canton. All that and more; here are the Dallas Cowboys news and notes for June 29, 2020.

Jadeveon Clowney, Cowboys rumors: Pro Bowl pass rusher currently ‘not in the plan’ for a variety of reasons :: CBS Sports

Many people are linking Jadeveon Clowney to the Cowboys after he revealed he would like to play in Dallas. Clowney has lowered his asking price slightly in the last few weeks, but Patrik Walker explains it still doesn’t make sense for the Cowboys to sign Clowney to a huge deal.


Prescott, Lamb, McCarthy among Cowboys primed for strong 2020, say oddsmakers :: Cowboys Wire

Whether it’s for actual wagering or just fantasy football scouting, looking at the official odds can indicate who may be poised to do big things. Plenty of Cowboys are getting decent-to-good odds at winning some end-of-season hardware, and that could mean good-to-great things for the team in 2020.


Mailbag: A fresh start for Chido Awuzie? :: The Mothership

The team’s staff writers feel the 25-year-old cornerback might be on the cusp of an elevation in his game (and maybe even a move to safety), especially now that he’s under a new coaching staff that includes the likes of Al Harris. “Remember this: Byron Jones was a disappointing first-round pick,” David Helman writes, “and coaching helped turn him into an All-Pro.”


Cowboys Ex Herschel Walker: ‘I should be in the Hall of Fame’ :: CowboyMaven

The former Cowboys running back told a Minnesota news outlet back in April that he had done enough in just the NFL to be enshrined in Canton. But as Mike Fisher points out, it’s the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Walker’s USFL stats should count, too. It’s likely an uphill battle, though, considering some of the other Cowboys legends who also don’t have a gold jacket.



Introducing the most ambitious Dallas Cowboys all-time roster project ever :: The Athletic

Bob Sturm and Jon Machota go head-to-head, each drafting a full 53-man roster from a pool that includes every player to ever wear the star. In Part One, they lay out the ground rules and reveal the overall top ten picks. Who went first? Probably not who you think.


Madden 20 Sim: Emmitt Smith stars as Cowboys top rival Giants in battle of NFL legends :: 105.3 The Fan

Imagine Roger Staubach throwing to Jason Witten with Emmitt Smith blocking in the backfield. Or a defensive huddle that includes Bob Lilly, DeMarcus Lawrence, Deion Sanders, Mel Renfro, and DeMarcus Ware. RADIO.COM and 105.3 The Fan put together a historic showdown for the ages- thanks to Madden 2020- over the weekend. It took a Dan Bailey boot with under 20 seconds left to decide this one; read the recap at the link, or go back and watch the whole game here.


The possible unexpected effects that no fans in the stands could have on a Cowboys season :: Blogging the Boys

Would NFL games in an empty stadium be weird? Of course. Would it be flat, sterile, and boring? Not necessarily, according to one former player. In fact, fewer penalties and a more intimate proximity to on-the-field audio might just enhance the game experience for television audiences.



O-Line: A new center, a new direction :: The Mothership

The Dallas Cowboys are entering the 2020 season with a new offensive line coach, and will have a new starting center. What will this all mean for a unit that has been consistently among the top offensive lines in football? Cowboys staff writer Rob Philips takes a deeper look at the O-line changes.


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Cowboys News: Contigencies to losing Cooper, trade targets

News and notes for all things Dallas Cowboys on March 6, 2020.

Between Dak Prescott, Byron Jones, Amari Cooper, and Robert Quinn the Cowboys have arguably the most talked about group of free agents across the league. This time of the year the media is filled with free agent rankings, projections, grades, much of which includes the Cowboy standouts.  Read where the top quarterbacks might land, trade candidates for the Cowboys, and potential franchise tagged players.

At the focus of the Dallas free agency lies there two stars of the passing game, Prescott and Cooper. While most of what will happen is still completely unknown these links provide greater detail and clarity to the latest on the negotiations of both players, including a Prescott proposed offer and a contingency plan if the Cowboys can’t keep their star wideout as well. Here are the news and notes for March 6, 2020.


When it comes to the top NFL free agents, the list begins and ends with the Cowboys :: Blogging the Boys

It’s no secret that the Cowboys have a terrifying amount of players scheduled to hit free agency in the 2020 off-season. It looks even worse when three of the team’s top flight guys are headlining every list. Take solace in the fact the No. 1 free agent in quarterback Dak Prescott isn’t going anywhere.


Grading the NFL’s Biggest Potential Franchise Tag Decisions :: BleacherReport

The Cowboys need to come to terms with their signal caller sooner or later as the deadline to place the tag on a player is March 12, but continue reading to see if the franchise tag is the best option to temporarily hold onto Prescott.


Film Room: Here are some contingency plans in case the Cowboys lose Amari Cooper to free agency :: Dallas Morning News

John Owning looks at the optimal routes the front office could take if the unthinkable happens. Spoiler alert: there’s four 2020 NFL Draft prospects to join the veterans on the list that could help replace some of Cooper’s production.



Predicting Landing Spots for NFL’s Best Free-Agent QBs :: Bleacher Report

According to Bleacher Report, the best place for Prescott in 2020 is as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. One way or another, Prescott will be wearing a star on his helmet come September.


How the Falcons can shore up their greatest weakness: pass-rusher :: ESPN

The Falcons pass rush has not been good recently. One way to fix it in 2020 to get back into the hunt in the NFC South is by signing away defensive end Robert Quinn from the Dallas Cowboys.


2020 Cowboys draft prospect: Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike :: Blogging the Boys

Get to know another prospect the Cowboys could find themselves interested in come draft time, interior defensive lineman Justin Madubuike from Texas A&M.


2020 NFL Free Agency: Negotiating This Offseason’s Toughest Contract Decisions :: BleacherReport

Read more about players’ value relative to what they are asking for, and preview some potential free agents the Cowboys could have their eye on.


 

Explaining the Dak Prescott-Amari Cooper puzzle the Cowboys are trying to solve :: SportingNews

Similarly to the news story above this, Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper’s contracts are discussed, but this goes through all the little details that will make signing the two Pro Bowlers a possibility.


Top 10 NFL Players Most Likely to Be Traded :: BleacherReport

The names listed here may all go for a higher price than a sixth-rounder Dallas spent for Quinn, but the Cowboys could have an eye on one of these veteran contributors.


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Cowboys News Links: NFL approves CBA proposal to send to NFLPA

News and notes for all things Dallas Cowboys for February 20, 2020

The NFL combine is right around the corner, the owners have signed their portion of the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA): it’s undeniable that the offseason is starting to heat up.

As the CBA is on the verge of completion, the whole league is paying close attention. Not only would the CBA agreement mean there will be theoretical peace between the players and the owners for the next decade, it would have important ramifications for the upcoming free agency period, especially for the Dallas Cowboys.

If the agreed upon CBA passes, teams this offseason would go from having two franchise or transition tags to use, to just one. For a Cowboys team with three Pro Bowl free-agents the loss of a franchise tag could create another level of complexity to the Cowboys offseason signings.

The combine is arguably the biggest weekend for both teams and prospects in regards to the draft in April. The draft will be one of the first real tests for McCarthy and his new staff, and this weekend’s combine will give McCarthy lots of answers he’s looking for. This news link has potential players that could rise up boards after this weekend, as well as a breakdown of the WR position in the draft.

Free agency starts about a month before the draft, and for Dallas there are three top tier free agents to worry about, as well as star veterans Jason Witten and Sean Lee. Witten has made it clear he wants to play football again, but will be in Dallas?


The Most Difficult Decisions of the 2020 NFL Offseason :: Bleacher Report

It’s not going to be a surprise to learn that the Cowboys and their quarterback Dak Prescott are featured here. The decision isn’t whether or not to sign Prescott, but how much.


Darren McFadden gets four days in jail for Whataburger drive-thru DWI :: Pro Football Talk

Whataburger is delicious. It’s not delicious enough to do what former Cowboys running back Darren McFadden did last year when he passed out in his car at their drive-thru. His punishment includes a short jail stint and a suspension of his license.


Jason Witten’s legacy looks a bit different after un-retiring, a risk he took that hasn’t worked so far :: Blogging the Boys

If you had polled Cowboys fans after 2017, there may not have been a more popular player than Jason Witten for what he’s meant to the franchise in his career. Two years later and fans are singing a different tune.


The reduced prices on all Jason Witten gear doesn’t mean the team has officially moved on from the future Hall of Fame tight end, but it’s noteworthy nonetheless.


Who wants to play a super not fun game? Three of the premier players on the image below had a star on their helmet in 2019.

Thankfully the NFL doesn’t allow only $10 in free agency, or the Cowboys would be in a tough spot.


How new CBA deal would affect 2020 NFL free agency :: 247Sports 

Dallas was prepared to use both “tag” options this offseason if needed, on Dak Prescott and presumably Amari Cooper. If the new CBA is agreed upon by the players teams would only have one franchise or transition tag to use.


2020 NFL Combine: Wide Receiver Prospects, Invites, What To Watch For :: CollegeFootballNews

Amari Cooper and Randall Cobb are upcoming free agents, and Dallas has to be prepared should one of those two take their talents elsewhere. Take a deeper look at the top 50 WR prospects in the upcoming draft.


2020 NFL Free Agency: Ranking the 100 best free agents, where do Dak Prescott and Tom Brady land? :: CBSSports

Three Cowboys free agents are in the top 12 on CBS’ latest free agent rankings. If all three can’t be re-signed, chances are their replacement will be from this list as well. Here are the CBS free agent rankings.

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 Dak Prescott Stats: Comparing Dallas Cowboys’ QB To NFL’s Highest-Paid Players As He Seeks Contract :: IBTimes

A breakdown of Dak Prescott in comparison to the top five paid quarterbacks: Goff, Wentz, Rodgers, Roethlisberger, and Wilson. How does his short career stack up and is he deserving of being in this range? Here are some numbers, you be the judge.


NFL ownership approves terms of potential new CBA :: NFL

The NFL owners have signed their part of the CBA, now all eyes shift to the players association. Along with the new proposed playoff format, the owners have agreed to a 17th regular season game. While it would give the players slightly more money, the extra game is the main holdback for the players.


Changes in NFL’s Comp Pick formula :: ProFootballRumors

Previously, if a team declined a team option on a player, they were potentially rewarded with a compensatory pick in the draft. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, declining a team option will no longer make you eligible to receive a compensatory pick.


Draft Show Recap: Potential Combine Risers? :: Dallas Cowboys

In the last episode before the combine, the crew of Cowboys staff workers discuss options at pick No. 17 and players to watch.

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