Ron’Dell Carter – Syndication Server

Cowboys News: Prescott, Elliott stat predictions, new QB and RB join club, Pollard fantasy value

What are the odds Cowboys come away with awards and top stats? Late fantasy value resides in Dallas’ backfield, who’s new to the team and what kind of bounce back year can Ezekiel Elliott have? The latest news and notes.

The Dallas Cowboys shook up their opening 2021 roster on both Tuesday and Wednesday. After the cuts to the 53, the club reacquired many of their released players by adding them to the practice squad while seeing a couple others move to new teams.

A couple of the players lost could come back to bite them, specifically a quarterback and defensive end that could make Dallas look away later this year when thinking about the decision. The Cowboys made their move to add another quarterback, signing former Panther Will Grier to compete with Cooper Rush for the backup spot in 2021. The question still arises with rumors around the NFL: Could Dallas entertain the idea of quarterback Cam Newton as their backup?

After some concern about the running back room, Dallas added Corey Clement to give insurance if either running backs Ezekiel Elliott or Tony Pollard miss any time during the season. Elliott is poised for a big season and Year 6 has been the lucky number for veteran backs.

Defensive tackle Brent Urban discussed his potential impact this season and how good the defense can really be after spending time around all the young guys on the roster. Here are the latest news and notes.

2 roster decisions that may haunt Cowboys in future

There’s always second guessing, and there will be again with the Cowboys’ decision to let these two down roster players go to other orgs. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t been able to win a Super Bowl in over two decades, and although they’ve built several teams worthy of hoisting a Lombadri trophy over that time, the draught leaves them susceptible to second guessing when it comes to roster decisions. Over the last 48 hours, the team has whittled down their offseason roster to 53 players, while also adding 14 of a potential 17 practice squad candidates.

While most of the roster has seemed set for a while, it’s obviously a difficult decision in some areas on which player has a better chance to contribute to the club. Short term versus long term comes into play, as teams decide which veterans they’ll be able to bring back, which young players to risk being poached by other teams and sometimes even which prospects you risk pissing off. In the litany of moves, some happen to raise the eyebrow of a large percentage of the fanbase and for the Cowboys, two of those decisions centered around QB Garrett Gilbert and DE Ron’Dell Carter.

3 Stars: Backup defensive linemen steal show in Cowboys 2nd exhibition

The Cowboys’ defensive line was a major problem in 2020, but early preseason returns are providing some hope that there is talent beyond DeMarcus Lawrence. A look at who stood out against the Cards. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line received a massive overhaul in the offseason. After having one of the worst rushing defenses in team history while not generating much of a pass rush will cause front offices a lot of consternation. Part of the overhaul was replacing defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and line coach Jim Tomsula. In came Dan Quinn and Aden Durde and the new bodies and returning players are making major strides.

Against the Arizona Cardinals, without star defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory, the Cowboys front had a big impact on the game. Veteran Justin Hamilton checked in with a snap. Second-year DE Bradlee Anae had three QB hurries. Sixth-round rookie Quinton Bohanna had some nice presence as well. In a sloppy contest, the play of these three players stood out above the rest.

Full 7-round Browns mock draft: Spring Break edition

Full 7-round Browns mock draft: Spring Break edition projects all the 2020 NFL Draft picks for the Cleveland Browns

It’s Spring Break for most school districts right now, though with buildings closed it’s hard to tell much of a difference. Spring Break means the NFL Draft is coming very soon, and that means it’s time for an updated Browns mock draft.

These projections are the players I believe the Browns would take in the given situations. They do not necessarily represent the choices I would make at the given picks, though in the later rounds my own preferences do hold influence.

For context with the first pick at No. 10 overall, I simulated the first nine picks 20 times at The Draft Network and averaged out the players’ draft positions. The results:

1 – Joe Burrow

2 – Chase Young

3 – Jeff Okudah

4 – Mekhi Becton

5 – Tua Tagovailoa

6 – Justin Herbert

7 – Isaiah Simmons

8 – Tristan Wirfs

9 – Derrick Brown

The No. 10 pick is going to be an offensive tackle, more than likely. With South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw still on the board I do think Browns GM Andrew Berry and his draft crew will at least discuss taking him. The same would be true if Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons, whose draft slot appears quite volatile, is still there. But unless the Browns make a move for Trent Williams, left tackle has to be the top priority.

Becton and Wirfs, my top two choices personally for the No. 10 pick, are gone. That leaves Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills and Josh Jones as the viable options for the Browns. My belief is the Browns would target Wills in that scenario as the best fit for Kevin Stefanski’s offense and the higher floor.

I don’t see this Browns regime being overly enamored with Thomas and his technical inconsistencies he showed at Georgia, not over what Wills showed at Alabama anyway. Jones is very intriguing but is the least NFL-ready, a rough gamble for a Browns team built to win right now. In a trade back, or if the Browns land Trent Williams in a trade to buy a year or two, I think Jones becomes much more viable.

The pick: Jedrick Wills, OT Alabama

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