Watkins: Breaking down the Cowboys’ post-draft depth chart

[Cotton]

By Calvin Watkins 2h ago

The​ Dallas​ Cowboys got a reality​ check when they were knocked​ out of the playoffs in Los Angeles. Dallas’ vulnerable​​ interior defensive line and lack of offensive creativity were exposed by the Rams. Upgrading the talent at several key positions — safety among them — and finding a backup running back were among the team’s offseason keys. As the Cowboys get into their offseason program, they’ve accomplished some of those goals.

Offense

Quarterback: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush and Mike White

Notes: Prescott is the starter and in line for a contract extension. Training camp will give White a chance to surpass Rush for the No. 2 job. White has the stronger arm of the two but needs to perform better in the preseason to move up.

Running back: Ezekiel Elliott, Darius Jackson, Tony Pollard, Mike Weber, Jordan Chunn and (FB) Jamize Olawale.

Notes: The Cowboys entered the draft trying to find Elliott’s backup. They came away with Pollard in the fourth round and Weber in the seventh. Weber is a traditional running back but Pollard gives the team some speed and the ability to return punts and kicks.

Wide receiver: Amari Cooper, Allen Hurns, Noah Brown, Michael Gallup, Tavon Austin, Jalen Guyton, Randall Cobb, Lance Lenoir, Cedrick Wilson, Reggie Davis, Codey McElroy and Devin Smith.

Notes: The slot receiver race will be contested. As it stands, Cobb has the lead. But Austin, Hurns and Lenoir will compete for the gig. Hurns’ contract isn’t guaranteed for 2019, so a reduction in salary is possible. Austin missed significant time with a torn groin. Austin will have competition from Pollard, a rookie, for the punt return job and from Cobb, Lenoir and Hurns for the slot receiver gig.

Tight end: Jason Witten, Blake Jarwin, Rico Gathers and Dalton Schultz

Notes: It was surprising the Cowboys didn’t draft a tight end, considering Witten’s age and the mundane 2018 seasons of Jarwin and Schultz. Gathers is on the outside looking in, a former basketball player at Baylor who hasn’t developed fast enough for the front office. Witten’s playing time is supposed to drop to 20-25 snaps a game. If Jarwin and Schultz don’t take the next step, Witten’s playing time will increase.

Offensive line: Tyron Smith, Cameron Fleming, Connor McGovern, Connor Williams, Cody Wichmann, Travis Frederick, Joe Looney, Adam Redmond, Zack Martin, Xavier Su’a-Filo, Dustin Stanton, La’el Collins, Larry Allen Jr., Mitch Hyatt and Jake Campos.

Notes: There will be a competition at left guard between a beefed-up Williams (he has gained at least 10 pounds this offseason), McGovern and Su’a-Filo. It appears the Cowboys will give Williams a shot to play right tackle, too, with the expected departure of Collins when he hits free agency in 2020. Frederick’s return from an autoimmune disease for which there’s no cure is a needed boost. Smith didn’t allow a sack last season but there’s a feeling his body is breaking down, so signing Fleming to a two-year contract in the offseason was a good decision.

Defense

Defensive line: DeMarcus Lawrence, Joe Jackson, Shakir Soto, Maliek Collins, Tyrone Crawford, Trysten Hill, Kerry Hyder, Antwaun Woods, Christian Covington, Daniel Ross, Robert Quinn, Taco Charlton, Dorance Armstrong, Jalen Jelks and Daniel Wise.

Notes: Lawrence’s availability for Week 1 against the Giants, as he recovers from shoulder surgery, will become a major storyline as the season nears. The other starting defensive end, Charlton, has underachieved in two seasons. The Cowboys drafted two ends, Jackson and Jelks. They traded for another in Quinn, signed Hyder in free agency and seek improved play from Armstrong. If they get it, the left defensive end spot could be interesting. Hill will get a shot to start over Maliek Collins in training camp. Rod Marinelli likes competition.

Linebackers: Justin March-Lillard, Chris Covington, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, Sean Lee and Joe Thomas.

Notes: This is a strong group. Lee is expected to get limited snaps, with Smith and Vander Esch ascending to large roles and most defensive snaps only featuring two linebackers.

Cornerbacks: Byron Jones, Jourdan Lewis, Michael Jackson, CJ Goodwin, Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown, Treston Decoud, Donovan Olumba and Chris Westry.

Notes: Like Lawrence, Jones is coming off hip surgery and his status for Week 1 is in question. Jones is also seeking a contract extension, but while he’s a good cover corner, his lack of takeaways raises some concerns.

Safeties: Xavier Woods, Jeff Heath, George Iloka, Donovan Wilson, Darian Thompson, Jameill Showers, Kyle Queiro and Kavon Frazier.

Notes: The Cowboys didn’t draft a safety because of the addition of Iloka in free agency and the emergence of Woods at free safety. Many outside the organization don’t like Heath, but the Cowboys believe he makes enough plays in the box to warrant a starting job. Iloka will, however, have a chance to wrestle the starting strong safety job away from him.

Specialist

Chris Jones, Brett Maher, Kasey Redfern, LP Ladouceur and Drew Scott

Notes: The Cowboys shocked everyone when they released kicker Dan Bailey, but they were rewarded with a solid season from Maher. Jones was slightly below average last season but there are no concerns long term.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Maybe this is premature but does anyone put some thought into trading La'el Collins? I think Conner Williams can play RT and if for some reason he fails there you still have Flemming signed up. Many thought Flemming was taking it over a year from now anyway. So what's the value of Collins? Could you get a second/third for him? If it's any less I'd just wait for the comp pick to come through of a third or fourth down the road.

Seems like NFL teams are always desperate for starting O-lineman and Collins is at least a good RT.

 

[Cotton]

Maybe this is premature but does anyone put some thought into trading La'el Collins? I think Conner Williams can play RT and if for some reason he fails there you still have Flemming signed up. Many thought Flemming was taking it over a year from now anyway. So what's the value of Collins? Could you get a second/third for him? If it's any less I'd just wait for the comp pick to come through of a third or fourth down the road.

Seems like NFL teams are always desperate for starting O-lineman and Collins is at least a good RT.

I would certainly shop him. If I'm the team, I'm moving Williams to OT anyway. McGovern should be able to take over LG, and Fleming can be your swing tackle.

 

[boozeman]

I would certainly shop him. If I'm the team, I'm moving Williams to OT anyway. McGovern should be able to take over LG, and Fleming can be your swing tackle.

No question I would do it. But the Cowboys are notoriously conservative about trading guys. You hear about it often, but it hardly ever happens. Most of the chatter never comes from the organization themselves.

 

[Simpleton]

I'd see how Williams looks in the offseason/TC but if it looks like he can handle RT I'd definitely look to trade Collins. As an aside, our OL depth is amazing, we could conceivably have Fleming/McGovern/Looney/Su'a-Filo as depth and you could make the argument that those 4 are all guys who could start a few games without the wheels falling off.

 

[boozeman]

Watkins sure seems to be making a big deal about Lawrence and Jones possibly missing the opener.

That would surprise me.

 

[Simpleton]

I don't think Lawrence in particular will miss the first game but even if he does I think we have enough depth to deal with it for a game or two. It wouldn't be great but Quinn/Woods/Collins/Crawford with Hyder/Covington/Hill and whichever of the young DE's steps up would be passable.

 

[Smitty]

Maybe this is premature but does anyone put some thought into trading La'el Collins? I think Conner Williams can play RT and if for some reason he fails there you still have Flemming signed up. Many thought Flemming was taking it over a year from now anyway. So what's the value of Collins? Could you get a second/third for him? If it's any less I'd just wait for the comp pick to come through of a third or fourth down the road.

Seems like NFL teams are always desperate for starting O-lineman and Collins is at least a good RT.

I read a suggestion of Collins for Karl Joseph.

I mean.... I'm interested in Karl Joseph for sure. I'm not sure I love the idea of moving on from Collins... at least not until I get to camp and if I see Connor Williams excelling at tackle.

 

[p1_]

Even more pressing, Smith is in decline. Fleming might be going on the left .

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I'd see how Williams looks in the offseason/TC but if it looks like he can handle RT I'd definitely look to trade Collins. As an aside, our OL depth is amazing, we could conceivably have Fleming/McGovern/Looney/Su'a-Filo as depth and you could make the argument that those 4 are all guys who could start a few games without the wheels falling off.

With Looney and Sua as the backups inside you don't really need Mcgovern there. Collins is gone in a year anyway. Might as well get something in return now as opposed to a comp pick 2 years from now. Assuming its a good pick. And I think Collins could net a good pick. Shit the Raiders Oline looks really ugly and they have extra picks.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I read a suggestion of Collins for Karl Joseph.

I mean.... I'm interested in Karl Joseph for sure. I'm not sure I love the idea of moving on from Collins... at least not until I get to camp and if I see Connor Williams excelling at tackle.

My problem is, isn't Collins worth more? Joseph is sort of viewed by the Raiders as a bust. Collins on the other hand would only be out because we can't afford top dollar everywhere on the Oline. But yeah no rush. We can make the trade much later.

 

[Smitty]

My problem is, isn't Collins worth more? Joseph is sort of viewed by the Raiders as a bust. Collins on the other hand would only be out because we can't afford top dollar everywhere on the Oline. But yeah no rush. We can make the trade much later.

Agreed. It would feel like I need something else back.

But certainly, if Connor Williams looks like he's excelling at that in the offseason programs, I wouldn't mind exploring something along those lines, if we get back additional value.

A better value swap is Taco Charlton for Joseph, but I'm not sure the Raiders need a DE after drafting Clelin Ferrell. They also have Arden Key and Maxx Crosby now. But I think I'd do that trade.

 

[p1_]

With Looney and Sua as the backups inside you don't really need Mcgovern there. Collins is gone in a year anyway. Might as well get something in return now as opposed to a comp pick 2 years from now. Assuming its a good pick. And I think Collins could net a good pick. Shit the Raiders Oline looks really ugly and they have extra picks.

McGovern will be used inside, guard and center.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

McGovern will be used inside, guard and center.

I know he will. But you've got two top not backups inside already. You don't need 3. Which means Connor goes to RT right away. It's silly not to. And then McGovern should battle for a starting spot.

All making Collins very expendable. Almost to a point of making too much sense.

 

[lostxn]

I'd see how Williams looks in the offseason/TC but if it looks like he can handle RT I'd definitely look to trade Collins. As an aside, our OL depth is amazing, we could conceivably have Fleming/McGovern/Looney/Su'a-Filo as depth and you could make the argument that those 4 are all guys who could start a few games without the wheels falling off.

I agree. Wasn't the concern for Williams that his arms were too short for a tackle? He certainly has the size and feet for it otherwise.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I agree. Wasn't the concern for Williams that his arms were too short for a tackle? He certainly has the size and feet for it otherwise.

Yeah he has great feet and athletic ability. If he had longer arms he would have been a legit NFL LT prospect. And some think the arm length is that inportant while I think others don't. I'm one that thinks his arm length isn't that big of a deal because he has the feet and foot quickness to make up for it.

 

[p1_]

I know he will. But you've got two top not backups inside already. You don't need 3. Which means Connor goes to RT right away. It's silly not to. And then McGovern should battle for a starting spot.

All making Collins very expendable. Almost to a point of making too much sense.

I agree. Let McGovern compete with SF at guard and move Williams out to RT. Also, McGovern is insurance against a Fred Beard delay/setback/question mark.

 

[ravidubey]

I agree. Let McGovern compete with SF at guard and move Williams out to RT. Also, McGovern is insurance against a Fred Beard delay/setback/question mark.

Gotta throw Looney into that mix really. McGovern, Williams, and Looney should compete for two starting spots.

Fred is a nice to have, but don’t be surprised if he starts the season on PUP and is seriously rusty getting back.

 

[p1_]

Gotta throw Looney into that mix really. McGovern, Williams, and Looney should compete for two starting spots.

Fred is a nice to have, but don’t be surprised if he starts the season on PUP and is seriously rusty getting back.

If Fred isnt ready, Im thinking McGovern at center.

 

[ravidubey]

Frederick’s return from an autoimmune disease for which there’s no cure is a needed boost.

It still surprises me how media outlets continue to pose this as a given, sight unseen.