Diggs Lost For Year

The Cowboys Defense just lost All-Pro Trevon Diggs for the year with what team suspects to be an ACL injury. The injury happened at practice. Diggs is the third guy on this team to be lost for the season with said injury. Rookies DeMarvion Overshown and John Stephens were injured in the last week of preseason. This is a huge blow for the Cowboys and the number one Defense in the NFL. Where do the Cowboys go from here?

First off, I wish Diggs the best as he goes through surgery and begins rehab in the next few months. There is no doubt in my mind that he will return even better next season. He is hungry and is extremely tough. I remember his rookie season when he played a few snaps on a broken leg because he didn’t want to let the team know how much pain he was in. He is built differently. He is one of the Alphas on this team. His aggressiveness and ball skills will be missed.

The Cowboys ran into depth issues last season when starters Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown were injured and lost for the season. As of right now, there are two things that make this injury easier to swallow. One, the Cowboys went out and got Former Defensive Player of the Year and All-Pro Stephen Gilmore in the off season. They didn’t set pat at the position, but made a move to strengthen and add to the Corner group. Having a veteran who has went through training camp and has already shown his worth is noteworthy. His experience alone is invaluable.

The most underrated Defensive back on our team has to be Doran Bland. The second year man from Fresno State has continues to step up and excel. When Jourdan went down, he was thrusted into that slot position and became a contributor. He finished last season with 7 passes deflections and 5 interceptions in the 8 games he started. Bland is a rangy Corner with quikness and tenacity in his own right. He has been the starter in the slot so far but now he will be tasked with moving outside against potential number one Wide Receivers. The aforementioned Jourdan Lewis will now return to being the starter in the slot after his return from injury.

The other thing that will help alleviate the loss of Diggs is the Cowboys pass rush. Teams are having to get the ball out so much faster. This means less time in coverage for the defensive backs and potentially more errant throws and opportunities for turnovers. Dan Quinn worked his magic last year to overcome injuries and the lack of talent. With proven talent, this Defense should remain a top tier unit.

The Cowboys have dealt with some injuries in this early part of the season. Donovan Wilson, Tyler Smith, Brandin Cooks and now Trevon for the year. Even players like Zach Martin and Tyler Biadasz are battling to stay healthy. Injuries are apart of the game and the good teams plan, adapt and overcome. Time to see if this team is good enough to win in spite of all their recent misfortune.

Steele’s Pockets Run Deep

Terrence Steele gets a new contract before the season starts. The Undrafted Right Tackle will be here for five more years.

The Dallas Cowboys have agree to terms with their Right Tackle, Terrence Steele. Steele, was undrafted in 2020 signed a five year/ $86.8 million dollar contract. Up to $50 million of his contract will be guaranteed. A big jump from when he signed for three years/ $2.2 million out of Texas Tech. This is huge win for all involved. The Cowboys have found someone to anchor the right side of their line along with Zach Martin (Martin resigned during training camp for two more years) and it would be asinine to let him go. The Cowboys put their trust in Steele and he rewarded them by becoming one of the best Right Tackles in league.

Unfortunately, Steele missed half of the year last season due to injuries. Among the injuries was an ACL injury. He got injured in December, and the Cowboys run game was never the same. They went from averaging almost 150 yards per game to just 107 yards. The Cowboys saw the difference. One of the reasons to get this deal done. The main reason is that the team isn’t just investing in a player or a position. They are investing in him. The young man with the stellar work ethic and hunger for success. For Steele to get his new deal, he would have to rehab and work his way back into the player he was. Steele is no stranger to hard work. He took his rookie bonus/incentive money and got with Duke Manyweather and started to hone his craft. Steele went from a player barely worth playing to a stud. He attacked his rehab the same way. Never missed a treatment/rehab assignment just three months after his operation, Steele and Duke were back in the lab again. He shattered through previous timelines for recovery and will be in the starting lineup next week vs the New York Giants.

That dedication and hard work dtook Steele from an undrafted free agent to one of the highest paid right Tackles in the NFL. In his three year career, Steele has seen the highs and the lows. Now his sights are on something even higher. As the Cowboys have paid him his money and respect, Steele now looks to help this team reach a Conference Championship and find a way to return to the Superbowl.

Cowboys Add Lance Before Season

In just two preseason games, the Cowboys have seen enough out of their reserve QBs to know that they need more from this group. Just a day before the third and final preseason game, Dallas makes a trade with the San Francisco 49ers for their former first round QB Trey Lance. Lance was the reserve QB for them and fell out of favor with the club that traded three first rounders and a third rounder in 2021 for the chance to draft Lance. Moving up for your franchise QB is risky business. You either get your guy or dig yourself further down in QB purgatory. Regardless, the price is the price if you want to move up. Now, just three years after grabbing Lance, they have moved on from him for just a fourth round selection. According to multiple Cowboys sources, the team had a second round grade on Lance. When they reached out to San Francisco, no doubt they tried to get him for the low, but they settled on a fourth round pick. The team hasn’t spent more draft compensation on a QB since Stephen McGee in 2009. They got very fortunate with the finding of Tony Romo (Undrafted) and Dak Prescott. Prescott was a 4th round compensatory selection in 2016. What made the Cowboys want to add a player like Trey Lance?

For starters, arm Talent and potential. Lance has a cannon for an arm and has the build and athleticism to play the position. He has a ton of upside, he just needs development. Lance, who is just 23 years old has only logged over 600 passing attempts since he completed highschool. One solid year at college before injuries and Covid hit, he rode the bench his rookie year and then got injured his second year with the team. In my opinion, it’s too soon to throw the bust tag on him. He haven’t had enough reps and games to see what he really could be. From all accounts, the young man is a hard worker and Niners GM John Lynch called him “a good kid.” Maybe he just needed a new surrounding with a new voice. Perhaps a more supporting voice.

Second, we saw how injuries impacted the playoffs. Cowboy’s entire offense got derailed when Tony Pollard was injured. The Niners would have beaten the Eagles if they had a healthy QB. Dallas doesn’t want to leave anything up for chance. Last season, Dak missed five of the six first games with an injury. Cooper Rush played well enough to go 4-1 as QB1, but the offense was limited. In theory, having a QB that can run the entire offense and scramble/ create could be beneficial. Lance could serve as a “break glass in case of emergency’ option.

Another reason for the acquisition is the betterment of the team. Having a big armed mobile QB to run scout team could help the Defense. They will face the Eagles at least twice, the Panthers and the Bills and maybe even the Bears if they make the playoffs. Also, if Lance does show signs of progress and development, it can only help the team. Competition breeds success. “Iron sharpens Iron” right?

And lastly, the Cowboys are holding a Lotto Ticket. If it hits, they could cash out via a trade or see him step in and be the QB of the future. Dak’s deal is going to get done regardless. His cap hit alone is a good enough reason. Not to mention that he has led this team to two straight 12 win seasons. This team feels like the are on the edge of triumph. If they accomplish their goals, it’s great for the team. If not, they don’t have to bet the house to get into the attic. If Lance develops then he can step in within the next two or three years and try to get them over the hump. As much as time is of the essence, they can still be patient with Lance. If it doesn’t work out, the price is just a fourth rounder. This move will not hinder you moving forward.

Cowboys Offense: Good to Great?

Second year Wide Receiver Jalen Tolbert could make a difference to this Cowboys offense. As a number three or four WR, it doesn’t matter. Team just needs him to step up.

The Dallas Cowboys finished 12-5 last season. While the offense wasn’t great, it was good. They were led by Dak Prescott when he returned from injury. Dak played 12 games during the regular season and had an impressive game against Tampa Bay in the playoffs. He threw for 2860 yards and 23 Touchdowns. Against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dak was 25 of 33, threw for 305 yards and four Touchdowns. After Prescott returned from injury, he completed almost 71% of his passes. This was the main thing that went right last season. If Dak can continue this trend and get close to chasing that White Buffalo season of 2020, this offense will be very good.

One of the biggest stories before the season started was the trading of Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns for a pack of ramen noodles. The Cowboys were not just trading their number one receiver, but they were not getting proper compensation for him, nor did they get a proven replacement. Their biggest hope was the Cee Dee Lamb turned into the number one receiver that they believed he could be. Cee Dee had his best year. He caught 107 passes for 1359 yards and 9 TDs. His 107 catches was good for 3rd all time and his 1359 yards was 5th. He did this with Cooper Rush as QB1 for 5 games. Have we seen the best of Cee Dee Lamb yet? Probably not. If he can maintain this level of play and Dak can stay healthy, who knows what he can do.

The other story that proved beneficial to the Cowboys was the emergence of Tony Pollard as the full time starter. Pollard saw an increase in rushing attempts and receptions, but kept his averages up. The volume didn’t impact him. He showcased his versatility while becoming a pro-bowler but also showed that he can handle the load of running the rock full time. Mike McCarthy wants to run the ball more. We shall see if Pollard will get more touches this year and become an elite running back.

The Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith with the expectations that he would be a Left Guard in his rookie year. Tyron Smith suffered an injury before the season started and cancelled those plans for most of the season. It proved to be a blessing in disguise. Tyler showed that he could be your left tackle of the future. He flashed the power and athleticism that made him a first round pick. His development came fast. All his hard work and attention to details paid off. He did get some time at guard, but when Tyron came back, Terrence Steele went to the IR and Tyler had to stay at Left Tackle. He had some rookie moments, but it’s hard not to be pleased with what we all saw. If the Cowboys can get production and health from Dak, Cee Dee and their offensive line, they should return to being a good offense. The question now is how they can get even better?

The Cowboys were missing a true number two WR last year. Michael Gallup was struggling the entire year coming off his injury. Noah Brown stepped up to try to fill the void, but you can’t ask your WR 5 last year to be a driving force of the offense. Rookie Jalen Tolbert didn’t develop how the team wanted him to, and Simi Fehoko had his struggles on and off the field with injuries. This year, the team made a trade for Brandin Cooks to be the guy that can help Cee Dee Lamb. His speed and experience will definitely be a weapon for Dak Prescott. If Michael Gallup can show a glimpse of the receiver he was pre-injury and the young guys can actually carve out a role for themselves, this receiving corps could be good.

While the Cowboys did lose Dalton Schultz to free agency, they are hoping that this young Tight End room can turn into Voltron and merge their skills to be a formidable group. They have young talent in Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot returning and a new Cowboys in Luke Schoonmaker that was drafted in the second round. Sean McKeon will also be a factor. Last season, the Cowboys played with some 12 and 13 Personnel. All signs point to them extending those looks and giving these young playmakers a chance to make plays down field. If they can produce, it will give this offense a boost- both in the passing and running game. It will also give Mike McCarthy and Brian Schottenheimer opportunities to be less predictable and flexible in play calling.

That brings me to the next Factor that could determine if this offense can improve this year. Brian Schottenheimer is your new Offensive Coordinator. Kellen Moore could cook. His offenses were constantly among the best in the league with a healthy QB. Now the Cowboys have pivoted to Schottenheimer. What areas of improvement are there? Cowboys could have more concepts that marry each other to provide more dynamic returns and less predictability. Schottenheimer could provide better scripts for the first 15 with better game planning to attack the opposing team. Along with Mike McCarthy, he can help in aiding a smoother play sheet that flows better. Sometimes we would go away from things that worked instead of working off of them. Mike McCarthy also wants more balance to the play calling. As it stands now, he will be calling plays.

Perhaps Schottenheimer’s biggest area of improvement is getting Daks Interceptions down. The majority could be removed with some tweaks to the offense. McCarthy will be running more West Coast concepts. We could also limit the option routes and get Dak seeing windows better. This could be a timing issue, but regardless, we were wasting drives. If we can extend more drives and get more TDs, it would be a win win for the team. More points for the offense and more time on the sideline for the Defense to rest. A part of this offense that was great this last season was the RedZone numbers. The Cowboys were the best RedZone team. This is something that needs to continue. Losing Zeke will hurt, but we need to find ways to convert these goal line and short yardage plays.

While this offense was and has been amongst the leaders in the NFL, there are several ways that they can improve. Cowboys are hoping that the can manage injuries and get production from the Vets, the younger guys and new additions in this offense. Everyone needs to step up their game. The standard has been established and now they have to go to a higher level to realize the dream of winning a Superbowl.

Dak and His White Buffalo

Dak Prescott’s best stretch of his career happened in the games leading to the worst moment in his playing career. Dak Prescott was on pace to throw for over 5,000 yards and break several passing records in 2020. In just four games, he passed for 1690 yards. It was still so early in the season, but Dak was having his best year ever. Then, in week 5 it all came to a complete stop as he suffered a gruesome injury that resulted in a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle. He would go on to miss the rest of the season and hasn’t been the same since. Will he ever get close to these numbers? Why is it a possibility and what is the biggest hindrance of recapturing this magic? To answer those questions, we must look to the past and the future.

In 2018, Zeke led team in receptions with 77. He was second in yards. This was the Amari Cooper trade year. The Cowboys traded for Amari a week before the trade deadline after trying to have success with WR by committee. Cooper would go on to lead the team in receiving yards and touchdowns in his 9 games. The Cowboys started the season 3-3 and went on to finish 10-6 and make the playoffs as the division leader. 2018 was also Michael Gallup’s rookie year.

The 2019 season was when it started to click for Dak. He finally had what he needed. A bonafide number one with an emerging number 2 to go along with the running game. Both Cooper and Gallup had 1,000 yard seasons. Randall Cobb finished with 828 yards as WR31. In 2020, the Cowboys drafted Cee Dee Lamb to give him another weapon. In the first four weeks, Amari Cooper caught 37 passes for 401 yards (100 yards per game), Cee Dee caught 21 passes for 309 yards (77 yards per game, 14.7 yards per catch) and Michael Gallup caught 13 passes for 275 yards (69 yards per game, 21 yards per catch). The three headed monster was born. Cowboys are hoping that with Brandin Cooks as their WR2, that this will give Dak weapons on par with what he had during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

The 2019 season paved the foundation to how Dak can excel. He had 1239 yards off of play action. He also averaged 7.3 yards per scramble. In 2020, that number jumped to 8 yards before he got injured. Dak is best when he uses play action and extends plays.

The fuel for Daks emergence was that poor Defense in 2020. They couldn’t stop anybody so if the Cowboys wanted to win Dak was going to have to outduel whoever stood against him. 149 of Dak’s 151 completions came when he was either trailing or tied (18/30 when tied) that year. He was having his best season when the team needed him the most. This led to him averaging 371 yards passing per game. Cowboys then went out and got Dan Quinn and started building one of the leagues best defenses. One of those moves was drafting Micah Parsons with their first round pick in 2021. He has since became an All-Pro and one of the most feared pass rushers in the game. Does this Defense prevent Dak from his passing attempts?

Not even. This is a passing league. While Dak may not get close to 600 passing attempts this year, if healthy, he should get a little over 550. This could be enough if we see two main problems come down. The first problem that we see might not be a problem at all. Last year, Dak had the worst year of his career when he comes to taking care of the ball. Mike McCarthy and Brian Schottenheimer have added more West Coast concepts to keep the receivers on the move and has taken out some of the option routes that led to some confusion and turnovers. A more simple offense will mean less risk and hopefully more sustained drives and passing yards. But as much as interceptions were talked about with Dak, this isn’t the big problem. There is an elephant in the room that is potentially hiding Dak’s White Buffalo.

The amount of Drops by this team is staggering. It’s nothing new either, but if Dak wants to have better numbers, he will need his receivers to do their job and catch passes. In 2018, the pass catchers had 22 drops. This was 17th in league. In 2019, they led the league with 36 drops. They also had 36 drops in 2020 which put them in 2nd most drops. Andy Dalton was QB for 21 of those drops, Dak for 13 and DiNucci 2. In 2021 they had 28 drops for 8th most drops and last season, they had 33 drops for 8th most again. Dak was QB for 24 of those drops in just 12 games while Cooper Rush was QB for 9 in 5 games. No matter who the targets are and no matter who the QB is, this team can’t get out of their way when it comes to catching the ball. Maybe this is another area that a new Offensive Coordinator and having Cowboys Receiving coach Robert Prince in his second season.

Good to Great: Cowboys Defense

Leighton Vander Esch (55) and Damone Clark (33) making a tackle on Justin Jefferson. Also pictured is Daron Bland (26). These are some of the players that the Cowboys will be counting on in 2023.

The Dallas Cowboys Defense was good last year. They had a Defensive Player of the Year nominee in Micah Parsons, a vet leader who stops the run in DeMarcus Lawrence, a ball hawk in Trevon Diggs, a healthy Leighton Vander Esch and consistent Safety play. They also had Jonathan Hankins stuffing the run in the middle. The question that I pose is what can take this Defense to the next level? How can they go from being a good Defense to a great one?

For starters, we will need everything that made this Defense good, to be present in 2023. If that is the case, then what we need next is for Stephon Gilmore to be a constant force at CB2. Between Anthony Brown (589), Nashon Wright (242) and Kelvin Joseph (219) the CB2 position gave up 1,050 yards. Not only did we constantly get torched, but we were getting guys off the street to come and try to compete. Last season, Gilmore gave up 577 yards for a completion percentage of 56% for the Colts. He had 11 pass deflections and 2 INTs. He should excel in this Cowboys defense, but even these numbers would be good here. Consistent play will also give Trevon Diggs more opportunities for Interceptions.

If this Defense wants to be better, we will need a big year bump from Sam Williams, Damone Clark and Daron Bland. All played admirably in year one. Damone Clark didn’t get an offseason and came on half of the year from injury and Daron Bland saved our season when Jourdain Lewis and Anthony Brown got hurt. For Sam Williams, in just over 270 snaps, he had 4 sacks, 10 TFLs and 11 QB pressures. This was a good appetizer for what we should expect from him with more growth and development and increased snaps. The team was 3rd in sacks. The first 12 games, they had 45 sacks- 3.75 sacks a game. The last 5 games, they only had 6 sacks. Williams showed he has the juice needed to help this team as a pass rusher and a playmaker.

Clark sparked as a solid LB and even was used as a blitzer off the edge. The two main things that impressed me was how he was ready when his name was called and how he did not record a missed tackle. To get better this year, he will need to be better in coverage (86.3% completion rate for 116 yards), read plays better and get home more on his blitz opportunities. Daron Bland started 8 games for the team, but he led them in Interceptions. Of course this meant that he was targeted a bunch. He was targeted 63 times for a completion rate of 71% and 5 TDs. By being thrown into the fire like he was, Bland earned my respect. If he can have a year two jump playing along Diggs and Gilmore, this Defense can be nasty.

My last two points merge together a little bit. The Cowboys both need better production from the 3Tech position and for rookie Mazi Smith to step up in his rookie year to show that he can be a DUDE. We have guys that we put at 3Tech. Osa Odighizuwa is our best guy right now. He might make a jump this year, but is a very serviceable player. He finished 2022 with 4 sacks and 11 pressures. Besides him, we didn’t have a threat. Carlos Watkins did a nice job filling holes and pushing the pocket, but he left in free agency. We need another guy there, but not just a guy. We need a dude. A guy does his job. A DUDE wreaks havoc. This brings me to the Cowboys first round pick Mazi Smith. This is a tough ask since most Rookie Defensive Lineman struggle their first year. Perhaps Mazi Smith can have a bigger impact due to his play strength and athleticsm. I have no doubt that he can clog up lanes and collapse the pocket. He is a run stopper. The question is rather he can develop this year into a pass rushing threat. Maybe Mazi Smith can be that game wrecker that would take this Defense to another level.

The Cowboys are a Top 5 Defense as they enter a new year. All they need is for their young guys to step up and their new Corner to continue to be the pro he has been all his career. If these happen, they could be dominant in 2023.

Dallas Cowboys 2023 Schedule

Cowboys owner and CEO reveals the Spirit of the Cowboys in their schedule release video.
Photo Credit: Taken from DallasCowboys.com

The NFL Schedule Release has become a big deal. We see more and more effort being put into the release and fans are always excited to see who they are playing, what games they can attend and how the schedule breaks down. Teams have decided to make the most of a simple press release to garner even more news and buzz around the upcoming season.

The Dallas Cowboys have used pop stars like Post Malone who grew up in the Metroplex in Grapevine to notorious hater and media titan Stephen A. Smith. The Cowboys decided to keep the Cowboys theme and bring in Yellowstone” Creator Tyler Sheridan to help with the release. Now that the entertainment portion is done, we can dive into this schedule and see what it pertains.

There are only 3 preseason games. This was a change made last season with the addition of a 17th regular season game. The Cowboys will not play in the Hall Of Fame game this year. They will play the Jacksonville Jaguars, The Seattle Seahawks and the Las Vegas Raiders. Game three is usually the rehearsal game, but we shall see how Mike McCarthy wants to handle it.

The Regular season starts on the road in New York on September 10, 2023. This is fitting on so many levels. This is close to the 9-11 remembrance. League gives a nod to all those who lost their lives and the ones who helped lead people to safety and helped rebuild after the travesty. This is fitting also because it is the first time since 2019 that the Giants and Cowboys will face off on opening day. Since 2012, they have met on opening day 7 times. Worth mentioning that this would be the first of 9 road games for the Cowboys in their 17 game schedule. Next year they will have 9 home games. Four of their first six games will be on the road. They will have their bye in Week 7.

The Cowboys then come home to see if Aaron Rodgers is still under their beds or not as they play him and the New York Jets. Rodgers was traded to the Jets and they believe he is their missing piece. Does he have any magic left in him? Can the Jets make that next step supported by Sauce Gardner and that Defense? We shall see.

The heart of this schedule will be the chunk of games from November 5th vs the Philadelphia Eagles to December 10th vs those same Eagles. This stretch will tell us who the Cowboys really are. Not only will they have their toughest stretch, but they will have to go through their annual Thanksgiving Schedule where they will play 3 games in 11 days. This stretch will also consist of four division games.

As it stands, the Cowboys will have 6 primetime games. This leads the league along with Kansas City, the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Chargers. The latter two teams being on the Schedule. The Chargers will host the Cowboys Monday night on October 16 as the two teams face off. Kellen Moore is the Offensive Coordinator for the Chargers now. This adds a little more intrigue to the game. The Cowboys are 7-5 all time but have lost the last three out of four. Cowboys won the last game in 2021 by three points. The last game of the season is against the Washington Commanders and the time is yet to be announced.

One thing that I like doing is looking at the QBs that are on the schedule. The better the QB the better chance of that team winning the game. The Cowboys will face Aaron Rodgers, Kyler Murray, Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford, Rookie Bryce Young, Geno Smith, Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff. QBs in the division are Jalen Hurts, Sam Howell and Daniel Jones. Dak stands up nicely with all of these guys. Of course Allen is in the next tier of where Dak is, Dak won’t be alone. He has new weapons on Offense and this Defense has shown the capability of hindering high power offenses.

Navigating the schedule is a task that all 32 teams will have to do. Not just the travel times or getting up for big games, injuries will play a major part. As much as we hate seeing them, we know they will come. How will your team respond when they hit? The Cowboys have shown the ability to overcome such adversities. They went 4-1 with Cooper Rush as the QB after losing Dak in week 1. We saw Tyron Smith miss the first 12 weeks and then Terrence Steele miss the remaining 8 weeks including the playoffs. Rookie Matt Waletzko was on IR all year as well. Cornerback Jourdain Lewis was on IR from October 30th and then Anthony Brown joined him in December. The Cowboys looked to Rookies Tyler Smith and Daron Bland to fill those starting roles and they excelled.

The Cowboys went 12-5 last year. They came out opening day last year and left their offense. They lost to the Eagles with out Dak when their Defense was good. They lost both of their OT games, one to Green Bay and the Boogey man and the other to the young Star in the making Trevor Lawrence. They were also sleep walking to end the season and lost to the Commanders.

This year, they will probably split with the Eagles again, Buffalo and Detroit will be a toss up. They play their nemesis in the 49ers. They get them in the first part of the season. Tough to tell who the 49ers QB might be. Could be Sam Darnold. Regardless, that Defense will be tough. The wildcard games might be the Jets (mental), Cardinals and Chargers. I see them going 12-5 again this year if they can respond to some of these tougher games. Good teams find ways to win. Like most of the 32 teams, Cowboys are full of hope. Rookie minicamp is this week. OTAs start May 24th and Mandatory Mini Camp is June 8th. Soon, we will get our first taste of this new team.

The Ferguson Fallacy

Jake Ferguson showed some impressive skills last season as a rookie. Has he already been relegated to a backup role?
Photo taken from Ferguson’s Twitter page.

“With the 58th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft the Dallas Cowboys select… Luke Schoonmaker Tight End from the University of Michigan.” The fact that the Cowboys took a Tight End in the draft wasn’t a surprise. Taking one this early might have been. Dallas let Tight End Dalton Schultz leave via Free Agency after they franchise tagged him in 2022. The production that he had will have to be replaced. Schultz had 211 catches, 2,122 yards receiving and 17 Touchdowns. Somebody is going to have to step up into the Tight End One role. As Schoonmaker is the guy that was just drafted, with a premium selection, many assume that he will be the guy to get that responsibility. “Patience is the best remedy for every trouble.” —Plautus

The first year for Tight ends are usually spent learning and adjusting to the NFL. Even the player that just left took some time to get the respect that he has now as he is on another team. Schultz had 12 receptions for 116 yards in his rookie year. He was TE3 behind Blake Jarwin and Geoff Swaim. Tight End 1 and 2 combined for 53 receptions for 549 yards and 4 TDs. Not a ton of production. The next season, Gold Jacket Witt returns and Schultz only had 1 catch for 6 yards. This stunted his Development, but he didn’t give up. He kept fighting and took advantage of opportunities. In his third season, Schultz had 63 receptions, 615 yards and 4 TDs. In his contract year, he had 78 receptions, 808 yards and 8 TDs and he and Dak became a dangerous combo. TE1 had earned the complete trust of QB1. He was franchised and after stumbling through an injury plagued year, Schultz still caught 57 passes for 577 yards and 5 TDs.

Until his third year, Schultz had only caught 13 passes. No one thought he would go on and carve a niche role in the Cowboys offense. A testament to his hardwork and the chemistry with Dak Prescott. Last year, Jake Ferguson had 19 Receptions for 174 yards and 2 TDs as a rookie. In a limited role where he was hurt as well, Ferguson seemed to make wow plays every time he caught the ball. Not only did he catch our eye, but he also caught the attention of the best Tight End in the game, Travis Kelce who said that he is excited to see the growth of Jake Ferguson.

The potential is there. Perhaps the best number that points to his upcoming production is his Catch Percentage. Per Sports Reference, Ferguson caught 86.4% of his passes. Schultz best catch percentage was 75% in 2021 and was 64% last season. We have to give Ferguson an opportunity to prove himself. As of Luke Schoonmaker, let him ease into being an NFL tight end. While he might be ready as a blocker, keep in mind that he only had 54 catches at Michigan, 35 came from this past year. Like Ferguson and Hendershot, he too will need time to develop.

Another note that I mentioned earlier was Schultz and Prescott’s relationship and chemistry. This offseason, every report coming out of the D4KYard is that Ferguson is there as well. Putting in that work, harnessing his tools and developing that chemistry with Dak. It wouldn’t shock me if Ferguson had a bigger jump that what many are indicating. Give him a chance and I am sure that the faith you put in him will be rewarded.

“Maybe that’s why life is so precious. No rewind or fast forward… just patience and faith.” —Cristina Marrero

Cowboys Day Three Wrap-up Part 2: UDFAs

Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Tyrus Wheat (2) during the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Arkansas Razorbacks on October 8, 2022 at Wade Davis Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

As the Draft began to draw to it’s conclusions, Cowboys scouts and position coaches were busy on the phones trying to bring more talent to the team. The Undrafted Free Agency period is perhaps the most competitive part of the draft. All the players remaining on your board that didn’t get drafted are now being targeted by teams. You have limited amount of time to go through your lists and secure deals with these players. Relationships and team fits also play a role into where these guys end up. How did the Cowboys fare?

Lets start on Defense. The Cowboys landed Tyrus Wheat Mississippi State Outside Linebacker. He was Edge 19 from the Athletics Dane Brugler. (The remaining rankings will be from Dane Brugler as well. Wheat is a flasher. He has strength, quickness and explosiveness. He also shows some ability to long arm and bend as a pass rusher. His biggest trait right now is his motor and vision. He knows where the ball is at all times and will do anything to get it. Isaiah Land Florida A&M LB was a prolific pass rusher in the FCS. Land came from a HBCU, where he racked up 89 tackles, 42.5 tackles for loss, 29 sacks and 7 pass deflections. The production was good enough to get drafted. He was LB 18. He comes in as an elite pass rusher and uses his hands well. Land will have to continue to refine his techniques as a Linebacker and add some weight if he wants to make the roster. Durrell Johnson of Liberty was a Cowboys 30 visit. He was Edge 43. Cowboys also brought in some corners in D’Angelo Mandell BYU and Myles Brooks of Louisiana Tech. Brooks was CB32. These corners have good size but will need to improve their physicalness. They don’t have the quick twitch to win late so they will have to depend on their technique.

On offense, the UDFA class is led by Hunter Luepke of North Dakota State. Luepke is the do it all playmaker for the Bisons that played Full back, running back and tight end. RB21 has the best chance to make the squad in this new hybrid Mike McCarthy offense. Guard TJ Bass of Oregon (OG14) and Earl Bostick of Kansas (OT17) were also highly demanded prospects that the Cowboys landed. As good as this Defense is, these linemen will have a chance to go against some of the best in the league and earn a name. How they deal with speed and power will be something to monitor in camp. They can work and get better and leave an impression with the team and the other 32 teams during preseason.

Princeton Fant (TE28) of Tennessee and John Stephens Jr of Louisiana are Tight Ends that the Cowboys added to the mix. They have the opportunity to compete within this Tight End room to make the team. Stephens is a converted Wide Receiver. The Cowboys also brought in some slot receivers in Jalen Moreno-Cropper of Fresno State and Jose Borbon of Temple. Both were highly productive in college. Moreno-Cropper was WR31 and does a good job of getting open. He will have to improve his feet and adjust to getting both feet down. Neither of these guys have a big catch radius so they will have to continue to refine their route running to maximize their skills and get open. A receiver with food size and speed that signed with Dallas as a UDFA is David Durden of West Florida. Durden is 6’2 200 pounds. He ran a 4.45 forty yard dash and had a vertical jump of 37 inches. The concerns for Durden are his age (will be 25 this year) and his level of competition. Can he get open against NFL talent? Can he tap into that athleticism to improve his route running skills and catch rate?

The Cowboys usually have some form of success with these guys. Players like Peyton Hendershot, Marquez Bell, Malik Davis and Danny Houston all had snaps during meaningful games for them. So yes, UDFAs matter. When they get into rookie mini camps and training camps, it doesn’t matter where they were drafted. It matters what they can bring to the team. If they work hard and have productive camps, they will get their chance, especially considering the Cowboys history with UDFAs.

Cowboys Day Three Wrap-up Part One

Dallas Cowboys selected one of the productive players in the draft in the Sixth round. Was he the best value on Day Three?

The NFL Draft came to a conclusion Saturday evening around 6PM. The three day event was extraordinary. 259 players heard their name called and received a phone call that changed their lives. The Cowboys had selected three players on the previous two days, and came out of Day Three with Five more.

With pick 129 overall in the fourth round, the Cowboys selected Junior Fehoko of San Jose State. Fehoko is a Defensive End who will eventually work his way inside and try to provide pressure while stopping the run.

With the 169th pick in the draft, Cowboys select Asim Richards UNC in the fifth round. In my opinion, this was the best value pick in the entire class for the Cowboys. Richards, who was a tackle at North Carolina, might just be your starting LG when we exit training camp. Richards is strong and athletic.

The Cowboys traded a 2024 fifth round pick to get an additional pick in the Sixth. With that pick, number 178 overall, the Cowboys selected Eric Scott Jr of Southern Mississippi. Scott has the size, length and athleticism to fit in Dan Quinn’s Defense. He also is a very physical Corner with some ball skills. This might be the hidden gem when we look back on this class in three or four years.

The next selection brought one of the most special moments in not just Cowboys history, but NFL history. With the 212th selection, in the sixth round, the Cowboys selected Deuce Vaughn of Kansas State. Deuce is the son of Cowboys scout Chris Vaughn. The Cowboys kept Chris in the dark with their intentions to select Deuce and had him make the call. This was an emotional moment between a father and son that the whole world got to have a front row seat to. All the hardwork and pain involved, all the talk about height when Chris knew- as a scout that his son was good enough to be in the conversation as one of the best backs in the Draft. An amazing story. As far as the player, Mike McCarthy mentioned that he wants to use him like Darren Sproles (former small Kansas State RB) and Randall Cobb who was a receiver but got touches as a runner. The pick makes sense for the team and they seem to already have a role for him.

With the Cowboys last pick in the draft, they selected Jalen Brooks, WR out of South Carolina with pick 244. The Cowboys thought Brooks had good hands and was a willing blocker. He has a feel for getting open and could have had a better career with better QB play. They are banking on his upside.

The Cowboys didn’t make any big splashes, but that doesn’t mean that they didn’t find some guys that will help their team this year and the years to come. They had a vision of what they wanted and identified the players they thought fit best for them. The Cowboys feel like these players not only have the skill set needed, but the mental make-up and tenacity that is needed as a Cowboy. Mike McCarthy mentioned that they know what the standard is. While some of these players were lower on most boards, it doesn’t matter. They are on the team now and will be tasked with the responsibility of earning the Star and pushing their teammates to be better.