Each week, we’ll get questions on Twitter and Facebook about the Dallas Cowboys players and other questions surrounding the team. So let’s get straight into it.
The Cowboys haven’t shown much interest in adding a kicker yet. What does the plan expect?
(Submitted by Cowboysnation Germany via Facebook)
Brandon: Three words for the Cowboys front office – draft. a. Kicker. If only it were that simple, but when looking around the league and seeing how important a rookie football player like Zack McPherson is to Cincinnati and their run in 2021 to powerJealousy kicks in (pun intended).
Dallas hasn’t drafted a kicker in some time and was using free agency to fill the void, but picking someone like Michigan’s Jake Moody in the sixth round would be a good use of resources. Moody started in the big moments for the Wolverines and kicked items, which may be necessary, when playoff time comes for the Cowboys, down the road. It’s a name he takes as a prospect and finally gets out of their troubles to the sidewalk (another deliberate pun).
Mike: The plan now looks like the plan they had for last year, wait until training camp and see what comes out of the other end. I all use draft pick and take a third day shot putter. Or there is hope that they can hold back a man like Christopher Dunn North Carolina State as a UDFA draft priority and see what he can develop on the list. Sure, some people will refer to that as a cowboy We are The kicker now carries in Tristan Vizcaino, but he’s a practice squad player who would have been easy to get last year if Brett Maher couldn’t play. Let’s not lean on it and have a year of frustrating heartbreak kicking ass. Twelve field goal attempts with no attempts of 50 yards or more is not the sample size we want to gamble on.
I don’t see why they haven’t signed at the junior level with LG in free agency. Is this a clear sign that they’re drafting a high one or is there a start to a backup plan that they haven’t announced yet?
(Submitted by @ccall727 via Twitter)
Brandon: The Cowboys can consider Chuma Edoga a starting level guard but also see Tyler Smith as someone who can play inside like he did in moments last season if Tyron Smith were to play left tackle. The presence of Tyler Smith and Edoga creates a cushion for Dallas if a weekend draft pick doesn’t fall their way, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they picked an offensive lineman within the first three rounds. There was also talk of Josh Paul taking shots at guard, so keep an eye on that.
Mike: The main answer to this is that he must love the men he already has. The left guard is a much-needed outsider looking inward, but coaches may feel either Matt Farniuk or Tchoma Eduga are reliable enough players at the moment. But regardless, the Cowboys will certainly be looking to add to the offensive interior during the draft. How much will be an indicator of how much coaches trust the players already on the roster.
Do you think there is still time/space on the roster to add bringing in another big signing in free agency? Also what are your thoughts on drafting a developmental QB this year?
(Submitted by @JTonDallas via Twitter)
Brandon: With less than a week until the draft, the Cowboys paused from free agency. The biggest name to add would be a veteran free player, but nothing outside of that.
In terms of drafting a developmental quarterback, Dallas seems to be leaning in that direction. They did extensive homework on Clayton Tune, Aidan O’Connell, and Max Duggan. Tune and O’Connell may have to pick as high as the fourth round to land a touchdown in Dallas, but they can hold on to Duggan and possibly take him with any of their recent picks.
Mike: Never say never is always the best way to think. Post-recruitment will be for each team when they’re trying to fill roster gaps or positions they feel are understaffed as they go to camp. So there is a high possibility that the Cowboys will look to free agency if the draft does not fill the needs they were hoping to bolster. In addition to teams going into post-draft training, the sudden explosion of injuries, soft tissue aggravation, and a dreaded start to the ACL season, teams will be diving into the free agent pool and panic buying. But let’s not hope that for Dallas or any other team. In terms of drafting a developmental quarterback, I’m always on that train every year. Tom Rael and I spoke last week on a podcast about this very idea, and we both say one draft a year. You never know what a diamond in the rough you’re showing by grabbing the caller’s cue at the end of a draft. By the way, the Cowboys front office brings guys in for visits and trainings, I’d say they feel the same.
With the transfer of Conor McGovern plus Dalton Schultz and the change at OC, do you think they will recruit a fullback?
(Submitted by @mike_heavans via Twitter)
Mike: Brandon and I did the BTB Mock draft last week, and ironically with the final pick we chose Hunter Luepke from North Dakota State. They can use that selection for a pass or defensive lineman but I like the idea of Mike McCarthy executing the West Coast offense of having this dynamic linebacker who can give you a bunch of options to play with from the backcourt. This puts defenses in a second-guessing mode and really opens up options for the receiver wire. Plus, on the back of his receiving and rushing abilities, Luepke also provides snaps for the team on special teams, and the more you do the more value, so why not with a seventh-round pick for a guy like him.
Brandon: Verify Mock draft on the YouTube Boys blogging page To see Mike’s reasoning, but we think there’s a defender who should be selected at the back end of the draft if the Cowboys want it. Hunter Luepke is certainly the one name getting the most hype in the media, but there may be other names Mike McCarthy would like to play on his offense.
Even with Kellen Moore calling the plays, the Cowboys used players to fill the linebacker role without using a traditional role. Jamize Olawale was the last true fullback Dallas had on offense, but he was more of a hybrid. If McCarthy wanted one, their body type might look more like a John Cone throwback to his days in Green Bay.
Poll of the week: Finally over at Mailbag, we asked which guy you’d want to see tight end this year for Dallas. Here are the results and what we saw in the survey.
Brandon: With recent mock drafts that saw a Cowboys tight end in the first round, the 26 percent who choose “draft picks” could be the winners in Week 1. Percentage, they will be presumed to be the starters or at least contend with Ferguson/Hendershot.
It’s good to see an “option trade” slim percentage because the Cowboys can undoubtedly find a starting-caliber tight end even in the fourth round of this year’s draft if they have to. The talent for this position is undeniable, so it would be wise for Dallas to take a flyer.
Mike: Lots of love for Jake Ferguson. He’s definitely talented with great improvement and reminds me a lot of Anthony Fasano who once played for Dallas. But he has some work to do to increase his bulk and has better pass-blocking technique, so now he’s a supplemental tight end. But where the Cowboys drafted him and what he’s shown in the past year as a baseline for what he can do, there’s everything a great tight end for Dallas could turn out to be. Let’s not take our eyes off Hendershot either, he could be the dark horse of this race who has all the hallmarks of what Blake Garwin once was.
Be sure to check out @kenfigkowboy and @brandoniswrite Twitter And so is Facebook for the weekly post, prompting you with your questions for the weekly mailbag. Check out our Twitter poll of the week. Many thanks to everyone who submitted your questions and votes.