The Dallas Cowboys Offseason
The Good: Dak Prescott SIGNS LONG-TERM
The Dak Prescott contract saga is over and now the focus can be on the 2021 season. His contract negotiations have been the biggest headline in the NFL for the last two years and now they have something that few teams in the NFL have, security at quarterback. Now you could debate whether or not he's worth the 4 year 40 Million a year contract that he signed but what's not debatable is that his signing gives his teammates a boost in confidence, it makes their upcoming draft a lot easier to pick, it makes them a target for free agents if he performs well, and it gives the Dallas Cowboys the best quarterback situation in the NFC East. If he can live up to this deal, the Dallas Cowboys will reap huge benefits.
The Bad: Resigning Jourdan Lewis to 3 yr and 15m?
The Dallas Cowboys are known for resigning their players, and often overpaying for them, but every Dallas Cowboys fan on earth was scratching their head when Jourdan Lewis was re-signed to 3 yrs and 15 Million. Jourdan Lewis was a serviceable slot corner with some versatility but after the Dallas Cowboys secondary was demolished by every team in the NFL practically, it is shocking to see them bring those defenders back onto the field long-term. Was coaching the reason for the Cowboys defensive blunders? Yes. However, he still has never shown himself to be anything other than 3rd stringer and he played especially bad last season. Maybe a change back to the scheme that made him productive will work with the signing of Dan Quinn, but I am not holding my breath.
The Ugly: Not going after anybody in Free Agency
After the Dallas Cowboys re-signed Dak to his mega-deal, almost every Dallas Cowboy fan was looking for the Cowboys to try and sign at least one really good free agent, especially considering the amount of holes they have on the team but all they got were CRICKETS!!!. The Dallas Cowboys not only didn't attempt to go after the big fish in the free agent pool, they never even attempted to talk to any free agent until the week after, much to the dismay of fans who were hoping at least one question on the team could be answered in free agency. The Dallas Cowboys will now look to the draft to solve their needs and even with the amount of success they have had in drafting players, it's a risky venture.
Offseason Grade: C+
NFL Draft Summary
Day 1 Grade: A+
Selection: Micah ParsonsThe Dallas Cowboys worst nightmare occurred on Day 1 of the draft with both of the top cornerbacks in Patrick Surtain II and Jaycee being taken literally in the final two spots before the Dallas Cowboys picked at #10, leaving the Dallas Cowboys staff clamoring to find out what to do with their pick. The decision they made was to trade back with the hated rival in the Philadelphia Eagles, allowing them to jump the New York Giants and take Devonta Smith right in front of them. The Dallas Cowboys move back to #12, picking up a 3rd round pick in the process, and drafting arguably the best overall player in the draft in linebacker Micah Parsons. Parsons might be a panicked pick as he doesn't necessarily fill a need for their defense but Micah Parsons is a freak athlete and generational talent at the position and can play anywhere on the defense for Dallas. He's a good fit for their defense and will be a monster for their defense if used correctly.
Day 2 Grade: D+
Selections: Kelvin Joseph, Osa Odighizuwa, Chauncey Gholston, Nahshon WrightThe Dallas Cowboys went into Day 2 of the draft clearly with defense still on their mind, but their draft board was far different than anyone else's in the draft. The Dallas Cowboys with the 44th pick in the draft selected Kelvin Joseph out of Kentucky, a move that left many draft experts scratching their heads as many viewed him as more of a project than a Week 1 starting player. They then went for the defensive line with Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Gholston whom many looked at as potential Day 3 picks. And to cap it off they went for cornerback again with Nahshon Wright out of Oregon State, a pick that left every analyst stunned as many had him as a priority free agent rather than a draft pick and getting him in the 3rd round is a major reach.
Day 3 Grade: A-
Selections: Jabril Cox, Josh Ball, Simi Fehoko, Quinton Bohanna, Israel Mukuamu, Matt FarnoikThe Day 3 picks for the Dallas Cowboys helped keep this draft from being a disaster with them nabbing a top 50 talent in Jabril Cox whom many consider the best coverage linebacker in the draft and Israel Mukuamu, a top 100 player and best overall press corner in the draft. Josh Ball is an athletic tackle with a troubled past but does bring excellent depth to the offensive line. Quinton Bohanna is a Week 1 starter at nose guard and 1-tech defensive tackle and will help anchor a defensive line that has lacked size for years. Simi Fehoko is a freak athlete at receiver and will have to carve out a role as a red zone receiver and potential tight end convert. And Matt Farnoik is just a practice squad guard that may find himself in the rotation if injuries hit the offensive line again like in 2020.
Selection: Micah ParsonsThe Dallas Cowboys worst nightmare occurred on Day 1 of the draft with both of the top cornerbacks in Patrick Surtain II and Jaycee being taken literally in the final two spots before the Dallas Cowboys picked at #10, leaving the Dallas Cowboys staff clamoring to find out what to do with their pick. The decision they made was to trade back with the hated rival in the Philadelphia Eagles, allowing them to jump the New York Giants and take Devonta Smith right in front of them. The Dallas Cowboys move back to #12, picking up a 3rd round pick in the process, and drafting arguably the best overall player in the draft in linebacker Micah Parsons. Parsons might be a panicked pick as he doesn't necessarily fill a need for their defense but Micah Parsons is a freak athlete and generational talent at the position and can play anywhere on the defense for Dallas. He's a good fit for their defense and will be a monster for their defense if used correctly.
Day 2 Grade: D+
Selections: Kelvin Joseph, Osa Odighizuwa, Chauncey Gholston, Nahshon WrightThe Dallas Cowboys went into Day 2 of the draft clearly with defense still on their mind, but their draft board was far different than anyone else's in the draft. The Dallas Cowboys with the 44th pick in the draft selected Kelvin Joseph out of Kentucky, a move that left many draft experts scratching their heads as many viewed him as more of a project than a Week 1 starting player. They then went for the defensive line with Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Gholston whom many looked at as potential Day 3 picks. And to cap it off they went for cornerback again with Nahshon Wright out of Oregon State, a pick that left every analyst stunned as many had him as a priority free agent rather than a draft pick and getting him in the 3rd round is a major reach.
Day 3 Grade: A-
Selections: Jabril Cox, Josh Ball, Simi Fehoko, Quinton Bohanna, Israel Mukuamu, Matt FarnoikThe Day 3 picks for the Dallas Cowboys helped keep this draft from being a disaster with them nabbing a top 50 talent in Jabril Cox whom many consider the best coverage linebacker in the draft and Israel Mukuamu, a top 100 player and best overall press corner in the draft. Josh Ball is an athletic tackle with a troubled past but does bring excellent depth to the offensive line. Quinton Bohanna is a Week 1 starter at nose guard and 1-tech defensive tackle and will help anchor a defensive line that has lacked size for years. Simi Fehoko is a freak athlete at receiver and will have to carve out a role as a red zone receiver and potential tight end convert. And Matt Farnoik is just a practice squad guard that may find himself in the rotation if injuries hit the offensive line again like in 2020.
