Dallas Cowboys News & Notes: Rest Of Division Sees Cowboys As "Heavy Favorites."

Sturm: I can’t see a scenario in which I would pick anybody but Cowboys to win NFC East | DMN
In response to a reader question about La'el Collins' impact, Sturm explains that he sees the Cowboys as favorites in the division.

I believe the rest of the division already saw the Cowboys as the heavy favorite. I imagine the events of the last 7 days has only hardened that premise. I can’t see a scenario under which I would pick another divisional winner or playoff team from the division at this point.

Agent's Take: What top 10 picks will earn, how much Gregory, Collins lost - CBSSports.com
How much did Randy Gregory's draft slide cost him? Nearly $11M. Ex-agent Joel Corry breaks down projected deals for the top 10 picks and how much some players lost, including this take on Byron Jones:

Byron Jones will sign a contract with the Cowboys as the 27th pick that's almost $1.25 million less than Arik Armstead will receive from the San Francisco 49ers as the 17th pick. Their net wages over their four-year contracts will be essentially the same despite the 10-pick difference, thanks to taxes.

Jerry Jones: 'Boys aren't looking to trade O-linemen - NFL.com
After signing La'el Collins, some wondered whether Ronald Leary or Mackenzy Bernadeau coul be on the trade block. Jerry Jones said "No."

Jones, though, emphasized Thursday that stockpiling blockers is a priority in Big D. Even without DeMarco Murray running the ball, the Cowboys believe their current stable of backs can make it work behind the NFC's grittiest wall of linemen.

"We've really got a chance," said Jones, "to put together something very special relative to an offensive line."

Jerry Jones considering trading Cowboys' 2016 first-round pick | FOX Sports
In an interview with 105.3 FM The Fan on Friday morning, Jerry Jones said he'd be reluctant to trade a future first, but "if the right situation came along" ... Thankfully, he quickly regained his sanity when images of Joey Galloway and Roy E. Williams started dancing before his eyes.

"It's a bitter pill to swallow. I've done that two times, and I'm telling you, that hurts bad the next draft day," he said.

Who will be the starting linebackers in 2015? - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
In response to a Twitter question, Archer writes about who the starting linebackers could be.

I'll answer this question by taking injuries out of the equation this offseason. To me the starters should be Sean Lee at weak-side linebacker, Rolando McClain at middle linebacker and Anthony Hitchens at strong-side linebacker. But the starters don't matter as much as what happens in the nickel defense.

The Cowboys are in their sub packages more than their base defense. Do they keep McClain on the field for all three downs? Do they go with Lee and Hitchens? They have time to figure all of that out this summer. As for Keith Rivers, I'm not sure where he fits or how he fits. He has a minimum salary benefit contract so there isn't a large cap payout there. I think he'll be in the mix on the strong side, but he has to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Cowboys DE Greg Hardy’s intensity noticed by teammates, coaches | Rainer sabin, DMN
While the rookies were participating in rookie minicamp, Greg Hardy and Nick Hayden were running sprints at Valley Ranch yesterday.

"He’s an intense kind of guy," Hayden said of Hardy. "He comes to work every day and that’s the kind of guys you want – blue-collar guys who are just willing to work and give it their all."

"I coach him hard," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli added. "And he reacts hard and he plays hard every snap out there. That’s how I coach him. I want him to get better every single day."

Dehydration hits Randy Gregory as Dallas Cowboys open rookie minicamp - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
Several Dallas Cowboys rookies left early in the afternoon practice of the first minicamp, including Randy Gregory because of dehydration issue.

After the morning session Gregory said he was "a little bit out of shape," which is not unusual for rookies coming into their first NFL practices after a drawn-out draft process. Dez Bryant struggled with his stamina in his first practice as well.

"The heat is what was getting me," Gregory said after the morning practice. "Actually kind of cramping up when we got to special teams. Just got to hydrate more. In college you have a chance to get on a knee, have a helmet off. Can't really do that here. Trying to get used to that. But I'm having fun. That's the main thing. I think I'm doing a lot of good things out there. I'd like to do some more good things."

Cowboys Rookie Mini-Camp: Randy Gregory, Chaz Green Head To Locker Room Early - Blogging The Boys
The Cowboys second-round pick had to leave the field early at practice due to heat issues, but he'll be fine. No specific word yet on what happened to Chaz Green, but it may be more of the same. Also leaving early were Lucky Whitehead and Deontay Greenberry.

Scout’s Eye: Grading The Quarterbacks; Chris Whaley Shines At Rookie Camp | Bryan Broaddus, DC.com
Broaddus offers his early impressions of rookie minicamp. He liked what he saw from Byron Jones ("There was little or no window for these quarterbacks to throw into while he was on the field."), thought that between Randy Gregory and Ryan Russel, Russell "had the better day," thought tryout player Gavin Stansbury (DE, Texas A&M) stood out, and was impressed with DT Chris Whaley:

Whaley lined up as the under-tackle and I would have to say that I was impressed with what I saw from his first day. He played with explosive quickness when attacking the gap and was a handful for these offensive linemen to have to deal with. He was up the field on his pass rush and was also to play down the line on several plays in the running game where he was in position to make the play. While noticing Whaley, I was also impressed with Isiah Dunning and Bryon Bennett - both weekend workout players who were also around the ball a bunch.

Dallas Cowboys put focus on undrafted wide receivers - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
The team devoted a large chunk of its undrafted free agent budget to a trio of receivers.

Southern Cal receiver George Farmer, who was among the Cowboys’ top 30 visits before the draft, received $55,000 guaranteed, including a $15,000 signing bonus. Florida Atlantic’s Lucky Whitehead received a $10,000 signing bonus and Baylor’s Antwan Goodley received $7,500 to sign.

Despite not getting drafted, Farmer, Whitehead and Goodley were considered by the Cowboys in the later rounds.

A Jack of All Trades in Dallas: How Byron Jones Helps the Cowboys - Numberfire
This article looks at how Byron Jones and his superior physical traits along with his versatility can help the Cowboys address their problems in the secondary.

Given Byron's elite talent level, build, and versatility it's evident that regardless of how the situation unfolds for Dallas' secondary this season, Jones can step right in and serve as the team's utility player at defensive back to provide an immediate impact for the Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys reach agreements with two draft picks - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
Defensive end Ryan Russell and linebacker Mark Nzeocha on board, and team hopes to have the majority of its draft class signed this weekend.

Veterans make room for rookies | Rob Phillips, DC.com
To make room for all the undrafted free agents and draft picks the Cowboys brought in, several veteran players were released.

The club made several veteran transactions Friday, waiving linebacker Troy Davis and offensive tackle Donald Hawkins, releasing linebacker Dekoda Watson, and placing defensive tackle Josh Brent on the Reserve/Retired list.

Cowboys Defensive Tackle Josh Brent Retires From NFL - Blogging The Boys
The comeback attempt of Josh Brent is now over, the veteran defensive tackle has retired from the game.

The NFL Draft Shell Game - Grantland
Bill Barnwell looks at the trades in theis years draft and finds the evidence to support his hypothesis:

We know from looking at trades in the past, though, that teams are almost always better off trading down to acquire more picks than trading up to grab a lone player. The consensus is almost always a better judge than any individual talent evaluator. Ozzie Newsome traded up for Kyle Boller. Ted Thompson moved up to grab Jerel Worthy. Bill Belichick dealt several picks for the chance to draft Ron Brace. Drafting is tough, and the best way to draft well is to get as many chances to pick players as possible.