Cowboys News & Notes: Jerry Jones Says No QB At Pick #4, But What's The Real Plan?

Five prospects that would fit as developmental QB for Cowboys - Gil Brandt, NFL.com
If Jerry is serious about not taking a quarterback with their first-round pick, then what are the Cowboys plans for quarterback? As Gil Brandt reported, Jerry has made it clear about what he's not going to do at four.

Jerry told me recently that he will unequivocally not take a quarterback at No. 4, where the Cowboys draft this year. I believe him. It makes sense if you think Romo will make a full recovery from offseason surgery, will be your starter for at least three more years, and your team has a window of opportunity that will remain open by filling more glaring needs with the top pick in the draft.

NFL teams are finally taking notice of the NCAA's most productive quarterback - Thomas George, SB Nation
Included in the above article are five options Brandt lays out for later-round quarterbacks the Cowboys could grab. Those names include Dak Prescott, Jeff Driskell, Brandon Allen, Kevin Hogan and a name not many people have been talking about - Brandon Doughty out of Western Kentucky. The Cowboys met with the QB at the Combine.

[Doughty's] production is cosmic. He threw 48 touchdown passes last season and 49 the season before. His interceptions dropped from 10 to nine in that span. That is an astounding 97 touchdown to 19 interception comparison, complemented by six 400-plus-yard passing games last season. He finished last season as only the third quarterback in the last 50 years to lead the nation in passing yards (5,055), completions (388) and completion percentage (71.9).

Jerry Jones says Cowboys NOT drafting quarterback with No. 4 pick - K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire
Why would Jerry tell all about plans to not drat a QB? We all know it doesn't take a hot lamp to his face to get him to confess his darkest secrets, but blabbing something so important just doesn't make sense. What is Jerry up to?

There are three draft slots ahead of Dallas’ that will determine the player pool from which they will select the newest Cowboy. Publicly confirming that quarterback is a serious consideration for your club would be a indicator to other teams also in need of a quarterback that they’d need to jump ahead of you in the draft in order to secure one.

Sources: Tony Romo to undergo surgery on collarbone next week - David Moore, SportsDay
Moving on to the Cowboys current quarterback, the exact specifics of Tony Romo's surgery are still unknown, but it looks like we at least know the "when" part of it. Reports are that it will be next week.

Tony Romo will undergo surgery next week to address his fractured distal clavicle, sources said. The Cowboys quarterback has said on several occasions that he would make a decision on how to proceed after reviewing the results of a CT scan in early March. That scan took place on Wednesday, sources said, and surgery has been scheduled for next week.

So if the Cowboys don't take a quarterback with their first pick, could they target another offensive skill position?

Surprise! Latest mock draft has Cowboys taking RB at No. 4 - Staff, SportsDay
Tom and duckman debated the issue yesterday, but Josh Norris from Rotoworld actually mocked Ezekiel Elliott to the Cowboys at four. I just can't wrap my mind around Dallas investing such a large resource for a running back, but when I do - it's exhilarating.

As Norris states: "I believe Elliott is a foundation piece of an NFL offense and shines in every phase of the position. Elliott converts three-yard gains into seven-yard gains and might be the best blocking ball carrier we have seen. And behind the Cowboys' offensive line? Have mercy."

And it's starting to catch on...

Mock draft 2.0: Titans boost defense at No. 1 - Charles Davis, NFL.com
For those of you that love the idea of the Cowboys taking Zeke at four, this mock is right up your alley.

.@CFD22's Mock Draft 2.0:

1. TEN: Ramsey
2. CLE: Wentz
3. SD: Tunsil
4. DAL: Elliott
5-31: https://t.co/WUzYBO2vPS pic.twitter.com/M65e21Act3

— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2016

But don't get too excited, because here's Jerry again to rain on your parade.

Jerry Jones confident in Dallas Cowboys' running back situation - Todd Archer ESPN
The Cowboys have been nonchalant in the past about any sense of urgency to add another running back. It appears Jerry has that same level of content again this year.

"I feel better about our ability to get feeling good about running back than I do about some of the challenges that we've got on defense right now. I don't know. I can actually see ways and options at the running back thing to get us in good shape that I don't actually see ways and have the name in place for the spot relative to the defense."

"We've got a good offense," Jones said. "(If) we get the balance we need with (Tony) Romo getting our receivers in shape, we've got a chance to do that. Then I think between what we've got on offense and what we have in personnel, what we're trying to do at running back -- all of that makes me feel better than I do with defense. (The) bigger challenge (is) on defense, to help it."

He feels better about the ability to start feeling good? Now see, that's how you say something without saying anything.

Five possible targets to pair with Darren McFadden for one-two RB punch - David Moore, SportsDay
Moore provides five free agent running backs that could partner with McFadden to boost the Cowboys running game. The names include Doug Martin, Lamar Miller and Matt Forte.

The team averaged 118.1 yards a game to rank No. 9 in the league. That's a respectable number, one that's even more impressive when you consider the passing game posed little to no threat. But the Cowboys ranked in the bottom third of the league with eight rushing touchdowns. They scored only four times on the ground in the final three months of the regular season and consistently struggled to gain crucial yards on third-and-short. The ground game was unable to impose its will and dominate when it was needed most.

McFadden did a fine job, but if the Cowboys offense gets back on track, expect the touches of the running back to increase. Having another player to help DMC carry the workload would help keep him healthy.

Rumor: Cowboys eyeing free agent DE Adrian Clayborn - Steven Mullenax, The Landry Hat
The Cowboys don't seem to be inclined to make any big splashes in free agency this off-season, so that leaves the rest of us wondering - what should we expect? Cowboys analyst, Bryan Broaddus has an idea about one player that could have the team's interest.

Clayborn inked a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons last season. Although he was one of their better defenders, he was inconsistent. Atlanta initially placed the 6-3, 280 pound edge rusher on the interior of their defensive line last season before moving him back outside due to a lack of production from their defensive ends.

Think they are going to try and sign Adrian Clayborn DE Atlanta. https://t.co/jpJUHxINiW

— Bryan Broaddus (@BryanBroaddus) March 3, 2016

Cowboys: The Opportunity To Win Is Now Or Never - Dink Kearney, Sports Dallas Fort-Worth
The front office may not be on the prowl for a big free agent signing, but that doesn't stop some from thinking big.

Since the pass rush is the Cowboys major weakness on defense, why not go ahead and sign free-agent pass-rusher Mario Williams, who was cut by the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday.  The dynamic sack specialist recorded double-digit sacks every season with the Bills except ’15, when Williams registered only five sacks. The sack artist is better suited as a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme like the one being run by the Cowboys.

Winning NFL Free Agency is a Myth - Warren Sharp, FOX Sports
The Cowboys may not be big players in the free agent market, but is that a bad thing necessarily? Some people don't think so.

Winning in free agency means losing on the football field. But you won't find such commentary from the media or the fans of the teams locking up the best available players.  However, the fact is, winning free agency and winning games are negatively correlated. The best teams in the NFL avoid free agency like the plague, utilizing it only when absolutely necessary.  The worst teams in the NFL try to get better overnight, and instead, further compound their deficiencies.

If the Cowboys are going to have a successful off-season, it's going to come from finding all the good meat in the draft, including cashing in on the DT draft class.

2016 NFL Combine Tale Of The Tape: Defensive Tackles - OCC, BTB
The draft will be ripe with defensive talent this year. This will be a great opportunity to finally land a strong interior lineman. The Cool One breaks down the performances at the Combine offers up some suggestions about what traits are important to Dallas.

1 vs 3: Some of the prospects in the list above will be 1-techniques, some will be 3-techniques. If you want a penetrating 3-technique, you'll want a guy with elite athleticism and a good track record of production in college. If you want a pocket-collapsing 1-technique, you'll want a guy with size who may not stand out with his athletic markers, but should do well in the performance metrics in the second table.

And for all you Myles Jack fans out there, you may want to look away as you keep scrolling down.

Is Myles Jack Off The Dallas Cowboys Board? – Marcus Mosher, Footbology

Those mocking Myles Jack to the Cowboys at no. 4 need to slow down. Per a source, Jack has some medical issues to overcome.

— Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) February 26, 2016