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3 Super Bowl LV participants who could be free agent targets for the Dallas Cowboys - John Owning, Dallas Morning News
With free agency coming up, there is one more game to scout for the Cowboys.
In the past two offseasons, the Cowboys acquired Robert Quinn and Aldon Smith as essentially one-year rentals (we’ll see what happens with Dallas and Smith this offseason) to complement DeMarcus Lawrence on the edge.
Both acquisitions proved successful, as Quinn and Smith played above their pay grades. With Randy Gregory’s emergence on the edge this season, maybe the Cowboys could use the same strategy along the interior to target someone like Suh, the Tampa Bay defensive tackle.
One of the NFL’s most dominant interior defensive linemen for much of his career, Suh has become a bit of a mercenary since reaching his 30s. In the past four years, the 34-year-old has played for three different teams: the Miami Dolphins (2015-17), Los Angeles Rams (2018) and Bucs (2019-present).
He’s received giant contracts in the past, but the amount it takes to sign him has dwindled with time. Suh re-signed with Tampa Bay after last season for a modest one-year, $8 million contract.
Cowboys 2021 mock draft roundup: Rashawn Slater tops the charts, but some new names start to appear - Dave Halprin, Blogging the Boys
Mock draft round up.
The health of the Cowboys two current tackles, Tyron Smith and La’el Collins, seem to be the main driver of this selection. It’s been noted that Slater could play anywhere along the line, but if you are selecting him at #10, you would think it’s because you want him at tackle. Taking a guard or center this high would certainly be unusual.
The interesting thing with the Slater pick in some of these mocks is it’s not just a fall back choice because Caleb Farley or Patrick Surtain are off the board. In some cases one of those defensive players is available, along with Micah Parsons at linebacker. It probably all comes down to how much you trust Tyron Smith’s health.
In one mock, the Cowboys go offensive tackle, but with a different player.
Pick 10
Dallas Cowboys
Penei Sewell · OT
School: Oregon | Year: Junior
Tyron Smith turned 30 in December and hasn’t played 14 or more games in a season since 2015. Sewell could give the Cowboys flexibility up front, playing either right tackle or guard until it’s time to take over on the left edge for the seven-time Pro Bowler.
Sewell was once thought of as a lock to go in the top five, but with all the quarterback movement going on lately, that could push some players down in the draft.
There are still some mocks sticking with cornerback for the Cowboys. They just can’t agree on who it should be.
Pro Football Network, A.J. Schulte
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
With the Cowboys currently projected to lose both Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis, corner is a huge priority. Reuniting Patrick Surtain II with college teammate Trevon Diggs would be an appealing combination. Dan Quinn’s defense loves lengthy corners with ball skills, and Surtain fits the bill.
Cowboys Athletic Training Staff Earns NFL Award - Nick Eatman, DallasCowboys.com
First place!
The Cowboys’ athletic training staff experienced its share of challenges throughout the year, not only with the constant battle of Covid-19 and the everchanging protocols, but with the enormous amount of injuries this past season.
As a result, the Dallas Cowboys’ training staff was named 2021 Ed Block NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year.
Head athletic trainer Jim Maurer has been with the Cowboys since 1988, and has overseen the department since 1997. His staff includes Britt Brown, the team’s director of rehabilitation, along with associate trainers Greg Gaither and Hanson Yang.
This staff has been together since 2012 and the Cowboys also won this same award in 2002.
Following the 2016 season, Maurer was named NFL Athletic Trainer of the Year by The NFL Physicians Society.
This year’s major injuries were headlined by Dak Prescott’s fractured ankle. But not only did the starting quarterback need season-ending surgery, but the Cowboys were without La’el Collins the entire season. Tyron Smith and Blake Jarwin were out most of the season as well.
3 top trade targets for Dallas Cowboys before free agency - Scott Rogust, Fansided
Should the Cowboys trade for any of these three players?
You probably know this already, but the Houston Texans have become quite possibly the most dysfunctional franchise in the NFL. The shenanigans in the front office have turned a Super Bowl-contending team into a 4-12 squad. In the process, the Texans angered quarterback Deshaun Watson, who wants a trade off the team. But he may not be the only one who wants out.
According to NFL Media’s James Palmer, the belief among players and coaches is that defensive end J.J. Watt has played his final game with the Texans. If Watt is to demand a trade, the Texans would benefit because he’ll command a strong market of suitors. Not only that, but they can get desperately-needed draft picks, even though a team will have him for the 2021 season before he hits the open market.
Even though Watt is coming off a down season (52 tackles, five sacks), he’s still a powerful force off the edge. Just two years ago, Watt tallied 16 sacks and a league-high seven forced fumbles in 16 regular-season games.
The Cowboys could be a team that calls their in-state rival for Watt’s services. Besides DeMarcus Lawrence, the most effective pass rusher for Dallas last season was Aldon Smith, who put up five sacks in his return to the NFL. However, Smith is set to hit free agency, where he should have some suitors. The Cowboys could go for the easy upgrade by acquiring Watt for draft picks.
Come on, this is Jerry Jones we are talking about. He always goes for the big names!
What’s Next For LB: What To Do About Jaylon? - DallasCowboys.com
Jaylon Smith’s future has been up for debate among Cowboys fandom.
FRISCO, Texas – As always, this is the uncertain time of the year.
Roughly one-third of NFL rosters turn over every offseason as each club looks for ways to improve its fortunes moving forward. The Cowboys are no different, as they’ll face many tough decisions in the coming months.
With that in mind, we’re evaluating each position on the roster and what choices face the front office in 2021. Part 4 focuses on the linebackers.
What’s The Plan For Jaylon Smith?
There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Jaylon Smith finished first on the Cowboys and second in the entire NFL in tackles in 2020, but the star linebacker’s sagging performance was one of the central storylines of a disappointing season.
Plenty of the criticism aimed at Smith was warranted, and plenty of it wasn’t. Regardless, over the course of a 6-10 season, he became the lightning rod for a defense that put up historically bad numbers en route to finishing 28th in scoring defense.
Asked about it recently on FS1’s “Speak For Yourself,” Smith noted that the Cowboys had a difficult time adjusting to a change of scheme under Mike Nolan.
CeeDee Lamb on 2021 Cowboys: “Definitely Won’t See 6-10” - Mathew Lenix, Inside the Star
In Lamb we trust.
The 2020 Dallas Cowboys were supposed to win the NFC East and make their first playoff appearance since 2018, at least on paper. However, games have to be played on the field, and what could’ve gone wrong did go wrong for the Cowboys. Injuries ravished the roster, and they never recovered and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
One of the few bright spots this season was the play of rookie CeeDee Lamb who broke the Cowboys rookie record for receptions and became the first wide receiver in league history to catch at least five passes in his first six games. On Wednesday, Lamb was asked about the expectations for the Cowboys in 2021, and he doesn’t see a repeat of this season.
“Definitely won’t see 6-10,” Lamb said on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football.“We obviously felt like we let ourselves short, if you will. We had as much excitement about last season just as well as y’all did just going into the season and the way it went down. You hate to see it, but it’s all part of it, and we know that.
“The NFL is a tough game. A lot of guys want to be great. A lot of guys want to stay healthy but obviously, that’s not the case. And for us as a team, we kind of took a blow on the injury bug, if you will. But going into next season we’re looking forward to better preparation and staying healthy.”
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