How Travis Frederick’s retirement affects everything for the Cowboys’ offense

https://theathletic.com/1710398/2020/03/30/how-travis-fredericks-retirement-affects-everything-for-the-cowboys-offense/

CONCLUSION: Obviously, losing Frederick is huge, and the status of Tyron’s back and knees remains tenuous. But if McGovern or Williams turn out to be league-average starters, the line will be good. If both can do it in 2020, the line will be very good. Can it ever be great again? Well, that may depend on everything going great, which starts with Tyron Smith playing more than 13 games for the first time since 2015 and finding a swing tackle to cover them if he can’t. That might be worth consideration in April’s draft, because the options in-house are rather unproven — especially to a new coaching staff.

The Athletic - Draft Digests 2020

WEEK 1 – Safeties – Isaiah Simmons – Clemson, Grant Delpit – LSU, Xavier McKinney – Alabama, Antoine Winfield – Minnesota, Ashtyn Davis – California

WEEK 2 – Defensive Tackles – Derrick Brown – Auburn, Javon Kinlaw – South Carolina, Neville Gallimore – Oklahoma, Justin Madubuike – Texas A&M, Jordan Elliott – Missouri

WEEK 3 – Wide Receivers – Jerry Jeudy – Alabama, CeeDee Lamb – Oklahoma, Laviska Shenault – Colorado, Henry Ruggs – Alabama, Jalen Reagor – TCU

WEEK 4 – Wide Receivers – Tee Higgins – Clemson, Brandon Aiyuk – Arizona State, Michael Pittman – USC, Justin Jefferson – LSU, KJ Hamler – Penn State

WEEK 5 – Edge Rushers – Chase Young – Ohio State, AJ Epenesa – Iowa, K’Lavon Chaisson – LSU, Yetur Gross-Matos – Penn State, Julian Okwara – Notre Dame

WEEK 6 – Edge Rushers – Bradlee Anae – Utah, Jonathan Greenard – Florida, Khalid Kareem – Notre Dame, Terrell Lewis – Alabama, Curtis Weaver – Boise State

WEEK 7 – Locals – Denzel Mims – Baylor, Jeff Gladney – TCU, Ross Blacklock – TCU, Devin Duvernay – Texas, James Lynch – Baylor

WEEK 8 - Cornerbacks - Damon Arnette - Ohio State, Trevon Diggs - Alabama, Kristian Fulton - LSU, CJ Henderson - Florida, Jeffrey Okudah - Ohio State 

Draft Digest No. 8: Cowboys need a true keeper at cornerback. Let’s study some

https://theathletic.com/1702970/2020/03/27/draft-digest-no-8-cowboys-need-a-true-keeper-at-cornerback-lets-study-some/

My Week 8 Cornerback stack looks like this:

The Cowboys continue to assemble a defense. What clues are they leaving us?

https://theathletic.com/1701926/2020/03/26/the-cowboys-continue-to-assemble-a-defense-what-clues-are-they-leaving-us/

The Cowboys stayed busy last week, but how did they do?

https://theathletic.com/1694095/2020/03/23/the-cowboys-stayed-busy-last-week-but-how-did-they-do/

The past week has provided an unforgettable ride for just about every person reading this piece. Hopefully, you are somewhat closer to finding a new normal as this spring break 2020 might actually be a 90-day life reset for just about all of us. For some of us, work qualifies as writing at the kitchen table, so in this case, my normalcy takes me right back to old faithful in a quiet house (for now).

Today’s topic seems obvious. Aside from this past week being an unforgettable human experience, the NFL has conducted a ton of business in their attempt to keep their agenda afloat as much as possible given the circumstances. They don’t need much human interaction at this point, and they capitalized.

The league decided to unleash free agency as planned. A week ago today, it started with the final chance for teams to place the franchise tag or transition tag on one of their free agents to lock in employment for the 2020 season at a strong premium price. As you know, the Cowboys did that by franchise-tagging Dak Prescott, and as we assume long-term negotiations can continue, the two sides hopefully are sorting out a compromise to put Prescott’s issue aside for the first time in 24 months or so. They have until July.

Adding Gerald McCoy is a strong first step for the Cowboys’ defensive rebuild

https://theathletic.com/1686826/2020/03/19/adding-gerald-mccoy-is-a-strong-first-step-for-the-cowboys-defensive-rebuild/

Breaking down Amari Cooper’s contract; How will Cowboys replace Quinn and Cobb?

https://theathletic.com/1681963/2020/03/17/breaking-down-amari-coopers-contract-how-will-cowboys-replace-quinn-and-cobb/

By Bob Sturm and Jon Machota

The Cowboys have franchised QB Dak Prescott. How did things get to this point?

https://theathletic.com/1678674/2020/03/16/the-cowboys-have-franchised-qb-dak-prescott-how-did-things-get-to-this-point/

In other words, either you want a QB or you don’t. If you do, get the deal done, lock it in, and even if you overpay now, it will look nice in 18 months relative to the rising cap and revenues and the new deals being inked before training camp 2021.

The Cowboys say they want a Prescott deal done. They say they want to keep Amari Cooper. They have more free agents than anyone can ever recall, and clearly their plan is already based on hoping Cooper will bring an offer back to them rather than agreeing with a team before dinner tonight.

Either you play the market, Stephen, or the market plays you.

We are about to find out which is which.

Cowboys Draft Digest No. 7: Five Big 12 prospects who could reinforce Dallas

https://theathletic.com/1674062/2020/03/13/cowboys-draft-digest-no-7-five-big-12-prospects-who-could-reinforce-dallas/

My Week 7 Texas prospects stack looks like this:

Next week, five more cornerbacks!

Cowboys Draft Digest No. 6: Which Day 2 edge rushers could make an impact?

https://theathletic.com/1655927/2020/03/05/cowboys-draft-digest-no-6-which-day-2-edge-rushers-could-make-an-impact/

My Week 6 Edge Rusher stack looks like this:

Week 7 will feature a dip into the cornerback market.

How can Cowboys improve their defense while losing some of their best defenders?

https://theathletic.com/1648026/2020/03/03/how-can-cowboys-improve-their-defense-while-losing-some-of-their-best-defenders/

https://twitter.com/SportsSturm/status/1234491797705052160