Cowboys Draft Digest: The top class of safeties are a wonderful group of potential difference-makers

 Let’s have a few philosophical discussions today about this impressive group of safeties. First, let me direct you to a very safety-adjacent story from Monday about the success story of Jayron Kearse. He has been quite a find, but it is worth noting that given how he plays, might not actually be one of two safeties in the defense. Don’t get it twisted, he will be used a lot. But, perhaps in addition to Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson (or one of the names below) in a three-safety setup. Or, maybe you want to call it a two safety, one hybrid LB setup. Who knows, anymore?

https://theathletic.com/3220439/2022/03/31/cowboys-draft-digest-the-top-class-of-safeties-are-a-wonderful-group-of-potential-difference-makers/

Jayron Kearse being back in the fold is bigger news for the Cowboys defense than people would think

 How we consume our football is largely based on what people find interesting. You know, what gets the clicks going. This sport is far too nuanced for that to always lead us in the right direction, but it is probably easier to just answer Micah Parsons for every question on why the defense was so much better than it was in 2020.

You know I won’t do that to you here. Although I will quickly concede that Parsons is a franchise-altering draft pick at this current pace of play. Also, keeping Dan Quinn around makes me very pleased with how well this defense has a chance to continue its build with some nice development down the same course. Continuity is a massive key in this league and the Cowboys have a chance to put some nice things on top of their sturdy foundation.

https://theathletic.com/3213741/2022/03/28/jayron-kearse-being-back-in-the-fold-is-bigger-news-for-the-cowboys-defense-than-people-would-think/

Cowboys Draft Digest: As the NFL continues to evolve, so does the linebacker position

 Hopefully, everyone has had a few minutes to reflect on the impact and career of the longtime coach and currently retired Jerry Glanville. Aside from coaching (and hating) a young Brett Favre, he was known for several things that made a real impact on those of us who watched that included leaving tickets for Elvis Presley at many games and dressing in all black. He was a wild ride as both head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers, but also gained notoriety for explaining on NFL Films to a referee who had frustrated him that NFL stood for “Not For Long” if the ref continued with calls like that.

https://theathletic.com/3206679/2022/03/24/cowboys-draft-digest-as-the-nfl-continues-to-evolve-so-does-the-linebacker-position/

One week in, we analyze all of the signings, losses and gains of the Cowboys spring

 Let’s start with two of the most basic but missed truths of this time of year:

1. There are almost no occasions where the winners of the first week of free agency still feel great about their spending spree in 24 or 36 months. In fact, a brief glance at the 2019 free agency supposed home runs will quickly turn into warning track fly balls. Here were the top signings of 36 months ago: Trey Flowers to Detroit ( five years, $90 million) — cut last week after three years and 10 total sacks. Landon Collins to Washington (six years, $84 million) — cut last week. Trent Brown to Oakland (four years, $64 million) — traded a year ago to New England and just re-signed. C.J. Mosley to New York Jets (five years, $85 million) — still with team but has only played in 18 games in three seasons. And, Le’Veon Bell to the Jets (four years, $52 million) — lasted about one season there and has been on four teams since and is looking for work. Those were the top five players in that group and all of them were pretty large failures. We didn’t even look at Earl Thomas to Baltimore (four years, $55 million) or Golden Tate to the Giants (four years, $37.5 million). In other words, this often doesn’t work out really well for the big spenders. And you can also pick just about any year you want.

2. There are 175 days until opening Sunday for the 2022 NFL season. There is a long way to go. Everybody calm down.

https://theathletic.com/3199713/2022/03/21/one-week-in-we-analyze-all-of-the-signings-losses-and-gains-of-the-cowboys-spring/

Cowboys Draft Digest: Elite cornerbacks flood the first round at very premium position

 This is our seventh of 12 weeks of the draft digests. We started with three weeks of prospects on the defensive front. Then we went for three weeks of offensive line and tight ends. For the next three weeks, we will work on defensive backs and linebackers and then finish our project with what we assume will be the main thrust of the Cowboys’ first two days — offensive playmakers to help replace guys like Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson. Of course, we also have to do this year’s QB class, because it is the premium position of all premium positions and we do it not because the Cowboys are in the market for a QB, but rather we have to do it because quarterbacks are important no matter where they end up playing.

https://theathletic.com/3185155/2022/03/17/cowboys-draft-digest-elite-cornerbacks-flood-the-first-round-at-very-premium-position/

Cowboys Draft Digest: This year’s tight end class has no Kyle Pitts, but has many starters

 It has probably been a few years since we have done a full draft digest on the tight end position, but this year we believe a few things that have properly changed our tune enough to even get the tight ends in before spring break. We start with this being a very interesting tight end class that has enough quality depth that as many as seven or eight could go in the first few days. I wouldn’t call that likely, but at least very possible. There is no Kyle Pitts, for sure. But, this league is always looking for dual threat tight ends who are neither a liability in blocking or in receiving. And for whatever reason, this year has plenty of that.

https://theathletic.com/3174453/2022/03/10/cowboys-draft-digest-this-years-tight-end-class-has-no-kyle-pitts-but-has-many-starters/

The Cowboys have talked about every option for three key players but now they must make decision

 The time for talking has pretty much expired as Tuesday is the final day for tag designations in the NFL. By Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT, we will know which teams have decided to place tags on their potential free agents and which will risk them getting into the open marketplace.

There is no question that the Cowboys are right near the front of these discussions as they usually are. We have three names to discuss as it pertains to contract adjustments or tags, all of which could certainly justify their own written piece. We have Amari Cooper, DeMarcus Lawrence and Dalton Schultz to discuss and their futures in Dallas therein. But, given that each deserves his own space, we shall accommodate each situation as best we can. My very capable colleague, Jon Machota, has already written several thoughts on Cooper and a few additional offerings on Schultz.

https://theathletic.com/3167512/2022/03/07/the-cowboys-have-talked-about-every-option-for-three-key-players-but-now-they-must-make-decision/

Cowboys Draft Digest: From Evan Neal to Trevor Penning, top offensive tackles in 2022 collectively are strong

 This week our goal was to look further at the offensive line crop, with a focus on the offensive tackles available high in this draft. We can only get five prospects per week, but I think we can safely say that is not enough to look at all of those who might jump right in and be starters for a long time. In my estimation, this is one of the best positions in the entire draft when it comes to “top shelf” prospects.

https://theathletic.com/3159057/2022/03/03/cowboys-draft-digest-from-evan-neal-to-trevor-penning-top-offensive-tackles-in-2022-collectively-are-strong/

Dan Quinn and Micah Parsons redefined the possibilities for the Cowboys and deserve all of the credit

 We are right in the thick of our draft studies this week as the party has shifted to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine. Here at the “Sturm 60 HQ,” we are stressing out about how to make 68 prospects fit into 60 spots and figuring that whoever doesn’t make the cut will be more likely to be selected by Dallas. Today, I will get the 24th player fully evaluated.

https://theathletic.com/3154424/2022/03/01/dan-quinn-and-micah-parsons-redefined-the-possibilities-and-deserve-all-of-the-credit/