Cowboys 2021: Cut, keep, or trade defensive edition
The Cowboys have options on defense.
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It’s common knowledge that when a new head coach or coordinator arrives on a team that they are looking to bring in their own players from a previous team, or draft players they believe fit the scheme they are going to be using. That couldn’t be more evident when defensive coordinator Dan Quinn arrived to take over a defense that is, and until otherwise proven, in shambles. First, he brought in two players from his former team to play in the rotation, and to help teach his defense to the other players. After that, he was able to take over the Dallas Cowboys draft this season and bring in players that he feels fit what he plans on doing on defense.
DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory and Tarell Basham are easy answers at defensive end.
We will guess that Neville Gallimore and Brent Urban are relatively easy answers at tackle.
But beyond that? Will the new Dan Quinn-led defensive staff like holdover Dorance Armstrong as much as the coaches did last year? Will they stiff Bradlee Anae like they did last year? Will they discover if Trysten Hill can (or cannot) play?
That s eight guys. Do you keep three rookie D-linemen in Chauncey Golston, Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna? If so, that s 11, and that means that it might come down to Anae vs. newcomer vet Carlos Watkins as to who gets squeezed.
With a contract year looming for up to 34 Cowboys, Dallas has decisions to make in keeping them beyond 2021
34 Cowboys are playing on expiring contracts. Which of the players stay with the team into 2022?
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When the Cowboys declined to pick up the fifth-year option on Leighton Vander Esch’s contract a few weeks ago, they ensured their 2018 first-round pick could hit unrestricted free agency in 2022 absent a new deal this year.
That decision upped the total number of players playing on expiring contracts this year to 34. Those 34 players are a motley crew of soon-to-be free agents.
Biggest roster holes for all 32 teams after the 2021 NFL draft
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Some NFL teams draft for need, and some draft strictly with an eye on talent. Either way, most teams still have weaknesses on the roster after the draft is over.
Below, Football Outsiders looks at the biggest hole on each roster now that the 2021 NFL draft is complete. Many of the advanced stats referenced below are explained here.
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The Cowboys could not have expected the quarterback-needy Panthers and Broncos to select cornerback prospects Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II with the two picks before Dallas was set to pick at 10. That likely motivated Dallas decision to trade down and draft Micah Parsons, a player who was closer to best available than to a team need. But given their required audible, the Cowboys did a tremendous job o