Dallas Cowboys release DeMarcus Ware and Miles Austin in salary cap cuts.

Facelift for the Dallas Cowboys

As a long time Dallas Cowboys fan I was slightly shocked to find out they had cut Marcus Ware.  Not only has Ware been their best player for years but he is one of the faces of the franchise.  This was however a smart move as his last 2 seasons did not warrant the salary he would have commanded this year.  Ware will likely go to the hall of fame one day and maybe get his ring with the newly signed Denver Broncos.  

Miles Austin on the other hand wasn't as much of a surprise.  The only real surprise was how much he fell off the NFL map after he got paid a few years ago.  One of the many mistakes Cowboys management made by paid big money to flash in the pan replaceable players.  In today's NFL quality receivers come a dime a dozen so there is no reason to pay a WR unless he is a dominate one. 

Now the faces of the franchise would be Tony Romo and Jason Witten.  Both Romo and Witten are nearing the end so I expect heavy promotion for the Cowboys to promote Sean Lee and Dez Bryant as future faces of the franchise.  Risky business as Lee is often injured and Bryant is a fire cracker waiting to explode.....Till will tell.

NFL Mock Draft 2014 Dallas Cowboys post combine #1

Dallas Cowboys 2014 mock draft 

Post combine mock #1

You know you are an addict when you can sit and watch hours of prospects running 40's at the combine.  A lot will change from now until draft time as free agency is looming in the next few weeks.  The more I look at the Cowboys needs the more I realize they have needs everywhere.  In this mock I will make some assumptions of what may transpire prior to the draft.



Defensive Line:

The future of Ware, Spencer, and Hatcher are up in the air and I assume that only one of the 3 will be a Cowboy in 2014.  I have a hard time believing that Jerry will let Ware out of the building.  This leaves a huge need for DT and depth at DE.

Linebackers:

It is likely that this position is not a top priority with Lee, Carter, and Holoman as the projected starters.  There is a need for depth especially in the middle with the often injured Lee with no true middle linebacker on the roster.  Carter is on the last year of this deal after a disappointing season as well. 

Secondary:

As bad as the secondary was last year I don't see the Cowboys reaching in the early rounds for a safety or corner.  At safety they will likely pencil in Church and Wilcox.  Though there is the usual need for a free safety, it is likely that Dix and Pryor aren't on their board at 16.  I see the Cowboys using some free agent dollars again on a mid to lower tier safety to compete with Wilcox.  The top 3 corners include: Carr who is overpaid and possibly a cap cut, Claiborne who has been a bust, often injured and on the last year of his contract, and Scandrick.  This draft class is deep in corners and Dallas will likely look at one in middle rounds as it is a serious need.

Offensive Line:

Doug Free could be a cap cut and is a sieve irregardless.  Bernardeax is average at best at guard and could also be a cap cut.  There is a need at both positions for a young and hungry player.  The offensive line is one of the strengths of the team but still needs to be addressed. 

Wide Receiver:

Austin is going to a cap cut but that doesn't really change anything as he was useless last year.  Depth is needed at this position especially a wr with top end speed.  The draft class is deep but I don't see a glaring need to justify an early or mid round pick.  

Running Back:

Murray is on the last year of his deal and Randle doesn't look like an answer as a starter.  This is a position of need but not necessity this year.  Depth at the end of the draft or FA is likely.

With these needs in mind I ran a mock draft using Fanspeak's draft simulator. 

Round #1 Pick #16 Aaron Donald DT (Pitt)

Donald is a natural fit for the 3 technique and a good start to rebuild the D Line.

Round#2 Pick#47 Stephon Tuitt DE (Notre Dame)

Not sure if he falls this far but in this mock he did.  Big, fast and physical he could play either base DE or 1 technique DT.

Round #3 Pick#78 Christian Jones LB (Florida State)

Versatile playmaker that adds depth and likely sub-package player. 

Round#4 Pick#115 Dakota Dozier G (Furman)

Big and physical to take Bernardeaux's spot at Guard. 

Round#5 Pick#146 Antone Exum CB (Virginia Tech)

Depth at CB with ability to push the starters right away. 

Round#7 Pick#206 Corey Latimer WR (Indiana) 

Tall, good speed, and productive.  Depth project.

Round#7 Pick#208 Rajion Neal RB (Tennessee)

Big school, big production.  Depth project.

Round#7 Pick#215 Dezmond Southward S (Wisconsin)

Project at safety. 

To see the draft mock click the link below.



Fanspeak's On the Clock Mock Draft Simulator

Dallas Cowboys 2014 Mock Draft #2 using Fanspeak's On the Clock Mock Draft Simulator

After playing with a salary cap calculator I realized that Dallas is in real trouble and need to make some real difficult choices just to get under the cap.  Factoring this into the equation with a team that already has needs across the board makes it that more difficult.  In my second mock I tried to focus on needs and opportunity to save salary cap space at the same time.

Round 1 Pick# 16 DT Louis Nix III (Notre Dame)
This provides a legit presence in the middle of the line.  A rare combination of size, power and quickness for a big man.

Round 2 Pick#47 OT Antonio Richardson (Tennessee)
This pick give Dallas an upgrade at RT and allows them to cut Doug Free and save a little on the cap.

Round 3 Pick#78 DE Jackson Jeffcoat (Texas)
A tweener who likely would be only a pass rush specialist.  In this era of the NFL however a pass rusher is often needed on 2nd and 3rd down.  The Cowboys pass rush was woeful and a playmaker is needed off the edge.

Round 4 Pick#115 S Jimmy Ward (Northern Illinois) 
Dallas has multiple options at SS on their roster but don't have a true free safety.  Ward's strong suit is coverage and would likely fit quickly into nickel and dime packages until he can handle the full time FS position.

Round 5 Pick#146 QB A.J. McCarron (Alabama)
This pick allows Dallas to cut Kyle Orton to save cap space and give a young QB to groom as Romo's future replacement.

Round 6 Pick#177 DE Aaron Lynch (USF)
This pick provides depth and upside at the DE position.  Lynch was highly rated but had a somewhat disappointing 2013 season.  In the 6th round this is a value pick if he realizes potential.

Round 7 Pick#206 RB Rajion Neal (Tennessee)
Big school, big production.  Neal provides competition with Randle for RB2 this year and a possible replacement for Murray who is in the last year of his contract.

Round 7 Pick#208 WR Jeremy Gallon (Michigan)
Gallon would be an upgrade over Cole Beasley for slot receiver duties.  Gallon is fast, quick and has return capabilities.


Fanspeak's On the Clock Mock Draft Simulator

Dallas Cowboys 2014 Mock Draft #1 using Fanspeak's On the Clock Mock Draft Simulator

There is no off-season for a true NFL fan and fantasy football addict.  I've been running some mock drafts for the Dallas Cowboys and will share the ones I like.  Fanspeak's mock draft simulator is alot of fun to use and gives you an idea of some scenarios that Dallas may encounter.  My first mock ran as follows.



Round 1 Pick #16-  DT Aaron Donald (Pittsburgh)
If Dallas really wants to run a 4-3 they need a quick DT.

Round 2 Pick #47- OT Morgan Moses (Virginia)
This would enable to cut ties with Doug Free, saving some cap space and giving them bookend OT's.

Round 3 Pick#78- DE Chris Smith (Arkansas)
DeMarcus Ware is 32 with a huge salary cap hit.  The Cowboys are in need of young and talented pass rushers.

Round 4 Pick#115 CB Pierre Desir (Lindenwood)
A raw corner with a ton of upside.  Claiborne has been a huge bust so far and Carr is far overpaid.  Dallas may need another starting corner as early as next season.

Round 5 Pick#146 WR Bruce Ellington (South Carolina)
Austin is on the way out the door and Cole Beasley is a shrimp in the slot.  Ellington is a seasoned slot receiver with legit speed and built like a RB.

Round 7 Pick#206 DE Will Clarke (West Virginia)
A pass rusher project with upside.

Round 7 Pick#208 RB Rajion Neal (Tennessee)
Big school, big production.  A well balanced back that could push for RB2 this year and RB next if Murray leaves.

Round 7 Pick#215 DT Shamar Stephen (UConn)
A DT project with upside.


Fanspeak's On the Clock Mock Draft Simulator