How the Dallas Cowboys can copy the New England Patriots
In a copy cat league, what can the Dallas Cowboys do to be more like the New England Patriots without moving to the AFC East?
Should the 2019 NFL draft be the year that the Dallas Cowboys copy a successful pattern of the New England Patriots franchise? The National Football League is known as a copy cat league. The New England Patriots benefit greatly from playing in the AFC East division, but they are great at what they do. Without moving to the AFC East, what can the Cowboys do to be more like the New England Patriots?
It’s often overlooked that the Patriots consistently rank highly in defensive statistics. Last season, the Cowboys played great defensively. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is a rare talent that’s able to rush the passer and stop the run. #PayTheMan. Linebackers Jaylon Smith and rookie sensation Leighton Vander Esch combined with future Hall of Fame safety Jeff Heath to lead the team in tackles.
Credit passing game coordinator Kris Richard and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli for a combination of personnel and scheme. The 2018 Cowboys defense featured a combination of team speed from sideline to sideline with the ability to hold teams to an average of 20.9 points per game. The Cowboys defense ranked 7th of 32 NFL teams in points per game. By comparison, the Patriots held teams to 20.4 points per game and ranked 6th.
With the defense on par with the Patriots, the next step should occur with the 2019 NFL draft. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is on the last year of his rookie contract. This gives the Cowboys front office a few options. They can give Prescott an extension now. They can give Prescott an extension during the season. They can give Prescott an extension at the end of next season. Finally, they can hit Prescott with a franchise tag and push all the negotiations back another year.
To be like the Patriots, I would use the Cowboys second round, 58th overall draft spot or third round spot to select a quarterback. Since the Patriots drafted quarterback Tom Brady in 2000, they have drafted the following quarterbacks: Rohan Davey (2002 – 4th round), Kliff Kingsbury (2003 – 6th round), Matt Cassel (2005 – 7th round), Kevin O’Connell (2008 – 3rd round), Zac Robinson (2010 – 7th round), Ryan Mallett (2011 – 3rd round), Jimmy Garoppolo (2014 – 2nd round), Jacoby Brissett (2016 – 3rd round) and Danny Etling (2018 – 7th round).
I like to believe that the Patriots were trying to discover the next version of Cowboys former quarterback Tony Romo. The Patriots drafted backup quarterbacks that other teams wanted on their roster. Is quarterback Mike White, drafted by the Cowboys in 2018 in the 5th round, going to be given a chance to compete for the starting job? Will teams offer a 2nd round pick for White. The San Francisco 49’ers traded a 2nd round pick to get Garoppolo from the Patriots.
I can’t wait to see more of Mike White just based on his glowing scouting report by the Dallas News. If White is going to be on the roster, it’s time to showcase his skills and development before giving Prescott a long term deal. The same can be said for Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush an undrafted free agent signed in 2017. Given a remarkable performance by either backup quarterback and Prescott might become valuable trade bait as a 4th round pick and three year starter.
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The Cowboys need to draft a quarterback with the intention of developing him into a future Cowboys’ starter or trade bait. The goal is to have competition for the starting quarterback position. Another bonus is having a valuable asset to trade in the future for draft picks. The New England Patriots have been doing it effectively, why shouldn’t the Dallas Cowboys do the same?
#GoCowboys