Dallas Cowboys finding ideal mix of youth and experience
The Dallas Cowboys have 14 players nearing the age of 30 in the next two years. Is youth at these positions a prime target in the 2019 NFL Draft?
The 2018 version of the Dallas Cowboys began the season as the third youngest team in the NFL. Based on a study in the Philly Voice, the Cowboys rapidly dropped from the 17th youngest team with an average age of 26.1 in 2017 to an average age of 25.4 in 2018. With a fresh crop of draft picks and undrafted free agents available, it’s possible that the Cowboys could get younger. Is that a good thing?
In today’s NFL, 30 isn’t the new 20. Unfortunately, 30 has become the age where players seem to be discarded and replaced for newer, younger talent. Veterans are important to a team as they provide leadership and reduce the learning curve for younger players. I like to believe that teams require the proper blend of experience and youth to have success. The Cowboys roster currently has 14 players between the ages of 28 and 30 years old. That’s 17 players or 32 percent of the roster.
Starting with the three elder statesmen on the roster that are over the age of 30 and messing up the curve. Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur is 38-years old with 15 years of NFL experience. As a long snapper with today’s league rules, Ladouceur can probably play this position for the next 75 years. Let’s fast forward to the players that actually get hit.
Tight end Jason Witten is returning for his 15th season at the age of 36. Witten will be 37 when the season starts. Allegedly, he will be playing in a limited or reduced capacity. The Cowboys are used to seeing Witten on the field during every offensive play and the field goal units. If you have extra coupons for Tiger Balm, feel free to mail them to the Cowboys.
Linebacker Sean Lee is returning for his 10th season at the age of 32. It’s strange to think of Lee as quality depth, but he’s a mentor for the Cowboys sensational pair of young linebackers: Jaylon Smith (23) and Leighton Vander Esch (22). The official linebackers coach is Ben Bloom, but after Vander Esch’s breakout game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the rookie praised Sean Lee as being instrumental in his preparation and development.
If this team will have three players over 30 on the roster, Cowboy Nation should be happy that two of those players are Witten and Lee. The 14 players approaching 30 years of age are expected to be significant contributors to the Cowboys. Excluding kicker Brett Maher (29) and punter Chris Jones (29) from the list knocks the number down to 12. Players on special teams live forever – kicker Adam Vinatieri of the Indianapolis Colts is 46-years old!
Some of the names on this list include five offensive linemen: tackle Tyron Smith (28), guards Zack Martin and Xavier Su’a-Filo (28), centers Joe Looney and Travis Frederick (28). Wide receivers Tavon Austin (29) and Randall Cobb (28) both enter the season with one year contracts. Defensive ends Tyrone Crawford (29) and Robert Quinn (28) will challenge younger players for playing time. Finally, the player fans believe will replace future Hall of Fame safety Jeff Heath (27) is George Iloka (29).
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As a gambling man, I expect the Dallas Cowboys to focus on drafting talented youth to prepare for the departure of the 14 non-special teams members of the 28-40 age group. In the NFL, 30 is the new 65.
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