5 major takeaways from the Cowboys’ 2022 NFL Draft
![FRISCO, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: Team owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys talks with the media during a press conference at the Ford Center at The Star on January 08, 2020 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) FRISCO, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: Team owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys talks with the media during a press conference at the Ford Center at The Star on January 08, 2020 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthelandryhat-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2022-2F03-2F1198313893-850x560-eca10bc8729a39ac8c9d7c701083eec55098b8bb3cd0790a636f7812b713edc8.jpg)
4. They Wanted Mean and Got Mean
The playoff loss to the San Fransisco 49ers left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth, but no one more than owner Jerry Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy. The word coming out of the Cowboys’ war room was that McCarthy and Jones continually brought up that loss and the team’s lack of physicality and toughness during each of their selections to keep it on everyone’s minds. They wanted players that fit that mold along with the traits and roster fits. With that in mind, the Cowboys’ draft really does reflect exactly what both Jones and McCarthy were looking for, physical and tough players.
'LET'S GET PHYSICAL'
— fishsports (@fishsports) April 30, 2022
Inside #Cowboys War Room: Coach Mike McCarthy 'Big Boy' #NFLDraft Message https://t.co/tAE78oIFao via @fishsports
The additions of Tyler Smith, Jake Ferguson, and Matt Waletzko to the offensive line show a willingness to get more physical at the point of attack in the running game to help Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, and Dak Prescott in games. The additions of Sam Williams, John Ridgeway, and Damone Clark show the same willingness to get more aggressive on the defensive side of the ball. Overall, this team had a plan to change their style of play after a tough loss and so far are following through with this plan.