Questions on wide receiver, Zach Frazier, and roster cuts…

Every week, we take questions on X (Twitter) and Facebook concerning Dallas Cowboys players and other team-related topics. So let’s get right to it.Every week, we take questions on X (Twitter) and Facebook concerning Dallas Cowboys players and other team-related topics. So let’s get right to it.

There is an argument to be made that Dallas has a significant need at wide receiver. The Cowboys should choose a receiver if they believe he is a better prospect than Jalen Tolbert. If there is a man on Day 2 who they believe will be a greater player than Tolbert, why not take him? Sure, Dallas has other needs, such as offensive line or linebacker, but if they solve those two and choose to wait until Day 3 for running back and cornerback, picking a wide receiver is a wise decision. Most significantly, they must secure a “X” receiver to replace the void left by Michael Gallup.

One could argue that Dallas has a huge need at wide receiver. The Cowboys should draft a receiver if they believe he is a better prospect than Jalen Tolbert. If there is a man on Day 2 who they believe will be a better player than Tolbert, why not draft him? Sure, Dallas has other needs, such as offensive line or linebacker, but if they address those two and choose to wait until Day 3 for running back and cornerback, selecting a wide receiver is a sensible decision. Most importantly, they must get a “X” receiver to fill the vacuum left by Michael Gallup.

“Which Cowboys are vulnerable of not making the 2024 team?”
(@MrEd315, via Twitter)
Mike: Right away, Cooper Rush comes to mind. When the front office paid Trey Lance’s signing bonus, they made it plain what they thought of him, putting Cooper Rush in a tough fight to stay in Dallas. His only saving grace is the rules for QB3. Another name is Chauncey Golston. Mike Zimmer prefers his inside defensive lineman to be massive and stout, taking up space, so Golston’s up-and-down style will not work for him. If Golston fails to impress on the edge, he may be on his way out. Currently, he has four sacks in three years.

It’s January 14, 2012. We are at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. With 14 seconds remaining, down three, and facing a third down, the 49ers need a touchdown to keep their playoff hopes alive – without going into overtime. Meanwhile, the Saints can end this with a takeaway and travel to the NFC Championship Game themselves. To understand how we got here and appreciate what this moment signifies, we must rewind.

Brandon: Mike makes a solid point regarding Cooper Rush. Initially, I felt Rush was a lock to make the team, but Dallas must justify giving up a fourth-round pick for Trey Lance. That would be a difficult sell if he is still the third-string quarterback. Rush’s value is even higher following a year in which backup quarterbacks played more than ever in the NFL. The Cowboys are confident that Rush can lead them to victory.

If Lance outperforms Rush in training camp, I could see Dallas banking more on his playmaking skills and moving on, but it’s not a tight call right now. Another surprising player may be Eric Scott Jr. or Villiami Fehoko. Both guys did not participate during their rookie seasons and were picked by a different defensive coordinator. If Mike Zimmer cannot find a space for them on his defense, Dallas can draft or sign competition in undrafted free agency, which could cost either player a roster position.

It could be similar to when Dallas cut John Ridgeway. They’d cut Fehoko or Scott off the initial 53-man roster and bring them back to the practice squad. That would subject them to waivers, which didn’t work out well for Dallas in 2022 when they cut Ridgeway, hoping to get him back.

Mike: There is every chance he will be there. His consensus ranking is currently 45th, but the lowest rank he has received from several scouting services is outside the top 100. After a few mock drafts, Frazier dropped to 56 roughly half of the time. However, if Dallas wants to be savvy and have enough options on Day 1, they can trade down. If they believe Frazier will not be available at 56, they might use their extra selection money on Day 2 to trade up and get him instead. Although Frazier has not formally arrived in Dallas on a 30-day visit, they did conduct a formal interview with him at the combine.

Brandon: Five clubs, including the Cowboys, could use a young center to begin the season. Zach Fraizer staying until selection No. 56 would be comparable to Trevon Diggs’ circumstance in 2020.

However, with Fraizer being regarded as the second- or third-best center in the draft, I doubt he will last that long. The only way I see Dallas getting Fraizer is if they trade back to the end of the first round and select him then, or if they trade back in the first round, select a tackle, and then utilize draft money to move up in the second round to get him.

Frazier is far too good a player to be ranked 56th, but I expected Diggs to be picked long before then. Who knows? Stranger things have happened.

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