Every NFL team has a team-building strategy. Some teams prefer veteran players who are dependable. Some teams like the high risk/reward element young players offer. Some teams like proven rookies who can hit the ground running. Others like rookies who have translatable traits that can be developed.
The Cowboys appear to be the last category of team.
Since Will McClay joined the franchise in 2009, Dallas has been a traits-driven franchise. College success and film study obviously matter, but if the prospect doesn’t have NFL-caliber traits, the Cowboys will turn their attention elsewhere.
Whether it’s size, speed, agility, explosiveness, or arm length, Dallas is probably interested in the measurement. Many great college players go on to have disappointing professional careers. Just like many average players go on to have better professional careers. The traits need to translate.
McClay recently spoke to 105.3 The Fan after the draft. He talked draft picks and expectations of draft picks.
“College football is not played like the NFL,” McClay said bluntly. “So when you draft a kid out of college, there’s going to be growing pains, but you want to pick guys with the traits, with the mental fortitude and the ability to continue to grow.”
McClay was on the topic of offensive line at the time, but he mentioned various traits in just about every corner of his analysis across the positions. He explained why traits matter in scouting and also set the expectation that “there will be growing pains” because the pro game is different and everyone must take a step up in order to compete.
There are two big takeaways from his comments:
- Patience is required with the Cowboys’ newest draft class because most of them require a hefty amount of development.
- Be excited about players from previous draft classes, ready to take that next step in Dallas.
The most recent draft class is littered with developmental players. Mazi Smith, Luke Schoonmaker and DeMarvion Overshown were all drafted because McClay and the Cowboys saw some untapped potential in them.
Smith wasn’t a pass-rushing factor at Michigan (scheme and assignment related) but Dallas thinks, based on his ridiculous athletic profile, they can develop him into one as a pro.
Schoonmaker wasn’t much of a pass-catcher at Michigan (scheme and assignment related) but based on his athletic profile they hope to turn him into one as a pro.
Overshown played a number of roles but never…
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