News: Tyler Smith’s penalties explained, Cowboys OK with De Williams’ past
The Cowboys and their fans are still getting to know the team’s newest faces. One man who knows first-round pick Tyler Smith very well says he has an idea why the big man racked up so many penalties at Tulsa. And the Cowboys say they’ve reached out to many people who know Sam Williams, who has asked to be called “De”, well; they felt satisfied enough with what they heard about his past to take him in the second round.
Meanwhile, we’re getting up to speed on the second Cowboy ever drafted from Arkansas in the Jerry Jones era, we’re exploring a rumor about Malik Willis nearly being the team’s pick in the third round, and we’re previewing how soon fifth-round linebacker steal Damone Clark might see the lineup. A free agent safety is gone, 20 undrafted free agents are coming in, and we’re already looking ahead to compensatory picks for 2023. All that, plus how the draft pushed the Cowboys up the power rankings (or not) and where former Cowboys star Dez Bryant says he’d like to play next. That and more, in News and Notes.
Tulsa HC talks penalties, portal & more on T. Smith :: The Mothership
Tyler Smith’s college coach believes that many of the first-rounder’s much-publicized penalties came as a result of him being just too good. The refs, said Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery, “saw somebody on the ground and they were like, ‘Well, something must have happened so I just threw a flag there.’ He was that dominant and that physical of a guy.” And with Smith playing 915 snaps- well over the average for guards in this draft, by 150 to 200 snaps, Philip claims he was bound to receive a greater number of flags.
Cowboys: LB Damone Clark will be 'ahead of schedule' in rehab, expected to play in '22 :: Cowboys Wire
Thought at one time to be a surefire first-round pick, Clark saw his draft stock drop after fusion surgery to repair a herniated disc in March. But the 21-year-old is already back in rehab and able to do everything but hit. The Cowboys believe he’ll start the season on PUP but play before the season is over. If he returns to his previous level of play, he could end up being an absolute steal for a fifth-rounder.
Cowboys agree to terms with 20 UDFAs, including Texas Tech kicker :: Cowboys Wire
Among the 20 players who have agreed to terms are Jonathan Garibay, the Texas Tech kicker who nailed 15 of 16 field goal tries in 2021 and didn’t miss at all from inside 50 yards. There’s also Florida A&M safety Markquese Bell, one of the team’s official 30 visitors, and Boston College center Alec Lindstrom, whose brother was a first-round pick of the Falcons in 2019.
NFL Power Rankings: Which teams improved most after 2022 NFL Draft? :: NFL.com
How much did the Cowboys boost their ranking after their nine-pick haul? Well, about that… Dan Hanzus has them actually dropping a spot, from No. 12 to No. 13 with this draft class. While he likes the Tyler Smith pick, he seems lukewarm on everyone else. Of note, he thinks the division just got tighter; the Eagles improved four spots to No. 15 after their weekend in Vegas.
5 veterans Cowboys should sign following 2022 NFL draft :: Cowboys Wire
Nine draft picks, 20 undrafted free agents… but why stop there? There are still veteran players available who can help the Cowboys win now. From wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to defensive lineman Akiem Hicks to center J.C. Tretter, Stephen Jones could make good on his “we’re not done in free agency” vow by adding a few experienced guns for hire.
NFL Network speculated Titans traded up for QB Malik Willis out of fear Cowboys would take him :: Blogging the Boys
With the Liberty quarterback falling on Day 2 of the draft, the Titans finally traded up to grab him in the third round. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggested on-air that they did so, in part, to leapfrog the Cowboys, who they feared may have been ready to turn in his card. That seems unlikely; Dallas filled a legitimate need at No. 88 with wide receiver Jalen Tolbert.
Cowboys in line for 3 comp picks in 2023 as window closes :: Cowboys Wire
Dallas will gain three extra picks in next year’s draft. They look to net an additional fourth-round selection for the departure of Randy Gregory and sixth-rounders for both Connor Williams and Cedrick Wilson.
Cowboys FA safety Damontae Kazee to sign with Steelers :: Cowboys Wire
Kazee played over 78% of the team’s defensive snaps during 2021, but the sixth-year vet will now suit up for the Steelers after agreeing to a one-year deal with Pittsburgh over the weekend. He’ll play alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick, Karl Joseph, and Terrell Edmunds in a talented safety group.
Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones did thorough pre-NFL Draft investigation of Sam Williams :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The edge rusher taken in the second round was suspended at Ole Miss in July 2020 after being charged with sexual battery but was reinstated two months later after the charge was dropped. The Cowboys owner maintains that the team “thoroughly investigated those allegations and are completely satisfied that those are well within our comfort level.”
3 things to know about Cowboys nose tackle John Ridgeway :: Cowboys Wire
The fifth-round draft pick was just a two-star recruit who started his college ball at Illinois State before transferring to Arkansas for his final year of eligibility. After missing the season opener recovering from an appendectomy, he totaled 39 tackles and two sacks the rest of the way. He’s a huge run-stopper who specializes in 1-tech and could be Dan Quinn’s long-term plan at nose tackle.
What went wrong for the Cowboys in the 2022 NFL draft :: Cowboys Wire
Every team is happy with their draft in the moment, but things can take on a different look in hindsight. For all their protests to the contrary, though, the Cowboys can’t have gone into Round 1 with their sights set on Tyler Smith; he was clearly taken out of desperate need for an offensive line rebuild. The Sam Williams pick also seemed to be a scramble to replace Randy Gregory with a guy who fits the Dan Quinn physical mold, especially since there were higher-rated defenders still available.
Dez Bryant: I'm not retired :: TMZ Sports
The former Cowboys wideout hasn’t played since 2020, but he maintains he’s near football shape and looking for a contract. He’s even picked out a team he’d like to suit up for: the Arizona Cardinals. “Kyler, the coach… I love the swagger over there,” said the 33-year-old Bryant. He says he’d even be willing to be a backup if needed. (And now DeAndre Hopkins has been suspended six games by the league.)
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