'We've Done Our Job!' Stephen Jones Cites 'Inflation' in Cowboys Free Agency vs. Draft Plan
Over the first week of free agency, the Dallas Cowboys' lack of action has left many scratching their heads.
After owner Jerry Jones promised to go "all-in" earlier in the offseason, the Cowboys have been the quietest team in free agency so far. The only outside free agent they've signed is linebacker Eric Kendricks, and their re-signings have been relatively low-key as well. Meanwhile, key players such as Dorance Armstrong and Tony Pollard have moved on to sign multi-year deals with other teams.
Even with Dallas not having much cap space, many fans have grown frustrated with the team's quiet approach to free agency thus far.
According to COO Stephen Jones, son of Jerry Jones, there's a reason for that approach. The younger Jones cited an "inflated market" as a reason to stand pat in the early part of free agency.
"I've always been of the ilk that you, in this first couple of days of free agency, you pay good players like they're great, you pay average players like they're good, and so on and so forth," Stephen Jones said. "Because the market's inflated in our mind. That's one opinion.''
We get that line of thinking, as the contracts handed out in the first few days of free agency are indeed ludicrous. ... though we can debate one point: How can a team possible get enough great players if drafting is the only path taken? How can a team possible have enough picks to fill every hole by using mostly draft picks and never spending on outside stars?
The NFL Draft is indeed Stephen's explanatory go-to.
Jones said it's "not frustrating'' to be a non-buyer "because it means we've done a good job with the draft. That's a sign in my mind that our organization -- Will (McClay) and the scouting department and the coaches that have been through here -- we've done our job of developing players."
However, Stephen's comments likely won't change the way many Cowboys fans feel.
Dallas is in a tough situation because Dak Prescott's cap hit of over $55 million this season is heavily restricting the team's ability to make moves in free agency. ... Though Jones is suggesting that even if Dallas had that $20 million of room, it wouldn't be buying up Pro Bowlers with it.
So again ... the Cowboys have a chance to add an injection of talent through the NFL Draft, but will that really be enough to get them where they want to be? Is drafting well the be-all/end-all of "doing their job''?
