Player turnover - Starters

[Fred]

There are several different ways that this team can turnover their line-up (as with all teams) for 2013. But, I was thinking, how many different starters will we have and from where will they come? So, I ask my Cowboys brethren, as far as starting positions are concerned, answer the following questions:

Where will changes in the starting positions come from this year (assume that our starters are who they were supposed to be in 2012 minus injuries; ex: Lee is a starter so don't list him as a change)?

Trades:
Free Agency:
Draft:
From current roster:
Other:

fill in the blanks with your responses and explain your thoughts, and please, no goofball responses like "trade for Andrew Luck and kick Romo to the curb", we know that is not realistic...if you see trades occuring, then make mindful suggestions....go

[Fred]

Mine are:

Trades: NONE. I don't see any trade resulting in a starter coming to us; I could see a trade netting us a draft pick or two
Free Agency: ONE. I feel that we get one starter on the OLine; I have leaned all along to Tackle, but I think that position is much stronger in the draft, and thus, I could see a guard in free agency
Draft: TWO: I see two starters from this draft, possibly 3 although that would be asking a lot; the starters come form the OLine (if we get a T in FA, then a guard or if a G in FA, then a T) and also either a DT or DE in Round #2 (depends on whether Ratliff is on the roster)
From current roster: TWO or THREE. I feel that Matt Johnson will start at safety; I just see something about this kid that makes me think that he will be a starter. Perhaps not on day 1, but I think he will be a starter before mid-season. I could also see Leary getting his chance to be a starter. also, either wilbur or albright gets the 3rd LB position (I don't see spencer being there and if he is, he will be a DE)
Other: NONE. Originally, I was going to say that aliens or the mayans would send us a player, but I will forego that since I asked for no goofball responses

Re-Cap: FIVE. two on the offensive line, one on the defensive line, one at safety one at linebacker; the number jumps to six if ratliff is gone (we would have 2 new DL)

Note: I could also see the team moving towards a 2 TE offense if they decide to trade Austin as some in here have suggested. In that case, I could see 5 to 6 starting changes with austin out and Hanna in.

what are your thoughts?

[Romo2Bryant]

Trades: NONE.

Free Agency: TWO. One starter at offensive line (Guard or Tackle) and Linebacker.

Draft: THREE. 1. Oline (Guard or Tackle) 2. Dline (DE or DT) 3. Safety

From Current Roster: ONE. I could see Tyrone Crawford or Sean Lissemore playing DT or DE.

Re-Cap: SIX. 2 offensive line, 2 defensive line, 1 safety, and 1 linebacker.

Scenario:
Free Agency: Andy Levitre (LG), Daryl Smith/Manny Lawson/Justin Durant (Linebacker)
Draft: Sheldon Richardson (DT), Eric Reid (FS), Brennan Williams (RT)

Conclusion: This would add tremendous amount of talent.

[sunnydayin'zona]

Mine are:

Trades: NONE. I don't see any trade resulting in a starter coming to us; I could see a trade netting us a draft pick or two
Free Agency: ONE. I feel that we get one starter on the OLine; I have leaned all along to Tackle, but I think that position is much stronger in the draft, and thus, I could see a guard in free agency
Draft: TWO: I see two starters from this draft, possibly 3 although that would be asking a lot; the starters come form the OLine (if we get a T in FA, then a guard or if a G in FA, then a T) and also either a DT or DE in Round #2 (depends on whether Ratliff is on the roster)
From current roster: TWO or THREE. I feel that Matt Johnson will start at safety; I just see something about this kid that makes me think that he will be a starter. Perhaps not on day 1, but I think he will be a starter before mid-season. I could also see Leary getting his chance to be a starter. also, either wilbur or albright gets the 3rd LB position (I don't see spencer being there and if he is, he will be a DE)
Other: NONE. Originally, I was going to say that aliens or the mayans would send us a player, but I will forego that since I asked for no goofball responses

Re-Cap: FIVE. two on the offensive line, one on the defensive line, one at safety one at linebacker; the number jumps to six if ratliff is gone (we would have 2 new DL)

Note: I could also see the team moving towards a 2 TE offense if they decide to trade Austin as some in here have suggested. In that case, I could see 5 to 6 starting changes with austin out and Hanna in.

what are your thoughts?

I don't know how I feel about the Austin thing, but otherwise I pretty much agree with this post.

I'd really love for us to be able to resign Spencer and still get a T/G in free agency, without losing Ratliff or Austin. Maybe they can work cap magic and still bring Jenkins back for depth.

As far as the Safety position goes, I see Church and Johnson starting. I'd be okay with that. They're young and showing potential, I'd be okay with letting them grow into it. We can afford to do this because of our strength/depth at CB and because Kiffin and his crew should be pretty good at developing them.

But if we resign Spencer and draft another DT/DE in the 2nd round, our D-line is DEEP and talented.

Ware-Ratliff-Hatcher-Spencer (Crawford, Lissemore, Spears, Coleman (maybe), [rookie])

This goes with the awesome coaching we have at D-line in Marinelli.

Start Wilber at the other OLB position w/ Bruce Lee.

All of this put together should make a damn good defense, and its pretty young outside of Ratliff, who hopefully would have a replacement waiting in the wings. At the very least, its a defense good enough to hold its own while our offense wins the games.

I think the most urgent position is the Oline though. If, at the absolute very least, we get a T and a G while retaining Spencer and keeping Ratliff, I think we'll be very, very good next year.

Final note: if we can accomplish all that you've said, we will only need to look to develop a future replacement for Romo and a future replacement for Witten next offseason. Then, the year after that, we look to replace Ware in the future. All said, we will be doing very well if we play our cards right.

[sunnydayin'zona]

Trades: NONE.

Free Agency: TWO. One starter at offensive line (Guard or Tackle) and Linebacker.

Draft: THREE. 1. Oline (Guard or Tackle) 2. Dline (DE or DT) 3. Safety

From Current Roster: ONE. I could see Tyrone Crawford or Sean Lissemore playing DT or DE.

Re-Cap: SIX. 2 offensive line, 2 defensive line, 1 safety, and 1 linebacker.

Scenario:
Free Agency: Andy Levitre (LG), Daryl Smith/Manny Lawson/Justin Durant (Linebacker)
Draft: Sheldon Richardson (DT), Eric Reid (FS), Brennan Williams (RT)

Conclusion: This would add tremendous amount of talent.

I'd rather not draft Eric Reid, and instead draft another O-lineman or DE to replace Spencer (who we would probably have to lose if we bring in Levitre.

We have some young talent at Safety that I'd be willing to develop. Its also quite possible that the recent LSU CBs have made Reid look better than he is, but idk I haven't looked at him enough to say.

Other than that, I like this plan too.

[Romo2Bryant]

I'd rather not draft Eric Reid, and instead draft another O-lineman or DE to replace Spencer (who we would probably have to lose if we bring in Levitre.

We have some young talent at Safety that I'd be willing to develop. Its also quite possible that the recent LSU CBs have made Reid look better than he is, but idk I haven't looked at him enough to say.

Other than that, I like this plan too.

Yeah, there are number of different direction we can go. I would also like your plan. For some reason once I knew we were going to a 4-3 defense, we would be targeting a defensive lineman in the 1st round. The last few years they strongly consider drafting J.J. Watt, Cameron Jordan, and Michael Brockers. So I could see them finally pulling the trigger on a defensive lineman in the 1st round (Depends who's available).

[sunnydayin'zona]

Yeah, there are number of different direction we can go. I would also like your plan. For some reason once I knew we were going to a 4-3 defense, we would be targeting a defensive lineman in the 1st round. The last few years they strongly consider drafting J.J. Watt, Cameron Jordan, and Michael Brockers. So I could see them finally pulling the trigger on a defensive lineman in the 1st round (Depends who's available).

Well, since those are the guys they've been targeting, at least its safe to say that we have good taste in D-lineman. So if somebody rates out like those guys, it probably means we'll hit on that pick.

Also, how awesome would it be if they pulled a clutch move and move up to get Star Louteleilei (sp?)! That would only work if we manage to fix our oline issues internally and magically through free agency

[lbz88]

Trades: Two Austin for a 5th and Free for a 6th
Free Agency: One (DT) Melton
Draft: One (guard) Warmack
From current roster: Albright (Strong side LB), Crawford (DE), Parnell (RT), Harris (WR), Beasley (3rd WR)
Other: Romo, Ware, Carr restructure

[pacowboysfan]

Draft: one guard or right tackle
Free agency: one guard or right tackle
Our own: Albright Strong side LB
I think we stay with Senci. and Church at safety. I think we keep Austin.
I think we resign Spencer.

I think we draft a good DT that is a rotational player but not a starter.