GRAPEVINE, Texas – In between rounds at Wednesday's annual golf classic at Cowboys Golf Club, team brass visited with reporters about the offseason to date. Some highlights from Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones and head coach Jason Garrett:
- Here's a sign the Cowboys have built strong depth across their roster: Since the draft, Jones said teams around the league about potential trades at different positions, "which I think says a lot," Jones said. "We've got some really good football players. I love Jerry's famous line: you keep strong at a position by drafting a position of strength. That's what we did with (third-round pick Connor) McGovern. I think we've got some real depth there on the offensive line, not to mention many other positions. So I think that'll pay off for us."
- Regarding those outside trade calls, Jones said teams have gauged their interest in adding another safety, but they're "not in any hurry" to make a move. "We feel good about our safety position," he said. "I just think we've got a good situation." The Cowboys have improved safety depth this spring by signing veteran George Iloka in March and drafting Texas A&M's Donovan Wilson in the sixth round behind returning starters Xavier Woods and Jeff Heath.
- As good as the Cowboys feel about their 2019 draft class, they're also excited about the group of undrafted free agents they agreed to terms with last week. Several had draftable grades on their board. "We felt like we got some really good players that can come in here and compete," Jones said.
- Ahead of this weekend's rookie minicamp, the players will arrive at The Star on Thursday for physicals and a meeting. On Friday and Saturday they'll have two jog-through style practices. Sunday will be a half-day of work. The camp will resemble more of an orientation than a full-paced practice setting. "Just to try to get them a feel for how we do things around here," Garrett said. "I think the biggest thing is for them to start to understand the football terminology but also just the approach that we take."
- Jones reiterated the organization's motivation to take the "next step" this season after reaching the divisional round in 2018. "It starts with Jerry and myself and Jason and (vice president of player personnel) Will (McClay)," Jones said. "I do think we have the right type of people, if you will -- players with tremendous skill, that are highly competitive, that the fire burns bright in their belly to win championships. We obviously haven't taken that next step. We know we have to do that or there's going to be criticism and rightfully so."
