Mailbag: Why hasn't linebacker been the priority?

I'm seeing a lot of good quarterbacks in this year's draft. Any chance the Cowboys will pick one on Day 3?

I am all for using one of the first-round picks on a young elite defensive player, but what are the chances the Cowboys use one of those first-round picks to trade for a proven veteran defensive player? To walk away from the draft with a first-round cornerback and a stud linebacker or pass rusher by trading one of those firsts would be awesome.

I'm thinking there could be three benefits to waiting until after the draft to make a trade: 1) Dallas will know what positions need an improved veteran presence; 2) other teams will know where they have surpluses; and 3) teams won't be asking for this year's draft picks, so it'll be easier to dip into next year's picks for a win-now mentality. Thoughts?

New guy or someone returning from injury, which addition is your favorite so far this offseason?

Should the Cowboys elect to play Jalen Thompson at the nickel back and box safety positions, could his experience lend him to also be the green dot "quarterback" of the defense next year instead of whoever plays middle linebacker? How difficult would it be for a veteran to communicate from the nickel or even safety spot versus a young guy being in the middle of the field at linebacker?

I remember reading in the 1970s that Tex Schramm said the best way to draft in the late rounds was to draft a football body and hope to find a football player in it. This seems better to me than drafting undersized defensive backs and linebackers who were good at the college level but won't hold up at the pro level. What do you think?

Which position do you think is more important on the offensive line, left guard or left tackle? I realize left tackle protects Dak Prescott's blind side, but I feel guard is more important for the running game, which will then help the passing game. Given that, Tyler Smith is great at either position, but I think he is more needed at guard. What is your opinion?

Do you think Dallas is all set at the running back position? Javonte Williams had a solid year, but Jaydon Blue didn't seem ready, and Phil Mafah spent most of the season on IR. Is Malik Davis the answer at No. 2? Do you see them adding a back in the draft?

One of the biggest needs going into this offseason has been linebacker, and there are still plenty of good veterans out there – Bobby Wagner, Devin Bush, Germaine Pratt, Deon Jones, Devin White. I mean, surely one of these guys is better than none of them. What am I missing?

I recently read your Next Man Up series, and it stated there is always a possibility of moving Tyler Smith to left tackle again. Shouldn't the Cowboys evaluate Tyler Guyton for the long term, and if he is not the answer, draft or trade for a left tackle? Given Dak Prescott's window, this year is too important to be uncertain on the O-line?

With what we have seen in free agency so far, I feel that (once again) the Cowboys have no real intention of signing players who would help them truly compete for a Super Bowl. Do the Cowboys still need to make a big splash to convince us this team is really heading in the right direction?