With 10 picks, this was a HUGE draft for Dallas. While the departure of Dez Bryant made a lot of people think WR is the position of greatest need, I don’t agree. Here is what I saw as the 5 biggest needs…
Linebacker: Was a need last season, and with Dallas losing two LBs, it becomes the greatest position of need.
Pass rush: Dallas franchise tagged leading pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence and David Irving is also returning on a one year deal. I’m not sure if either of these guys will be around next season as Lawrence is going to command a huge contract if he produces again this year.
Left guard: Kicking La'el Collins out to RT left a huge hole here last year. Dallas picked up Cameron Fleming from the Patriots but that might not be enough. Dak Prescott needs all the time he can get.
Tight end: The Jason Witten situation leaves a big question mark. James Hanna retired.
Wide Receiver: Although Bryant is gone, I don’t see this as a HUGE need.
AND HERE… WE… GO…
Round 1, Pick 19
LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH - LB - Boise St.
If you listen to the right people in Dallas (@BryanBroaddus, @HelmanDC, @Birddog26, & @dpbrugler) you saw this coming. LVE brings what this organization loves, VERSATILITY. Big dude who always knows where the ball is. Biggest knock is that he only started one year. If he can ball, and it looks like he can, I am good. Let Sean Lee coach him up and put him in between Jaylon Smith and Lee.
Round 2, Pick 50
CONNOR WILLIAMS - OL - Texas
How Williams dropped this far I have no idea but I’M HAPPY HE DID because it looks like they found their LG. The game against the Falcons last year informed this pick. “The Great OLine of Dallas” looked more like a flatline last year. This could be the LG they have been looking for with Ron Leary leaving and Doug Free retiring, leaving huge holes… and it showed. After Tyron Smith got injured it was over. Putting Zeke behind a line that added Williams with a healthy Smith, Zach Martin, Travis Fredrick, and Collins could MOGA (MAKE OLINE GREAT AGAIN)!
Round 3, Pick 81
MICHAEL GALLUP - WR - Colorado St.
Stephen Jones said before the draft that they want competition with the wide receivers in camp. How do you do that…. GET ALL THE WIDE RECEIVERS (sans Dez). NFL is going spread offense and Gallup is a good fit for it. Physical receiver who can play X or Y ( there’s that whole versatility thing again). Good target for Dak.
TRADE
Cowboys give up 6th round pick # 192 for TAVON AUSTIN of the LA Rams… Remember, GET ALL THE WIDE RECEIVERS!
Round 4, Pick 116
DORANCE ARMSTRONG JR. - EDGE - Kansas
Dallas almost traded up into the 3rd round to grab him but instead waited and he landed right to them. Adding him to DLaw and Irving is going to made this pass rush legit.
Round 4, Pick 137
DALTON SCHULTZ - TE - Standford
GREAT TE for this offense. Dallas needs a solid blocking TE who can also catch. Great replacement for the departing Hanna… and possibly Witten.
Round 5, Pick 171
MIKE WHITE - QB - Western Kentucky
White becomes only the sixth QB drafted by the Cowboys since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989. I remember Bryan Broaddus touting White as only slightly different from the top QBs in this draft. Looks like Dallas will carry three QBs, which I think is a good thing.
TRADE
Cowboys give up Wide Receiver Ryan Switzer for Oakland Raider DT Jihad Ward. Dallas still wants ALL THE WIDE RECEIVERS, just not the ones named Dez or Switzer.
Round 6, Pick 193
CHRIS COVINGTON - LB - Indiana
Competitive guy. Speed guy. Possible special teams guy too.
Round 6, Pick 208
CEDRICK WILSON - WR - Boise
GET ALL THE WIDE RECEIVERS! (And Boise St players)
Round 7, Pick 236
BO SCARBROUGH - RB - Alabama
How did he get all the way down here? Don’t care! Put him behind Zeke and freaking RUN THE HOG!
WRAP IT UP
I can’t remember the last time I was this positive about a Cowboys draft. ON PAPER this was the draft Dallas needed. The biggest complaint you’ll hear from people is that they did not draft a safety. Meh… There are still UDFAs and FAs out there. Bottom line is that the Cowboys stuck to their board, and many of their picks had higher grades than where they ended up falling draft positions wise.
Positions of need got addressed, some lower risk chances were taken, WIDE RECEIVERS happened, and they even scooped a QB so ESPN can talk quarterback controversy in Dallas for the next year…
The NFL is moving to the RPO, and in my opinion, this draft reflects that Dallas recognizes it and is moving that way too. Lots of speedy versatile physical players.
