FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys are in a preferable position headed into the 2019 NFL Draft. The club added depth across the board addressing needs in Free Agency, and now the team is able to take the best player available (BPA) approach in the upcoming Draft.
Dallas gave up their first round pick in the trade for Amari Cooper, and Executive Vice President, Stephen Jones, remarked at the pre-draft press conference that with their second round No.58 overall selection, the only position they would not take is quarterback; everything else is fair game.
A refresher list of the Cowboys’ six selections in the 2019 NFL Draft:
Round 2, Pick 58 overall
Round 3, Pick 90 overall
Round 4, Pick 128 overall
Round 4, Pick 136 overall (compensatory)
Round 5, Pick 165 overall
Round 7, Pick 241 overall
Here is a look at the Cowboys’ top positional needs:
Safety- Dallas needs competition to increase production level of strong safety, Jeff Heath, and free safety, Xavier Woods. The team signed George Iloka to help boost the secondary, but additional depth is needed to bring consistency. Luckily for Dallas, this is one of the best draft classes at the safety position in league history.
Draft Prospects: Darnell Savage Jr., S Maryland, Juan Thornhill- S, Virginia, Taylor Rapp- S, Washington, Johnathan Abram- S, Mississippi State
Defensive Tackle- DeMarcus Lawrence signed his five-year contract extension and the team acquired Robert Quinn to replace Randy Gregory at right end, while he fills out his indefinite suspension. Dallas will be without David Irving, who made a public exit from Pro Football, and the Cowboys need depth at the interior of the line to pair with Antwaun Woods and Maliek Collins. This will help solidify the team’s pass rush and penetration at the line of scrimmage against opposing offensive lines.
Draft Prospects: Daylon Mack-DT, Texas A&M, Jeffery Simmons- DT, Mississippi State, Trysten Hill- DT/DE, Central Florida, Jaylon Ferguson- DT/DE, Louisiana Tech, Daniel Wise- DT/DE, Kansas
Tight End- Beloved veteran, Jason Witten came out of retirement, but he is solely a temporary one-year addition to the core. Geoff Swaim was the team’s primary starter pre-injury in 2018, and he signed with the Jaguars as a free agent following the season. Blake Jarwin emerged in the latter part of the 2018 season as a solid option in the lineup and target for Dak Prescott, but another standout player would benefit the core and would be taught/groomed by one of the best tight ends in the franchise history.
Draft Prospects: Jace Sternberger- TE, Texas A&M, Drew Sample- TE, Ole Miss, Dawson Knox- TE, Ole Miss
Backup Running Back- The Cowboys obviously have one of the most elite backs in the league in Ezekiel Elliott, but with Rod Smith entering Free Agency, the team needs a viable backup who can take some of the pressure off of Elliott and diversify the offense; a player who can strengthen the running game and help open things up in the passing game for Dak and the receivers.
Draft Prospects: Damien Harris- RB, Alabama, Mike Weber- RB, Ohio State, Tony Pollard- RB, Memphis
Wide Receiver- Dallas needs a contingency plan in the event that Randall Cobb does not meet expectations in replacement of Cole Beasley at slot receiver. Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup both had a positive impact on the passing game and Gallup proved himself as a deep threat as the season wore on in 2018. However, an additional target for Prescott and slot option in the receiving core would benefit the Cowboys.
Draft Prospects: Mecole Hardman- WR, Georgia, Emanuel Hall- WR, Missouri, Deebo Samuel- WR, South Carolina, Jon’Vea Johnson- WR, Toledo, Jalen Hurd- WR, Baylor
Offensive Tackle/Guard- Veteran OT La’el Collins is in the final year of his contract and the offensive line was plagued with injuries in 2018, without a consistent group of five players in the lineup. Connor Williams had a rocky rookie season, and acquiring a rotational player would boost the line and be another option if injuries occur, and would help address the question mark of Travis Frederick’s health. Dallas needs someone to help seal the line, and prevent defenders from getting to Prescott.
Draft Prospects: Keaton Sutherland- OL/G, Texas A&M, Patrick Vahe- OL/G, Texas, Dalton Risner- OL/G, Kansas State, Ethan Greenidge- OL/T, Villanova Greg Little- OL/T, Ole Miss
