Dallas Cowboys Draft Needs
The Dallas Cowboys entered 2020 with high expectations, but after an injury-riddled season, they finished 6-10. There is a lot of speculation about what Dallas might do at quarterback with Dak Prescott facing free agency. Still, Dak isn’t going anywhere, especially after how poorly the offense performed after he sustained a season-ending dislocated ankle. In order to fulfill the Dallas Cowboys draft needs, the Cowboys will need to invest heavily in the defense and bring in some young talent.
Top Prospects at No. 9
Two of the biggest names the Dallas Cowboys need to consider are cornerbacks Caleb Farley from Virginia Tech and Patrick Surtain Jr. from Alabama. It is no secret that the Cowboys need serious help in the secondary. Dallas decided to let pro bowl corner Byron Jones walk a year ago, and they missed his ability to eliminate whoever he guarded from the game. With Jones on the Dolphins and Chidobe Awuzie entering free agency, the Cowboys secondary is young and needs help. Dallas drafted Alabama corner Trevon Diggs in the second round of last year’s draft, and he had a very productive season before missing time with a broken foot.
Farley and Surtain fit the mold of successful NFL corners. At 6’2″, both of these players can compete with all different types of receivers and are not afraid to be physical. Surtain has proved in many instances and big games that he has what it takes to compete with some of the best receivers in college football.
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Defensive Line
When you look at the Dallas Cowboys roster, they have a much better team than most football teams picking in the top 10. An area the Cowboys have struggled in for the past few years is the defensive line. Dallas has not invested a high draft pick in a defensive lineman since drafted defensive end Taco Charlton in the first round out of Michigan. Charlton can be labeled a bust as he did not do very much for the Cowboys, and they ended up releasing him. With pro bowl defensive end Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory back from suspension, Dallas has good players. Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore is a name to watch as an option for Dallas to trade down and add an extra draft pick or two while still ending up with a good prospect. At 6’5″ and 311 pounds, men that size are not supposed to be able to move the way he does. Barmore dominates anytime he walks onto the field, but during the college football playoff, Barmore was a human highlight reel. Defensive tackle Trysten Hill made a solid contribution to the Cowboys before tearing his ACL and missing the remainder of the season. Pairing Barmore and Hill on the defensive line together would give Dallas size and athleticism, bolstering the pass rush and clogging up rushing lanes.
Offensive Line
A significant reason the Cowboys struggled on offense was due to injuries on the offensive line. Starting tackles Tyron Smith and La’el Collins were out for the season, leaving Dallas with young and inexperienced backups. Lineman Penei Sewell is arguably the best lineman in this year’s draft class. Now I don’t feel the offensive line is a significant need in the first round; if Dallas feels Tyron Smith will not be productive for much longer, they need to consider Sewell if he falls to them. Rookie center Tyler Biadasz was a bright spot on the offensive line before going down with a hamstring injury. Replacing All-Pro center Travis Frederick was not going to be easy, but in a handful of games, last season Biadasz elevated the offensive line play when replacing Joe Looney.
Dallas Cowboys Draft Needs
- Offensive Tackle
- Cornerback
- Safety
- Defensive Tackle
