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Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Recap/Grade – 2018

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Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Recap/Grade – 2018

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Dallas Cowboys Draft Picks (2018)

 

Key Positional Needs Entering Draft

  • Wide Receiver
  • Inside Linebacker
  • Offensive Guard
  • Defensive Tackle
  • Safety

Recap

Being a jaded Dallas Cowboys fan post Jimmy Johnson blinded me initially to the start of a very encouraging draft class. Anthony Hitchens cashed in as a free agent with Kansas City so enter Leighton Vander Esch, the 2017 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. I believe he’s a substantially better player than #54 pre-injury (you know who I’m talking about), fills a huge void at middle linebacker, and although he has injury concerns of his own, his best football is ahead of him. CPGM warned folks an off-season ago that the losses of Doug Free (retirement) and Ronald Leary (free agency) would result in the offense as a whole taking a step back so a year later enter Connor Williams, once considered a Top 15 talent prior to injury, represents tremendous value as a second round pick and should flourish at left guard between Tyron Smith and Travis Federick. As for Michael Gallup just check out this video as well as this one on our Youtube Channel. I can’t remember a Dallas Cowboys draft selection that I was more excited about and in the third round no less. Dallas remained busy on Day 3 adding pass rush specialist Dorance Armstrong and perhaps the best blocking tight end in the class in Dalton Schultz. Mike White has some upside as a developmental QB and Chris Covington provides depth and could be a core special teams player. Cedric Wilson in the 6th round could be a steal. According to CPGM Headley Wilson has the ability and upside to make a substantial impact on offense as early as his rookie season. Bo Scarbrough is a big, physical ball-carrier with little to no wear and tear and is a nice late round flier. Finally as part of their “draft haul” the Cowboys traded a 6th round pick for WR/RB Tavon Austin and shipped WR Ryan Switzer to the Oakland Raiders for defensive end/tackle Jihad Ward. The Switzer deal I understand as he and Cole Beasley had redundant roles. As for Austin the acquisition, I’m not a fan. He’s more running back than receiver and I’m not convinced he’ll actually provide the utility the Dallas Cowboys front office hopes he will. I felt there were some missed opportunities to improve the interior pass rush or bolster the back end of the defense at safety but overall, I believe this draft class is the best Dallas has had in the last 6-8 years at minimum.

Favorite Pick

Michael Gallup was my favorite pick and it wasn’t close. I have been beating the drum for the CSU receiver for a while and had seen everything I needed to see after his 2016 campaign let alone 2017 when he was named a Biletnikoff Award Finalist.








Fantasy Football Implications

Michael Gallup seems like the obvious answer but I think Connor Williams has a greater impact in 2017. Williams helps return the running game to it’s former glory and stabilizes Dallas’ shaky pass protection in 2017. He also serves as insurance at tackle in the event Smith or La’el Collins misses time due to injury. Don’t kid yourself; for all of Ezekiel Elliott’s ability, Dallas was only 1-game over .500 last season with Elliott in the lineup and his 4.1 yards per carry in 2017 was a full yard less than his 5.1 average in 2016. Let’s not forget that it wasn’t too long ago that DeMarco Murray led the NFL in rushing (2014) and Darren McFadden finished 4th in rushing on a bad football team (2015). Too be perfectly frank I think Collins should play left guard and Williams right tackle. Nevertheless, it should be smoother sailing for both Dak Prescott and Elliott in 2018.

Draft Grade

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