UK COWBOY 

DRAFT DAY!

​

Since the Cowboys failed in the playoffs yet again, eyes move immediately towards free agency and the draft. The Cowboys did nothing in free agency. When I say nothing, I mean they let go of their starting left tackle, starting centre, starting running back, interior D lineman, outside corner and strong safety, as well as some extremely key rotational talent in Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler at edge. So let’s hope they draft well.

​

The Cowboys have picks 24, 56, 87, 174, 216, 233 and 244. You’ll see the big gap between 87 and 174, means that they don’t have a fourth round pick. Dallas traded their 2024 fourth round pick to San Francisco for former 3rd overall pick, QB Trey Lance, who they may be hoping lives up to the expectation of a 3rd overall pick very soon, with the current contract situation of Dak Prescott.  

​

The problem with being a good team, who doesn’t win, means that you end up picking at the end of the first round, where there is still some exceptional talent, but maybe not quite someone who can take you over the top. Tom Brady was selected in the sixth round, so of course that is not always the case but the consensus boards tend to differ more, the deeper into the draft you get.

​

Scouts will have been watching these players for their whole college careers, studying film, recording combine measurements, drawing NFL comparisons and scheme fits for each team. I listen to people on a Cowboys podcast, who talk to people who talk to scouts. This is how I get a gauge of the college scene and who the Cowboys are most likely to pick, should they be there at 24. And if they are there at 24, do you pick them?

​

A trade back is a massive option for the Cowboys in this draft, to pick back up a fourth round pick or potentially something higher in the third, depending on how far they are willing to move. Buffalo at 28 may want to trade up for a wide receiver, to replace Stefon Diggs. Kansas City at 32 may also want to do something similar. This is the furthest you can move back, if you want to pick on day one of the draft. Having done an endless amount of mock drafts myself, I would not be adverse to trading back to the top of the second round. A great spot if you find one of your first round graded talents, falling and you manage to pick up even more capital.

​

The main priority for this organisation is an offence lineman, either a left tackle or centre. I would be very surprised if that is not the pick in round one, should they stay there. Centre’s to look out for that the Cowboys may have their eye on; Jackson Powers-Johnson, Graham Barton and Zach Fraizer. Tackles; Amarius Mims, Jordan Morgan, Tyler Guyton and Kingsley Suamataia. Some of these will have first round grades, some second, but if two or more of these talents are there at 24, then a trade back option could definitely be the play.

​

In the second and third round, the Dallas Cowboys will be looking for a running back and linebacker in an order that fits their board. The depth at running back seems to be deeper and so you may see them wait for round three there unless some of the names they like are still on the board. Running backs to look out for; Jonathon Brooks, Trey Benson, Jaylen Wright, Blake Corum. Linebackers; Payton Wilson, Edgerrin Cooper, Junior Colson, Trevon Wallace.

​

Hopefully I have named at least two of their top three picks here and The Draft Show by the Dallas Cowboys has not let me down. This team obviously needs to replace a lot of talent with not many picks to do it with. Trade back scenarios would allow for more picks, to fill the holes free agency has left and so if you don’t see this team make the pick at 24, don’t be disheartened. I am looking forward to following this draft closer than I ever have before and hopefully learn a thing or two for next year.

​

My prediction: Jordan Morgan, Jonathon Brooks, Trevon Wallace.