The Dallas Cowboys have done a great job building their team through the draft the past several years. Led by Vice President of player personal Will McClay, the Cowboys have managed to hit on most of their 1st round picks and added key pieces in the later rounds. In 2019, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys front office hope that McClay can work some more of his magic and fill some glaring holes in the roster through both free agency and the draft. With the NFL free agency period yet to be begin, what are biggest Dallas Cowboys draft day needs at this current point in time?
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Defensive tackle is probably the biggest position of need for the Dallas Cowboys. In their divisional round loss against the Los Angeles Rams, the Cowboys were shredded for nearly 300 yards rushing as the Rams exposed the Cowboys lack of a true run stuffing defensive tackle. Defensive tackle being a clear position of need is certain; The Cowboys spending a high draft pick on a defensive tackle is not. Historically the Cowboys have not invested high draft picks on run stopping one technique DT’s but 2019 may finally be the year that they consider it. Antwaun Woods played very well in 2018 but he was banged up in the playoffs and the Cowboys may not be able to afford him down the road if he continues his stellar play. In addition to needing an upgrade on the interior defensive line to help stop the run, interior pass rushers are always a valued commodity for Dallas; Especially since they need to replace the oft suspended David Irving who will not be resigned in 2019. They also need to prepare for the likely departure of Maliek Collins when his rookie contract expires in 2020.
SAFETY
It seems as though the Dallas Cowboys have had a need at the safety position ever since Darren Woodson retired in 2003. Xavier Woods had a really strong season in 2018 but Jeff Heath and Kavon Frazier are role players and not legitimate starters. The addition of Earl Thomas as a free agent signing would instantly erase the need to draft a safety with a high pick in 2019 but that ship may have sailed. Earl Thomas wants to get paid like the stud safety he is and the Dallas Cowboys cannot afford to do that without jeopardizing their ability to retain their young stars. Therefore, safety remains one of the biggest Dallas Cowboys draft day needs.
TIGHT END
The Dallas Cowboys already have a couple of young developing tight ends in Blake Jarwin and Dalton Shultz. What they are missing is a legitimate number one dual threat tight end. Unfortunately, tight end is one of those positions where rookie’s do not typically contribute at a high level right away. If the Cowboys do spend a high draft pick on a tight end, they will not likely get an immediate impact out of that player. The Cowboys could look to add a true blocking tight end in the later rounds. Free agent Geoff Swaim may not be resigned and between Jarwin, Shultz and Rico Gathers the Cowboys could use an upgrade in terms of blocking.
WIDE RECEIVER
The Cowboys have decided to part ways with Terrance Williams and there is a good chance that they will also lose Cole Beasley and Tavon Auston in free agency. Once that happens, the Dallas Cowboys will have a huge need at wide receiver and specifically at slot receiver. Preferably, the Cowboys could draft a player that can play inside, outside and contribute in the return game therefore filling several holes all at once.
RUNNING BACK
Aside from All-World running back Ezekiel Elliott, the Dallas Cowboys are severely limited at the running back position. Rod Smith is a free agent but even if he resigns the Cowboys still lack a decent back up option behind Elliott. An alternative option would be to add a scat back or passing down back that can add an extra element to the offense and help limit Zeke’s touches. The Dallas Cowboys need to monitor Elliott’s usage and have a plan B in place if he does go down with an injury. Ideally, by way of free agency/trade and the draft, the Cowboys can accomplish two things. Add a 3rd down back who can also help out in the return game, as well as an upgrade as a backup for Ezekiel Elliott.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
The Dallas Cowboys interior offensive line is in good shape, especially now with the likely return of Travis Frederick. The offensive tackle position on the other hand is teetering on the edge of full blown crisis mode. Tyron Smith‘s health is a growing concern and La’el Collins is set to become a free agent in 2020. Swing tackle Cameron Flemming may or may not be resigned in the offseason and if he is not retained the position will become dangerously thin. The Dallas Cowboys need to consider drafting another swing tackle and potentially grooming a replacement for either tackle position.
CORNERBACK
Cornerback is a sneaky position of need for the Dallas Cowboys. Byron Jones and Anthony Brown will be free agents in 2020. Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are locked up for another couple of years but there is very little depth at the position behind those guys. The Dallas Cowboys defacto defensive coordinator Kris Richard likes his cornerbacks to have specific traits with regards to length and athleticism. The Dallas Cowboys will likely try to find a player that fits Richard’s mold in the later rounds of the draft.
OTHER POSITIONS OF NEED
Not as glaring as positions of need but still areas for consideration are linebacker and defensive end. Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are the best young linebacking duo in the NFL but the Cowboys are going to lose some depth at that position. Sean Lee may not be back with the Cowboys in 2019 and neither will Damian Wilson. Justin March-Lillard is also a free agent so the Cowboys may need to address linebacker in the draft at some point. At defensive end the Cowboys are likely to sign Demarcus Lawrence to a long term deal but if they are forced to use the franchise tag they have to prepare for potentially having to replace him. The Cowboys hope that Randy Gregory stays clean and that Taco Charlton and Dorance Armstrong make significant strides this season but none of those guys are proven commodities. In any case, regardless of talent and depth, it is never a bad idea to consider drafting a pass rusher in any given round.
Those aforementioned positions stand out as the biggest Dallas Cowboys draft day needs right now but after free agency begins, that list is likely to undergo significant changes. Keep in mind that the NFL draft is an opportunity for a team to improve but it is by no means a magic solution to fill every hole on a given roster. The Dallas Cowboys will not be able to address all of their needs in the draft but hopefully they can hit on a few picks and get another step closer to a sixth Super Bowl title.
*Photo by Kieth Allison https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode