The Dallas Cowboys are creatures of habit when it comes to the NFL draft. Two things that most knowledgeable Dallas Cowboys fans are well aware of are that the Cowboys tend to draft players they bring in on official 30 visits, and they do not like to spend premium draft picks on One technique defensive tackles. That could change in 2019 and there are a few reasons why. First of all, the Cowboys do not pick until the 2nd round @ pick #58. The draft board may not fall they way they anticipate it to and they may be forced to adjust accordingly. Secondly, the Cowboys gave up 273 rushing yards in the playoff loss to the Rams. That may change their tune concerning drafting a run stopping defensive tackles. Lastly, Jason Garrett is on a one year deal and he may wish to aggressively pursue winning now. That could lead to the Cowboys drafting players more likely to contribute now then drafting developmental, higher upside players. Given these variables, here is a dream scenario for the Dallas Cowboys 2019 draft.
ROUND 2: PICK # 58: The Dallas Cowboys select…Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
In order for this to happen two things will have to occur. First of all, the safeties that the Cowboys would prefer to draft such as Juan Thornhill, Taylor Rapp, or Jonathan Abram will be off the board. Secondly, a premier defensive tackle will have to fall to pick #58. It is not out of the question for that to happen. Almost every year it seems that a potential 1st round DT drops to the mid to late second round or further. Last year it was Harrison Phillips who fell to the 3rd round, pick # 96. In 2016, the Alabama connection of A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed went #46 and #48 in the second round respectively. Timmy Jernigan in 2014, Johnathan Hankins in 2013, the list goes on and on. If the best 3 technique, pure pass rushing DT’s are off the board and either Jerry Tillery or Clemson’s Dexter Lawrence are still there at pick #58, then the Cowboys could potentially ignore their past behavior and draft a defensive tackle. Either one of those players could step into the DL rotation and provide stability in defending the run.
ROUND 3: PICK #90: The Dallas Cowboys select…DARNELL SAVAGE, SAFETY, MARYLAND
The Dallas Cowboys are doing their due diligence on several safety prospects so it appears they are intent on drafting one. Darnell Savage does not appear to be a target for the Dallas Cowboys despite him being a popular fan pick. In this scenario, the preferred targets for the Dallas Cowboys have long been off the board but Darnell Savage drops all the way to the end of the third round. Perhaps his size limitations, previous injury history, and over aggressive play turn off a few teams from drafting him. If Savage is on the board this late in the game, maybe the Dallas Cowboys will take a chance on him. Savage is a play maker and also has position flexibility. He would be a welcome addition to the Dallas Cowboys secondary in need of guys that can make plays happen and create turnovers.
ROUND 4: PICK #128: The Dallas Cowboys select…CHARLES OMENIHU, DEFENSIVE END, TEXAS
There are some who consider Omenihu an early second round pick. Others, including Dallas Cowboys Draft Show experts Dane Brugler and Bryan Broaddus, consider him a fourth round, developmental prospect. I believe Omenihu is a freak athlete and that he would flourish under the tutelage of Rod Marinelli. Defensive End is no longer an area of immediate need for the Cowboys but Omenihu, like David Irving before him, could potentially fit as a defensive end or a 3 technique. He could contribute to a strong defensive line rotation this season and develop into a starter for the future. With both Maliek Collins and Robert Quinn likely gone next year and Tyrone Crawford another possibility to depart, some young talent on the defensive line is crucial to the Cowboys long term success.
ROUND 4: PICK # 136: The Dallas Cowboys select…TRAYVEON WILLIAMS, RUNNING BACK, TEXAS A&M
There are not many people who expect a player as talented as Trayveon Williams to last until the 4th round but running back is one position that is more undervalued than any other in today’s NFL. The possibility of an undersized but electric player like Williams or Justice Hill out of Oklahoma State being available here is a very real possibility. The Dallas Cowboys need a back up running back for Ezekiel Elliott and they also need a change of pace back. One of these two running backs would add an element to the Cowboys offense that could take it to the next level. Another play maker at a different position that could potentially slide is Georgia WR Mecole Hardman. Hardman is also undersized but he would provide immediate impact in the return game and also would eventually replace Randall Cobb as a slot receiver. If Hardman lasted this long in the draft, he would be an excellent choice for the Cowboys.
ROUND 5: PICK #165: The Dallas Cowboys select…ISAIAH JOHNSON, CORNERBACK, HOUSTON
Please keep in mind, that this is a “dream scenario” and that these picks are unlikely based on most experts analysis. Isaiah Johnson has been mocked as early as the mid second round due to his athletic traits and size. Despite his physical tools, Johnson is very raw and has major limitations as a tackler. If those undesirable variables contribute to teams passing up on him up to this point, the Dallas Cowboys would surely swoop in and draft this player. Byron Jones could be gone after this season and the Cowboys are already thin at cornerback. If they are able to draft the former wide receiver Johnson, and Kris Richard is able to work with him, he could emerge as a big time play maker for a promising defense.
ROUND 7: PICK #241: The Dallas Cowboys select…COLE HOLCOMB, LINEBACKER, NORTH CAROLINA
The Dallas Cowboys may be stacked at the linebacker position but they are very likely to draft another one to compensate for the loss of Damien Wilson and to add a potential special team contributor. Based on the prospects that they have been targeting, it appears they hope to find such a player in the later rounds. Players like Sione Takitaki of BYU and Dre Greenlaw of Arkansas but also Cole Holcomb of UNC. Cole Holcomb is considered by some to be an early day three pick and if he is available in the 7th round that would be great value for the Cowboys to select him there. Sean Lee may be back but we all know that he may not be able to stay on the field. If a player like Holcomb could step in and play some snaps in his absence, that would help the Cowboys immensely this year. Even if his contribution was simply limited to special teams that would be invaluable. Special teams play dropped off significantly last season for Dallas so a spark plug like Holcomb could be an upgrade in that area.
There you have it, a dream scenario for the Dallas Cowboys 2019 draft. On Thursday, the real NFL draft begins and no matter what happens, the real dream scenario is that the 2019 draft class helps propel the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl championship.
*Photo by Hillel Steinberg https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcode
Prospect rankings and analysis based in part by information provided by…
NFL.COM2019 Draft Prospects, webpage ;https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/prospects
Lindy’s Sports 2018 NFL Draft Guide annual magazine, published by J. Lindy Davis. Jr. and printed by D.M.D Publications Inc. 2100 Centennial Drive, Suite 100, Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35216
8 Takeways as Cowboys national draft visitors, Dallas Day guys identified,by K.D Drummond, April 5, 2019, 3:22AM Eastern Time, COWBOYSWIRE, cowboyswire.usatoday.com https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2019/04/05/8-takeaways-as-cowboys-national-draft-visitors-dallas-day-guys-identified/