For months, the list of candidates to become the first round pick for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys draft has been evolving. The list of usual suspects includes the following players:
- Safety Grant Delpit LSU
- Safety Xavier McKinney Alabama
- CB C.J Henderson FLORIDA
- CB Kristian Fulton LSU
- CB Trevon Diggs ALABAMA
- DE K’Lavon Chaisson LSU
- DT Javon Kinlaw SOUTH CAROLINA
- WR Jerry Jeudy ALABAMA
- WR Henry Ruggs III ALABAMA
- WR CeeDee Lamb OKLAHOMA
Throughout the draft process some of those players listed above have seen their draft stock plummet while others seem to have risen beyond the reach of pick #17. Now that the draft is less than 2 weeks away, the free agency period has begun, and NFL rosters are beginning to take shape, a clearer picture is beginning to shape. Never the less, the NFL draft is unpredictable and the player selected in the first round pick for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys draft may end up surprising everyone. Here are a few surprise candidates that could end up seeing their name called at pick #17 or in a trade back scenario, for the Dallas Cowboys.
LB ZACK BAUN (WISCONSIN)
Zack Baun struggled with injuries earlier in his collegiate career but was extremely productive in his final two seasons at Wisconsin. He is a talented and intelligent off-ball linebacker who is exceptionally skilled as a pass rusher. Baun was not projected as a first round pick early in the draft process but I have seen his name mentioned in that conversation often of late. He has aslo been linked to the Dallas Cowboys from several sources. Considering the Cowboys needs at cornerback, safety, and defensive end, it would be quite surprising if Dallas selected a linebacker in the first round. Still, Baun’s ability to rush the passer is something that the new defensive coaching staff covets.
LB KENNETH MURRAY (OKLAHOMA)
Another linebacker that the Dallas Cowboys are rumored to have interest in is Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray. At first glance the Dallas Cowboys do not appear to have a need at linebacker but consider all of the following:
- Sean Lee could be in his last year and has not been durable throughout his career.
- Jaylon Smith had a down year despite making the Pro-Bowl in 2019.
- Leighton Vander Esch has had issues with his neck that some believe are career threatening.
Indeed, if Kenneth Murray were the Dallas Cowboys first round selection, it would likely mean the outlook is bad for Vander Esch. Kenneth Murray would make sense around the pick #17 range and would provide leadership, high character, and elite speed and athleticism. Murray still has some things to learn on the field and would therefore benefit greately from the presence of the veteran Sean Lee. Murray may not be the sexiest pick for the Cowboys but he has the potential to grow into a star in Dallas.
C CESAR RUIZ (MICHIGAN)
Travis Frederick rocked Cowboys Nation by announcing his retirement before the age of 30. Frederick missed all of 2018 after suffering from the rare nerve disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He returned in 2019 and earned his 5th Pro-Bowl appearance but he had a down year by his standards and cited that as the main reason he was walking away. Cesar Ruiz would be a reach in the first round but he is young and he is widely considered the best center in the draft. If the Dallas Cowboys were as surprised as Cowboys fans were about Frederick’s retirement, it could be plausible that they would try to replace him with their first round draft pick. It appears however that when the Cowboys drafted Connor McGovern in 2019 and resigned Joe Looney in free agency, that maybe they were prepared for the possibility of losing Frederick.
DE CURTIS WEAVER (BOISE STATE)
Curtis Weaver would definitely be a shock selection in the first round for the Dallas Cowboys but far crazier things have happened in the NFL Draft. Weaver is a polarizing prospect. No one can deny his production but their are questions about the level of competition he faced, his body type, and arm length that allow him to be overlooked. An argument can be made for Weaver as a first rounder because pass rushers are premium commodities and the 2020 NFL Draft is not loaded with them. It is reasonable to expect that teams might reach for pass rushers before drafting from a deeper position group such as wide receiver. The Dallas Cowboys also have a track record of drafting players from Boise State and may have a higher opinion of players from that program than other teams might. I have seen Curtis Weaver drafted in the 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th round in several other mock drafts but it could be possible that he may be worthy of a first round pick because he simply excels at rushing the passer.
In addition to these surprise candidates, the first round pick for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys draft could be someone completely unexpected. Using a recent list of players who have had virtual meetings with the Dallas Cowboys according to Blogging the Boys, a surprise first round pick could be a wide receiver outside of the top three such as Denzel Mims (Baylor), Tee Higgins (Clemson), or Jalen Reagor (TCU). Or, perhaps a cornerback like A.J Terrell (Clemson) or Jeff Gladney (TCU). Quite possibly they could draft an interior DL such as Justin Madabuike (Texas A&M) or Marlon Davidson (Auburn). Finally, what if the Cowboys were to draft one of the elite offensive tackles that could potentially fall to pick#17? Considering Tyron Smith has had chronic back issues, it could prove to be a prudent move especially if that player were the best player available.
There is a lot more uncertainty regarding who will be the first round pick for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys because for the first time in a decade there is a new regime making that decision. For better or for worse there is sure to be a lot of scrutiny when it is all said and done. That has always been the case. Look no further that the recent past were fans have overreacted one way or another on draft day; Morris Claiborne, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, Anthony Hitchens, Randy Gregory, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, etc. History has shown that often the least exciting, less popular, and most head scratching selections prove to be the best while just as often the biggest splashes often result in the biggest disappointments. That is why whoever the first round pick may be, Dallas Cowboys fans must remember to keep an open mind and hope for the best.
*Photo by Bely Medved https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Prospect rankings and analysis based in part by information provided by…
The Athletic’s 2020 NFL Draft Guide by Dane Brugler The Athletic.com available for purchase HERE
NFL.COM2019 Draft Prospects ;https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/prospects
NFLTradeRumors.co https://nfltraderumors.co/2020-nfl-draft-prospect-visit-tracker/
WalterFootball.com https://walterfootball.com/prospectMeetings/byteam
2020 Dallas Cowboys Draft Visits Tracker: All visits, reports, and rumors for prospects, By RJ Ochoa and Dave Halprin Blogging the Boys, SB Nation Updated Apr 10, 2020, 3:37pm CDT
Lindy’s Sports 2020 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