Who should the Dallas Cowboys draft fourth overall?

Picking 23 spots higher this draft than in 2015, the direction the Dallas Cowboys choose to go in isn’t necessarily any clearer.

Opening night of Playoff football and with the Wildcard game between the Chiefs and Texans on TV, I’m sat thinking about the draft.

This was not what I had envisaged doing at the start of the season. I anticipated being fraught with nerves as the Dallas Cowboys battled through games the hard way but nevertheless securing success and triumphing in Super Bowl 50.

More from The Landry Hat

Obviously the football Gods were operating from a different script this season. Injuries to key players and turmoil on and off the field saw the Dallas Cowboys finish with their worst record since 1989.

Despite picking 23 spots higher than in 2015, the direction the Cowboys choose to go in isn’t necessarily any clearer. The need for a quarterback to backup Tony Romo became an all too evident need this year. A dynamic fast receiver to complement the threat offered by Dez Bryant. A running back was deemed the biggest need at the last draft yet the Cowboys passed- should they consider that in 2016?

What about on defense? The Cowboys still lack a double digit sack machine. A linebacker to ease the pressure on the oft injured Sean Lee. While Brandon Carr and J.J. Wilcox are lacking the necessary talent required for a Super Bowl challenging team.

Quite simply, the possibilities for the Cowboys at that 4th spot are endless. In the last five drafts, the 4th pick has been dominated by receivers and tackles.

2015: Oakland Raiders, Amari Cooper, WR
2014: Buffalo Bills, Sammy Watkins, WR
2013: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles, T
2012: Matt Kalil, Minnesota Vikings, T
2011: A.J. Green, Cincinatti Bengals, WR

The three receivers have a combined record of 66 touchdowns in 121 games. Each are the clear number one receiver for their given teams, it would make it surprising therefore to see the Cowboys take a receiver with Dez Bryant confirmed as a “Cowboy for life”.

It’s almost unthinkable to imagine the Cowboys drafting a player from the first round for the offensive line; it’d be the fourth player in six drafts for the line if so! While Doug Free may now be considered the weak link replacing him is by no means urgent.

Funnily enough, in the early mock drafts flying around it’s the same players appearing as being Dallas bound. Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith are two of those. Both play at linebacker and both will be under medical scrutiny with both players recovering from knee injuries.

Myles Jack, Linebacker, UCLA

Rob Rang from CBS Sports and Chris Burke from Sports Illustrated both see the Cowboys drafting Jack. He’s an athletic play making linebacker. Fast, powerful, combative he’s capable of wrecking havoc in the Cowboys secondary alongside Sean Lee and Rolando McClain.

He was something of a jack of all trades at college, lining up at a variety of positions (including offense). Versatility will always be welcome on a Rob Marinelli defense.

A look back at #BruinImpact: @MylesJack seals the UCLA victory with a 4Q interception vs. BYU.#BruinRevolution pic.twitter.com/Jl87X6VX0X
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) December 31, 2015

Jaylon Smith, Linebacker, Notre Dame

Todd McShay from ESPN and Dan Kadar for SB Nation both predict Jaylon Smith is the pick for the Cowboys. It ought to be noted that McShay’s mock draft was written prior to the nasty injury Jaylon Smith suffered at the Fiesta Bowl. This week it was reported that he’d make a full recovery but what impact that has on his draft stock remains to be seen.

"“What we do know is there’s going to be a full recovery. The repair is solid, and he’s very optimistic. We’re optimistic. And Jaylon is ready to get going with his rehab.” – Smith’s recovery"

Discussing Smith as a potential draft pick may be somewhat premature anyway with the player still needing to declare. The Notre Dame man has until the 18th January to announce whether he wishes to switch the gold of Notre Dame for an NFL jersey.

Whether the Cowboys go for a linebacker, quarterback or anything else in between you can rely on The Landry Hat to discuss it over the coming weeks and months.

Next: Five free agents the Dallas Cowboys should take a hard look at

Thank you for reading the above article. It’s our sincere hope you’ll visit our site often as we work really hard to provide Cowboys fans with fresh, daily content about their favorite team. Please feel free to take part in further discussions about this topic below in our comment section. All we ask is that each participant is respectful in both their responses and towards others. Thanks again and…Go Cowboys!

Home/Cowboys Draft