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Predicting the Dallas Cowboys Draft Strategy

By Cory Castelan

Nov 21, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) looks to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State defeated Arkansas 51-50. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) looks to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State defeated Arkansas 51-50. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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With a four days left until the start of the 2016 NFL draft, we attempt to predict the Dallas Cowboys draft strategy.

Can you feel it yet? The 2016 NFL draft is now just days away and Dallas Cowboys fans far and wide are scrambling through mock draft after mock draft trying to get a lock on the team’s intentions for their number 4 overall pick. Does Jerry Jones lust after Ohio State running back Zeke Elliot? Will defensive need trump the best player available strategy?

Are the Cowboys really not sold on defensive end Joey Bosa’s skill set? The truth is; no one really knows which way Dallas is leaning when it comes to their first round selection. Everything is mere speculation at this point with a few clues here and there for the likes of you and I to decipher.

Much like you I have some thoughts on the direction the franchise might take when the draft clock starts this Thursday evening. My opinion is really no more important than yours so feel free to debate my ideas in the comment section or with me on twitter @corycastelan. With that being said; I have no idea what the Dallas Cowboys think when it comes to the 2016 NFL Draft, but Here’s What I Think… they think:

I think that the team will stay at the number 4 selection. There has been some rumors that the interest to move up in the draft has cooled considerably since the Philadelphia Eagles decided to trade away their franchise to move up 6 spots to the number 2 pick.

Even with that rumor I think Dallas would find it hard to trade away from the top-tier talent that sits at the 4th pick and into the middle of the draft where an impact player may or may not be waiting. I’m an advocate for the Cowboys to trade back, but I just don’t see it.

I think that Dallas will draft evenly on both sides of the ball. Most people, including myself, see defense as a major priority over the offensive side of the ball as far as drafting needs. Even though it may seem as though the Cowboys may be better off spending all nine of their picks on the defensive side I wouldn’t count it.

I think that the team will spread their draft picks evenly over both sides of the ball much like they have been doing under the Jason Garrett era. This could mean a few less than appealing picks, such as offensive line and tight end so Cowboys Nation may want to prepare for that.

I think that running back could see a slide into the later rounds before Dallas makes that selection. I foresee the team taking a runner somewhere in the draft but I don’t think it will be near the top. A lot of these backs that can be had for a 3rd round pick or later could really provide value if they are able to perform behind this big offensive line. Runners like C.J. Prosise, Jonathan Williams, Kelvin Taylor, and Alex Collins could all offer tremendous upside and compare favorably with some of the Running Backs with higher grades.

I think that if the Cowboys want Dak Prescott they’ll have to get him with their 3rd-round selection. Dallas has spent an immense amount of time and resources evaluating the Mississippi State quarterback which leads me to believe he could be their guy to come in and learn behind Tony Romo. I’d love for him to sit and fall to the 4th round but I just don’t see it happening. If Dallas thinks he could be the future face of the franchise they’re going to have to take him in the 3rd round.

I think the decision makers in Dallas aren’t sold on a lot of the top prospects. Nick Eatman reported here that the team got a less than favorable call about Jalen Ramsey, we’ve heard the Cowboys aren’t in love with Joey Bosa, and Myles Jack’s knee issue leaves a lot to be desired. Don’t be surprised if the team goes in a direction that hasn’t been popularly mocked up to this point. A name like Shaq Lawson, Noah Spence, Vernon Hargreaves, or Paxton Lynch wouldn’t surprise me at all.

I think that defensive end is the pick when the Cowboys are on the clock with the 67th pick. I think Dallas will go a different direction with the first pick and then have their choice from the second-tier pass rushers when they are back on the clock in the second round.

A name that hasn’t been getting a lot of attention from Cowboys Nation, but one that I think could interest the team is Shilique Calhoun the pass rusher out of Michigan State who has the ability to make an impact at right defensive end.

I think that whatever happens this Thursday… it’s going to be a lot of fun.

Next: Cowboys 2016 Draft: Three Defensive Back Targets

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