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Dallas Cowboys: Making Sense of the Official Visits

By Jimmy Long

Nov 7, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Cordrea Tankersley (25) attempts to bring down Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) during the first quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Cordrea Tankersley (25) attempts to bring down Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) during the first quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys have several NFL Draft prospects lined up for official visits.  What does that mean, and who’s possibly a future Cowboy?

Each year, the NFL allows each franchise to host 30 draft-eligible players for official visits.  For the Dallas Cowboys, these visits have been critical in evaluating talent, and determining the players that ultimately wind up in Big D.

Just to shed some light on the importance of these visits, let’s have a little history lesson.  Since 2012, the Cowboys have drafted at least two of the players that had official visits.  Just last year, quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott were among the names that met with the front office.  We all know how that story ended.

Back in 2015, the Cowboys met with Byron Jones, their future first round pick and starting safety.  They also met with third and seventh round picks Chaz Green and Mark Nzeocha, respectively.

In fact, you’d have to go back to 2013 to find a year when the Dallas Cowboys didn’t meet with their first round selection.  (In their eyes they did, as they hosted Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker Ryan Shazier only to see him be drafted right in front of them.)

Essentially, it is very clear that Dallas covets the ability to meet with potential draft picks.  So let’s look at this year.  Per USA Today, the following players are set to meet with the Cowboys:

  • Takkarist McKinley
  • Taco Charlton
  • T.J. Watt (younger brother of J.J.)
  • Charles Harris
  • Kevin King
  • Cordrea Tankersley
  • Tarell Basham
  • Jeremiah Ledbetter
  • Treston Decoud

Personally, the meetings with Kevin King and Cordrea Tankersley excite me, but overall the theme is very clearly defense.  More specifically, every single player on that list is either a cornerback or defensive end.

Next: Ranking every top-10 pick in Dallas Cowboys’ history

Take from that what you will, but to me, it is very clear that the 2017 Dallas Cowboys mean business on defense.  And one of these players could very likely be wearing the Star come September.

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