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Dallas Cowboys Draft: Expect an early run on safeties

By Steven Mullenax

Oct 29, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose (3) is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Justin Evans (14) and linebacker Shaan Washington (33) in the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; New Mexico State Aggies running back Larry Rose (3) is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Justin Evans (14) and linebacker Shaan Washington (33) in the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to NFL.com, there will be a run on the safety position early in the 2017 NFL Draft. And that is a position of need for the Dallas Cowboys.

The 2017 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Philadelphia. And it appears to be a very good opportunity for the Dallas Cowboys to improve their team dramatically, as their perceived areas of need are some of the most talented and deepest in this draft class.

Coming off a 13-3 regular season, the Cowboys biggest positional need appeared to be right defensive end. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones publicly proclaimed his team needed to find their war daddy this offseason. A premier pass rusher who could apply constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been a need ever since legendary defensive end DeMarcus Ware left Dallas in 2014.

But in March, the Cowboys needs in their defensive secondary leapfrogged that of a pass rusher. Three starters, safety Barry Church and cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, were all lost to free agency. But that was a calculated move on the part of this Dallas front office. They had an eye on this upcoming draft class, and knew who they could afford to lose.

So, the Cowboys top needs are clear going into the 2017 NFL Draft: cornerback, edge rusher and safety. And for months, several mock drafts (including our own) have had these three positions being addressed early. But NFL.com predicts an early run at the safety position. So much so, it may force the Cowboys hand to move up and grab one early themselves.

"“Safeties will dominate,” wrote Lance Zierlein, NFL Media draft analyst on the league’s official site. “While there’s been plenty of buzz about this sudden push up the board by quarterbacks like Webb and Dobbs, it will be the safeties that come flying off the board within the first 50 picks. Players like Obi Melifonwu, Marcus Williams, Marcus Maye, Josh Jones and Justin Evans will get pushed up the board.”"

If this prediction becomes reality, the Cowboys may not have as many choices as they expected in the second round as they possess the 60th overall selection. While it seem unlikely Dallas will draft a safety with their first round pick, 28th overall, it sounds like a real possibility a player they want in the second could be long gone.

Next: Dallas Cowboys Draft: Ten Final Seven Round Mocks

If there is a run on safeties early in the second round, don’t be surprised to see Dallas make an early trade to try and grab the player they want before he’s gone.

According to WalterFootball.com, some of the prospects at the safety position the Cowboys have meet with or shown interest in are Justin Evans (Texas A&M), Marcus Maye (Florida), Obi Melifonwu (Connecticut), Tedric Thompson, (Colorado) and Xavier Woods (Louisiana Tech).

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