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Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft: 10 Surprises

By Michael H. Vu

Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Colorado Buffalos defensive back Chidobe Awuzie speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Colorado Buffalos defensive back Chidobe Awuzie speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Travis Frederick (72) during a game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Vikings 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Travis Frederick (72) during a game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Vikings 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Cowboys best the East in NFL Draft

In this year’s draft, I’ll pencil the Cowboys in for a B+ grade. I’m not sure about the Taco pick, but time will tell. If he becomes a disruptive DE and spotlight for the Cowboys, I’d be happy to flip the grade to an A.

Either way, I thought the Cowboys came out of the draft winners. The rest of the teams in the NFC East had some nice picks, but as a whole, I thought the Cowboys took the crown this year.

And let’s not forget, the Cowboys are getting reinforcements from last year’s picks in Jaylon Smith (LB) and Charles Tapper (DE).

6. Is Taco the new Travis?

All right, confession time. I was mad the Cowboys nabbed center Travis Frederick 31st overall in 2013. I thought Dallas reached. They had other needs. They could have picked up other big names.

Instead, they played it safe with their first-round pick.

See where I am going with this? Perhaps, Taco will be the next Travis. Let’s wait and see. By the way, can you name any of the eight players selected after Travis Frederick in 2013?

Here you go:

• #32 – Matt Elam, S

• #33 – Jonathan Cyprien, DB

• #34 – Justin Hunter, WR

• #35 – Zach Ertz, TE

• #36 – Darius Slay, DB

• #37 – Giovani Bernard, RB

• #38 – Manti Te’o, LB

• #39 – Geno Smith, QB

7. Jason Witten will do

For now, the Cowboys will stay with the tight ends they have. The Cowboys must believe in Rico Gathers’ development.

The team did not select Witten’s understudy in this year’s draft, which surprised me. Not that I am complaining, as I preferred to stay put with the tight ends they had. But I really thought Dallas would have snuck in a tight end there with one of their nine picks.

Again, the Cowboys went super defensive, which I believe was the right thing to do.

Well, darn: I guess we’ll have to put up with old man Witten for a few more years. I heard he’s a decent player.

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