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Dallas Cowboys 2018 NFL Draft: Positions off limits in 1st round

By Christian Blood

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Dallas Cowboys
WACO, TX – DECEMBER 5: DeShon Elliott #16 of the Texas Longhorns breaks up a pass intended for KD Cannon #9 of the Baylor Bears and teammate Corey Coleman #1 in the fourth quarter at McLane Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

I have never believed in drafting back-end players early in a given NFL Draft when you’re deep end guys are limited in either skills and/or numbers. The Dallas Cowboys fit this description pretty well at this point in time.

If we keep in mind that the Cowboys have drafted several secondary players over the last few years, I can’t see why passing on other key positions for another back-end player – and a rookie, no less – would make the Cowboys better in 2018.

Show me a Kam Chancellor, a Roy Williams or a Sean Taylor and I’ll listen.

But I don’t see that kind of player in this draft, which is the norm.

Between Kavon Frazier and Xavier Woods, both drafted in 2016 and 2017 respectively, I believe the Cowboys are in position in at least one safety spot. For the few that clamour for yet another guy at this position, remember that there’s also Jeff Heath and Byron Jones also on the roster, the latter a free safety who’s likely to move to cornerback in 2018 with the expected departure of Orlando Scandrick.

Nobody would be opposed to upgrading this position – or any other for that matter. But where’s the certainty that Derwin James of Florida State or Minkah Fitzpatrick of Alabama come in and beat out Dallas’ current group of safeties already on the roster? Maybe they could, but am I going to gamble on that at the expense of possibly the best offensive guard, offensive tackle or defensive tackle falls to Dallas – or what if Arden Key of LSU somehow slipped down to No. 19?

Easy decision.

Frankly, I’m just as impressed by DeShon Elliott of Texas as anybody else, especially at free safety. Could he beat out Jones in terms of physicality? No doubt about it. But I can also get DeShon Elliott in the second or third round if current projections hold true until April.

Besides, Darren Woodson was a second-round pick in 1992. Chancellor was a fifth-round pick in 2010.

We’ll know soon enough about what defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli thinks about his safeties and who will line up where. Again, this is not about suggesting that the Cowboys should not draft any safeties – when opportunity arises then you take advantage.

But the Cowboys need more playmakers upfront on defense and this is true whether they retain DeMarcus Lawrence and David Irving or not. Remember that Randy Gregory is almost certainly done in the NFL and that something may need to happen with that awful contract belonging to Tyrone Crawford. Last year’s run at free agency netted failed projects like Stephen Paea and Damontre Moore, Cedric Thornton the year before.

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The Dallas Cowboys have drafted very well in recent years, at least take away a few dumb gambles here and there that just didn’t pan out. The franchise finally understands that free agency is rarely the answer and this is why the draft is so critical. Get that front seven built and then top it off with back-end players who you don’t want making tackles in the first place.

Any safety in the first round is simply not the priority, but Dallas could go there anyway.

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