Dallas Cowboys better fit: Calvin Ridley or D.J. Moore?

The Dallas Cowboys could have their choice between the top two wide receivers in the upcoming NFL draft. But which is the better fit in Big D?

The Dallas Cowboys are clearly not satisfied with their current receiver corps. And why would they be? What was once considered one of the strongest positional groups on the roster is now considered a weakness.

This after another down season from number one wide receiver Dez Bryant, who logged his third straight year without recording 1,000 receiving yards or posting double-digit touchdowns. Last season, Bryant caught only 69 of his 132 targets (52.3%), racking up 838 yards and six touchdowns.

The Cowboys number two wide out, Terrance Williams, posted a career-high 53 catches for 538 yards, but failed to score a single touchdown. The team’s reception leader in 2016, slot receiver Cole Beasley, saw his production drop dramatically from a career-high 73 catches to only 36 last year. All three of these veterans figure to be on the hot seat this offseason.

Last week, the Cowboys signed free agent wide receivers Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson. That is a direct warning shot across the bow of these Cowboy veterans, as this Dallas’ team typically only keeps five total wide outs on their active roster. And let’s not forget, the NFL draft is still to come.

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Speaking of the draft, there has been much speculation as to whether the Cowboys would elect to use their first round pick (19th overall) to select a wide receiver. If they do, there figure to be two top receiver prospects they’ll have to choose from: Alabama’s Calvin Ridley or Maryland’s D.J. Moore.

When looking at just the measurables, Moore is actually the better option. Both prospects come in at 6’0″ tall and have matching arm lengths at 31 5/8″. But Moore weighs in at 210 pounds, 21 more than Ridley. And that’s important as the latter’s slight frame is a concern. Moore also has bigger hands coming in at 9 5/8″ over Ridley’s 9 1/8″. Yet, both have had their issues with dropped passes.

During the Scouting Combine, Moore outran and out-jumped Ridley. D.J. posted a 4.42 forty and a 39.5 inch vertical jump. While Calvin ran a 4.43 forty and recorded a 31.0 inch vertical jump.

But in my eyes, Ridley has the edge when it comes to production. And that’s not due to his numbers, but the fact he performed on the biggest stage consistently as part of a Crimson Tide team that went 13-1 last season. Ridley recorded 63 receptions for 967 and five touchdowns in 2017.

Moore posted an incredible 80 catches for 1,033 yards and eight scores in only 12 games last season for the Terrapins. But he also played for a team that finished the year with a 4-8 record.

Both players also come with concerns as well. Some consider Ridley a better number two wide out in the NFL, which isn’t appealing for a player who is expected to be a first rounder. And some believe Moore is a better slot receiver, which again, is not a position typically chosen that high.

Next: Cowboys preparing for life without Dez Bryant

At the end of the day, I don’t believe the Dallas Cowboys could make a bad choice here. But if you have both Calvin Ridley and D.J. Moore available when your number is called, I’m taking Ridley. Moore clearly has a higher ceiling, but the Cowboys need a high-floor player who is a polished route runner. And Ridley is the best one in the draft. Combine that with his big-play ability and big-game experience, and I think he’s the best fit in Big D right now.

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