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Dallas Cowboys: D.J. Moore is the most Dak-Friendly receiver prospect

By Steven Mullenax

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 19: D.J. Moore runs against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Maryland 28-7. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 19: D.J. Moore runs against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Maryland 28-7. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Of all the wide receiver prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft, why might Maryland’s D.J. Moore be the perfect rookie to pair with third-year quarterback Dak Prescott?

With the release of former number one wide receiver Dez Bryant last Friday, the Dallas Cowboys are in need of a special talent at the position. The Cowboys are expected to find that future star in the upcoming NFL draft.

One of the players Dallas could take with their first round pick, 19th overall, is Maryland wide receiver D.J. Moore. Considered by some to be the best wide out in this draft class, even over Alabama’s highly-touted Calvin Ridley, Moore has been on an upward trajectory all offseason.

Coming in at 6’0″, 210 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, the Big Ten Receiver of the Year in 2017 racked up 80 receptions for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns for the Terrapins despite having four different quarterbacks under center.

I believe Moore is a great fit for Dallas. And more specifically, perfectly complements third-year quarterback Dak Prescott. Here’s why …

First, Moore is one of those coveted “right kind of guys” head coach Jason Garrett often raves about. He’s a high character prospect with an impeccable work ethic. Moore is also thick-bodied and durable. He’s not afraid to make the tough catches in the middle of the field and possess the physical abilities to play anywhere you need him (X, Y, and Z).

Secondly, Moore is electric when it comes to yards after catch (YAC). Because of his excellent short-area quickness, he can take a short pass and turn it into a big gain. And this, above all the other wonderful attributes he brings to the table, makes him very Dak-Friendly.

One of the biggest criticisms of Prescott is that he’ll often opt for the short, safe pass over the risk/reward of the deep ball. It’s one of the reasons slot receiver Cole Beasley led the Cowboys in receptions in 2016.

With the exodus of Bryant last week, the Cowboys have cemented themselves as a run-first offense. That style of play could lend itself to a more play-action and “dink-and-dunk” passing style. If that’s the case, Moore could be the perfect fit, taking Dak’s five-yard passes and using his special YAC ability to pull out monster gains.

"“With Dez Bryant no longer in the picture, the Cowboys need to add some playmaking receivers,” said Danny Kelly in his recent mock draft for TheRinger.com. “[D.J.] Moore is just the type of tool that Dak Prescott could utilize: A standout on ‘layup throws’ like quick slants, curls, digs, and screens, the former Maryland star has extraordinary elusiveness and speed after the catch, and is capable of taking a short pass and turning it into a big gain on any given snap.”"

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

It is unlikely the Dallas Cowboys will find a number one wide receiver like Dez Bryant in this draft class. But in D.J. Moore, they could find a wide out who can make the most out of every one of Dak Prescott’s passes.

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