Dallas Cowboys draft: Reclaiming 2016 identity at pick 19

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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 02: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys crosses the goal line to score a rushing touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Dallas Cowboys have many options for their first draft selection tonight. Surprise picks and multiple needs should fuel the suspense.

Defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the meaningless, final game of 2017 is bearing a much greater cost than Dallas Cowboys management had the foresight to grasp.

Many fans warned they should solely play youth and depth players to evaluate, gain experience, and finish 8-8. Instead the moral victory cost the team three draft slots.

The win forfeited the 16th selection to Baltimore. A pick that could’ve been traded with their 3rd (80) and extra 4th (137) rounder to secure Green Bay’s 12th spot.

Pick 12 would’ve guaranteed an elite difference maker at linebacker (Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds) or safety (Derwin James, Minkah Fitzpatrick). Plus they would’ve retained seven more picks in the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th (3), and 7th.

Crying over spilled milk won’t help tonight, but should serve as a cautionary tale the next time naive desire for moral victory is weighed against better draft position.

Without further ado, let’s take a dive into the here and now of tonight’s draft and what we might expect from the Dallas Cowboys.

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