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Dallas Cowboys draft: Reclaiming 2016 identity at pick 19

By Brad Austin

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)
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) /
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PULLMAN, WA – SEPTEMBER 09: Leighton Vander Esch #38 and Durrant Miles #91 of the Boise State Broncos apply pressure to quarterback Luke Falk #4 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA – SEPTEMBER 09: Leighton Vander Esch #38 and Durrant Miles #91 of the Boise State Broncos apply pressure to quarterback Luke Falk #4 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

ELIMINATING POPULAR OPTIONS

The 2018 draft class is very deep at receiver, yet lacks an instant, surefire star. Certainly a few will emerge, but current grades rule decisions in the top 20.

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Dallas went 3-0 without Dez Bryant in 2016 (winning by 7+ points). Brice Butler, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Jason Witten, and Lucky Whitehead ran the routes.

Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson, and a 2nd/3rd round receiver would add far more firepower than Butler and Whitehead. Drafting a first round WR is unnecessary.

The top two safeties will be off the board eliminating that option. Plus trading the second round pick for Seattle’s Earl Thomas (S) may remain on the table.

Linebacker is a priority, yet the two dominant middle pluggers will be long gone. Rashaad Evans is worthy, though he won’t be the best available (need) player at 19.

Selecting Leighton Vander Esch would ignore current shortcomings for future dividends. Such a punchless top choice shouldn’t happen two Dallas drafts in a row.

Vita Vea (DT), Harold Landry (DE), and Marcus Davenport (DE) are all enticing, dynamic athletes. Yet defensive line lags behind more pressing concerns at the moment.

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