Dallas Cowboys: Grading each of the seven draft picks

It’s widely accepted the Dallas Cowboys secured a stellar 2020 draft class. Let’s take a look at each pick and assign grades individually.

Nearly all dialed-in Dallas Cowboys fans are beaming with pride after their team’s impressive draft performance. According to needs and value, they arguably may have won the entire draft contest.

Most experts and Dallas fans agree they fared no lower than a ‘B’ grade, with many final assessments praising the effort in the ‘A’ range. Plenty of overall draft grades have been assigned, so let’s take a stab at grading the class pick by pick.

When determining a grade for individual picks, one must consider talent, position need, pick value, and future impact, among other things.

17TH PICK – CEEDEE LAMB (WR) – A+

While there was slight hope one of the top three receivers would fall to Dallas, almost everyone was shocked Lamb dropped that far. The most versatile receiver in the class headlined many receiver draft boards.

It doesn’t get any sweeter than this fit with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup locked up for two more seasons. Dallas solidified possibly the most dangerous receiver trio in football. Even better, Lamb and Cooper will compliment each other through 2024.

51ST PICK – TREVON DIGGS (CB) – A+

Diggs was in the conversation as a possible Pick 17 selection if the board fell wrong. He was definitely a top trade down target if picking later in the first round. Filling the huge need at corner with a big, aggressive, talented corner at this value was a home run.

82ND PICK – NEVILLE GALLIMORE (DT) – B+

Simply off of need and value, Gallimore was a solid third round pick. Some projected him higher, though I felt the value was just about right. Toss in the immediate and especially 2021 need for a big, high-motor defensive tackle, and he fits well.

123RD PICK – REGGIE ROBINSON II (CB) – A

Robinson could easily deserve an A+ off of value, need, 2020 rotational impact, and 2021 starter consideration. However, there are a few things that need polishing in his game. The talent is there, but he must prove he can make the needed corrections to become a future starter.

146TH PICK – TYLER BIADASZ (C) – A

Biadasz falls into the same description as Robinson above. Great value, need, and high potential for impact. Injury concerns and needed fine tuning keep this potential future starter a hair away from earning an A+.

179TH PICK – BRADLEE ANAE (DE) – A+

While Anae will need pro development like the previous two, he had no business hanging around anywhere near the fifth round. 40 career tackles for loss and 29.5 sacks at a major college program (Utah) is serious business.

Anae led the Utes in sacks three years in a row. Utah’s defense was the 6th best in all of college football last year. The Cowboys needed pass rush, and landing a guy with this type of rush potential in the fifth round is rare air.

231ST PICK – BEN DINUCCI (QB) – B

DiNucci has solid tape and slung the ball impressively at his pro day. In 2019, he was mobile (569 rushing yards, 7 TDs), highly accurate (70.9% completions), and protected the ball (29 TDs / 6 INTs). All while leading his team to the FCS title game.

Toss in his attitude and competitive fire, and Cooper Rush now has legitimate competition for the back-up quarterback spot. The jump in class will have growing pains, but DiNucci will not be satisfied with being an extra camp arm.