Cowboys, Jerry Jones have some big choices to make in NFL Draft

Free Agency – Secondary Help

This scenario has the Dallas Cowboys shoring up their secondary by bringing in Richard Sherman and reuniting him with former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Sherman who is still in his early 30’s plays opposite of rising star Trevon Diggs and provides veteran leadership and savvy awareness during games. They also sign free agent safety Marcus Maye away from the New York Jets to stabilize the back end. This should at the very least make the team’s back end much more improved.

10th pick – First Round

With their defensive backfield stabilized the Cowboys can draft the best player available that isn’t a cornerback. Penei Sewell somehow drops and is available as well as Alabama teammates consisting of defensive lineman Christian Barmore and wide receiver Devonta Smith.

Barmore feels a bit too high here but securing a player that fits a need a bit higher could be in the cards. I think Barmore will be a good pro who can contribute but might not be worth the pick here at ten. Especially considering Barmore is a three-technique and the Cowboys need more one-techniques.

Devante Smith aka the Slim reaper is sitting there at ten. This would lessen the blow of what could be a Michael Gallup departure via free agency after this year. Could Dallas really take receivers back to back in the draft? Stranger things have happened but I suspect this selection would have an after effect.

Taking Sewell makes a lot of sense here especially with the uncertainty of Tyron Smith. I think Sewell could be a position-changing left guard in this league and the Dallas Cowboys are the perfect fit for him. He fills a need but could also give the Cowboys worth for their draft selection.

Sewell could even slide over to tackle if Smith or Collins have to miss a game. Sewell might be my dream pick in any scenario. His lateral movement skills are somehow more impressive than his ability to move another man to a place he doesn’t want to go.

42nd pick – Second Round

The second round could have a different feel for it as this is a place where need might trump best available. Let’s say Richie Grant and Trevor Moehrig are gone and what is left of a trio of Iowa defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon, cornerback Ifeatu Melinfonwu, and offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood.

Melinfonwu would be my first thought but with the Cowboys still needing defensive line help, would they pass on this highly athletic and physical specimen in Melinfonwu to take a player of need? Melinfonwu is the brother of former prospect and NFL player Obi Melinfonwu. He is a big corner with the tenacity to live on an island and excels in pass coverage.

Nixon is a versatile defensive lineman that projects to me as more of a 3-4 defensive end but could provide some help as a run-stopping three-technique. Originally projected to go in the first round is now a value pick in the second.

Tackle Alex Leatherwood would probably end what has seemingly been an endless yearly rotation of signing a free agent offensive tackle to be the team’s swing tackle. Even with all of this said, my choice would have to be the corner as Richard Sherman is a two-year stopgap at most, and grooming a cheaper and younger option would appeal to me more but only because his ceiling projects to be higher than the other two.

Trade – Reciever

Speaking of crowded wide receiver room, would you consider trading Michael Gallup whose contract expires after the 2021 season. Let’s say the New York Jets want to trade up for someone and they offer defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and the 23rd pick for the Dallas Cowboys pick at ten and wide receiver Michael Gallup?

The secondary is overhauled by free agency and now you have a defensive tackle that can not only create havoc but also allows everyone else on that defensive line to fall into their correct place. When talking about the defensive line, I feel currently everyone is a spot above where they should be.

Sure it hurts to lose Gallup but with the secondary addressed in free agency and the defensive line in a better spot than last year, drafting the best available player at 23 with holes filled feels like a win.