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

Free Agency- Defensive Overhaul

This last scenario involves the Dallas Cowboys going for broke as they address every major need on defense which truly allows to draft the best player available. The front office double dips at the defensive tackle position by signing Sheldon Rankins away from the New Orleans Saints and sign the recently released Jurrell Casey.

Casey is a 31-year-old five-time Pro Bowler at defensive tackle that has flown under the radar for years but has a great motor and run-stuffing ability. Rankins had a career year back in 2018 but has dealt with injuries since making him a cheaper but riskier option.

The front office lands a free safety after musical chairs leave one without a job. Let’s say in this scenario that the Cowboys are able to manage to snag Anthony Harris away from Minnesota. The team is also able to sign Shaquill Griffin away from Seattle.

10th pick – First Round

With all defensive holes seemingly filled, the Dallas Cowboys can now truly take the best player available. With Florida tight end Kyle Pitts available alongside cornerback Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina. All other draft prospects are gone but you have your defense pretty much set. With Surtain and Farley gone as well as Sewell and Slater, the only other option is Penn State linebacker, Micah Parsons.

Horn would be tempting to take and while there could even be a heated argument of who to take, I would have to bypass a need for someone who could revolutionize a position.

Parsons would be intriguing as the third linebacker but I think it is too high for him. I really don’t like the idea of taking an off-the-ball linebacker so high so this scenario leads me to believe that I would take Kyle Pitts at ten.

Pitts is a dynamic playmaker and is a mismatch nightmare. Most tight ends are an either-or proposition when they first enter the league as they can catch or they can block really well. Pitts can do both as well as play wide receiver.

Adding Pitts to this offense and with the recent changes on defense would make me believe that the team would be almost impossible to stop. A three-headed monster at receiver would be accompanied by a three-headed nightmare at tight end. For those of you who can’t see, I have my eyebrow lifted at this point.

42nd pick – Second Round

The second round would be the place to take chances especially when it would be hard-pressed for a rookie to come in and start. With Dak Prescott getting his new contract, spending money at the quarterback position on a costly veteran backup makes some cringe so taking a look at Florida quarterback Kyle Trask could be a way of adding a cheap insurance policy.

Before you say anything about taking a quarterback in the second round of the draft to be a  backup, there are teams that will enter the season with a rookie starter. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing to go cheap in some spots.

Does anyone else remember the last time the Dallas Cowboys selected a quarterback so high in the draft who has a bit of pedigree to go along with his name?

The other options here would include defensive ends Kwity Paye and Gregory Rousseau. Would a defensive end in the second round be more enticing to select over a quarterback who could actually develop and compete in this league? That is for the General Manager to decide.

Trade – Future Compensation

The Dallas Cowboys could take in a haul from a team wanting to jump from the back end of the first into the top ten could help with a diminished salary cap. What if a team like the New Orleans Saints wants a quarterback to replace what should be a retired Drew Brees? They offer this year’s and next year’s first for a chance to snag their quarterback of the future. Is that something that as a general manager you would consider?

The point I am trying to make is we have no idea how the dominoes are going to fall which makes it insane to argue about prospects and your reaction if the team drafted them. The game is supposed to be fun but at times has become a chore to defend.

If all the prospects the Cowboys have a top ten grade on are gone, then what do you do? Preparing yourself for a certain prospect is part of the journey but free agency will have a massive hand in how teams approach this year’s draft.