The first round of the 2018 NFL Draft is now just under 3 weeks away. And while draft boards are being finalized and media mock drafts are published, certain players continue to find themselves mocked in the first round – whether they truly “deserve” it or not.
There are three players in particular who have been pushed up mock drafts as of late, mostly due to their athletic and combine profiles. While I like these three players in a vacuum, I would have issues with the Cowboys taking one of these players 19th overall.
This doesn’t mean that I think these players are bad prospects, simply that they should not warrant a first round selection from the Dallas Cowboys.
Florida Gators DT Taven Bryan
A favorite among Cowboys Twitter, Florida Gators defensive tackle Taven Bryan has earned first round grades from some prominent draft writers. While I like Bryan’s game as well, and believe he can be a solid NFL player, I would not be comfortable taking him 19th overall.
Taven Bryan has an elite first step and plays explosive off the ball, but his pad level, hands, and ability to play with leverage are all suspect. He is a balanced and smooth player, and tested within all of the Cowboys’ defensive tackle thresholds, but I like a few other defensive tackles more than him in round one.
In a perfect world the Cowboys could snag Bryan 50th overall, but that seems highly doubtful with the way most believe the board will fall. Still, I think I would stay away from him in round one, especially if someone like Vita Vea is available.
Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch
Another fan favorite, Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is finding himself mocked to the Cowboys in round one often, but I’d advise against it. While I don’t have Vander Esch graded as a first round player, my concerns with this pick have more to do with taking any linebacker not named Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds this early.
In my opinion, the value a player like BYU’s Fred Warner would provide later in the draft outweighs that of Vander Esch in round one. While the Cowboys definitely have a hole to fill at linebacker, I’d rather someone like Alabama’s Rashaan Evans at 19 over Vander Esch.
Above all, as I’ve discussed before, grabbing a bully on the defensive line or a starting left guard in round one seems more important to me than taking a linebacker or wide receiver. And, of course, that opinion covers Vander Esch as well.
UCLA OL Kolton Miller
Kolton Miller’s draft board rise makes next-to-no sense to me. When I watched him on a film, I saw a day-three project that could be worth a fourth or fifth round pick. But due to his measurables and perceived ceiling, Miller has been mocked as high as the first two rounds.
The Cowboys aren’t necessarily in the hunt for a first round tackle anyway, but a player in Miller’s shoes could intrigue them. Tyron Smith has had some health issues the past few seasons, and some questions still surround La’el Collins’ ability at right tackle.
These uncertainties could lead the Cowboys to target a developmental tackle late in the draft, or possibly even value someone like Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey in round one. Either way, Kolton Miller is not the tackle I’d be drafting.
It appears that if you want Miller on your football team you may have to spend a top 50 pick to get him, and there is no way I would advise the Cowboys to make that move.
Could not agree more. . .since Dallas does not value a 1 Tech and since several are there in rounds 2-4, barring a bigtime stud sliding, I’m hoping for a trade back (NO/NE/Pitts all covet Mason Rudolph for example) and adding another 2nd (which is what the value would be).
Then take BPA from LVE, Will H, R Evans etc.
Take top S with 50 and Top TE with 81.
Taven Bryan is the real deal.. Comparing to JJ watt. You are right on some of his flaws but those flaws are easily coach-able.
I see a scenario where we trade down a few spots and take him.. then back up for esch.
Excellent column Kevin, you’re absolutely right on, where I would disagree with you is taking a guard at pick #19. The Cowboys need a player who can make a major impact right away, ala Vita Vea, the linebackers you mentioned and in my opinion , D J Moore. Rashaan Evans is the third linebacker that would make an impact right away. The guard position can be shored up by moving Collins back to guard where he was outstanding before moving to tackle last year. The recently signed Cameron Flemming is an excellent tackle and he can take over Collin’s tackle spot. This should really improve the offensive line play.
Sorry I have to disagree with you about taking R. Evans over L. Vander Esch evans doesn’t measure up to his college size in our defense I rather have size then not have it that goes for R. Smith or R. Evans Leighton Vander Esch should be our first overall pick but that’s if he’s available now because some analysts have him going early
I guarantee you he will not go early, probably not in the first round at all, oh by the way, Alabama and Georgia played in the National Championship, the top linebackers were Evans (Alabama) and Smith (Georgia). This is a no brainer for smart GM’s, but for those who use their heart and not their head like Dallas has a tendency to do, I would not be surprised if they make another Taco Charlton like decision.
Yes You’re Right About R. Smith & R. Evans playing in the national championship game but because they played in that game doesn’t make them a lock in the NFL or being drafted 19th overall by Dallas Cowboys for a fact R. Smith will be gone before that pick but if I was the GM I wouldn’t draft him for my team is my reason nor R. Evans to me the best option for us is Leighton Vander Esch at 6″4 256lbs combine with his speed, athleticism, quickness, length & raw ability in the middle of our young and athletic defense is what I am look forward to because of vast experience and knowledge states we need a bigger middle linebacker case in point remember Rolando Mc clain he played the position best he used his size and our defense was in the top ten yes Mc clain had his issues but our Defensive Coordinator, Head Coach & GM remembers how much of an impact he made now you take the off the fields troubles away plug LVE in with Jaylon Smith that’s a future Hall Of Fame combo for the next ten to twelve years plus in dallas to cheer the final pieces coming this year’s draft promise you
A player Dallas should avoid in the first round even though Dallas’s former scout has him ranked as the #2 wide receiver is D J Chark, The former LSU receiver catches everything with his arms and chest, he has bad hands and he will not succeed in the NFL. He’s a very good athlete with excellent speed, but bad hands and poor route running will hurt him at the next level.