Last week, I detailed what the Cowboys tend to look for when drafting a wide receiver. In terms of a combine profile, Dallas clearly has a “type” of wide-out they like to target.
The Cowboys certainly need to upgrade their receiving corps, but with the plethora of other holes to fill, they may not be able to do so until the 3rd or 4th round. Luckily for the Cowboys, there is at least one receiver which both fits their profile and should be available early on day three.
That player is Penn State wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton.
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First, let’s re-examine what the Cowboys like to look for. As you can see from the above graphic, the Cowboys draft targets all seem to fit a similar profile. If we treat Dez Bryant as their “ideal” draft pick, the trends become even clearer. Dallas wants to find a wide-out who is about 6’1″ 205 pounds, runs nearly a 4.5 40 yard dash, and about a 6.9 three come time.
DeaSean Hamilton, coincidentally, is 6’1″ 203 pounds, ran a 4.47 40 yard dash at the Penn State pro day, and ran a 6.84 three cone at the combine. Penn State’s all time receptions leader stole the show at the 2018 Senior Bowl, putting all of “Draft Twitter” on notice to his talent.
An efficient and smooth route runner, Hamilton looks natural coming in and out of breaks, creating separation with his precise routes. The Cowboys don’t have many receivers on their roster who can win with their route running, and adding a player like Hamilton would greatly help third year quarterback Dak Prescott moving forward.
With the ability to play in the slot, as well as potentially being a Z receiver for the Cowboys and a replacement for Terrance Williams, Hamilton would be an excellent draft target in the third or fourth round. And, keeping in mind how nicely he fits their typical draft profile, I’d expect Dallas to target Hamilton during the 2018 NFL Draft.
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Strongly agree with you here. In my opinion, daesean in the third round would be ideal for us to be able to address LG and either LB or the 1-tech potentially early. Besides Calvin Ridley, I don’t know if I feel comfortable with us taking another receiver higher than round 3 and the big thing with Hamilton, which you eluded to, is his ability to win in route running and separation. If he does fall to us in round 3 we could have another strong draft on our hands.
If they could address LG in round 1, add a defensive piece in round 2, and draft a WR like Hamilton in round 3/4, it would be a hell of a haul. Thanks for reading, Nick!