The NFL Scouting Combine is an opportunity for skill position players to separate themselves from the field. This year’s draft class features plenty of top talent at WR, RB, and even solid depth at TE. Out of these three positions, the biggest need for the Dallas Cowboys is clearly at receiver.
Talks of the Cowboys moving on from Dez Bryant, and being in need of a true “X” receiver even with Dez on the team, have dominated the early portion of this offseason in Dallas. With ten picks in this upcoming 2018 NFL Draft, the Cowboys should feel good about their ability to add weapons for Dak Prescott – a need that exists beyond just WR.
If simply fixing their offense is the Cowboys’ top priority for 2018, the team is setting themselves up for another disappointment. With most of their cap space allocated to blue-chip players on offense, the Cowboys need to capitalize on opportunity to become an elite offense under their young QB in Prescott.
Sure, the calling card for Cowboys Nation from now until September may be that this team has lost only six of a possible 32 games played by both Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott. Building around both franchise players while still on their rookie contracts will require further depth on offense.
The deepest position in this entire draft class may very well be WR, meaning the Cowboys can wait until the second or third round to still find a starter here.
Beyond that, with an extra compensatory pick in the fourth round, two in the fifth, and one in the sixth, the Cowboys should be in the market for a pass catching RB to backup Elliott (and upgrade Rod Smith’s position), a TE that can be a threat in the passing game, and perhaps even a second rookie receiver to round out their class.
Even if all of these “luxury” picks don’t hit for the Cowboys, their offense should be good enough to execute and score points while controlling the ball.
Taking the next step to become the type of elite offense that can carry a team to the Super Bowl (see: Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles with Carson Wentz) is within reach by the end of April for the Dallas Cowboys though.
With a defense that appears set for a bright future thanks to last year’s draft haul in the secondary, the Cowboys should be taking the same approach on offense now.
