Defense. Defense. Defense. A lot of Cowboys Nation believes that’s the only direction the Dallas Cowboys should take with their first-round selection. It’s completely understandable to believe that way, but it is a little bit narrow-minded to be honest.
Yes, the Cowboys need to upgrade and add depth to several positions on the defensive side of the ball, but this team is an offensive minded squad. The offense will always come first, which is probably why the Cowboys coaching staff has been focusing heavily on scouting wide receivers and offensive lineman.
Despite already adding Cameron Fleming, Joe Looney, and Marcus Martin to provide depth to their OL, the Cowboys are still keeping a close eye on the top guard and tackle prospects. The same can be said about the wide receiver position, even after adding Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson.
It may come to a surprise to you, but I think it’s a real possibility the Dallas Cowboys draft either another first-round offensive lineman or their first first-round wide receiver since Dez Bryant. This may not sit well with a lot of Cowboys fans, but I’m actually on board with this way of thinking.
I fully understand why some fans wouldn’t agree. The Dallas Cowboys have most of their money already tied up in their offensive line and wide receiver positions. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to keep investing in the same positions and ignoring others… Or does it?
I may be in the minority here, but I think the highest ranked player still available when the Dallas Cowboys are on the clock at 19 will be on the offensive side of the ball. I would completely fine if they take another first-round offensive lineman, but I’m not as sure about taking a receiver there.
Personally, I only see two wide receivers worthy of being taken by the Dallas Cowboys with the 19th overall selection, Calvin Ridley (Alabama) and D.J. Moore (Maryland).
Calvin Ridley is the top-ranked wide receiver in the 2018 draft class by a lot of draft analysts, and it’s not hard to see why. He is the most pro-ready WR to come out of college in the last few years. He is also an advanced route runner and is a natural catching the ball.
I however have my concerns about Ridley. I think he has already peaked and doesn’t have much more room for improvement. I think what you see is what you’re going to get, which isn’t a bad thing, but it is why I would personally choose D.J. Moore ahead of Ridley if I were the Dallas Cowboys.
I think D.J. Moore is just as talented as Calvin Ridley and has more upside. He already proved to be the more athletic of the two at the NFL combine when he bested the former Alabama Crimson Tide WR in nearly every event.
Moore is very similar to Ridley in my opinion. He may not be as advanced of a route runner, but he is still pretty good and has room for improvement. What sets Moore apart though, is his physicality. He is sensational after the catch because of that physicality, and that’s something the Cowboys value.
Although Calvin Ridley and D.J. Moore are the only two WRs I feel comfortable drafting at 19, the Dallas Cowboys may not feel the same. That may be why they were at Cortland Sutton’s (SMU) and Christian Kirk’s (Texas A&M) Pro Day’s this week. They are leaving no wide receiver stone unturned.
Mr. Martin, I pray that we are smart enough not to draft a WO with our first pick. If we did the obvious choice to me is Moore as he has a high ceiling, has some Steve Smith like qualities, and produced with horrible QB play.
With that said the only pick offensively I can justify when we’re on the clock is guard. We have to many pressing needs on defense.
i completely agree, we do not need WR’s in the first round. go defense, DT or LB.
as i stated previously, we can grab hamilton from penn state in the 3rd.
I just don’t see the value of drafting a DT for LB in the 1st unless it’s Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds. I personally don’t really like any other LB at 19. And we know the Cowboys don’t value the DT position very highly. I think they will wait until the third or fourth rounds to take a DT. We will just have to wait and see what happens though.
Sorry, completely disagree. . . .no position will have a bigger impact on Dallas’ D than a quality 1 Tech . . .he would instantly make the edge, the LBs and the DBs more effective and pay huge dividends in the run D. Now I get that Dallas does not value 1 Tech. . . .S and LB are the next 2 biggest D needs (2018) with edge a concern past 2018. I think this draft sets up to be another trade back barring a big time player sliding like James or Smith or Edmunds. . .though wouldn’t be shocked to see them grab Ridley. . ..and there are some good 1 Tech’s who will be available later.
Don’t get me wrong, I am in complete agreement with you about the impact a quality 1-tech can make on the Cowboys defense. I just don’t think they will take one in the 1st. I also don’t really like the LBs or safeties in the 1st who will probably be available at 19. I would love for them to go defense with their first-round pick, I just don’t know if the value will be there, at least in the Cowboys eyes.
I hear you. . .I can only hope they trade back if they are going to go OG early. . ..
I would love for them to trade back. I’m really hoping they can find a trade partner.
You can get a guy like Bryan or the FSU kid later. Space eating DT’s are plentiful in this draft
Exactly. DT and LB in this class is deep. DB (specifically FS types), TE, OL, and WR are where the value of this year’s 1st round lives
To be honest I think Whisky sippin Jerry is going to package some picks and move up, but we’ll see. As long as we leave the draft with LB, DT, and LG addressed I’m good.
We can shore up the safety position by signing Tre Boston, or Eric Reid and there is plenty of quality receivers and backs in the later rounds.
I’m hearing that they don’t really like Tre Boston and I doubt there is much interest in Eric Reid. They’ve shown interest in Kenny Vaccaro before, but I think they will wait and try to add a safety through the draft.
As we long as we come out of the draft with some DOGS I can’t complain. Our DB’s are going to progress and hopefully Jaylon Smith is the player he was pre-injury.
I can’t wait to see how the Richard effect is going to transform our defense. The 26th can’t get here fast enough.
I also think an offensive guard is a higher priority. It will be interesting to see if the Cowboys feel the same.
So many different variables Mr. Martin, we’ll see soon enough.
4 #1 picks on the OL????? OL isn’t even a priority today, you have an excellent starting 5 for the next 2 years even if you do nothing in the draft. WR bigger priority on offense even with the FA signings (one only 1 year the other 2, Beasley Williams and Dez gone this year or next)
I don’t think they have a starting LG on the roster. I don’t think they are planning on moving Collins and he is a better right tackle then Fleming anyway. I think LG is at the top of the “need” list. And, I completely agree with you about the WR position. I just said the same thing responding to another comment.
I think it’s OT they really might be looking at. Fleming, Looney, and Martin make for a great swing group. Collins is switching back to LG I think. It’s a guy like the UCLA OT, his name escapes me at the moment, that the Boys might be targeting
Your thinking of Kolton Miller and I would hate if that’s their first-round pick. I don’t get the hype when watching his game film. This year’s OT class isn’t great, which is why I think they keep Collins at RT and draft a LG in the first few rounds.
Totally agree, I’d be just as unhappy. It is what they’re thinking about I fear, though
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I’m no expert. That is why I read your articles, but do we need another #2 WR? Isn’t that what Calvin and DJ are? We just signed Hurns and have T.Will. Aren’t they both #2 WRs also? Am I looking at this wrong?
We all know that to say BPA(best player available) is sort of a fantasy, even though I will credit JJ and Company at filling in holes in FA to keep that fantasy alive. In reality, it is more a mix of BPA + Need. If Derwin James falls out of the Top 10, I could see JJ trading up to get him. If not, would you be surprised if the Boys used #19 to select (S) Ronnie Harrison? He might be the BPA + Need guy there. Possible?
I agree with you that we can wait on a DT. Edge is almost barren, but DT seems deep this year, like CB was last year.
I don’t really know what they think about Ronnie Harrison. I’m thinking they are looking for more of a true FS, and that’s not Harrison’s game at all. And, I don’t know if they will trade up for Derwin James. I like him, but I would honestly rather trade down to acquire another pick in the top 100. I’m just not completely sold James is the difference maker everybody is making them out to be.
Also, Ridley and Moore are more WR2 types. But, I don’t have a problem with that. I don’t think offenses necessarily need a true WR1 anymore, especially if the Cowboys are transitioning to more of a spread offense. Think more in line of what the Patriots do with their WRs. Get rid of the ball quickly on shorter routes and then let the WR pick up yards after the catch.
Appreciate the reply. Thanks Brian
Brian, I like your articles and I must admit on this one I missed the question mark at first glance. I automatically though how does Brian know which position the Cowboys are considering for 19. With that said Jerral and his clan only put out propaganda this time of year. Every one of them are saying “not interested in DT1” yet I would not be shocked to see the right DT1 be the pick. We have critical needs at other positions even with the FA signings. If fans don’t realize the injuries to Tyron and Lee absolutely killed us last year, then IMO are missing the boat. I admit the Dez drops didn’t help but again, IMO, that is not what kept us out of the playoffs. Daks accuracy was dismal but the Cowboys are not looking for QB at 19.
Yep, not time to buy into what is being said. . .all the GMs are playing poker. . .
I think they can find a quality DT later in the draft. It’s a pretty deep DT class, which is why I think the Cowboys go a different direction with their first pick. And, if they are planning on making the offense more “Dak-friendly”, then another WR is a high possibility. The position needs to be addressed. Bryant, Williams, and Beasley are all likely gone next season and even Hurns is only signed for two years. Might as well address it as soon as possible. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they go offense with their first two picks.
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Truthfully the only offense I think we should look at in round 1 is LG, specifically will Hernandez or Isaiah Wynn. There are a number of good receivers that we could look to grab in rounds 2/3 if we feel the need to add another one (daesean Hamilton penn state). If we don’t go LG I would like to see us try to work something out to move up and get Derwin. As an FSU alumni, I may be biased but I think adding him to this young secondary would be the missing piece. Unless edmunds or Roquan smith fall to us I think we can get a serviceable LB in rounds 2/3 as well (jewell from Iowa, Wagner from BYU).
Nick, I completely agree with what you said. I wouldn’t be upset if the Cowboys traded up for Derwin James, but I’m honestly not as high on him as others. I think he’s a tremendous athlete with untapped potential, but I don’t know if that justifies trading up for him IMO. I would honestly rather stay put or trade down.
Also, I like James Daniels (Iowa) as a first-round OL target as well. I think I like him a little bit better than Hernandez, but not as much as I like Wynn.
Give me Hamilton out of PSU later.
I’d be happy with Hamilton or Anthony Miller in the third.
Either one works for me I might even consider EQ St. Brown.
I like EQ St. Brown. I think he is one of the WRs who has the most upside in this draft class.
Cowboys are going to trade. Up if Derwin or Minkah fall to the 10-12 range, down if bpa at 19 doesn’t fit a need, or a team like the Vikings wants to trade up for one of the OT’s
All of the scenarios are certainly possible.
They keep talking about making an impact in the first round. If that’s not one of the big FS options, I don’t see trading up. What I really do think is going to happen is they’re first going to trade down and pick up an extra 2 and hopefully 3, then trade back into the late part of the 1st to grab either a TE, OL, or DL, whichever inevitably falls. I’d personally like to see Geiseki or Hurst to eventually replace Witten
I actually like the idea of trading down and then using an extra draft pick to trade back up for a player they like. I don’t think they’ll trade back into the 1st though.
Could be targeting CLE’s 2nd round pick for whomever slips through the 1st just as easily, but that extra year of control is in play too
We need someone that can take the top off of defenses! We just signed a tackle who rarely gives up sacks, we have a great LG who is currently playing tackle and should be moved back to guard. We need to score points to win, a great receiver allows you to do that. DJ Moore, and Christain Kirk are the elusive type of receivers that threaten opposing defenses. Courtland Sutton is a Julio Jones clone. I don’t understand the Calvin Ridley hype, he does not catch well in traffic, most of his receptions (look at his highlights) are when he is wide open. Stop the drafting a LG nonsense in the first round unless you don’t have one at all. Why did we just sign Looney, and Martin if you turn around and use your first round pick on the same position you just signed 2 free agents? Unless we get a receiver who can take the top off of defenses (Dez can no longer do that), the offense will continue to be predictable and stagnant at times.
We need someone that can take the top off of defenses! We just signed a tackle who rarely gives up sacks, we have a great LG who is currently playing tackle and should be moved back to guard. We need to score points to win, a great receiver allows you to do that. DJ Moore, and Christain Kirk are the elusive type of receivers that threaten opposing defenses. Courtland Sutton is a Julio Jones clone. I don’t understand the Calvin Ridley hype, he does not catch well in traffic, most of his receptions (look at his highlights) are when he is wide open. Stop the drafting a LG nonsense in the first round unless you don’t have one at all. Why did we just sign Looney, and Martin if you turn around and use your first round pick on the same position you just signed 2 free agents? Unless we get a receiver who can take the top off of defenses (Dez can no longer do that), the offense will continue to be predictable and stagnant at times.
Shoot we need a tight end more than we need a wide receiver if we’re going to go receiver!
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Man we need a lot but if we can get taco or Gregory to step up if he can lay off the Mary Jane. Then safety, left guard and tight end are important and DT. damn good luck then if these OL guys we signed step up it’d help we could focus on safety,tight end and linebacker. Hope we get it right! Go Cowboys!
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