To many onlookers, the safety position is considered the biggest need right now for the Dallas Cowboys. It is arguably their most talked-about spot headed into the 2019 NFL Draft, expected to be addressed with one of the team’s highest picks.
After sending their first-round pick to Oakland for WR Amari Cooper, the Cowboys are limited in their current draft capital. Their need at safety and tight end is comparable, and I personally believe higher at TE than any other roster position.
I put tight end above safety because at every spot on the two depth charts, I think safety has a slight advantage in terms of current talent:
- Young Prospect: Xavier Woods > Blake Jarwin
- Veteran: George Iloka > Jason Witten
- Depth: Heath/Frazier > Schultz/Gathers
That Iloka/Witten comparison might stun you, but remember that this is 2019 and Witten just spent a year doing commentary. I’m not talking about Jason’s Hall of Fame career, but just what he brings to the table this season.
But you see my point; safety seems stronger across the board. Woods looks like a long-term starter and Iloka, a newly-added free agent, could have 2-3 years of solid veteran play left in him.
So yes, I think TE is a greater need. But that doesn’t mean Dallas won’t use their second round pick on a safety.
The decision at the 58th pick will come down to a variety of factors. Even if Dallas agrees with me that TE is their biggest need, will the right guy be available? Or will the depth at the position be great enough that the Cowboys decide they can afford to wait until the third round for a TE, and prefer to go ahead and grab their safety earlier?
One name we’ve seen liked to Dallas several times in draft prep is UVA’s Juan Thornhill. He converted from cornerback to safety last year, which means he has the man-on-man coverage skills that the Cowboys love for the position.
That kind of player being available at their second-round pick will push the Cowboys hard to take safety. He might even be able to come in and compete for a starting job right away.
In fact, we could see a trade-up this year. With two fourth-round picks this year and their fifth, Dallas could try to work their way higher into the second to land someone they really like. Thornhill is just the kind of talent they might be willing to do that for.
Of course, there are plenty of other safety options the Cowboys might like better. And if they have their eye on someone who could fall into the middle rounds, such as Alabama’s Deionte Thompson or Boston College’s Will Harris, perhaps they wait a short time and address TE, DT, or RB with their early picks.
But I don’t see Dallas waiting on a safety this year. For all I know, they just might see it as their top need. At the least, it’s probably in their top 2-3.
Given that, I expect to see one drafted on Day 2.
Draft Likelihood: 100%
Projected Round: 2nd-3rd
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