Who will be the Dallas Cowboys selection in the first round? That’s the million-dollar question going into Thursday’s NFL Draft when it comes to America’s Team. Needs at cornerback, safety, and edge rusher will be the top priorities to address and the Cowboys have plenty of high-level prospects to choose from as they look to make it back to the playoffs this upcoming season.
CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
The Cowboy’s biggest issue heading into the 2020 season is who will be the team’s CB1. Henderson, the second-ranked corner in this year’s draft class, would solve that instantly. If selected, he would go right to the top of the team’s depth chart with Chidobe Awuzie and make Jourdan Lewis the primary corner in the slot, with Anthony Brown also their for insurance. This would give the Cowboys a very solid four-man rotation at the position.
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
McKinney being selected could possibly solve another issue that the Cowboys have had for a while and that’s who will be the team’s permanent solution at safety opposite Xavier Woods. Probably the most popular pick for the Cowboys in mock drafts, McKinney’s combination of football IQ and versatility to match up with all personnel groupings make him the top safety coming into the NFL. The third level of the Cowboys defense would instantly be upgraded.
K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
Chaisson is the second-ranked edge rusher in this class behind Ohio State’s Chase Young. There’s not one player with his combination of speed and bend coming off the perimeter to pressure the quarterback. After losing 2019 sack leader Robert Quinn to the Chicago Bears in free agency, and waiting for the reinstatement of Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith, Chaisson would bolster a pass rush that finished only 19th in sacks last season.
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
There has been one scenario floating around the Cowboys in regard to the first round and that’s trading back to select Yetur Gross-Matos to acquire more draft capital. With 17 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons, Gross-Matos would be a first-round steal. In addition to rushing the quarterback from the edge, he also has experience playing inside which would allow the Cowboys to rotate him at multiple positions.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to who the Cowboys will select with the 17th overall pick. Regardless of what direction the Cowboys go, one thing is for sure, the world will be on pins and needles when they’re on the clock.
