At this point the direction the Dallas Cowboys are heading with the 10th overall pick is pretty well narrowed down. For months now, the connection between the team and the cornerback position has been well documented. They've shown interest in Patrick Surtain II, Jaycee Horn, and prior to the issues with his back popping up, Caleb Farley was in the mix as well.
Now just five days away from going on the clock, unless there's a surprise in the top 10, or the Cowboys go in another direction, it feels like cornerback is going to be the pick at number 10.
What could throw a wrench into the Dallas Cowboys' plans are the teams drafting seven, eight, and nine. That's the Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Denver Broncos.
For the most part it feels like we have an understanding of where the first six teams in the draft are heading. Atlanta's a bit of a wild card as they could go with their quarterback of the future or Kyle Pitts, offensive line, or trade back. Their direction is a bit limited as to what makes sense for their squad moving forward. They're unlikely to go in a defensive direction, so what they do shouldn't impact the Cowboys all that much.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB
- New York Jets – Zach Wilson, QB
- San Francisco 49ers – One of the quarterbacks, rumored to be Mac Jones, but should be Justin Fields.
- Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Pitts, a quarterback, or possibly offensive line.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Ja'Marr Chase or Penei Sewell
- Miami Dolphins – Pass Catcher or offensive line.
And this is where it gets hairy.
But the teams directly in front of the Cowboys could literally go in any direction. Though the Lions got Jared Goff in the Matthew Stafford trade, they don't have to feel tied to him completely. But they could use a pass catcher, linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, or an offensive tackle.
The Carolina Panthers have had a well-documented offseason attempting to trade for a quarterback, though each has fallen through and Deshaun Watson's off-the-field issues made him persona non grata. But they're a team that could use help everywhere as well.
And though the Denver Broncos spent a ton of money bringing in Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby in free agency, that doesn't rule them out from drafting a corner. But like the Lions and Panthers could use help in a lot of places.
The possibility of one of these teams trading back remains a real possibility as well. The New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles could look to trade in front of the Cowboys to take a player that the Cowboys covet.
Cornerback still seems to be the most likely pick for the Cowboys barring some unforeseen circumstances. And of course in the NFL draft there are always surprises that take place and this year will be no different. How the seventh, eighth, and ninth picks go in the draft will play a huge part in how the draft plays out for the Dallas Cowboys. The anticipation is building and we're now just a handful of days away from seeing the Cowboys add the next crop of players to America's Team.
