With the first round over, the Cowboys have eight picks remaining in the 2022 NFL Draft. Dallas took Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith with the 24th pick, leaving much to be desired with its next selections.
Many positions still need to be addressed, including wide receiver, defensive line and linebacker. Luckily for the Cowboys, the first round featured many unpredictable picks, leaving much talent for them to potentially draft.
Here are the five best players Dallas should consider:
Georgia LB Nakobe Dean
One of the best linebackers in this draft, Georgia’s Nakobe Dean, somehow fell out of the first round. His instincts are his best trait, alongside his mobility and explosiveness.
Dean would fit the Cowboys’ need for a steady weakside linebacker and is a tremendous three-down presence with a high football IQ. He’s at his best as a downhill run defender, something Dallas could use. He might not fall to the No. 56 pick, but trading up for Dean would be more than worth it.
UConn DL Travis Jones
The Cowboys have one of the weaker defensive tackle groups in the league. That could change with a pick like this. Travis Jones is one of the better defensive tackles in this draft and brings a diverse set of skills to the table.
While Jones might struggle to obtain serious playing time over Neville Gallimore and Osa Odighizuwa, there’s no doubt he would improve Dallas’ run defense. Jones can defend the pass well, too, collapsing on quarterbacks in the pocket with ease. A rotational player may not be the best use of a second-round pick, but Jones would bring much-needed help for the Cowboys in the trenches.
Minnesota EDGE Boye Mafe
This guy could’ve gone in the first round, and I wouldn’t have been surprised. Mafe is a great athlete who flashed quick feet and hand movement, two things you want in an edge rusher. Last season, he recorded seven sacks for the Golden Gophers.
Mafe still has room to develop, so any team will have to be patient with him. But he’s been trending up for his entire career, and his ceiling is extremely high. Mafe has all the intangibles and the movement and power to match. The future is bright for the Minnesota prospect.
Western Michigan WR Skyy Moore
Moore is an intriguing and exciting prospect in this draft. He was highly productive at Western Michigan, catching 171 passes for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns, including 10 last season.
Moore plays cleanly, running efficient routes and showing an impressive catch radius. He’s versatile, intelligent and a refined prospect. Moore isn’t the strongest athlete but makes up for it with his footwork and agility. He fits nicely as a slot receiver where the Cowboys need a playmaker. If he can tap into his immense potential, there’s no telling how good he can be
North Dakota State WR Christian Watson
Watson is a wide receiver with much upside. He’s quick, dynamic and creative in the passing game, projecting well as an outside receiver.
Watson is a problem to cover. He separates extremely well from defenders and has great vertical speed at the top of his route. Watson is also highly elusive, using this trait to shine in run-after-catch situations. He’s a fantastic, all-around receiver and one Dallas would love to have.
Other potential picks: Georgia WR George Pickens, Penn State EDGE Arnold Ebiketie, Wyoming LB Chad Muma, Michigan EDGE David Ojabo, Wisconsin LB Leo Chenal, Oklahoma EDGE Nik Bonitto, Alabama LB Christian Harris, Baylor S Jalen Pitre, Oklahoma DL Perrion Winfrey, Penn State S Jaquan Brisker
