As I did some looking around this week about the Dallas Cowboys, we should all know by now Zack Martin is retiring, the gold standard and, yes, they will now need to overhaul this offensive line completely.
Yet, I have been seeing a lot of things about a different position when it comes to the draft in April.
Wouldn’t Surprise Me
So what exactly am I talking about here? Well, not only have I seen this in a few mock drafts, but it really sounds like some actually may not mind if the Cowboys pass up other needs and look to draft a cornerback with the 12th pick?
I am honestly asking, with all the needs they have with no running back, a very bad defensive line and needing a complete overhaul on the offensive line, would Jerry and the guys draft a cornerback with the 12th pick if Will Johnson from Michigan fell to them?
On the big board he is ranked 6th, and I get it, you don’t know what is going to happen with Trevon Diggs injury, and what is the future with DaRon Bland?
Solidifying the secondary and freeing up cap space is a win-win.
When he was healthy, Bland was among the top defensive backs in the league. Not only did he lead the league in interceptions in 2023, he set an NFL record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown (5) and most defensive touchdowns (5) in a single season.
We understand all of that, but I think this team has bigger needs at least in the first round, right?
Johnson is the No. 2 prospect in ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s latest Big Board rankings.
Johnson played in only six games this year because of a foot injury but still returned interceptions for touchdowns in wins over Fresno State and USC.
Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham is another name to keep an eye on, these Cowboys love drafting guys from Michigan that just don’t work out.
Not The Biggest Need
All of that is fine and dandy, and even if he falls to no. 12, I don’t want the Dallas Cowboys to take a cornerback if Ashton Jeanty, Will Campbell, Armand Membou or Mykel Williams are still on the board.
Those are bigger needs as we sit today than cornerback. Yes, you have to be able to cover folks and they are going to be lacking the depth, but you have a better chance to hit on a defensive back in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th round then you do something else.
They have done it with Diggs and Bland, they can do it again!
Look, I am not the guy running the team, but if I were I would do everything I could to try and win unlike Jerry Jones.
I also would not draft a cornerback regardless of how high he is rated, he isn’t Travis Hunter.
I know we have all been wondering how they will handle the offseason with the salary cap and if they will even resign their own players, if not go out and get anyone.
Earlier this week, the NFL informed teams the 2025 salary cap will be between $277.5 million to $281.5 million, well ahead of last year’s figure of $255.4 million,.
That should allow Dallas to at least think about doing something about all these pending free agents and maybe look to bring in a guy so they don’t have to hope a late round pick hits this season.
Nonetheless, I don’t think drafting a corner unless it is Travis Hunter is the right move at 12, you can agree to disagree, but I just feel like this team has bigger needs to start the draft off.