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We go through hours of tape, read countless reports, but let's be honest...We do not know what a team is going to actually do come draft day. It's especially a heck of a lot easier to determine whose going number one than number 27. Teams take the players that are best for them, which is exactly how I like to approach this exercise.
Today, the Dallas Cowboys decided to load up on their defense but some of us should have seen it coming anyway, it's not like Dallas is a team that hides anything. In fact, Jerry Jones stated last week what their priorities were, doesn't matter because they had to take a runner, right? No, wrong....Let's review!
With the 127th overall pick in the 2015 @NFL draft, the Cowboys select Damien Wilson, LB Minnesota #CowboysDraft
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 2, 2015
Linebacker was a need and want, the Cowboys made it very clear. Wilson was number one on my list of linebacker candidates to look at today...*crickets...Here's a new toy to play with.
Most draft profiles say Damien Wilson isn't worth a 4th round pick. Then again, many said the same thing about Anthony Hitchens last year.
— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) May 2, 2015
Another GREAT pick. I see Damien Wilson as someone who could start at SAM LB. One of the most underrated players in this class.
— Dan Turner (@dtsturner) May 2, 2015
And perhaps my favorite...
Damien Wilson (David Cobb's cousin) was one of the Big Ten's best defenders in 2014. Physical temperament ideal for the NFL #Cowboys
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) May 2, 2015
We now shift focus to Dallas' fifth round selection...
Welcome to the Dallas Cowboys Ryan Russell! #CowboysDraft pic.twitter.com/WmFWZVLJrY
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 2, 2015
Cowboys double up on the defensive ends and grab a very underrated player to help the rebuilding of their defensive line. Kind of reminds you of 2005. On the anniversary of his father's death, this young man gets the best news possible; he will don the star.
Ryan Russell: "I'm ecstatic, overjoyed, humbled. Im just so glad that the Cowboys feel as strongly about me as I've always felt about them."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 2, 2015
Not everyone always can agree
@CowboysNation @dpbrugler can he play RB.
— joshua miller (@JoshuaMiller76) May 2, 2015
I will not publish my Ryan Russell notes. I'll just say hopefully the scheme change hurt him and the measurables are there.
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@JC1053) May 2, 2015
Yet, how can we have the gall to doubt what Rod can do without first allowing him the opportunity?
Cowboys take Purdue DE Ryan Russell in the 5th round. I like the odds of Rod Marinelli getting something out of him. pic.twitter.com/ZJboUQdGjf
— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) May 2, 2015
The Cowboys had their long wait before making their last selections, but those same doubters would be upset once again.
Congrats to Mark Nzeocha on being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys #RideForTheBrand #CowboyUp pic.twitter.com/xtDjW5xoIN
— Wyoming Cowboy FB (@wyo_football) May 2, 2015
An uphill battle it will be, yet something tells me he's ready for it.
Mark Nzeocha is the #2 SPARQ LB in the 2015 Draft.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) May 2, 2015
Dallas would further insure their already insanely dominant offensive line.
With the 243rd overall pick in the 2015 @NFL draft, the Cowboys select Laurence Gibson, OT Virginia Tech #CowboysDraft
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 2, 2015
Analyst on Cowboys 7th-round pick Laurence Gibson: 'He looks like a first-round pick on paper' http://t.co/hkG1CHzu00 pic.twitter.com/9Y86hki7dI
— SportsDayDFW (@SportsDayDFW) May 2, 2015
Laurence Gibson went through scheduled pre-draft workout with ex-Cowboys RT Marc Colombo, who's now an offensive assistant with Dallas.
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) May 2, 2015
#Cowboys OT Laurence Gibson with SPARQ of 121.3, 9th best among all offensive lineman in the 2014 Draft. 90.2 percentile.
— One Cool Customer (@OCC44) May 2, 2015
And then "that ol' Jerry couldn't contain himself!" Was that too sarcastic? Dallas struck a trade with the 49ers to come back up in the seventh to make their last pick...
Dallas Cowboys select Texas TE Geoff Swaim in the 7th round pic.twitter.com/CuZFdx8XHW
— ESPN Texas (@ESPNTexas) May 2, 2015
Geoff Swaim can win at the second level. He's nasty as a blocker, creating running lanes, and can bury his guy. Much better than I expected.
— Dan Turner (@dtsturner) May 2, 2015
#Cowboys trade back into the draft and grab TE Geoff Swaim from UT. He's 6'4" & 250 lbs. Blocking TE. Hanna's a FA next year. Looking ahead.
— Jordan Ross (@TheJordanRoss) May 2, 2015
Look, some folks are truly hot about the Cowboys not taking a single running back, but it's best to not explode over it. Nobody will truly know what the truth is until we let them play.