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The Dallas Cowboys have put in work in this draft to redo their entire defense. They’re not waiting for guys to step up anymore and they have added playmakers. That’s the most important thing to remember from this process. Nate Newton said earlier in the offseason that the only thing the Cowboys’ needed was playmakers on defense; that’s what they got too.
Say what you will about Taco Charlton but he was a top defensive end in this class and is solid all around. You’re not waiting on Taco Charlton to get healthy or gain weight, he’s a guy that will be asked to get after the quarterback from day one. Chidobe Awuzie is perhaps my favorite pick, here’s an A+ athlete and effort player that can do multiple things in the secondary. Jourdan Lewis has the DV case hanging over his head but methinks the Cowboys have a good pin on that situation. Lewis is perhaps the best slot cornerback in this draft with amazing playmaking ability (hint: one-handed pick versus Wisconsin in Bowl Game.)
Keeping the ball rolling, we’re headed into Day 3 and we got some starting caliber players still left on the board. If you want to know the importance of Day 3 picks, look no further than your new franchise quarterback, Dak Prescott and starting left cornerback, Anthony Brown. The NFL had four rookies make the Pro Bowl this year, three of which were picked on Day 3. We’ve got another Mini-Board for you:
| POS | Fourth Round | Fifth Round | Sixth Round | Seventh Round |
| DEFENSE | ||||
| DE | *Carl Lawson, AUB | Joe Mathis, WAS | Avery Moss, Young. St. | Samson Ebukam, E. WASH |
| Deatrich Wise, ARK | Hunter Dimick, Utah | Keion Adams, W. MICH | Josh Carraway, TCU | |
| Carroll Phillips, ILL | Ejuan Price, PITT | |||
| DT | Davon Godchaux, LSU | Carlos Watkins, CLEM | Tanzel Smart, Tulane | Jeremiah Ledbetter, ARK |
| Caleb Brantley, FL | Charles Walker, OK | |||
| Jaleel Johnson, Iowa | ||||
| LB | Vince Biegel, WISC | Ben Gedeon, MICH | Ben Boulware, CLEM | Jalen Reeves-Maybin, TEN |
| Blair Brown, Ohio | Jayon Brown, UCLA | |||
| CB | Desmond King, Iowa | Damontae Kazee, SDST | Brandon Wilson, HOU | Treston Decoud, ORST |
| Howard Wilson, HOU | Marquez White, FLST | |||
| Corn Elder, MIA | ||||
| S | Xavier Woods, La Tech | Tedric Thompson, Col | Lorenzo Jerome, St. Francis | Johnathan Ford, AUB |
| Eddie Jackson, ALA | ||||
| OFFENSE | ||||
| QB | Josh Dobbs, TEN | Brad Kaaya, MIA | Chad Kelly, Ole Miss | Seth Russell, BAY |
| Nathan Peterman, PIT | ||||
| RB | Samaje Perine, OK | Donnel Pumphrey, SDST | Elijah McGuire, UL LAF | Aaron Jones, TX El Paso |
| Tarik Cohen, NC AT&T | ||||
| TE | *Jake Butt, MICH | Jeremy Sprinkle, ARK | Eric Saubert, Drake | Cethan Carter, NEB |
| George Kittle, Iowa | ||||
| Bucky Hodges, VT | ||||
| WR | *Dede Westbrook, OK | KD Cannon, BAY | Ishmael Zamora, BAY | Fred Ross, M. State |
| Malachi Dupri, LSU | Mack Hollins, NC | Stacy Coley, MIA | Michael Rector, STAN | |
| Josh Reynolds, A&M | ||||
| Chad Hansen, CAL | ||||
| OL | Julie'n Davenport, OT | Adam Bisnowaty, OT | Dan Skipper, OT | Storm Norton, OT |
| Isaac Asiata, OG | Erik Magnuson, OT | |||
| Dorian Johnson, OG | ||||
| Conor McDermott, OT | ||||
| Will Holden, OT | ||||
| *Denotes player with significant injury history | ||||
Top Considerations:
Carl Lawson, DE (4th Round): If the Cowboys can come away with Lawson that could be another starter they add. He doesn’t have the measurable the Cowboys are keen on but this guy flat out is a quarterback hunter. If not for the significant injuries, Lawson could have been a first round selection.
Desmond King, CB/S (4th Round): If the Cowboys want to keep adding playmakers in the secondary that can start but also have position flexibility, it’s King hands down. He’s got size and speed with the range to cover all comers.
Xavier Woods, SS (4th Round): This will give the Cowboys a chance to come away with four starters and Woods can lay the wood. He’s racked up some impressive stats at La Tech with five interceptions last season and 89 tackles. This is the best playmaking strong safety on the board.
Dede Westbrook, WR (4th Round): Sure, folks are concerned about his size and injury history but this is a flat-out baller right here. Put him opposite Dez Bryant and let him make some plays. He’s got the speed to burn folks but the hands to succeed at the NFL level. He was a remarkable talent at OU.
Ben Gedeon, LB (5th Round): Gedeon was someone the Cowboys’ met with at the Senior Bowl, they like his range and ability to play multiple positions. Gedeon can even rush the passer and would be a good fit at SAM or insurance in the middle.
Tedric Thompson, S (5th Round): Go ahead, Cowboys. Get yourselves Chidobe Awuzie’s old Buffalo buddy. Thompson has the range and can really carry the measuring stick as a hitter. He was part of an outstanding secondary in Colorado. He also has 13 interceptions over the last three seasons to his name.
KD Cannon, WR (5th Round): What’s one way to make the Cowboys roster? Beat out Lucky Whitehead for the return duties. Here’s another cat with blazing speed and can destroy a defense over the top.
Donnel Pumphrey, RB (5th Round): The Cowboys are looking for another running back to add to the mix. Pumphrey is a blend of good speed, vision, and ability to find the hole and go. He’s also a very reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Lorenzo Jerome, S (6th Round): This is one of the pet cats that just seemingly always finds the ball. He was a standout at the Senior Bowl with two picks and two forced fumbles. The closer you play him to the ball carrier the better. He’s got instincts that you just can’t teach.
Seth Russell, QB (7th Round): This team most likely wants to add a young arm to the stable of quarterbacks. Russell was a standout quarterback at Baylor before he was injured but that’s all behind him now. He’s got a strong arm and mobility in the pocket to run an offensive scheme like the Cowboys have.
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