Cowboys draft 2018: Finding the next star receiver for the Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have spent an awful lot of time looking at receivers in this draft. They have already been linked to about 20 different prospects. The front office is looking every which way in efforts to rebuild the position entirely. The organization very much understands that their quarterback, Dak Prescott, is an entirely different type of passer than their former leader at the helm. As much flak the front office and coaching staff deserves after how things fell apart in 2017, they seem urgent to fix it.

That means that they have turned the microscopic lens inward and have decided that they need to change the types of players they are looking for. We’ve already heard from leaders in the organization that RPO’s, boots, waggles, and spread formations are what they deem fitting for their quarterback.

It’s certainly not true that Dak Prescott can’t be a prolific passer as he was among the most accurate tight-window and deep passers in his first two seasons. However, at this stage of his career, he still needs a supporting cast that can make him instead of the opposite. So, considering the type of offense the Cowboys want to build around Prescott and their All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott, preferences have changed at the receiver position. When looking at the style of offense the Cowboys are going to run, what are they looking for in a receiver?

• Must be able to manufacture own separation
• Crisp route running ability with smooth footwork
• Speed or at least consistent agility in all passing patterns
• Fluid athleticism
• Dynamic threat after the catch (RAC yards)
• Trustworthy hands

Those are just a few prerequisites to consider among others but no prospect is going to be perfect. We know that this class has quality depth at the receiver position and that the Cowboys like to capitalize on perceived positional strengths much like they did with defensive backs last year. We also know that they have plenty of needs outside of receiver which doesn’t necessarily make it priority number one to address. Still, it’s more likely than not that the Cowboys snag a receiver at least by end of day two and it can’t be ruled out at 19.

Below, we have charted all the receivers that the Cowboys have shown interest in plus a few more that could be on the radar. For this chart, we added each receivers stats for 2017 with exception for Antonio Callaway and Quan Jones, who didn’t play this past season for various reasons. For added reference, we also added some pro comparisons to give a visual of each prospect.

In order to determine the right type of receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, we put together a Positives versus Negatives profile for these receivers with help from the Lance Zierlein’s and the Dane Brugler’s of the world but also just good old film watching. With the belief that the Cowboys are picking a receiver within the first three rounds, here’s that comprehensive list of the potential guys. That way you can see for yourself all the good, the bad, and of course, the ugly of this receiver’s class.

First Round

Calvin Ridley, Alabama

Fit for Cowboys: There is no receiver that is better at creating his own separation with the abilities of Ridley. He does have questions about his play strength as well as scouts believe he’s a really high-end Z receiver. For the Cowboys, Allen Hurns can play the X and Ridley is the type of receiver that NFL teams are fawning over these days.

D.J. Moore, Maryland

Fit for Cowboys: Not quite the route-running specialist like Ridley but Moore has made a career of disguising poor quarterback play. He will be there where you need him to be, when you need him to be there. Moore is an electric playmaker with good play strength and elite after catch abilities.

Courtland Sutton, SMU

Fit for Cowboys: Sutton has tremendous WR1 upside and would fit the role best left open by the Dez Bryant departure. He’s a better route runner than he gets credit for and is able to create the necessary separation early and late in the quarterback's progressions.

Second Round

Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

Fit for Cowboys: He gets pigeon-holed into a player that can only play the slot and special teams but that’s a bit unfair. He’s a very sudden player that if given the ball with space, he’s absolutely able to torch a defense. One of the best things about Kirk is that he’s a decisive player that doesn’t hesitate to beat you.

DJ Chark, LSU

Fit for Cowboys: If you’re looking for explosion in the offense, Chark is your guy. He’s got multiple gears of speed and agility that make him hard to deal with. He’s a solid, willing blocker in the run game and has the body awareness to not let his leaner frame get exposed. It will take a coaching staff that can keep him engaged though to see his full potential as his consistency is a problem.

Anthony Miller, Memphis

Fit for Cowboys: Miller is one of my pet cats as he has the play-speed for the position but also is one of the crispiest route runners in this draft. He not only creates his own separation but can easily become the quarterback’s best friend when the play breaks down.

Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame

Fit for Cowboys: St. Brown is another plus playmaker that has intimidating speed to bust up a defense with ease. He’s very light on his feet and that confuses cornerbacks on how to cover this guy because he can overtake them with multiple gears to his game. He made a ton of backbreaking plays for the Irish.

James Washington, Oklahoma State

Fit for Cowboys: He’s got a ways to go in learning the route tree in the NFL but if you want a guy who can take a ball and house it, that’s Washington. He’s built stout like a running back much like D.J. Moore is but Washington has explosion that few can match. He averaged 20 yards per catch so if Dak Prescott is looking for a deep ball target, it’s likely that Washington will fit the bill.

Dante Pettis, Washington

Fit for Cowboys: Pettis is not the type of guy like a Dez Bryant, who has that leader of the pack mentality. However, Pettis is another finely-tuned route runner that is always there for the play when he’s needed. Pettis does a nice job of working back to his quarterback and being available when the QB has to scramble. He’s a reliable pass catcher that trusts his hands to make the play.

Third Round

Michael Gallup, Colorado State

Fit for Cowboys: His footwork and technique are what get him to the dance as he’s able to drive the corners off their backpedal, making them look silly in the process. He does have some little things to correct and can’t take plays off just because he’s not getting the ball. However, Gallup improved his route running and shows the ability to rack up yards after the catch.

TreQuan Smith, Central Florida

Fit for Cowboys: Smith isn’t a name that we’ve discussed all that often but he’s someone that should be talked about. He had incredible production with 13 touchdowns last season. Smith has speed but he also has an eye on the sticks with 78% of his catches being first downs. Some of his best attributes are his abilities to track the poorly thrown balls and be a contributor in a run-first offense.

DaeSean Hamilton, Penn State

Fit for Cowboys: Hamilton just seems like the type of receiver that the Cowboys will be looking for if they don’t get one early. He’s a solid route runner that creates his own separation and was an overachiever. He doesn’t have game-breaking speed but he’s a great ball tracker and can win the contested catch battle.

There you have it, folks. A comprehensive pros and cons sheet for all the receivers in the first few rounds. Which receivers do you think the Cowboys will be interested in?