Who should the Cowboys pick at 19: Front page writers rank their top five choices

It’s anyone’s guess who the Dallas Cowboys will take with their first-round pick. People are all over the place with their predictions. Even all of us on the BTB staff have our own idea as to which player the Cowboys should pick at 19. Is there any player that stands out as the clear-cut choice for the team’s Day 1 investment? Well, not really. Since our opinions are so widely dispersed, I’ve asked my fellow front page writers to rank their top five choices. From that, we’ve tallied up the scores and determined which player emerged as the top candidate.

Seven writers came up with 10 different players within their top five and the final rankings are as follows:

The winner is...

DE, Harold Landry, Boston College

When it comes to Landry, the front page staff either loves him or they like him as he’s the only player that was included in every single one of our rankings. He had a great 2016 season, but injuries slowed him down last year and that may lead to him sliding in the first round. Despite the contrast in numbers from the last two seasons, Landry has remarkable first-step burst and the bendability to blaze around the edge. Whether it’s a big need or not, the BTB staff agrees that Landry’s talent makes him a great pick at 19.

DT, Vita Vea, Washington

Vea is another quick-burst defensive linemen, only he plays on the inside. As a big run-stopping defensive tackle, many fans are looking past him as a player the Cowboys should go after. And while a couple of writers agree, he’s still one of the top targets for most of us. The athleticism that this 350-pound monster brings to the trenches is too good to pass up.

C/G, James Daniels, Iowa

While he may not be the best G/C in the draft, many are intrigued by the upside of this young offensive linemen. Daniels gets off the ball really fast and has exceptional control of his body. This just has the feel of a Zack Martin pick where it’s not the splash-making choice fans were hoping for, but he could quietly be one of the best players in this draft. Oh, and did I mention the Cowboys could use a starting left guard?

WR, Calvin Ridley, Alabama

If recent drafts are any indication, it’s risky business taking a wide receiver in the first round. However, if you want to mitigate that risk, taking Calvin Ridley is the way to go as he’s the closest thing there is to a sure thing. He’s the most polished route-runner in the draft, he has elite speed, and he possesses great hands that make him a reliable pass-catching target. Despite the release of Dez Bryant, the Cowboys aren’t forced to take a receiver at 19, but with a talent like Ridley still on the board, calling his name might be the smart move.

WR, D.J. Moore, Maryland

Ridley may have the highest floor of any receiver in the draft, but the ceiling of D.J. Moore has to be exciting to many fans, especially if you are wanting a WR early. With a combine performance that showcased his athletic ability, Moore has propelled himself into the conversation as one of the top receivers in the draft. The Cowboys need big playmakings and that’s exactly what Moore is.

Did the front page writers get it right? How do you rank your top five players for the Cowboys first-round pick?