Cowboys 2018 draft: Best available players after round one of the draft

The long wait is over. The first round is in the books and the Cowboys got themselves one of the best linebackers in the draft. It was a crazy first round with some weird stuff happening. Before we get to the players still remaining on the board, let’s review some of the highlights from Day 1. Here are the players selected in the first round:

There were a handful of surprises in the first round.

I’m not thrilled about Saquon Barkley going to New York. He was my highest rated player. My buddy Tom Ryle has the right attitude.

What in the world was Cleveland doing? Taking Baker Mayfield number one overall wasn’t that much of a shocker as rumors had leaked that he was their guy. That’s what you do when it comes to picking a quarterback - you go get your guy. But Denzel Ward at four overall? That’s a lot earlier than I expected.

Speaking of reach, the San Francisco 49ers had one of the biggest reaches of the first round when they took offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey at 9. I guess protecting their new $137 million quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, is a high priority for them.

Their bay area neighbors over in Oakland reached for an offensive tackle of their own, taking Kolton Miller at 15.

The Dolphins got an absolute steal in Minkah Fitzpatrick at 11.

Both Vita Vea and Da’Ron Payne went back-to-back at 12 and 13 so we’ll never know if the Cowboys were giving either of them serious consideration.

Derwin James slid in the draft and Cowboys fans were getting excited thinking about a possible trade-up target, but that was squashed as soon as San Diego selected him at 17.

Calvin Ridley partnered with Julio Jones is very frightening. I don’t like that one bit.

There were several players taken in the first round that I wouldn’t even want the Cowboys to take at 50, so that means there are going to be some real good players available on Day 2. There were three players outside our top 50 who were taken in the first round:

• 20th overall, Detroit Lions - C Frank Ragnow (62nd)
• 27th overall, Seattle Seahawks - RB Rashaad Penny (84th)
• 28th overall, Pittsburgh Steelers - SS Terrell Edmunds (80th)

So, who are the highest rated players left on our board? Let’s take a look (BTB rankings is listed in grey):

The big-name player still on the board is Boston College’s edge rusher, Harold Landry. He was a player many of us would have loved to have at 19, but instead - nobody touched him in round one. What is going on with that? Well, it appears he has been flagged with medical concerns.

I wonder how far he will fall?

Two other first-round targets who are still on the board are offensive linemen James Daniels and Will Hernandez. Could one of them fall to 50? The New York Giants have the second pick in round two and they need offensive line help so I’d be surprised if they passed up on one of them. Connor Williams at 50 would be a gift for Dallas.

Those saying the team should look past Calvin Ridley and D.J. Moore in the first round because a good one will be available in round two have to feel good about that strategy. Both Christian Kirk and Courtland Sutton are still on the board. And even if both those guys are gone, Equanimeous St. Brown and Anthony Miller are solid options on Day 2 as well.

Which player are you hoping to fall to Dallas? Do you think the Cowboys should try to strike a deal and trade up for someone? Or will there be someone the Seattle Seahawks really like be available at 50 to where they swing a trade with the Cowboys for Earl Thomas?

Brace yourself, today’s going to be a fun one.

Here’s another best available list from SB Nation.