The Dallas Cowboys select Chris Covington with the 193rd pick in the 2018 NFL draft

With the 193rd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Chris Covington, linebacker from Indiana.

NFL.com

Covington is a better athlete than skilled linebacker at this point in his development, but he has intriguing length, speed and athleticism that could be moldable on the next level. He still needs to get stronger and improve his technique, but he could become a special teams factor on coverage teams if he makes the squad. His ability to play in the league may rest upon whether or not he can improve his instincts and feel for blocking schemes.

Bleacher Report

POSITIVES

—Well-built that combines enough speed and physicality to be effective in NFL.

—Can open up and run with the best of them.

—Moldable prospect that has baseline athleticism and is still learning position.

—Natural athlete who is ultra-competitive.

—Good tackler who brings some “pop” and runs behind his pads.

NEGATIVES

—Converted QB with limited experience at the position.

—Underwhelming diagnose skills and doesn’t read and react like other linebackers yet.

—Technical aspects of position are undeveloped.

—Doesn’t have functional hand usage to take on blocks and disengage.

—Overruns gaps and loses leverage.

Cowboys Needs:

Wide receiver: The Cowboys receiving corps struggled in 2017, and that was before they released Dez Bryant. Adding Allen Hurns helped, but they could still look for more firepower in a Dak-friendly offense.

Guard/Offensive line: Jonathan Cooper moved on, and the Cowboys didn't get a sure-fire replacement in free agency. There is still a discussion about moving La’el Collins back inside, so they need a guard or right tackle.

Linebacker: Anthony Hitchens was a solid part of the rotation, but he’s gone. Sean Lee is the main man but his injury history is a problem. Jaylon Smith is still tying to regain his form pre-injury. Dallas could use another piece here.

Defensive tackle: The Cowboys had to play Maliek Collins out of position for much of the year, and the run defense suffered for it. Collins was also not as effective as he was in 2016. A big 1-tech with 3-tech traits would be nice.

Tight end: Jason Witten is retiring. Now that we’ve processed that, tight end certainly moves up on the needs chart.

Safety: Safety is not the most pressing need, but we could certainly see Dallas attack it at some point.

Cowboys draft picks:

(Round-pick in the round-overall pick)

1-19-19: Leighton Vander Esch

2-18-50: Connor Williams

3-17-81: Michael Gallup

4-16-116: Dorance Armstrong

4-37-137: Dalton Schultz

5-34-171: Mike White

6-19-193: Chris Covington

6-34-208 Dallas

7-18-236 Dallas