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After three days, the Cowboys ended up selecting nine draft picks and trading for two veterans. We asked the front page writers to share their favorite picks the Cowboys made in the 2018 NFL Draft:
Tom Ryle:
Connor Williams. See my 412 articles about the importance of drafting a new left guard. And he was, at the time, likely the last day one walk in starter left in the draft. He was actually better in my eyes than some who went before him, like Austin Corbett. That was the one moment in this draft that made me really nervous, after seeing that run on the offensive line earlier in the round. But when Paul Alexander showed up on the draft cam, I did a happy dance, because it looked clear to me that Connor Williams was their guy.
Cole Patterson:
I feel like the popular answer will be Connor Williams, so I will go with Michael Gallup. Gallup was a great value pick in the third-round for a team that is looking for a wide receiver to step up in 2018. He’s 6-foot-1, runs a 4.5, and is one of the better route runners in this draft class. After starring on the JUCO level, he became an All-American star and Biletnikoff Award finalist at Colorado State. Gallup is physical, can make contested catches, and is only getting better. I am really excited to see what he can do while wearing The Star.
DannyPhantom:
It’s Connor Williams for me and it’s not even close. I had him ranked 4th in our “who Dallas should target at 50” experiment and as my colleagues know from our chat session during the draft, I was emphatically willing him to us once we got past pick 35. For me, he just seems like a perfect fit for our team. He’s a leader, fundamentally sound, has that nastiness in him, and works incredibly hard between the whistles. I also love his position flex as he’ll just be one of several college tackles that the Cowboys have moved inside to guard in recent years. The days of missing Ronald Leary are over. Williams will help make this new great wall impermeable and one of the strongest it’s been in a long while.
Dave Halprin:
Michael Gallup. Everyone might have noticed that I had a thing about our receivers inability to create separation and lack of quality route-running. That’s one reason I wanted Calvin Ridley who is as polished a route-runner as I’ve seen. Fortunately, Gallup is also a guy who runs quality routes and he’s pretty good at getting contested catches. He’s an all-around receiver who only lacks elite speed. A superb value in the third round.
Michael Sisemore:
As much as I love Michael Gallup as a receiver, the right call is Connor Williams. Most draft experts put Williams in the first round and he was usually in between 20-25. The Cowboys must have been on pins and needles as that run began in the second round. However, they ended up with an new left guard about 25 spots later than expected. Williams returns the Cowboys to what they do best, without a great offensive line, this team is just not the same. Connor Williams will plug right in and bring the aggression back in this run game. With a punishing ground game, all is possible for the Cowboys.
Ryan Ratty:
My favorite pick in this draft was Connor Williams. It was awesome value in the second round and he will contribute right away at guard in between Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick. Williams’ excellent athleticism will help him be a big-time producer in the Cowboys’ run game. Plus, he offers some positional flexibility in case of injury due to his playing days at the tackle position for the Longhorns. With the release of Dez Bryant, teams were going to add more defenders in the box to shut down Dallas’ running game. Cowboys severely needed to shore up their offensive line to get back to their identity and they did just that by adding a player who is ready to contribute right away in Connor Williams.
Well, a little love for Michael Gallup but the consensus is Connor Williams. What about you BTB community?
Poll
What was your favorite pick the Cowboys made in this draft?
This poll is closed
-
23%
LB Leighton Vander Esch
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50%
OL Connor Williams
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11%
WR Michael Gallup
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1%
DE Dorance Armstrong
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1%
TE Dalton Schultz
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3%
QB Mike White
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0%
LB Chris Covington
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1%
WR Cedrick Wilson
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6%
RB Bo Scarborough