NFL 2020 Draft: Three LSU players that the Dallas Cowboys could target in the first round

The Dallas Cowboys enter the offseason with a ton of things to check off the to-do list: re-sign Dak Prescott, determine what to do with Amari Cooper, and make tough decisions regarding pass-rusher Robert Quinn and cornerback Byron Jones.

Will McClay will have his hands filled with finding prospects in this draft class that can come in and make an immediate impact — especially with how Dallas will be restricted from making too many free agency moves after (likely) locking Prescott up. We have come to see that McClay and Co. like players at big programs.

With that said, let’s take a look at some prospects from the national champions, the LSU Tigers — a team that is sending 16 prospects to the NFL Combine, five more than the next most (Ohio State and Michigan with 11).

• Grant Delpit, SAF

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Perhaps the player that has been most linked to the Dallas Cowboys during the early stages of the 2020 NFL Draft process is LSU defensive back Grant Delpit. Deplit, a former blue-chip prospect and Thorpe Award winner, has a pedigree that has to be intriguing to many NFL teams. Combine that with the glaring need at safety for the Cowboys, the match seems to make sense for both parties.

My co-host on the Talkin’ The Star podcast, Dalton Miller, broke down how each safety prospect in this year’s class fits into the Cowboys defense. This is what Miller wrote on Delpit:

Delpit is a stud. The numerical grade is what it is because of his struggles against the run. As a coverage safety he outdoes the rest. However, I personally value a well-rounded safety and without possessing the bonkers range I can’t personally ignore those issues in run support. He will, and should, be the top safety on boards looking for a roaming free safety. But for the Dallas Cowboys, if they go to a Quarters base, he should not be the top target. On top of that, his fit with Woods just isn’t great. If you draft Delpit, you might want to look to double dip and take an actual strong safety late on day two or early on day 3 of the draft.

Deplit is an intriguing prospect that has his pros and cons. He has played in some big-time games, but has also struggled in other moments. Could the Cowboys add the LSU star in this year’s draft?

• Krisitan Fulton, CB

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As good as Delpit’s career was in Baton Rouge, the Tigers had no shortage of talent in the defensive backfield. Kristian Fulton, a former elite high school prospect in his own right, locked down opposing wide receivers all season long as teams preferred to test true freshman Derrick Stingley Jr. — who was probably the best freshman in all of college football in 2019 — rather than attack Fulton.

Fulton has been consistently ranked the second best corner in this year’s class, and it is because of his ability to guard just about everybody he lines up against. Fulton is fluid, fast, and sticks to his man, making it difficult for the receiver lined up against him to make any kind of plays. The LSU DB picked off one pass and made 14 PD’s in 2019 as teams looked to avoid him.

With Byron Jones set to hit free agency, Fulton is a possibility for the Cowboys on day one of this year’s draft.

• K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE

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Yet another LSU star that is likely to hear his name called early in April is EDGE rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. The star pass rusher has consistently disrupted offenses since signing with the Tigers as a five-star prospect in the 2017 recruiting class.

The Houston native missed one season after suffering a season-ending injury in the first game versus Miami, but he showcased what he is capable of doing in 2019. Through his career (24 games), the defender has totaled 92 tackles, 19 TFLs, and 9.5 sacks.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler is high on the LSU defender, noting that is speed is “impressive”.

Athletes who can get after the quarterback will always be coveted by NFL teams. And although Chaisson must get stronger and diversify his rush attack, he displays impressive edge speed to stress blockers, converting his first step quickness to power.

Robert Quinn had a strong season with the Cowboys after the team acquired him in exchange for sixth-round draft pick. With Quinn hitting free agency, there are questions on whether or not Dallas will be able to bring him back. Chaisson would be a strong replacement.