Cowboys 2020 draft: Dallas beefs up their defense, selecting Trevon Diggs and Neville Gallimore

After the shocking selection of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on day one, it seemed almost certain that the Dallas Cowboys would spend both of their day two picks on defensive players. As it turns out, that notion became reality when the Cowboys selected cornerback Trevon Diggs and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore on Friday night.

With these picks, the Cowboys were able to address a position of need in the secondary and beef up their interior defense. Even though they brought in Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe in free agency, Dallas still needed one defensive tackle who could see some decent playing time, and Gallimore can be that guy. In regards to Diggs, it seemed like a must the Cowboys come out of this draft with a cornerback, and they got one who was among the top group of cornerbacks on almost everyone’s board.

According to draft expert Dan Brugler of the Athletic, Dallas selected three of the top 70 players in this draft with their first three picks.

Out of the two, Diggs was clearly the pick with the higher ceiling. The 6’1 Alabama cornerback was mocked as late as last week to the Cowboys at pick 17. Yes, you read that right. Dallas selected a player who some believe they would have to take at 17 with their second-round pick at 51.

That alone shows you what kind of value the Cowboys got in this pick, and Diggs brings a lot to the table to get excited about. Diggs’ size is about as ideal as you could get for an NFL cornerback. He is long, physical, and excels in man coverage.

Here’s what BTB’s own Connor Livesay had to say about Diggs in his 2020 draft guide.

Trevon Diggs is another high-upside corner prospect with ideal height, weight, and length at the position. Diggs is able to play in both man and zone schemes, and has excellent ball skills for a player still somewhat new to the position. Will need to improve his technique as a tackler, and show he’s more willing in that area. While the tape is more inconsistent than I’d like from a guy with Diggs’ measurables, he can still make an impact in year one, and develop into a really solid starting CB in the NFL.

The best part about the selection of Diggs is that the Cowboys will not be pressed into starting him early in his career. With Anthony Brown returning along with Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis, Dallas will have a chance to ease Diggs into a role during his rookie year if necessary and not force him onto the field immediately unless he’s ready. As fare as best-case-scenario, at pick 51, Trevon Diggs is about as close as you can get.

Neville Gallimore becomes the second Oklahoma Sooner the Cowboys have selected in two days. The 6’2 senior has the athletic traits worth taking a chance on. In the final two years of his college career, Gallimore recorded seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss.

Here’s what Connor Livesay had to say about Gallimore.

The athletic profile of Neville Gallimore makes his ceiling extremely high. While there is plenty to clean up from a technical standpoint, there aren’t many defensive tackles in the NFL that move like the former Oklahoma Sooner. With his motor, work ethic, and leadership qualities, Gallimore has so much untapped potential that NFL defensive coaches will fall in love with. If he can learn to play with better hand technique and develop a counter, he could be a dangerous under tackle at the next level.

After helping out their offense and defense in big ways the past two nights, Dallas has some options as to where they can go the rest of the draft. The Cowboys biggest remaining needs are EDGE, safety, tight end, linebacker and possibly interior offensive line or developmental quarterback.

The Cowboys would probably love to land an EDGE player early on Day 3 given the unsure status of both Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith. They have Tyrone Crawford plus some other pieces, but grabbing another prospect would make them feel a little more comfortable at the position.

They probably would also like to add a safety that stands a chance of contributing down the road. Both Xavier Woods and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will be free agents in 2021. Adding another prospect with Donovan Wilson and Darian Thompson would round things out nicely.