Cowboys first-round draft recap: What they did and what they still need to do for the rest of the draft

The Dallas Cowboys have made their pick and it didn’t come without some drama. We’ve discussed the possibility of the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos potentially taking cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II ahead of the Cowboys as a worst case scenario. Well. that worst case scenario came for the Cowboys as the Panthers took Horn at number eight and the Broncos took Surtain II with the ninth pick.

For all of the people that wanted the Cowboys to trade back got their wish as the Cowboys traded back with the Eagles who moved up from the 12th pick. The Cowboys received the Eagles 12th pick and the 84th overall pick which is in the third round. The Eagles would go on to select Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith. The Cowboys would be on the clock two picks later and would select the polarizing, but very talented, linebacker, Micah Parsons.

In Parsons the Cowboys are getting a player that has the ability to play the run and rush the passer, but at this point has limited ability in coverage. In Dan Quinn’s scheme, he will be in more of zone coverage when dropping back. At 6’3 and 246lbs, Parsons can come in and immediately start for this team, the question now becomes who will he replace in the starting lineup, Leighton Vander Esch or Jaylon Smith. Right now the Cowboys media is projecting Parsons at the MIKE, with LVE at the WILL and Smith playing the SAM. All of that is just conjecture right now, we’ll have to see more when the start lining up in the offseason

Looking forward, the Cowboys have four picks tomorrow in the top 100 picks (44, 75, 84, and 99), and while fans may be upset about the pick or losing out on the top two cornerbacks, the Cowboys have a chance to get players that can still come in and start in the second and possibly third rounds. So let's take a look at the positions of need still remaining for the Cowboys.

Cornerback - There are still plenty of players that the Cowboys can choose from like Ifeatu Melifonwu, Elijah Molden Tyson Campbell, Aaron Robinson, and Asante Samuel, Jr. who are still on the board.

Safety - Several safeties the Cowboys have shown interest in are still on the board in Jevon Holland, Trevon Moehrig, and Richie Grant.

Defensive End - The defensive end class was better suited to be drafted in the second and third rounds so the Cowboys are in a good spot here as well.

Offensive Line - There are still a few offensive tackles and guards on the board that can come in and help the Cowboys by competing for the left guard spot and transition to left tackle when Tyron Smith leaves or retires.

Don't worry Cowboy fans, the Cowboys may not have gotten who they wanted, or we all wanted, but they still have four picks in the Top 100 to address their needs, with more on Day 3. And they got a very good player in Parsons.