Dallas Cowboys: Three things to watch at the NFL Combine
The NFL Draft Combine is finally here. This means the Dallas Cowboys are not too far away from adding another draft class to its roster. As with every year, there is a ton of intrigue surrounding the combine in Indianapolis. However, there may be even more mystery about who the top overall selection will be […]
The NFL Draft Combine is finally here. This means the Dallas Cowboys are not too far away from adding another draft class to its roster.
As with every year, there is a ton of intrigue surrounding the combine in Indianapolis. However, there may be even more mystery about who the top overall selection will be come April.
The workouts and interviews will go a long way in separating prospects from the rest of the pack. Unfortunately, top players such as LSU defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. won't be participating in drills.
Still, there is a lot for the Dallas Cowboys to watch this week. With as many needs as the team has, the Cowboys will be smart to pay attention from the beginning of the combine until the end.
OFFENSIVE LINE TALENT
If you are looking for a strength in this year's draft class, it would be easy to argue for it to be offensive line. From the elite crop of tackles to the talented group of interior linemen, there are plenty of options to go around.
The Cowboys are a team that will look to address offensive line at some point in the draft — perhaps as early with its first pick. The big three at tackle — Evan Neal, Charles Cross, and Ikem Ekwonu — will all likely be gone by the time that Dallas makes it selection.
That said, offensive guards Kenyon Green and Zion Johnson and center Tyler Linderbaum are all potential plug-and-play prospects. Expect the Dallas Cowboys to have a close eye on the offensive linemen in Indy.
LONG DEFENSIVE BACKS
Dan Quinn returning as defensive coordinator makes it a little bit easier to figure out who the Cowboys could look to select in April. Quinn has always liked long, rangy defensive prospects in his scheme.
Therefore, it makes sense for the Cowboys to identify some prospects that fit into that mold.
Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson, Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon, and Florida's Kaiir Elam are three names that could be in the Cowboys' range.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Finally, defensive line is another need for the Dallas Cowboys. Be it pass rusher or in the interior, it would make sense for the Cowboys to add a defensive lineman early in the draft.
At pass rusher, prospects such as Jermaine Johnson out of Florida State, George Karlaftis from Purdue, and Boye Mafe of Minnesota could be prospects to watch if Dallas opts to add one early.
In the interior, Travis Jones has emerged as a popular prospect in Cowboys Draft Twitter. The UConn standout had a solid week at the Senior Bowl and is in play for a second-round selection.
Texas A&M's DeMarvin Leal and Oklahoma's Perrion Winfrey are two more names to get familiar with during combine week.
Featured image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
