Why the Dallas Cowboys' first-round draft strategy is obvious after free agency
The Dallas Cowboys have lost two key wide receivers in the last week. Dallas traded Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns (a move that was made by the Cowboys to clear salary cap space) over the weekend. Then on Monday, Cedrick Wilson agreed to sign a three-year deal worth $22 million with the Miami Dolphins. […]
The Dallas Cowboys have lost two key wide receivers in the last week.
Dallas traded Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns (a move that was made by the Cowboys to clear salary cap space) over the weekend. Then on Monday, Cedrick Wilson agreed to sign a three-year deal worth $22 million with the Miami Dolphins.
That leaves CeeDee Lamb and the recently re-signed Michael Gallup as the only two starting wide receivers on the Cowboys' roster.
There's no guarantee that Dallas will have Gallup to start the season. There's optimism that he'll be fully recovered from the torn ACL he suffered in 2021, but that's not a certainty.
Dallas obviously needs to add another wide receiver and it seems like they won't be spending much to get one (the Wilson deal was reasonable at just over $7 million a year, which means the Cowboys probably want to go cheaper).
That means Dallas needs to add a wide receiver in the draft — specifically a wide receiver who can be a No. 3 option from day one. That would suggest the Cowboys need to draft a wide receiver in the first round.
The ideal option is Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks. He's 6-foot-3 and has excellent hands. If he falls to the Cowboys at No. 24, it's an obvious choice. Another option is Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave, a speedy wide receiver who could potentially fall to Dallas.
Trading up for one of those wide receivers if they start falling could be an option as well.
If the Cowboys miss on Burks and Olave, they could look at Penn State wide receiver Jahan Datson, a 5-foot-11 wide receiver who is a solid route runner and great after the catch.
Dallas has a few needs outside of wide receiver in the draft. But I still think they'll be looking for a wide receiver in the first round to complement Lamb and Gallup (and provide some security if Gallup isn't ready).
That plan could change depending on how the draft plays out, but for now, I think looking for a wide receiver will be the Cowboys' approach.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
