Cowboys release video of War Room's debate on first-round draft pick
The Dallas Cowboys usually let the fans take a peek at their War Room during the NFL Draft via the team's official "Draft Show." It's always a fun experience as you get to see which coach is on the phone and you try to figure out who the pick might be moments before it's announced. […]
The Dallas Cowboys usually let the fans take a peek at their War Room during the NFL Draft via the team's official "Draft Show." It's always a fun experience as you get to see which coach is on the phone and you try to figure out who the pick might be moments before it's announced.
Just about every time they're on the clock, you wonder what they're discussing before they turn the card in. Well, the Cowboys released some video of their conversation ahead of the 26th overall pick and we learned a lot from it.
In the video, the Cowboys are debating two prospects they're considering drafting with their first-round selection before settling on Michigan's nose tackle Mazi Smith. As for the other prospect in consideration? It was offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron out of Syracuse, as many insiders have confirmed.
Bergeron, who many considered a prospect the Cowboys could draft in order to slide him inside as a guard, ultimately was passed on following Will McClay's argument. It's safe to say it'll make for some controversy among fans. You can watch the clip below.
"I think that (Mazi) helps us now," argued McClay, who becomes the de-facto GM when it's Draft season. "Because I know that he helps us now. With the guard, love the guard too, my question is, you're adding something to where you have depth. I think the defensive lineman gives you an immediate starter and something for the future."
That statement alone is very revealing. Many fans and media members would've assumed the team's top need was an offensive lineman. Clearly, the team has a different point of view. Judging by the conversation, they didn't even assume Bergeron would provide them with a Day 1 starter.
If we dare enter speculation territory, one could assume the Cowboys are planning to roll out the same projected offensive line they wanted to before Tyron Smith's injury last year. In other words, have Tyron start at left tackle with Tyler Smith taking over at left guard and Terence Steele at right tackle.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is also heard mentioning that he'd be "cutthroat" if they missed out on any of the two prospects after "having them right in our hands." This essentially confirms what Patrik Walker had previously reported about Dallas fielding a call to trade down with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Thanks to the clip, we also got to see just how much the Cowboys appear to like Mazi Smith, who became the franchise's first defensive tackle picked in the first round since 1991.
"We've not had an interior defensive lineman that high in quite some time," says McClay as a closing argument in the War Room.
That's a powerful statement that reflects how the front office feels about the prospect out of Michigan. Smith's a freakishly athletic prospect that consistently won at the line of scrimmage thanks to his power and strength. While his pass rush tape might not get everyone super excited, he can bring a lot to the table against the run and has the tools to develop into a productive pass rusher, too.
And I can tell you this: Dan Quinn will know how to use him to take Micah Parsons' and DeMarcus Lawrence's games to a whole new level. A nose tackle that can demand double teams and keep opponents from sliding the center to help out their teammates can make a huge impact that doesn't show up on the stat sheet.
For a full recap of the Cowboys' draft class, check out my nightly live show A to Z Sports Dallas Primetime below!
