Three players the Cowboys could target in the first round of the draft
The Dallas Cowboys have a handful of different positions to address this offseason. Offensive line, defensive line, and safety are three that jump to mind. Currently holding the No. 24 overall selection, there are multiple routes that the Dallas Cowboys could take in the first round. Talented players often fall in the draft, and positional […]
The Dallas Cowboys have a handful of different positions to address this offseason. Offensive line, defensive line, and safety are three that jump to mind.
Currently holding the No. 24 overall selection, there are multiple routes that the Dallas Cowboys could take in the first round. Talented players often fall in the draft, and positional value can vary from team-to-team.
Upgrading the offensive line is a must for the Cowboys this offseason. Connor Williams set to hit free agency, combined with the struggles that the unit had this past season, makes this area priority.
Similarly, Randy Gregory is an impending free agent, and Donovan Wilson is the only safety currently under contract for the Cowboys. Dan Quinn will certainly have a say in adding talent to his side of the ball.
Using Dane Brugler's updated rankings, we've identified three different prospects that the Cowboys could target in the first round.
RISING PASS RUSHER
Randy Gregory is not under contract, and there is speculation that the Cowboys could part ways with DeMarcus Lawrence this offseason. That makes pass rusher an obvious position of need for the Cowboys this offseason.
Enter Jermaine Johnson. The Florida State standout transferred into the Seminoles program after playing for Georgia in 2020. Johnson a breakout season this past year, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors after his 12-sack campaign.
Below is how Brugler described the pass rusher that has been flying up draft boards after the Senior Bowl:
Johnson has the length, agility and active hands that lead to disruption as both a pass rusher and run defender and projects as an every-down NFL starter.
Quinn would certainly love the idea of pairing Micah Parsons with Johnson to get after the quarterback.
VERSATILE BLOCKER
Offensive line is certainly a need for the Dallas Cowboys. The unit as a whole struggled during the 2021 season, ultimately playing a major role in the offense struggling down the stretch of the year.
Texas A&M guard Kenyon Green would be an excellent fit with the Cowboys. Green is a muti-year starter in the SEC with experience playing all over the offensive line. He is a strong lineman that can provide a boost at different positions along the line of scrimmage.
Below is a snippet of what Brugler said about Green in his latest set of rankings:
After starting at right guard as a freshman and left guard as a sophomore, Green was the only returning starter on the Aggies’ offensive line as a junior and was asked to fill in across the line, becoming the only NCAA player with 80-plus snaps at four different offensive line positions in 2021.
Adding Green to the mix wouldn't be a fix-all solution, but it would go a long way in getting the Cowboys back to playing with a strong and an effective offensive line.
HIGH PROFILE SAFETY
Out of the bunch of needs, safety is probably the most unlikely route that Dallas takes in the first-round. The front office has not shown to prioritize the position, nor invest meaningful resources into upgrading the room.
All of that said, Dax Hill is the kind of player that could force the Cowboys to re-think its line of thinking. Hill is an athletic defensive back with a five-star pedigree, emerging as an impactful defender at the highest level for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan.
Below is a summary of Brugler's notes on Hill:
Although he has the size of a cornerback, he should test off the charts and plays with the toughness of a safety. With his versatile skills, Hill is exactly what several teams are searching for in their secondaries.
Hill possesses a ton of versatility and is a plus-player in coverage. Pairing him with Wilson — and Kearse, if he re-signs — would be an ideal scenario for Dallas.
It is still early in the draft process, but this was a glimpse of who the Cowboys could have their eyes on come April.
Featured image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
