The NFL Draft is finally here. The Dallas Cowboys have seven selections are their disposal, but only three of them reside in the top 100. That is why many Cowboys fans want the team to trade back in the first round.
With multiple roster holes, an extra day two pick would move mountains. It’s widely expected the Cowboys will take an offensive linemen with their first pick, but they could come away with two OL with their first three picks after they lost their left tackle and center in free agency.
Being that Dallas’ first-round target — at least the position — is seemingly a lock, the second-round pick becomes even more compelling. Linebackers Junior Colson (Michigan), Payton Wilson (N.C. State) and Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M) could all be in play at pick No. 56, but that would mean waiting until round three (pick No. 87) to address running back.
This isn’t a deep RB class, but Tennessee’s Jaylen Wright, USC’s Marshawn Lloyd, Kentucky’s Ray Davis and Notre Dame’s Audric Estime are all potential future starters who could be found in the third round.
So, what are the Cowboys scheming 72 hours until draft night? ESPN’s Adam Schefter is hearing they’ll be aggressive filling their RB void (subscription required).
“Even in a draft considered subpar at the position — more on that in a moment — some think it would be a surprise if [Jonathon] Brooks made it past Dallas’ turn at No. 56.”
Brooks has been widely mocked to the Cowboys in the second round throughout the pre-draft proccess. Despite tearing his ACL on Dec. 1, Brooks is expected to be the first RB off the board. Viewed as a first-round pick before the injury, Dallas would be getting a discount on Brooks at pick No. 56.
Having only signed Rico Dowdle and Royce Freeman in free agency after losing Tony Pollard, the Cowboys are in dire straits at running back. The injury timeline is the only knock on Brooks as a prospect, but Brooks is already running post-surgery and should be cleared for training camp.
Schefter anticipates that Brooks will make a significant impact as a rookie regardless of where he’s drafted. The Texas star is far and away the best zone back in the class. He has great contact balance regardless of what speed he’s running and his footwork and lateral quickness are both jaw-dropping for a back who weighs over 200 pounds.
Nobody that played the Cowboys last year was scared of their running game. The play of the offensive line had something to do with that, but Brooks could change that. Given Brooks’ Texas roots and connections to the team (Dallas’ team doctor performed his knee surgery), it seems like a foregon conclusion that Brooks will be the pick at No. 56 if he’s on the board.