NO 1ST ROUNDER, NO PROBLEM?
BY: JOE MARINO
MARCH 18TH, 2019
Four teams have already traded out of the first round in the 2019 NFL Draft, the same number that did so in 2018. All four of the teams without a first round pick in 2018 (Texans, Chiefs, Eagles, Rams) made the playoffs and combined for a record of 45-19. Absent of a player selected among the first 32 picks did not inhibit the success of last year’s group of teams that traded out. What will the fate of this year’s teams be? The Browns, Cowboys, Bears and Saints aren’t currently slated to pick on Day 1 of the draft. Let’s examine what they do have instead and how the draft discussion has shifted.
Each prospect name mentioned is clickable to see their scouting reports
DALLAS COWBOYS
What the Cowboys Do Have: WR Amari Cooper
What the Cowboys Don’t Have: Pick No. 27
How the Draft Picture is Different: The Cooper trade was met with plenty of criticism but Jerry Jones got the last laugh. An NFC East Division Title and 725 Cooper receiving yards with six touchdowns in nine games later, the joke was on the doubters. Cooper now has three 1,000-yard receiving seasons among the first four of his career and is set to land a lucrative contract in the coming months. Dallas has its No. 1 receiver, which would have likely been the discussion for Dallas at No. 27 and probably much higher without Cooper being added.
With its first pick scheduled for No. 58 overall, Dallas has needs at safety, defensive tackle and tight end to consider. I don’t think the Cowboys can marry itself to one position, but taking the best player on the board at one of those slots makes sense.
Among safety prospects to consider,
Deionte Thompson,
Darnell Savage,
Amani Hooker,
Juan Thornhill and
Taylor Rapp are options. At tight end, the value may not be present as I anticipate
Noah Fant,
TJ Hockenson and
Irv Smith being long gone.
Jace Sternberger and
Kahale Warring are in the next tier of tight ends, but that isn’t likely to be the best value for them. At defensive tackle,
Dexter Lawrence,
Renell Wren and
Khalen Saunders have the most appeal in that area of the draft. Overall, Dallas will have plenty of options at positions of need.