The NFL Draft is the offseason’s Super Bowl. Some fans, including myself, get even more excited waiting for the Draft than the big game. The future of every NFL franchise is at stake every April. Everyone’s dying to know where the top prospects are going to go and who will be the new guy on the roster of their favorite team.
The Dallas Cowboys will host this year’s edition of the NFL Draft at the AT&T Stadium. But all that will matter to Cowboys Nation once it’s open is who the front office is going to take with the 19th overall pick as well as in the second and third day of the event.
Currently, the Cowboys have 10 picks this year. Whether or not they’ll draft a player with each or use them to trade up or down it’s unknown. But for now, it’s fun to enjoy the uncertainty and talk about potential draft scenarios Dallas might find itself in.
Welcome to this special edition of Cowboys Wishlist!
Wish #1: Draft Vita Vea
The Dallas Cowboys could find a handful of talent when they’re on the clock, but my personal favorite would be Washington DT Vita Vea. It’s realistic to see him being there at 19, but it’s also realistic so him gone by then.
I wouldn’t even mind if this team decides to jump up a few spots in order to get him.
Vea might be a defensive tackle, a position that rarely is taken in the first round, but the impact he could have on a defense that already has guys like DeMarcus Lawrence and David Irving in the defensive line, as well as a couple of very capable linebackers could be huge.
The Cowboys believe Washington DT Vita Vea is a three-down player…not a typical nose guard. Rod Marinelli told me as much at the combine
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) April 3, 2018
I don’t think there’s another guy (who the Cowboys could realistically find at 19) who would help the entire front seven as much as Vita Vea. The guy’s a beast.
Wish #2: Find the Future Tight End
Jason Witten isn’t getting any younger. As painful as it is to admit it, it’s still true. The Dallas Cowboys’ tight end doesn’t make the impact he once did, even though he’s still a reliable target in the passing game.
With 35-yeas of age, it’s high time the Cowboys look for a player they can develop to replace the future Hall of Famer on the offense.
Rico Gathers would make for an epic story, for sure. But maybe we’re being a little to optimistic by thinking he’s the future at the position. Maybe he isn’t that good. I’d like to see this football team take a chance on other guys in this year’s class.
There will be many tight ends in Day 3 who could develop into very good players and have a nice career in the NFL. Durham Smythe, Dalton Schultz, Troy Fumagalli among others, are players the Cowboys should be eyeing closely in the later rounds.
Wish #3: Nail Day 2 of the Draft
Last year, the Cowboys did a pretty good job by taking two key starters for the cornerback group in Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis. Many in Cowboys Nation were a bit disappointed by the Taco Charlton pick in the first round, but were immediately made happier when they saw what the front office was able to get in Day 2.
This time around the class won’t be as deep, but there definitely will be talent available at needed positions such as wide receiver and offensive guard.
Although they can address one of these positions with the 19th pick, they may be better off waiting until the second and third round.
For instance, Memphis’ Anthony Miller or Oklahoma State’s James Washington could be a couple of wide receivers the Cowboys may find in the second round.
Wish #4: Find a RB in the Later Rounds
I like Rod Smith a lot. I think he can provide the Cowboys with a very solid backup running back to Ezekiel Elliott and thrive as a RB2. However, this running back class is so deep that there will be some pretty good RBs in the later rounds.
If the Cowboys feel like adding someone else to the running back room, they could definitely find someone like Royce Freeman from Oregon or Darrel Williams from LSU, among many others to create an even more devastating running attack.
The Dallas Cowboys have done more than a decent job in free agency, and now it’s time to have an even better NFL Draft. We all know this a draft-first team and have been able to find success lately. This year, the Draft will be a tricky one, though.
I don’t know about you, but I trust this front office to make the right calls.
