|
With the draft quickly approaching, here is a position-by-position look at the Dallas Cowboys' roster and their potential needs: WIDE RECEIVER On the roster: Terrance Williams (signed through 2020), Allen Hurns (signed through 2019), Cole Beasley (signed through 2018), Deonte Thompson (signed through 2018), Ryan Switzer (signed through 2020), Noah Brown (signed through 2020), Lance Lenoir (signed through 2019), KD Cannon (signed through 2019)  Analysis: The biggest news of the Cowboys’ offseason was the parting of the ways of Dez Bryant. The Cowboys signaled their intentions when they made a major play for Sammy Watkins at the start of free agency, only to see him join the Kansas City Chiefs. Then they added Hurns and Thompson, providing veteran cover if they opted to part ways with Bryant.
The Cowboys made the move knowing Bryant might have another big season in him, but they made it believing he would not have it with them. Williams has been a steady No. 2 receiver, but for the first time in his career he did not record a touchdown in 2017 and he is coming off foot surgery that will limit his work in the offseason. Hurns’ numbers in his final three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars are comparable to the numbers Bryant put up in his final three years with the Cowboys. They believe he is a crisp route-runner who can be friendly to quarterback Dak Prescott. Beasley’s drop in production last year is among the most mind-boggling happenings of 2017; he went from 75 catches in 2016 to just 36. He has to be a major part of the reboot of the passing game. He is too good in the slot to be that invisible. The coaches have to find a way to rediscover his magic. Thompson had his best year last season and can take the top off of a defense with his speed, something the Cowboys have lacked. Switzer is a slot receiver but not in the same way Beasley is. Both are short in stature, but they run routes completely differently. He can be an effective player if used properly. Brown showed some solid blocking skills and the Cowboys like his potential as he enters his second season. Draft need: There has been so much talk about drafting a wide receiver that it seems every angle has been covered. But in Jerry Jones’ tenure as owner and general manager, the Cowboys have not taken many receivers in the top two rounds. Since 1988, the year before Jones arrived, the Cowboys have taken three wide receivers in the first round: Michael Irvin (1988), Alvin Harper (1991) and Bryant (2010). They have taken only four receivers in the second round since 1988: Alexander Wright (1990), Jimmy Smith (1992), Kevin Williams (1993) and Antonio Bryant (2002). Considering how many receivers have visited before the draft and how many workouts the Cowboys had with receivers across the country, it seems like a fait accompli they will add at least one. They have also lauded the work of new receivers coach Sanjay Lal, whom they would more than trust in developing an early round pick. The Cowboys might not “have to” draft a receiver with how they are presently constituted but it makes sense to take one. There’s another draft adage to think about when it comes to the position. They won’t be drafting solely for 2018. They’ll be drafting for 2018-2021. And in 2019, Williams’ guaranteed money goes away, Hurns has an option they have to pick up and Beasley and Thompson are in the final years of their contracts. As much as the present needs help, the future needs to be addressed too. Possible picks: Maryland’s D.J. Moore, Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, Oklahoma State’s James Washington, SMU’s Courtland Sutton, Memphis’ Anthony Miller, Northern Iowa’s Reece Fountain. Prediction: In the first two rounds the Cowboys will come away with a wide receiver. It might not be at No. 19, but it could come in the second round at No. 50. The draft might not have a great number of high-end receivers, but there is good depth in the group. And don’t be surprised if the Cowboys come away with two receivers, with another coming as a late pick. The series: Quarterback
Running back
|
