2019 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys look for defensive playmakers
The Dallas Cowboys have limited assets in this year’s draft thanks to last season’s Amari Cooper trade with the Oakland Raiders.
The Dallas Cowboys are ready to compete once again after enjoying a mid-season surge with trading for Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders.
That’s also the very reason Jerry Jones’ team lacks a first-round pick heading into this year’s NFL Draft. With limited resources, this Cowboys team will hope to add a couple playmakers on the front and back ends of the defense.
State Of The Team
Contending. The Dallas Cowboys resurrected themselves from a 3-5 start to end the season as the NFC East champions with a 10-6 record and a playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round. For many, the turnaround started with the midseason trade for Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper.
The Cowboys’ offseason focus will be retaining their own superstars with several asking for new contracts or extensions. The biggest challenge in Dallas will be keeping this group together and happy. If the front office is able to do so, the Cowboys appear set to make another run at the postseason.
Total Draft Picks
The Cowboys have six picks heading into the draft.
- Round 2 – No. 58 overall
- Round 3 – No. 90 overall
- Round 4 – No. 128 overall
- Round 4 – No. 136 overall
- Round 5 – No. 165 overall
- Round 7 – No. 241 overall
Top 3 Draft Needs
Defensive Tackle: The Cowboys continue to refuse to invest highly along the interior of their defense, but the loss of talented defensive tackle David Irving this offseason could finally change their minds. During the playoffs, the Dallas defense was run over by the Los Angeles Rams to the tune of 273 rushing yards and three touchdowns. That should finally force the Cowboys to address their need at defensive tackle.
Safety: The position continues to be an issue in the secondary as the team lacks a true playmaker. Although former sixth-round selection Xavier Woods is seen as an up-and-coming player on the Cowboys’ secondary, Dallas could really use an upgrade to replace the other starting safety, Jeff Heath. The Cowboys’ defense recorded only nine interceptions in 2018, which was tied for 26th in the NFL.
Tight End: Last season, tight end was handled by committee. A combination of Geoff Swaim, Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz and Rico Gathers all tried to replace the production of one man— Jason Witten. Despite the fact the future Hall of Famer has now unretired to rejoin the team in 2019, Dallas still must find his eventual replacement. Although Jarwin has been tapped as that potential player, the Cowboys could opt to look early in the draft in order to hedge their bets.
Top 3 Draft Targets
Decision Maker (Or Who To Blame If Things Go Wrong)
Stephen Jones. Ever since persuading his father, Dallas Cowboys’ owner and general manager Jerry Jones, to choose Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin over Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel in the 2014 NFL Draft, executive vice president Stephen Jones has been seen by many as the real decision maker in Big D. Although his father still owns the title and the final say, Stephen Jones is credited with making many of the team’s toughest decisions in recent years.
Best/Worst Pick In Current Draft Slot
Historically, who was the best pick and the worst pick based on where the team is currently picking.
Best Pick: Mark Stepnoski, center, No. 58 overall in 1989 NFL Draft
The Cowboys have never selected a draft pick 58th overall in their franchise history. But the best player taken near that selection is center Mark Stepnoski. Drafted 57th overall in the third round of the 1989 NFL Draft, Stepnoski came to America’s Team at the same time as Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman. The two combined to help the Cowboys win two back-to-back Super Bowls. Stepnoski ended up leaving Dallas to join the Houston Oilers in 1995, spending four seasons in H-Town before returning to the Cowboys to end his career. Stepnoski was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro.
Worst Pick: Kendell Watkins, tight end, No. 58 overall in 1995 NFL Draft
The worst player selected near 58th overall is arguably tight end Kendell Watkins. The Cowboys selected the 6-foot-1, 305-pound blocking tight end out of Mississippi State in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft with the 59th overall pick. Watkins helped Dallas win a Super Bowl his rookie year but suffered a season-ending knee the following year. He would play just four seasons in the NFL and record a single reception for eight yards.
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