Love/Hate upcoming draft

Love/Hate:

Love:

Jahmyr Gibbs Running back Alabama-

To start off, obviously a dream scenario for the Cowboys would have to be Bijan Robinson falling to them at 26, although unlikely it could happen. Personally, Jahmyr Gibbs is still without a doubt a solid prospect and a great pick at 26th overall. He is constantly compared to Alvin Kamara and I think he could fit very well in our offense. A speedy back that makes you miss and hits the holes hard is something that Cowboys love. I know they are looking to compliment Tony Pollard but, Jahmyr Gibbs could very well be a second option at least for the year if they are not looking to get into another Ezekiel Elliot scenario where they pay a running back long term. Instead paring them together for the year and seeing how he fits the offense and if he can carry the load may be a great option for this years draft.

Hate:

Offensive Tackle at 26:

Personally, I would hate the Cowboys to go this route. Although there are many names and most likely more than one will be available at this pick. It would be way more beneficial for the Cowboys to take a guard here. Drafting a Tackle here would not be impactful right away and would be a year or so wait to even see this prospect get full playing time. Instead this kind of prospect would more likely be an insurance pick incase Tyron Smith goes down, which has been the trend recently in his career. I personally don't think the Cowboys would go this route, even if these prospects are the only remaining guys on their board, I think they would trade back and gain more picks for the later rounds.

Love:

Wide receiver at 26:

If the Dallas Cowboys decide to go this route it may automatically cancel out Jalen Tolbert's opportunity this upcoming season. Although a non-factor this past year, you can't forget about him since he's been working all off season and all of last season with our offense he may surprise you and become a major factor if the Cowboys were to give him a chance next year. A recent report came out announcing that the Dallas Cowboys gave Dak Prescott a list of guys that they are thinking of taking at 26 and if he had any preferences. This list can include wide receivers, running backs, tight ends, or even offensive lineman, who knows. Personally I don't think they are going this route with the recent acquisition of Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans. Some guys I would be more than ok with if the Cowboys took at 26th would be:

- Zay Flowers Boston College

- Jordan Addison USC

- Quentin Johnston TCU

Dislike:

Tight end at 26:

Personally I wouldn't prefer to take a tight end this high, I think there are other guys that can make a bigger impact with the Cowboys already having Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot on the team. Although there are a few great prospects at 26th, I personally think a tight end at this position wouldn't benefit us as much as taking an edge prospect such as Nolan Smith if available. I think taking a skill position prospect might be a bigger impact not just this season but in the next few seasons due to many players on their last year of their deal this upcoming season. I think taking a Tight end in this draft can benefit us but not in the first round. This Tight end class is not the deepest but you can grab a guy like Zach Kuntz from Old Dominion, or even Luke Schoonmaker from Michigan in the later rounds.

Love:

Steve Avila TCU:

This pick would be electric for the Cowboys. Although many believe this is reaching for a player of his caliber, I think this could be a perfect fit. Judging how the Cowboys treated last years pick of Tyler Smith, they would prefer to reach and get their guy instead of hoping he falls to you later. Especially a guy like Avila, he will not fall to our second round pick, and if they so choose to hopefully wait for him later, they would be playing the lottery since he's a highly rated prospect. They brought him in for a 30 visit and assuming we like him, I think this could be the pick at 26 assuming other prospects don't fall.

Hate:

Bryan Bresee Clemson Defensive Tackle:

I would not be a fan of this pick, plain and simple. If the Cowboys choose to go the defensive line route, I would prefer Calijah Kancey, or even Mazi Smith. Don't get me wrong Bresee had a great career at Clemson, however he battled injury and I don't see him fitting what the Cowboys have going for them at the moment. Now I know Michigan Defensive lineman typically don't workout for the Cowboys as we saw Taco Charlton come and go pretty fast, however Mazi Smith can be that big guy in the middle that clogs up the holes and allows our linebackers to run free and do what they do best.

Hopeful falls to 26:

-Edge Nolan Smith Georgia

-Running back Bijan Robinson Texas

-Wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba Ohio State

-Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey Pittsburgh

-Corner back Joey Porter Jr Penn St

- Wide receiver Jordan Addison USC

-Linebacker Jack Campbell Iowa

-Corner back Deonte Banks Maryland

All of these guys are projected to go before the Cowboys pick. However, as all of us NFL draft fans know, anything can happen. Cedee Lamb fell into our laps, as well as Micah Parsons. As it's unlikely many of these guys get past the 20th pick, some may fall. Any and all of these prospects would be instant starters and great additions to the team. I personally think the Cowboys will take all of these positions throughout the draft, but it just depends who their favorite guys are and who they favor over another guy. We saw them pass on Tyler Linderbaum last year, who was highly advertised as the top Center prospect in recent drafts. But we saw them stick to their guns and take Tyler Smith and it worked out perfect for them in the end. Now with a glaring hole in the left guard position you can only wonder if they draft highly rated prospect such as O'Cyrus Torrence, or Steve Avila to plug in and play day 1. Or if they go skill position such as Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson if available to truly unlock this offense and completely open up the weapons that Dak has as a QB. On the other hand, Dan Quinn has a lot to say and his opinion is highly respected in the Dallas building. Defensibly the Cowboys have been a top team for takeaways recently and only getting better with the acquisition of Stephon Gilmore. However the former DPOY, only has one year on his contract. Drafting a corner back would only help you in years to come. Now allowing Stephon to be more of a mentor and still play at a high level is something the Cowboys might prioritize. Again on the defensive side, the only hole the Cowboys needed to fix was stopping the run, with the signing of Johnathan Hankins this helps but again only for one year. If they decide do to the same thing with this position they could go for Kancey or even Mazi Smith from Michigan, to be more of a background guy and learner in year one and then truly hand them the keys in year 2. There are many routes the Cowboys can go, they truly put themselves in a great position to take anything that is available and let the draft come to them.

My pick and prediction at 26th:

Personally, my pick at 26th would be Jahmyr Gibbs if Bijan is not available. I think the Cowboys may be thinking similar since they saw what kind of a hole they dug themselves when paying Ezekiel Elliot Long term. I think they don't want to be in the same scenario with Tony Pollard, especially coming off a big injury that was suffered in the last game of the year. Having a versatile running back on a cheap contract has proven to be a big key in the NFL with the amount of Workhorse running backs coming to an end. There are no longer many true number 1 running backs in the NFL, Derrick Henry being one of the only remaining guys left. Having a cheaper running back has proven to be the way to go with the Chiefs winning as much as they have, as well as all their opponents they faced. The Eagles choose not to pay Miles Saunders, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had Leonard Fournette on a cheap deal with Ronald Jones on a rookie contract. As well as both the Rams and Bengals having cheaper running backs at the time. Mixon was on his rookie deal, now he's been paid, and the Rams had Cam Akers and Sony Michele on cheap deals. I cannot stress enough that they can't dig themselves in the same hole with Tony Pollard as much as I love him as a player, I'm preaching for his replacement to be drafted this year.

Prediction:

Steve Avila TCU Guard:

I think this will be the pick it complete honesty. I think this is their guy. They had him for a 30 visit, and I think they really like having a solid Offensive line for years to come the left side will be solidified. With Tyler Smith playing left tackle and Avila playing Guard. Then at center you have Tyler Biadasz and Zach Martin retiring soon, and at right tackle they have to make a decision. They can have either Tyron Smith or Terrence Steele. Both proven solid players and both very good at the position they can have an interchangeable in this spot. Nevertheless, it's up to the Cowboys, and we will all be watching what they do on draft night this upcoming Thursday.