The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for the 2020 NFL Draft armed with seven picks to help improve the team. A little over a month ago, the Cowboys had some major holes, but free agency had helped fill some of those areas.
As the Cowboys formulate a plan for the draft, there are still needs that haven’t been resolved yet. Here are the top four as club counts down the final hours before the draft kicks off.
Cornerback
It wasn’t a shock to see the Cowboys lose their best CB in Byron Jones when he flew the coop for big money in Miami. The writing had been on the wall the team wasn’t interested in paying top dollar for a corner who didn’t produce turnovers.
Dallas did re-sign slot guru Anthony Brown and brought in a couple of depth pieces in Maurice Canady and Saivion Smith, but they still need an influx of talent at CB. Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are entrenched as the starters, but both have contracts that expire after the 2020 season. Also, neither has shown to have the makings of a top-flight corner.
The Cowboys need a No. 1 CB, hopefully they can find it in the draft.
Safety
If the Cowboys aren’t going to trade for Jamal Adams, the team will head into the draft looking for a stud safety, again. HaHa Clinton-Dix arrives on a one-year deal as a stopgap solution, so Dallas needs to invest in a position they have essentially ignored for the last 10 seasons.
A new coaching staff will bring a new defensive philosophy, which should include finding a long-term solution at safety.
Defensive end
The defense lost its leading pass rusher in Robert Quinn, so they need to be searching for someone to pair with DE DeMarcus Lawrence. According to Stephen Jones, the Cowboys are looking for a DPR (designated pass rusher), someone with the ability to rush the passer in those obvious passing situations.
Stephen Jones mentions this defense having a SAM/DPR (designated pass rusher) position. They're going to be quite multiple.
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@JC1053) April 17, 2020
Even if Lawrence returns to his pass rushing form, the defense needs someone to take the pressure off of him. Another edge rusher is essential for the Cowboys.
Wide receiver
The top two receivers in Dallas are set and rock solid, however, the rest of the position is a mixed bag of uncertainty. The offense lost slot man and third option Randall Cobb to the Houston Texans and need to replace him. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a small, twitchy receiver who plays the slot role, but another solid receiver is needed.
It’s a sneaky need for the Cowboys, who might be in some trouble if WR’s Amari Cooper or Michael Gallup get hurt during the upcoming season.
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