NFL draft season is in full swing as February starts to wind up. The NFL Scouting Combine begins Monday, as quarterbacks, tight ends and wideouts have already gathered in Indianapolis, with the 2020 NFL Draft set to take place two months from now, April 23.
The question many are wondering is, who will the Dallas Cowboys draft 17th overall in the first round? In the final pre-combine days, the general consensus is that Dallas will look to add defensive talent. Which makes a lot of sense due to the fact the Cowboys have 18 contracts expiring from the defensive side of the ball, seven of whom are from the defensive line.
Here’s a look at a few of the more notable awardings for Mike Nolan’s unit.
ESPN.com | Mel Kiper Jr.
NFL.com | Draft Analyst Chad Reuter
17. Xavier McKinney – S
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Dallas needs to find a playmaker at safety, as the team averaged just over one takeaway per game in 2019 to finish among the lower third of the league in that category.
The Draft Network | Benjamin Solak
17. Javon Kinlaw – IDL
School: South Carolina | Year: Senior
In what I imagine might be the most emphatic “If he’s here at [my team’s pick], I will [do something uncharacteristic, absurd and ebullient to thank the universe for its gracious boon],” Javon Kinlaw makes it to No. 17 and the Dallas Cowboys.
The last pass-rusher the Cowboys had at defensive tackle was Jason Hatcher, in 2013, with an absolutely shocking 11 sacks in a career that, to that point, had averaged less than three sacks a year. It’s been a bleak and barren wasteland since. While Kinlaw may not be the solution in 2020, he certainly is the best chance they’ve had a blue-chipper there in a while. I like the fact that Kinlaw will be starting from Day 1 too. I think the best thing for his development is experience.
CBS Sports | Pete Prisco
17. Xavier McKinney – S
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
They have to improve on the back end of their defense, and this is the kid to do it. He can play the pass, but he’s also a willing run player.
Draft Wire | Luke Easterling
17. Xavier McKinney – S
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Sports Illustrated | Kevin Hanson
17. Grant Delpit – S
School: LSU | Year: Junior
Outside of Jeffrey Okudah, the Cowboys would have their choice of defensive backs in this mock draft scenario. The Cowboys were tied for the league low in passes intercepted (seven) last season and Delpit is a rangy playmaker with eight interceptions and 24 passes defended in his three seasons at LSU.
Bleacher Report | Kristopher Knox
17. Xavier McKinney – S
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
PFF | Michael Renner
TRADE!!
13. (VIA the Indianapolis Colts) Xavier McKinney – S
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
With a roster built to win now, Dallas goes up and gets an immediate impact player at safety. McKinney has the sort of all-around game that can do anything asked of him in Mike Nolan’s defense. He had grades over 79.0 in run defense, coverage and pass-rush each of the past two seasons.
WalterFootball.com | Walter Cherapisky
17. Grant Delpit – S
School: LSU | Year: Junior
The Cowboys tried to land Earl Thomas last offseason, but they haven’t been able to upgrade their hole at safety. Perhaps they’ll do that with this pick.
Grant Delpit is an exceptional talent who was once considered a top-10 lock, but has struggled a bit in 2019.
For those keeping score, McKinney was selected six times, Delpit twice and Kinlaw made his way out of the top 15 into the Cowboys arms just once.
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