The day has finally arrived, after months of preparation, the 2020 NFL Draft is here. The draft brings new hope for teams and there have been mock drafts from the masses leading up to tonight. The Dallas Cowboys remain a mystery as to who they’ll select if they stay at pick 17, but there are no shortage of choices.
There were the early candidates as the process began, mostly centered on the secondary. As predicted the Cowboys lost Byron Jones in free agency, which meant cornerback would become an instant need.
Florida CB C.J. Henderson was the early leader in the clubhouse, but there are rumors swirling about Henderson possibly being as highly touted as Ohio State corner Jeffrey Okudah. If true, it’s doubtful Henderson makes it to pick 17. If not, than he should be the Cowboys’ selection.
Draft quick hits (1/4)
Jeffery Okudah is not a clean sweep over CJ Henderson on every team's board. That might be assumed, but it's not accurate.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) April 18, 2020
The safeties were the next candidates. Alabama’s Xavier McKinney and LSU’s Grant Delpit were under the microscope as possibilities as first round picks. Both names seemed to lack any real momentum, although you’ll still find experts mocking McKinney to Dallas.
Then came the big bodies along the defensive line. South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw was a hot name before some injury concerns about his knee and hip popped up.
Reports have surfaced on South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw. According to @BryanBroaddus, the @dallascowboys are apparently out on Kinlaw due to a hip injury from his past that required labrum surgery after the 2018 season. #NFL #NFLDraft #CowboysNation pic.twitter.com/iE9RsTE2Sw
— The Sports Cast | #NFLDraft (@thesportscast1) April 16, 2020
Defensive line, specifically at end, has also been bandied about after the Cowboys signed DT’s Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe to beef up the middle.
The loss of Robert Quinn made finding another edge rusher a necessity, though. Come on down LSU pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson and Wisconsin sack master Zack Baun. Both were featured on the Cowboys’ virtual pre-draft meetings, confirming the teams’ interest.
The plot thickened as there were rumblings about a need at LB for the Cowboys, which coincided with bringing in Oklahoma’s LB Kenneth Murray for a virtual interview.
Finally, recent discussions through the draft world have the Cowboys digging into other CB’s in case Henderson isn’t an option. Alabama’s Trevon Diggs, Clemson’s A.J. Terrell and LSU’s Kristian Fulton are all names to be wary of as the Cowboys are on the clock.
The key is trying to separate the fact from fiction since no one tells the truth during draft season. So who will the Cowboys take at 17?
If Dallas is really lucky, they get Henderson fall into their laps. That would be the insta-selection and there probably wouldn’t be any discussions about trading if Henderson is available. However, that doesn’t seem likely and the team will then be forced into a decision.
Chaisson is the most likely player to be a Dallas Cowboys if the team stays and uses pick 17.
You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi
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