As fans, how liable are we to speak on an athlete that decides to publicly verbalize his feelings about the organization he plays for? Furthermore, is that athlete becoming a nuisance or is his message credible enough to repeatedly rehash his displeasure? Yes, I am referring to Cole Beasley.
After the trade for Amari Cooper that has paid off dividends and left Dallas without a first round pick in the 2019 draft, Cole Beasley seems like he may have played his last snap for the Cowboys.
This could open the possibility of Dallas doubling back at the WR position. In addition to Beasley’s situation, a few contract decisions loom among the receivers for the Cowboys. Even with the addition of newly signed and hopeful Devin Smith, plus the debut of Cedrick Wilson, the Cowboys front office remained intrigued by this wide receiver class at the Senior Bowl.
Round 2: Penny Hart, WR, Georgia State
If there was anyone that created a wave for himself to rocket up draft boards, Penny Hart did it better than just about anyone during his time in Mobile. Unless you were a local Panther fan in Atlanta, Georgia or followed Hart since his King’s Ridge Christian HS days, you probably heard his
Now a drill designed for the WR to win, the technique and mechanics should be the main focus. A compilation from day 2 at the Senior Bowl, it’s easy to notice the speed that comes with Hart’s game. Accelerating quickly off his releases, he sets up cuts during his route to create space and not too many will be able to recover with his speed. Though not a certainty yet to his game, seeing he can extend and grab a ball for his size adds optimism.
As the Cowboys will debate what to do with Beasley and even Tavon Austin, recent reports and quotes have suggested that Kellen Moore should make for a great hire at OC, play-calling an offense that may resemble of his Boise State days. Once again, Hart is the guy that can generate within that.
Making it the third year in a row that they would draft a receiver, it would continue the strong list of names the Cowboys have hit on in the past five years in the second round.
Other notable names: TE Irv Smith, WR Deebo Samuel, WR Andy Isabella, OL Chuma Edoga, WR Parris Campbell
Round 3: Khalen Saunders, DL, W. Illinois
2018 was one of the best years in recent memory for the Cowboys’ defensive line unit. Though there still seems as if there’s that one missing element to make it come fully together. Improvements were acquired with a mentally healthier Randy Gregory and the team’s newcomer of the year in Antwuan Woods, but against the elite OL of the NFL (IND & LAR), much was left to be desired. On the verge of securing “the bag”, Demarcus Lawrence leads a group filled with uprising talent and could potentially have another with DL Khalen Saunders.
Most only know him as the 300+ pound DL that can do backflips, or that one football player that displayed “his passion” by staying at the Senior Bowl while his wife went into labor. Meanwhile, if any significance could’ve been drawn out by both events that would translate onto the field, it’s explosion. Explosion is Khalen Saunders, and while the backflip + size was a spectacle, it foreshadowed a trait that aided a week of dominance.
A motor that’s runs with the power of a ’69 Dodge Charger, Saunders is that piece of the puzzle that could solidify the interior DL. Recording nearly three seasons of 30+ solo tackles or more (33, 31, 29), Saunders competition as
As stated before about the WR/
Having great control with his lower body, he rarely gets moved off his spot.
Even with the OL having the advantage of a double team on Saunders, he absolutely babies the guard in front of him and makes the play at the LOS.
Then possibly the most exciting aspect that’s in Khalen’s arsenal, is his ability to pass rush and how he does it. For most DTs, sacks occur through the simple bull-rush to climbing up the pocket with the QB, but Saunders has the versatility and hands to even play DE very few times.
It’s near insanity and comes as a rarity that this
Other notable names: DL Renell Wren, DL Daylon Mack, OL Dalton Risner, OL Ben Powers, DL Chase Winovich
Round 4: Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State
A Cowboys debut without former TE Jason Witten after 15 years, the present group collectively ended with a total of 68 receptions for 710 yards and 4 touchdowns (3 coming in one game). The growth of Rico Gathers never occurred and may leave him long forgotten, Geoff Swaim isn’t close to being the answer, the beloved Blake Jarwin flashed in moments, and then Dalton Schultz was a rookie who increased his workload little by little as the season went along.
Arguments could ensure that the lack of production from the TEs was because of former OC Scott Linehan, but the ability to stretch the field still remains a necessity for this unit. Plus, as hinted before, two names listed above could see their playbooks turned in this offseason, leaving a hole for at least one new teammate.
Now, the names to love if you are a Cowboys fan are Alabama’s Irv Smith and Iowa’s T.J Hockenson. Two dynamic players that may hear their names called as early as day 1, and if so, do not panic. One of the more deeper groups in this class, Dex Raymond of Utah State leads the list for the mid-rounds. Standing at 6’5 and 250 lbs, Raymond is a very clean route runner with speed that works really well at separating at the top of them. While he may not be the best blocker, he can be serviceable in that area, but will find his money made on passing downs and in the red zone.
He wastes no time getting past defenders and continuously showed that he catches the ball with his hands.
Simply pure focus on Raymond’s part.
However, looking at his college stats some may become skeptical as to why Dallas would draft someone who only had 27 receptions for 345 yards and 2 touchdowns? Mind you, Utah State almost had two players with 150+ carries and the team’s high for receptions in 2018 was just 66. Raymond has the intangibles that will be predicated on who can unlock his potential. Shall the TEs become a priority, highlight and expect Dax to be in the mix.
Other notable names: S Darnell Savage, RB Rodney Anderson, TE Jace Sternberger, OL Dru Samia, CB Kris Boyd
Round 5: James Williams, RB, Washington St.
Another significant decision that the Cowboys will have to weigh this offseason, is the handling of their RB contracts. Ezekiel Elliott is approaching his contract year, and Rod Smith is set to become a UDFA. Periodically going back and forth between Darius Jackson, it could even be a position that finds itself getting picked earlier than fans think. However, and in contrast to recent drafts, the RB class will still contain major value in the
If Dallas wants to take that step forward in modernizing its offense, Washington State may have Patriots RB, James White’s clone, James Williams. How common is it that a college back ends his
To begin, think Dallas fans are used to seeing this from their RBs?
As a runner, the stats do not jump out as exciting or someone that would climb draft boards, but the ability is there.
This may be Williams floor as a prospect, but with the attention on the plethora of SEC backs to dominate the front end of the draft, James could slip his way back into the later rounds.
Other notable names: DL Greg Gaines, WR Jakobi Meyers, S Jojo McIntosh, RB Justice Hill, DL L.J. Collier
Round 7: Names To Consider
K – Cole Tracy, LSU
CB – Lavert Hill, Michigan
DL – Jonathan Ledbetter,
