The Dallas Cowboys finished last season with a 4-12 record. While that’s fuel for Cowboys haters, the team could care less today, as that bad slate afforded them of a high first round pick in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. The Cowboys have lots of positional needs to address this season. Let’s now guess how the Cowboys would use their first five picks.
You can also check out our draft preview for the Cleveland Browns.
Round 1: Pick #4 (4th overall) – DE Joey Bosa – Ohio State
NEEDS at DE: Greg Hardy is gone. Randy Gregory is suspended for the first four games and DeMarcus Lawrence is going into the new season coming off back surgery. So yeah, the Cowboys really need an elite defensive end to help plug major holes on their defense that finished with just 31 sacks last season, eighth-fewest in the league in 2015.
STRENGTHS: Bosa was a man among boys during his three-season stint for the Buckeyes. With a body suited for the NFL, Bosa was able to collect 26 sacks and 51 tackles in his collegiate career. Scouts have spoken lots of positive things about Bosa’s ability to rush passers off the edge by using a unique blend of speed and power. He’s also used to dealing with double-teams, which should help him adjust well in the pros.
Round 2: Pick #3 (34th overall) – CB Eli Apple – Ohio State
NEEDS at CB: Adding another cornerback this offseason is a high priority for the Cowboys, considering that they finished second last in interceptions last year with only eight picks. While the Cowboys re-signed Morris Claiborne, the team’s secondary obviously still lacks depth with Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr not producing enough.
STRENGTHS: Apple is a hard cornerback to deal with for wideouts because he rarely loses assignments. He’s someone who’ll be on top of opposing receivers like sauce on spaghetti, doing anything he can to free the ball up even after a receiver catches it. His aggressiveness combined with an ideal size and length for an NFL corner make him an enticing pick for the cornerback-needy Cowboys.
NEEDS at RB: The Cowboys managed to lure former Redskins running back Alfred Morris into signing a two-year contract but adding another one via the draft won’t hurt. Darren McFadden will likely act as the main backup with Lance Dunbar the third stringer but Dunbar is coming off a knee surgery so adding another body in the backfield remains a priority for the Cowboys. Having a strong offensive line should be a suitable place for a young running back to develop.
STRENGTHS: Prosise has terrific body control that enables him to absorb contacts without falling. He detects open spaces well and once he does, he’s like a ball shot out of cannon. And because he began his college career as a wide receiver, he has a future to become a pass-catching running back in the pros.
NEEDS at LB: The Cowboys have Sean Lee and Rolando McClain but the team hardly has a linebacking corps it can be proud of. The Cowboys drafted linebackers in the fourth round the past two years and it could remain a trend with defensive issues continuing to hound the franchise.
STRENGTHS: Matakevich had four terrific years in Temple, coming up with 493 total tackles, including 138 in 2015. He’s great in recognizing plays and acts on it quickly. He’s light on his feet and is able to change direction in an efficient and swift manner.
NEEDS at QB: Tony Romo’s body and Jerry Jones love for the quarterback will give in at some point. That may not come this year, but the Cowboys know they need a young arm to develop for the future.
STRENGTHS: Hogan doesn’t radiate as much as the other quarterbacks in the draft do, but he’s built quite a career in Stanford, racking up 8,349 yards, 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. He is has strong arm and gets deep balls to receivers anytime he’s protected well. The Cowboys and their stout offensive line should be an ideal NFL incubator for Hogan.
