With a draft class as talented as this one, it is easy to find prospects you like or that fill a need, but some just fit better than others. Whether it’s a scheme, team need, or play style, certain prospects just look better for certain teams. I am going to talk about a few prospects I think would be perfect fits for certain NFL teams. I will try and include at least one prospect from every level of the draft (1st Round, Mid Rounds, and Late Rounds) and offer a few different scenarios that the team can consider throughout the draft.
Dallas had a terrible, extremely disappointing season last year. They shipped out Garrett, and brought in Mike McCarthy, and also have a new DC too. I have always argued the Cowboys are one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, and now we might see things get put together for them. Building a strong draft class this year would be a great start for the McCarthy era, and there is definitely talent to pick from.
1. C.J. Henderson, 1st Round
Plenty of NFL analysts have the Cowboys selecting Grant Delpit here, which is a justified choice, but someone I haven’t seen talked about is C.J. Henderson. While Grant Delpit is a great prospect, there are other good safeties behind him, so it isn’t the end of the world if they don’t go safety in Round 1. Dallas certainly has more issues than just safety, so selecting a cornerback here isn’t too far fetched. Especially if they don’t want to/can’t retain Byron Jones. Their secondary doesnt need a complete overhaul, but does lack depth and a true star. I have Henderson as my 3rd cornerback in the draft, and my 24th overall prospect. He is one of the best man coverage corners available, and would fill an immediate need for the Cowboys.
2. Ashtyn Davis, 2nd Round
Davis is one of the reasons why I think the Cowboys could wait to address safety in the 1st Round. Delpit is great, but so are players like Henderson, Hall, or even a player like Javon Kinlaw. He played at Cal, has athlete parents for genics, and provides a ton of value in the 2nd Round. Ashtyn Davis is a track star turned football stud, and he is already making plays at safety. In his career Davis has recorded seven interceptions, 12 pass break ups, and also managed over 1,600 return yards for the Golden Bears. If the Cowboys walk out of the first two rounds with Henderson/Kinlaw and Davis they are jumping for joy and looking like real players in the off season. Jeff Heath is a real fan favorite in Dallas, and parting ways with him is going to be weird, but he just isn’t as much of a priority as Cooper, Dak, and Robert Quinn. Heath was able to do a lot for the Cowboys, but is someone who could be replaced by Davis.
3. Tyler Johnson, 2nd Rounds
This is someone who I thought could be a 1st Rounder coming into this process, but slowly has seemed to fall down NFL Big Boards. Right now you are seeing him projected in the 2nd, and even 3rd Round, offering what I consider to be elite value. Tyler Johnson is someone I compared to Randall Cobb in my NFL Draft Profiles, and he could provide a nice spark to this passing attack. What better way to make new head coach Mike McCarthy comfortable than to give him similar weapons to what he had in Green Bay. Johnson is a threat with the ball in his hands, and I could see him giving an offense the same kind of boost Deebo Samuel gave the 49ers this season. Even if they keep Amari Cooper, the Cowboys are still looking for that second option for Dak, or whoever they have under center in 2020.
4. Ross Blacklock, Mid Rounds
The Cowboys need to address the defensive line at some point in this draft, especially the interior. Blacklock is a defensive tackle that won’t splash in the stat sheet, but will make the rest of your defenses lives easier. He commands double teams, and fills holes in the run game. Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander-Esch are one of the most athletic linebacker duos in the NFL, and Blacklock will open up gaps for them to attack.
I have seen him go from the 2nd to the 4th round, and I have him as my 71st overall prospect on my latest Big Board. Maliek Collins, Antwuan Woods, Chris Covington, and even Michael Bennet are all going to be free agents this year. No matter who gets resigned, and who doesn’t, Dallas needs to add talent and depth to the interior defensive line. Blacklock is a TCU product, so he is a familiar name in the DFW area, and would give the Cowboys everything they need out of a defensive tackle. Not to mention a change of culture as Dallas brings in a regime, and nearly all of those names currently have baggage one way or another.
5. James Proche, Late Rounds
Proche is another hometown talent out of SMU. He has been productive for the Mustangs his entire career, recording over 300 receptions in his 4 years there. He lines up all over the offense, and even can make an impact on special teams too. Cole Beasley 2.0? Either way, his skill set is the kind that Dallas loves in receivers, and should be available in rounds 4, 5 or 6. Tavon Austin, Randall Cobb, and of course Amari Cooper are all heading to free agency, so the Cowboys should look to add depth at some point in this draft. You would hate to find yourself looking like Philly did at the end of the season this year.