T-Fuj’s Dallas Cowboys Draft Grades: The Best Draft Class Ever!
(Courtesy of AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Toronto- The 2020 NFL Draft is officially off the books and things could haven’t gotten any better for the Dallas Cowboys. Owner Jerry Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy entered last Thursday’s draft with a lot of pressure to retool this team, who finished the 2019 season with a disappointed 8-8 record.
During free agency, the Cowboys did managed to bring back their key cornerstone players on offence by placing their quarterback Dak Prescott on their franchise tag and wide receiver Amari Cooper to a 5-year deal worth $100 million, $60 million guarantee. They also many to do some bargain shopping by adding key veterans like Gerald McCoy and guarantee Poe to solidify the defensive tackle position and upgrade the safety position with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to replace Jeff Heath. While also taking a chance on Aldon Smith to add more depth at edge rusher.
However the Cowboys lost some of their key players like cornerback Byron Jones to Miami, pass rusher Robert Quinn to Chicago and wideout Randle Cobb to Houstons. Unexpectedly, their all-pro center Travis Frederick announced his retirement after struggling with Gullain-Barre syndrome. So they had a massive need to find a new shutdown corner, slot receiver, starting center and pass rusher.
Luckily for them, the Dallas Cowboys managed to get a massive haul throughout the NFL Draft last weekend and Cowboys Nation could have not ask for a better draft class. Let’s take a look at who the Cowboys selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.
1st Round: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Boy! Whoever thought that CeeDee Lamb was going to be there at pick 17? Many NFL experts has Lamb as a consensus top 10 player and probably the best wide receiver in the draft. In fact, Jerry Jones admitted that he didn’t think Lamb wasn’t going to be there when the cowboys were on the clock. They didn’t even held a pre-draft interview with the Sooner’s star wideout. Lamb was so productive with three different starting quarterbacks with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts. He caught 1,327 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 13 games last season.
Lamb’s sliding created options for Jones and McCarthy to decide to draft for need at pass rush with K’lavon Chaisson or best available player with Lamb, who was their 6th ranked player on their board. In the end, the Cowboys pulled the trigger by draft the best player available, which caught many people by surprise. Lamb will be a new weapon for Dak Prescott as the Cowboys could potentially have one of the greatest wide receiver trio in the NFL with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, who both caught more than 1,100 receiving yards in 2019.
Lamb is a physical wideout with great hands. But his best attribute is the ability to make plays after the catch by collecting YAC (yards after the catch). He can play in the slot but also has the ability to play on the outside. He may not have the elite speed with his 4.5 seconds at his 40-yard dash, but he has great burst and ability to get wide open with his solid route running and ability to break opposing team’s ankles. McCarthy is known to be an offensive minded head coach and will have a great time working with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to for making plays for those three wideout studs.
This selection maybe the biggest steal in NFL Draft history. Not only they get a top 10 player at 17, but they also prevent their division rival Philadelphia Eagles from selecting their number one target.
Grade: A+
2nd Round: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Finally, the Cowboys filled a major need on defence, especially at cornerback. Trevon Diggs, who’s Buffalo Bills star Stefon’s brother, brings size, length and athleticism that McCarthy and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan are looking for. The Cowboys had some consideration to select Diggs in the 1st round. But ultimately, they were very fortunate that Diggs fell to them at pick 51.
Diggs was a former wide receiver for Alabama, then switch to corner after his freshman season. A three-year starter who is fluid and can play press and man coverage. He also has the ability to create turnovers thanks to his length, size and hands. When he’s on the field, he always want to grab interceptions and make plays, which Byron Jones lacked. He’s still raw and his technique needs more polishing. However, Diggs provides a long-term solution at CB with Chidobe Owuzie and Jourdan Lewis are both entering their final years of their deals. He’s not a finished product, but there’s a lot of upside in Diggs that the Cowboys like. A great value pick for a player that have a first/second round grade.
Grade: A-
3rd Round: Neville Gallamore, DT, Oklahoma
A fellow Canadian provides the necessary depth at the defensive tackle position. Neville Gallimore has great lateral quickness and a great first step for a guy that weighs 300 pounds. He tested well at the combine with his 4.79 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He performed well at the Senior Bowl in the one-on-one drills. He still needs to polish his pass rush skills and become a better finisher as a tackler. But Gallimore has the potential to be a solid defender at the interior of the defensive line.
With Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe in the Cowboys’ starting unit, Gallmore can benefit from learning from these two veterans and can take on a rotational type of role.
Grade: A-
4th Round Reggie Robinson II, CB, Tulsa
Reggie Robinson II was one of the cornerback prospects, who risen his stock prior to the draft. He was pretty productive during his season year with 13 passed deflection, 4 interceptions and provided value with the special teams with 4 blocked kicks.
Like Diggs, Robinson II has the size, length and ability to be a press corner. However he still needs to work on his footwork and mechanics. He provides a lot of depth at CB and can provide value for the Cowboys’ special teams, an unit that struggled in 2019. He has the potential to be a starter but might be more effective as a rotational type role or can play a little bit of safety.
Grade: B
4th Round: Tyler Biadisz, C, Wisconsin
Seems that McCarthy really like Biadasz a lot as the Cowboys traded back in the 4th round and selected another former Wisconsin product to potentially replace Travis Frederick. Biadasz was a three-year starter with the ability to be an effective run blocker with his size and hands. He has great balance and technique to shed blockers. He does lack athleticism and power to be effective as a pass blocker. He also recovered from hip surgery.
Biadasz’s skill level has been developed, so he could become a starter with limited upside. However he will provide some competition for the starting center position with Joe Looney and Conner McGovern. He may not start right away, but could take on the starting role in year two.
Grade: B+
5th Round: Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah
The Cowboys have found a hidden gem in the 5th round with Anae. Anae was projected to go in the 3rd round but slipped a bit due to the poor number at the combine with his 4.98 seconds at the 40-yard dash. But after watching his tapes, there’s a lot to like to what Anae brings as a pass rusher.
He was so productive as a three-year starter with 30 careers sacks, 13 of them from 2019. He polished his techniques and flashed great footsteps. He’s not the best athlete, but can disrupt the passer in the point of attack.
Anae provides a much needed insurance at the right defensive end to play opposite of Demarcus Lawrence. With the uncertainty of Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith’ reinstatements with their suspensions and Tyrone Crawford coming back from two major hip surgeries, Anae definitely brings a lot of insurance at the edge.
Grade: A+
7th Round: Ben DiNucci, QB, James Madison
A bit of an unknown selection by the Cowboys, but McCarthy is known to develop late-round quarterbacks during his time with the Green Bay Packers. DiNucci has some connection with McCarthy when the former Pittsburgh native played on his grade 8 basketball team, whom McCarthy’s brother Joe coached.
He has good arm strength, accuracy and mobility in the pocket. He does lack velocity and inconsistent with his awareness.
McCarthy says he wants to develop the quarterback room, and DiNucci adds depth and competition for the backup job behind starter Dak Prescott. Cooper Rush has been the No. 2 guy the past two seasons, but he hasn’t prove enough to take on that role. DiNucci will have a chance to step in and compete for a reserve role.
Grade: C
Draft Summary
Without a doubt, the 2020 Dallas Cowboys Draft Class may have been the best since 2005 when Demarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff came from. The Cowboys have draft 5 players ranked in the top 100 and may have gotten steals with every single draft choices. Now they must prove themselves that they can get over that hump and make their first appearance to Super Bowl since 1995. This has the potential to be the best draft class ever and Cowboys Nation can not complain about it. Vice president of player personell Will McClay should get a lot of for his eye on drafting the good football players over system.
Final Grade: A with a potential to be an A+ if all the players contribute in the NFL.
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