FRISCO, Texas – The NFL Draft begins on Thursday but it sounds like the Cowboys will have to wait a day to join the party.
They've already used their first-round pick in Amari Cooper, who was acquired via trade by the Raiders last season in exchange for this year's pick. Oakland has three No. 1 picks, including the 27th overall slection, which came from the Cowboys.
But the Cowboys still have six other picks and the staff writers have made their projections how the team will use their selections on Friday and Saturday.
Let's check out this year's draft predictions:
Rob Phillips
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 2nd Round (58) | L.J. Collier, DE, TCU |
| 3rd Round (90) | Amani Hooker, S, Iowa |
| 4th Round (128) | Justice Hill, RB, Oklahoma State |
| 4th Round (136) | Daniel Wise, DT, Kansas |
| 5th Round (165) | Dillon Mitchell, WR, Oregon |
| 7th Round (241) | Derrick Baity, CB, Kentucky |
It's tough to predict what will happen in the second round and beyond because they're at the mercy of the board, but if Collier is around at 58, I think he'd be a good value pick. Yes, Robert Quinn is a terrific addition to the defensive end group, but he's on a one-year deal and Randy Gregory is suspended indefinitely. Collier is a disruptive pass rusher with length and quickness off the snap, and he got better and better over five years at TCU. Hooker might be around after the first wave of safeties. He's a sure tackler who can play down in the box, and he has also shown the ability to take the ball away. The Cowboys need a backup for Ezekiel Elliott, and Hill was an explosive runner at OSU. Wise came from the same Jayhawks program as 2018 draft pick Dorance Armstrong. He could compete for snaps here in the defensive tackle rotation.
David Helman
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 2nd Round (58) | Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida |
| 3rd Round (90) | Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M |
| 4th Round (128) | Daniel Wise, DT, Kansas |
| 4th Round (136) | Jalen Hurd, WR, Baylor |
| 5th Round (165) | Chris Westry, CB Kentucky |
| 7th Round (241) | Darius Harris, LB, Middle Tennessee State |
It's hard to feel good about your options when you're not picking until the end of the second round. I have almost no confidence that any of the top safeties in this class will be there when the Cowboys pick, but I think that's their top priority and a guy they'd jump for a chance to draft. I don't love the idea of drafting a running back in the third round, but again: you're picking at the back end of the round. Williams would be an explosive complement to Ezekiel Elliott – and a heck of an insurance policy. With the rest of these picks, I'm addressing depth. Hurd and Wise aren't going to be huge contributors as rookies, but Wise could be part of the DT rotation and Hurd could conceivably compete for the slot job in 2020. Westry has the traits to excel at cornerback in Kris Richard's scheme if he can develop, while Harris could fill a solid special teams role in his first season.
Nick Eatman
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 2nd Round (58) | Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia |
| 3rd Round (90) | Armon Watts, DT, Arkansas |
| 4th Round (128) | Tony Pollard, RB, Memphis |
| 4th Round (136) | Will Harris, S, Boston College |
| 5th Round (165) | Cole Holcomb, LB, North Carolina |
| 7th Round (241) | Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State |
I mocked Thornhill last month for our draft magazine, and then again for a two-round mock on video, so I'll stick with it. I really think he'll be gone because of his extreme versatility to play both corner and safety. My gut tells me Trysten Hill at UCF will be the pick at No. 58. But if that doesn't happen, Watts would be a nice fit at 90, providing pass-rush ability from the inside. Pollard is a do-it-all back who would instantly return kicks and cover kicks on special teams. Harris and/or Khari Willis (Michigan State) make sense in the middle round for safety. My last two picks would also become special teams players immediately with a chance to develop into playing time at their position.
Bryan Broaddus
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| Round | Player |
| 2nd Round (58) | Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt |
| 3rd Round (90) | Trysten Hill, DT, Central Florida |
| 4th Round (128) | John Corninsky, DE, Charleston |
| 4th Round (136) | Drew Sample, TE, Washington |
| 5th Round (165) | Tony Pollard, RB, Memphis |
| 7th Round (241) | Dre Greenlaw, LB, Arkansas |
We've talked about this since the Combine that cornerback was a sneaky need for this club considering what lies ahead the next two seasons. I am gambling that Joejuan Williams will be there and with all his traits I am really having my doubts but I'll stick with it. Trysten Hill is like Williams in that he has those traits that will likely take him higher. I would not be shocked at all if he was the selection for this club at 2 – 58. Where this club can do some damage is in Day 3 with those two selections at 128 and 136. If Hill goes at 2 – 58 then keep an eye on Cominksy at 3 – 90. I might be a round late on these guys. Drew Sample has some all-around ability to him while Tony Pollard is a staff favorite. Dre Greenlaw might be short but his ability to run and finish would be an outstanding get in the final round.
