After months of mock drafts and prospect breakdowns, NFL draft day is finally here. The Cowboys hold two picks (12 and 20) in Thursday’s first round. Will they be forced to trade up to land an impact defensive player? Will they stick and pick the best players available? SportsDay’s columnists and beat writers offer their predictions for the Cowboys in the first round:
After weeks of talk, especially intense the last few days, of moving up to six or nine, the Cowboys remain in the 12 spot and surprise the NFL by taking Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson. Another way to help a bad defense is to make the offense even more dynamic. With the 20th pick, the Cowboys add to the secondary needs with South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse, leaving linebacker as a prime concern for the third round or a significant post-draft move.
The storyline of the first round will be whether the Cowboys will trade up, or whether Jerry Jones — the Gambler, to use an apt descriptor — will let the chips fall where they may and stick at No. 12. I’m skeptical they actually will trade up, but I think they have to do so. I say they trade up for either Ohio State’s Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs and trade back from 20th overall to gather more Day 2 assets.
Jerry Jones gets aggressive and trades the 12th pick and a second-rounder next year for Cleveland’s pick at six, where he’ll take either Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs, the Ohio State playmakers. If he doesn’t get Styles, he’ll trade the 20th pick for a second and a third and take Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez with the former.
The Cowboys have a desire to move up to get a defensive player. Yet, staying close to home is what they’ll do regardless of what is presented to them. Getting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at 12 is the perfect fit. He can play middle linebacker and he can succeed with some veterans around him. He’s got speed and the size new defensive coordinator Christian Parker wants. If there is a wide receiver worth taking at 20 (Jordyn Tyson, maybe), then going offense isn’t a bad choice. Also, don’t forget about the offensive line. Vega Ioane and Spencer Fano might be around, too. Yet, getting Auburn edge Keldric Faulk, who has the measurables this team seeks, is a good choice. The defensive line gets younger and two holes are filled.