What is the WORST way that the Cowboys can use the 12th overall pick in your opinion?
The NFL draft is fast approaching, and while the Dallas Cowboys made some moves in the early stages of free agency, there is still work to do. The Cowboys are focusing on the draft and are a team that needs to make the most of their available picks.
In a highly competitive NFC East division, having a premium in talent is a prerequisite. For Dallas to hang with the Washington Commanders, the Philadelphia Eagles, and their offseason additions, the Cowboys must nail the aspect of roster building they take most pride in: the draft. Yet, Dallas could shoot themselves in the foot as early as their first pick. Here are the worst things they can do with the 12th pick in the draft.
Trading up
The latest rumor is that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is enamored with Colorado’s two-way star and Heisman trophy winner Travis Hunter. Despite what Jerry Jones thinks of Hunter, he should not trade up for him or any player in the top 10. The Cowboys have far too many needs to give away draft capital to take one player. The Cowboys need healthy players at cornerback, and while Hunter can play cornerback, he would not be enough to make up for the departure of Jourdan Lewis and Trevon Diggs if he has any injury setbacks entering the season. The Cowboys need more help throughout the draft.
Even moving up to draft Abdul Carter to pair him with fellow Penn State Nittany Lion Micah Parsons would sound like a nice idea, but the cost to get him would be far too rich. The Cowboys have only ten draft picks and none from the 76th pick overall in the third round to 149th overall in the back of the fifth round. For the Cowboys to move into the top five of the draft, it would cost them the 12th overall pick, the 44th overall pick, and a pick next year to convince any team to agree to move down for Dallas. The best option for the Cowboys is to stay put and take the best available player.
Drafting a RB not named Ashton Jeanty
Upon further examination, Ashton Jeanty is in a league of his own regarding this year’s class of running backs. Yet, he’ll likely be gone by the 12th pick. That doesn’t mean Dallas should take the next best runner, according to their draft board, at 12. There have been mock drafts of Dallas “settling” with Omarion Hampton at the 12th pick. Hampton is a great prospect, but at 12, that’s a hefty investment for a running back that’s not the same as the talent that Jeanty is. Its understood that the Cowboys wanted to invigorate the offense with a renewed focus on running the ball. However, their new offensive coordinator, Klayton Adams, excels at this aspect.
Again, Hampton is an excellent running back but not miles ahead of others in the class, such as Kaleb Johnson or TreyVeon Henderson; the latter has uncanny speed to score with the smallest of creases. Furthermore, Dallas has two solid veterans to lean on in the interim that can ease a Day 2 pick or later into a rotation versus feeling the need to get an instant return on investment on a running back taken 12th overall. This year’s class has talent throughout, such as DJ Giddens, Devin Neal, and Bhayshul Tuten. The Cowboys should be patient versus rushing to take a runner (that’s not Jeanty) that high.
Trading out of the first round entirely
While trading down for more draft picks seems appealing, Dallas risks missing out on a franchise-altering player. The Cowboys don’t have the best success rate with taking players in the second round, often gambling on players with injury histories. Plus, the caliber of player Dallas is passing up would be far too great. Since 2016, Dallas has drafted three All-Pro players in the first round versus just one in the second (Trevon Diggs 2020). As stated earlier, the Cowboys need help but also the best help to remain competitive in a challenging division.
Also, look at how the Cowboys manage their salary cap and player contracts. Dallas requires the utmost contractual flexibility since they’re not big spenders in free agency. Suppose they hit a grand slam with their first-round pick in April; imagine how advantageous it would be to have that player under contract with a fifth-year option. Dallas needs a playmaking wide receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb. Tetairoa McMillian, Luther Burden III, and Matthew Golden are all possible options for Dallas in the round, and the caliber of talent outside of that has a sharp decline in talent. If Dallas wants to trade down, they need to make sure they stay in the first round.
