By Mark Halpern
One of the most anticipated days of the NFL offseason has come and gone. The NFL Draft took place on April 27th, and it was a crazy night. There were a ton of trades and made most teams have to go to Plan B and some to Plan C. The Cowboys could have gone several ways in this draft. Many analysts thought the Cowboys would want to shore up the O-Line, go tight end, or add a top Wide Receiver to a very impressive WR core. However, the Cowboys decided to go a different way than predicted.
1-26- DT Mazi Smith (Michigan)
2-58-TE Luke Schoonmaker (Michigan)
3-90- LB DeMarvion Overshown (Texas)
4- 129- EDGE Viliami Fehoko (San Jose State)
5-169 (compensatory pick) – OT Asim Richards (North Carolina)
5- 178- CB Eric Scott Jr. (New Mexico)
6 – 212 (compensatory pick) – RB Deuce Vaughn (Kansas State)
7- 244-WR Jalen Brooks (South Carolina)
The Cowboys took Defensive Tackle Mazi Smith with their first pick. Defensive Tackle was one of the weakest points in the Cowboy Defense, and Mazi Smith will bring excellent talent to go along with Demarcus Lawrence, Micha Parsons, and Jonathan Hankins. The Cowboys were near the bottom in run defense last year. Mazi brings not only size but power and speed. With this pick, the Cowboys drafted for what they needed and not a player for a different position with a higher standing. I trust Dan Quinn picked this and wanted a DT over an LB or OL. It could have gone differently if the Bills didn’t pick Dalton Kincade 25th. Bills GM Brandon Beane even said they wanted to jump the Cowboys to get Kincade.
The Cowboys grabbed a steal with their 4th pick of Viliami Fehoko, a young, powerful Defensive End. Many analysts had him being drafted in the third round, but he fell into the lap of the Cowboys (just like Cee Dee Lamb a few years ago), and they pounced. He has been compared to Demarcus Lawrence, Bruce Smith, and Charles Haley, to name a few. With a defense on the Cowboy’s mind, they wouldn’t pass this young talented player up.
The pick of the draft for me came on a compensatory pick in the 6th round, and the Cowboys landed a little giant. Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn was still on the board, and with the departure of Ezekiel Elliot, the Cowboys needed depth behind Tony Pollard, and Vaughn is just that. Deuce Vaughn reminds me of Pollard when the Cowboys drafted him a few years ago. His quickness to hit gaps and breakaway speed is a big compliment to a weakened Dallas Running scheme. Deuce’s dad Chris is a scout for the team, and watching that pick was emotional for many reasons. This doesn’t mean the Cowboys won’t add a veteran RB to compliment Pollard and give Vaughn time to learn and gain experience. There are plenty of names that could fit this bill. Leonard Fournette is just one name being tossed around, and the Cowboys have not said that bringing back Elliot was out of the question, either.
With the draft done and OTA’s just beginning, look for the Cowboys to be active in the RB market and the Secondary market to have proper depth and not be short come next season, and that’s how the old man sees it.
The Sports Insanity Network 
Great blog post! I loved reading about the Cowboys’ draft picks and the rationale behind them. With the addition of Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round, do you think the Cowboys will still pursue a veteran RB to complement Tony Pollard or rely on their young RB talent?
Cheers!
Steven
Texas Tows
texastows.com
LikeLike
Also Kareem Hunt would be and Idea but he is a RFA this season and would come at a cost. Hunt is another possibility but I would think they need a back who is the opposite of Pollard and can bang through a line for 3-5 yards.
LikeLike
ANother fact that even escapes me some times is they did sign ROnald Jones from tampa. I think it was just because they needed depth. I can actually see a universe where we release him and sign Fournette. Lastly another name is Marlon Mack who could be a great short yardage back for reall cheap
LikeLike
This is a very good question. with the addition of Duece Vaughn it gives the Cowboys another player like pollard and can learn from him. As for signing a Rb, the Cowboy’s are in the best position to do so. You have to think the Zeke isn’t off the table. Zeke would have to take a very very small amount with incentives (such as 1000 yrds rushing, td total etc.) You also have to consider some one like Fournette to be a compliment. If any position is critical for the Cowboys are Offensive Line and Running back.
LikeLike