We can go all day listing potential draft picks for the Cowboys during the seven rounds of the NFL draft. The pressing needs are running back, defensive tackle, cornerback and wide receiver. Of course, you can never have enough offensive linemen. Would a safety help? Yep. Quarterback? Why not.
If we miss some names, such as safety Nick Emmanwori, quarterback Quinn Ewers or offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea, who can play guard and tackle, it’s nothing personal. Ewers and Savaiinaea visited The Star as part of the national 30 visits.
Here, we decided to project 20 players the Cowboys might select, if available when Dallas is on the board, regardless of round. (Players are listed in alphabetical order.)
Let’s get it.
Kelvin Banks, T, Texas
The Humble native mainly played left tackle in college and could move to the right side if necessary, though NFL teams project him as a left tackle. If Dallas picks him, it’s for two reasons: One, he was the highest-rated player on their board at No. 12. And two, Tyler Guyton might not be the starting left tackle after all.
Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota
The Cowboys have three quarterbacks on the roster, so why not add another? Brosmer is a projected late-round pick, and he’s played six years of college ball. He started five years at New Hampshire and one at Minnesota. He threw 18 touchdowns with six picks last year.
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
He’s got the speed (4.41 40-yard dash), and while the production isn’t high (676 receiving yards), Burden is a first-round talent. Receivers Matthew Golden, Emeka Egbuka or Tetairoa McMillan could go before Burden, but if snagged in Round 2, that’s good value.
Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
Dallas needs an offensive playmaker and defensive tackles. Mazi Smith and Osa Odighizuwa are the projected starters. Collins, a national visit, might slide in as a second-rounder, unless someone believes he’s a first-round pick. Collins’ foot injury needs more exploring.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
A talented high school baseball player in Steilacoom, Wash., Egbuka said playing that sport helped him in football. Well, he set an Ohio State record with 205 career catches and in his final season had 81 catches for 1,011 yards with 10 touchdowns. He might be the No. 1 receiver taken.
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Is it a bad thing if he slides to No. 12? Golden raised his stock with a 4.29 40-yard dash at the combine. He led Texas with 987 receiving yards. Golden is one of the more talented players in the draft overall and should be gone by the middle part of the first round.
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
We believe the Cowboys when they say drafting a running back is in their plans for this draft. It’s a much better class than last year. Gordon (Euless Trinity) is just one of several backs who visited The Star. He was part of the Dallas Day group. Gordon rushed for 880 yards last year.
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
So after Ashton Jeanty, Hampton is the next best running back in this class. He’s got first-round talent, but is No. 12 too high for him? Hampton rushed for 1,660 yards and picked up 373 receiving yards, displaying skills that can produce in the passing game.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
We like the measurables: 5-10, 202 pounds with a 4.43 40 and 38.5 vertical jump. On the field, Henderson rushed for 1,016 yards with 10 touchdowns. He shared the backfield last season and still picked up excellent numbers. With so many good running backs, he’ll go Day 2.
Andrew Henry, RB, New Mexico
Henry was impressive at the East-West Shrine Bowl and followed that up with a 4.40 40-yard dash at his pro day. Henry’s journey took him from Frisco Heritage, Dallas Episcopal, Allen, Fort Scott Junior College, and Louisiana Monroe to New Mexico. The Cowboys had him as one of their Dallas Day visits.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Frisco Lone Star product is a high first-round pick. He’s one of the most talented players in the draft and is a Week 1 starter. The Cowboys had Jeanty in for a visit and believe he can handle playing at home as a highly regarded player.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
The Cowboys had several running backs in for national visits and Judkins is someone to watch. With picks at No. 76 (third round) and No. 149 (fifth round), is it possible Judkins will be around? Last season he scored 14 rushing touchdowns and averaged 5.5 yards per carry.
Caleb Lohner, TE, Utah
Lohner was a basketball player (listed at 6-7, 250 pounds) at Baylor and BYU before moving to football. Last season he caught just four passes, all touchdowns, as he participated in 12 games. The Flower Mound native attended Wasatch Academy in Utah and might be a late-round pick.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
When you need playmakers, you start with McMillan, the possession receiver projected as one of the first wideouts taken. Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb is the lead man in the passing game, and the Cowboys don’t have a reliable No. 2 on the roster, at least not yet. Speed is a question for McMillan, and reports had him run a 4.46 to a 4.53 at his personal pro day.
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Cowboys had Nolen in for a national visit, and with good reason. The 6-4, 296-pounder was a first-team All-American and a first-team All-SEC player. He had 27 starts in his career and last season had 14 tackles for loss. Nolen being around at No. 12 will create some interesting discussions if a talented playmaker also is available.
Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
He was a national visit and is coming off a torn ACL, suffered last September. Revel didn’t participate in the combine or run at his pro day. He’s projected to be ready in July. Revel has 15 starts over the last two seasons and scouts have told him he’s a late first-round, early second-round pick.
Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
Will Stewart be around at No. 12? Should be. He was a national visit for the Cowboys and has the skills necessary for the next level. Scouts project he’s got the speed to get tackles from the backside, something the Cowboys need with DeMarcus Lawrence gone to Seattle in free agency.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
A transfer from North Carolina A&T, Tuten was named second-team All-ACC in the last two seasons. He’s got excellent speed (4.32 40-yard dash) and the Cowboys brought him in as one of their national visits. Tuten is a Day 2 selection, maybe Round 3, and that’s not a bad thing if you get a wideout and a defensive tackle in Rounds 1 and 2.
Cameron Williams, T/G, Texas
Williams has 16 starts at right tackle in the last two seasons and the Duncanville product might be a Day 2 selection. Cowboys officials are not planning on moving Terence Steele from right tackle, but getting Williams as a swing tackle in Year 1 can give him time to develop before he takes over.
Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Williams was one of the Cowboys’ national visits and was second-team All-SEC the last two seasons. He finished last season with 8 ½ tackles for loss and five sacks. The Cowboys have plenty at defensive end, but adding Williams brings depth and competition to the edge.
Twitter: @calvinwatkins
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