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Dallas Cowboys: 2017 NFL Draft pick-by-pick analysis

By Stephen Forsha

Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Taco Charlton (33) rushes the passer against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Taco Charlton (33) rushes the passer against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) with a touchdown catch in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) with a touchdown catch in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 4: Ryan Switzer, WR — North Carolina (133)

Is Ryan Switzer, a cousin of former Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl champion head coach Barry Switzer, the second coming of Cole Beasley, but possibly a better version of the slot receiver? Switzer was a good pick at this point of the NFL Draft because he won’t need to be a star on the offense, but he could make his name on special teams as a return specialist.

This might be all a part of a plan to make the Cowboys offense that much better by using Switzer’s return abilities to set up the Cowboys in positive field position. Switzer had a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, and his abilities to return punts while at North Carolina were on display on the stat sheet.

https://twitter.com/dallascowboys/status/858401772246892544

In four seasons, he totaled 1,082 yards on 99 returns, He scored seven touchdowns, but five of those came his freshman year. As a senior, Switzer totaled 16 punt returns for 106 yards but no touchdowns. As a junior, he had 302 yards in punt returns with two touchdowns.

• What I Like: Switzer not only can contribute immediately with his punt return abilities, he can all the while work his way up on the roster to be the eventual top slot player on the offensive side of the ball, especially with Beasley only having one year left on his contract. His senior season at wide receiver, Switzer totaled 96 receptions for 1,112 yards, but even more importantly, he had 11.6 yards per reception.

• What I Dislike: Though he should be fine returning punts for the Cowboys, Switzer’s numbers as a punt returner were his worst of his career this past season. To be fair, he did have six fewer return chances in 2016 than he did in 2015, causing the 200-yard differential.

• Final Thoughts: The selection of Switzer was a good choice here. Having a player who can work his way up the wide receiver ladder as his skill level improves, but contribute highly on special teams, can make him a secret weapon of sorts for the Cowboys in 2017.

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