Dallas Cowboys: 2018 NFL Draft key to taking back the NFC East

Add a playmaking safety to the secondary

Stephen Jones talked about the possibility of Byron Jones moving back down to cornerback earlier this offseason. The former first-round pick has been very reliable for the Cowboys playing 42 consecutive games at free safety. Should the Cowboys make the move, they will undoubtedly draft a player that can play free safety.

Stanford’s Justin Reid is a player the Cowboys would need to draft. Reid is a guy who does everything well. He’s 6-0, 207 pounds with solid ball skills who can come down and play the run. According to Walterfootball.com, Reid is an early round prospect scouts love. 

"“Sources who are tough graders said they think Reid has early-round potential for the 2018 NFL Draft. They say that Reid doesn’t have Earl Thomas-like range as a free safety or Kam Chancellor-like size as a strong safety, but he does everything well. Reid is a good free or strong safety with the ability to run and tackle. They say that he is a polished, clean, good all-around safety similar”"

Another possibility could be the Cowboys drafting a guy who excelled in zone coverage as a corner, but has the versatility and skill-set tailor-made for free safety. Florida’s Duke Dawson is similar to Los Angeles Rams corner-turned-safety LaMarcus Joyner. Dawson is good run defender who plays with tenacity. He’s 5-10, 208 pounds, which may be considered small-ish for a corner. What he does well is drop into zone and plays in space he has the quickness to mirror receivers and break on routes. A coach who has an innovative mindset like Marinelli could benefit from a guy like Dawson. 

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Full 7-Round projection

Bottom Line 

With the way their offensive line took a step back last season, there’s a chance that the Jones may look to draft a right tackle as well. A player like Orlando Brown from Oklahoma could be a possibility if he falls to them in the second round or later. Owner Jerry Jones and his son, Stephen Jones, have their work cut out for them if they expect to return to their 2016 form. There are a lot of holes to fill on the Cowboys roster, so they won’t be able to fill all of them.

However, there are some key positions that can be filled with prospects from this draft that could come in right away and help the Cowboys win. The front office has proven that they can find multiple starters in one draft and this one shouldn’t be any different.