Dallas Cowboys: Grading Day 2 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys selected defensive tackle Trysten Hill at No. 58 overall and guard Connor McGovern at No 90. How do those two Day 2 picks grade out?

The Dallas Cowboys had to wait until the 58th pick to make their first selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, but they feel like they got their man. Adamant about landing a player who can contribute right away, Dallas took UCF defensive tackle Trysten Hill.

He fills a big need, which made his selection understandable. The pick that followed was a little less expected. The Cowboys were back on the clock at No. 90 and had a couple of options, with safety standing out as the biggest need remaining.

That’s not the way Dallas went though, as they took Penn State guard Connor McGovern. After taking a guard in the second round last season, this probably won’t go over well. Still, we try and look objectively here and issue grades for the Cowboys moves during the second day of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Hill’s stat line is less than impressive (36 tackles, 10.5 for a loss, three sacks as a senior) but when you put on the tape, he stands out. Because of that, the scouting report on Hill is that he’s a wrecking ball on the field capable of destroying opposing offensive linemen — when he’s locked in. Hill does have some questions about his football character and needs to be coached up to reach his full potential.

The 6-foot-3, 308-pound defensive tackle has a chance to start as the three-technique and couldn’t have picked a better defensive coordinator to try and motivate him than Rod Marinelli. This is clearly a guy Marinelli wants and if he works his magic, this could look really good for them.

Back on the clock at No. 90, the Cowboys took a player who could play either guard or center. While many were hoping for a safety such as Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Dallas went with McGovern. He’s a good run blocker and has the ability to start day one — he was also the best guard left on the board according to Daniel Jeremiah.

"“My highest available guard left on the board. He will uproot you, drive you and finish you in the running game and has pass protection awareness.” —  Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com"

While most are wondering what this means for this season, the truth is the Cowboys are likely looking down the road. With some massive contract extensions on the horizon, Dallas needs to try and save money where they can. Right tackle La’el Collins currently makes a lot of money and may not get another extension.

Should that happen, this move allows the Cowboys to kick Connor Williams out to tackle, his natural position, and plug McGovern into his place. Until then, he gives them great depth which was needed last season considering all the injuries they suffered.