Most of the Dallas Cowboys 30-man pre-draft visit list has been made public and there are some interesting details to unpack
The entire list is not out but there are 28 names known on the Dallas Cowboys’ pre-draft visit list as they prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Being able to bring these players in for a close look is vital for teams as they work toward the upcoming draft and Dallas often takes players they have brought into their facility ahead of the event.
Here, we have a list of the known Dallas Cowboys pre-draft visitors courtesy of Asa Henry, Cowboys Wire:
"David Anenih, DE, Houston Markquese Bell, safety, Florida A&M Daron Bland, CB, Fresno State Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia Malik Davis, RB, Florida Dawson Deaton, center, Texas Tech Josh Ezeudu, OT, North Carolina Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M Devin Harper, LB, Oklahoma State James Houston, LB, Jackson State Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College Cam Jurgens, center, Nebraska DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah Drake London, WR, USC Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State Cade Otton, TE, Washington Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati Luiji Vilain, DE, Wake Forest Quay Walker, LB, Georgia Sam Williams, DE, Ole Miss Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M"
With those names being mentioned, here are three interesting details that need to be unpacked.
Dallas Cowboys pre-draft detail to unpack No. 3: Tight end depth is important
Of the 28 visits scheduled, four of the prospects play tight end. That ties the position with defensive end and linebacker for the most coming in, which is a bit surprising. We all knew these two positions were needs but after giving Dalton Schultz the franchise tag, it’s interesting to see so many visits dedicated to the position.
Of course, they do need to replace Blake Jarwin who was let go in the offseason but they weren’t super committed to playing the two together.
With all that being said, it’s not a surprise they’re looking at a tight end, but maybe a little unexpected that they dedicated as many visits to the spot as any other.
Dallas Cowboys pre-draft detail to unpack No. 2: Offensive linemen not named Zack Martin are on notice
The once-dominant offensive line in Dallas was anything but in 2021. Outside of Zach Martin, there hasn’t been a player they can depend on in years. Tyron Smith is still a great player but he’s missed 32 games since 2016 — which is nearly a full two seasons of absences. In fact, Smith has not played a full campaign since 2015.
As for right tackle La’el Collins, he was released after the season, and left guard Connor Williams is now in Miami as he signed with the Dolphins after his contract ran out. Williams is known for his ability to hold, but Dallas wasn’t willing to hold onto him.
As for the center position, the Cowboys went with Tyler Biadasz in 2021 but the second-year player also had his share of issues and the jury is still out on him.
Looking ahead to this season, they likely plan on Smith, Martin, Biadasz, and Terence Steele as their starters with Connor McGovern likely in the mix at left guard. However, there could be some competition from their rookie class and as the visit list shows, they’re looking at every spot.
Dallas has two centers in the mix as well as three tackles — including Charles Cross who is seen as a left tackle and Bernhard Raimann who is seen as a fit on the right side. They also have Kenyon Green and Zion Johnson who are two top-rated guards.
It wouldn’t be a shock at all to see the Cowboys bring in multiple players on the offensive line as everyone not named Zach Martin could be looking at some competition soon.
Dallas Cowboys pre-draft detail to unpack No. 1: Moving Amari Cooper created an unnecessary need
The Dallas Cowboys traded one of their best players in the offseason for practically nothing. Stephen Jones, who is the only cap person who still believes the cap is real, sent Cooper to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick.
Not only was this a terrible move since they weren’t able to use the money to keep key players such as Cedrick Wilson and Randy Gregory, but it also created a hole at a position that was their greatest strength.
Dallas does have a solid No. 1 option in CeeDee Lamb and they re-signed Michael Gallup, but their complete failure to retain Wilson means they don’t have a third receiver in a pass-heavy offense — but hey, at least they have Ezekiel Elliott who isn’t as good as his backup who they don’t play since Zeke makes so much money.
That’s why the Cowboys are now bringing in some big names at wide receiver for a visit. Dallas will have Treylon Burks from Arkansas, Chris Olave from Ohio State, and Drake London from USC. What’s interesting about those three names is the fact that they’re all considered Round 1 talent.
This means Dallas traded away Amari Cooper — who cost them a Round 1 pick — in order to create a hole that they believe can only be filled with a Round 1 pick. And they only got a ROund 5 pick in this deal.
If that’s not the perfect example of how not to build a championship team, then I’m not sure what is.