Cowboys Draft Overview: What We Can Expect

All the hard work by the Cowboys scouts, coaches, and executives is done and we now have our newest crop of draft picks. Looking across the Cowboys fandom on twitter several of our picks were polarizing only because other players were still available when we drafted certain players, but that happens every year really.

It’s now time to get behind all these picks and get onboard. I’ll be honest myself, my knee jerk reaction of drafting Randy Gregory is now in the rear mirror and I’m just ready to see what Gregory and all the other players do for this team.

The minute the Packers divisional game was over we all knew this team needed to bolster the defense to improve and we addressed it. I like all the picks, so with that being said, let’s review our picks and what their roles may be on this team.

Round 1 (#27): Bryon Jones, CB, Connecticut (6-0, 199)
40: 4.42 – Bench: 18 reps

The Cowboys wanted to get better and bigger in the secondary, so adding Jones gives the Cowboys more options to combat the passing attacks in the NFC East. Jones has played at the safety position his first two seasons at UConn, and finished at CB his final two seasons. I love this pick, and it was one we needed. He’ll start day one, and we’ll see him roam in certain passing down packages. What you see in this pick is the first step in revamping the secondary longterm. I don’t expect Carr or Claiborne to be here in 2016, so the Cowboys will be revisiting CB in the 2016 draft. Follow: @Byron16Jump

Round 2 (#60): Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska (6-5, 235)
40: 4.64 – Bench: 24 reps

Perhaps the most polarizing pick that split down the middle by many fans, but there’s no denying the on field talent is legit. Gregory has the physical traits, long arms, and play that made him a consensus Top 10 pick. Gregory must now enter his new chapter in life and dedicate everything he has into being a pro football player and make the right decisions to avoid derailing his career before it starts. Gregory will fit into the Cowboys scheme as a situational pass rusher who will have the opportunity to gain more playing time as he shows he can play at the next level. I like the possibility of Gregory and Lawrence on the field at the same time – exciting. Add Hardy into the mix, and we will have a much improved pass rush that could be just enough to get us over the hump defensively. Follow: @RandyGregory_4

Round 3 (#91): Chaz Green, OT, Florida (6-5, 314)
40: 5.16 – Bench: 21 reps

Thought to be the Cowboys swing tackle, but his versatility could prove to be way more than just a reserve player. No doubt Green will likely be a back-up this year, and we definitely needed depth, but quality depth. We now have that depth for tackle and guard if needed. Longterm, Green could kick inside if the Cowboys decide to let Leary test free agency in 2016, he’s likely going to play himself into a bigger contract than Parnell landed. This is a solid pick from a solid program that has consistently put out quality o-lineman into the NFL. Follow: @cgreen_75

Round 4 (#127): Damien Wilson, LB, Minnesota (6-0, 245)
40: 4.77 – Bench: 22 reps

Coach Eberflus and Coach Bisaccia were ecstatic when this pick came in. Wilson is pretty much a Hitchens clone, and we know how that worked out for us. Hitchens put some solid play for us last year and started a few games. Hitchens will be the starting SAM LB. That being said, Wilson will have the same opportunities to play especially with the injury proneness of Lee and McClain. Wilson can play all three positions at LB and we’ll see him contribute immediately on special teams. Wilson could eventually move into a starter in 2016. Follow: @dwilson_6

Round 5 (#163): Ryan Russell, DE, Purdue (6-4, 269)
40: 4.68 – Bench: 25 reps

Russell will come in a give us depth at LE where we were a bit thin with the departures of Selvie and Spencer. Russell has raw skills, but Coach Marinelli sees those pass rushing skills that can be refined. Russell will come into a great situation and his upside under Marinelli’s tutelage could make him a big steal for us. Follow: @RKRelentless

Round 7 (#236): Mark Nzeocha, LB, Wyoming (6-3, 238)
40: 4.52 – Bench: n/a

Nzeocha tore his ACL in October, but was able to heal up enough to participate in some private workouts.

Nzeocha has a tremendous amount of athleticism and speed, but his instincts for the game must be developed and sharpened before he can be trusted as a full-time starter. His potential and ceiling are exciting (provided he recovers from injury), but he’s the textbook definition of project. Like the Eagles’ Bryan Braman, he has the length and speed to become a highly effective special-teams player.(NFL.com)

This pick was meant to bring in a player that could play on special teams and serve as a reserve LB. No doubt he’ll have all the opportunities to supplant Cam Lawrence for a roster spot. He’ll have a challenge as most of our 7th round picks have had a hard time making the team or catching onto a practice squad position. Follow: @MCN_90

Round 7 (#243): Laurance Gibson, OT, Virginia Tech (6-6, 305)
40: 5.04 – Bench: 24 reps

Gibson is a player the Cowboys worked out and could fill the Cowboys swing tackle need, at the minimum he’ll come in and compete with the other reserve tackles.

Gibson, the Virginia Tech senior offensive tackle, put up some of the top numbers among offensive linemen during testing Friday.

He ran a 5.04 40-yard dash, had a 33.5-inch vertical jump and a 113-inch broad jump.

Follow: @thebigfueler

Round 7 (#246): Geoff Swaim, TE, Texas (6-4, 242)
40: 4.61 – Bench: n/a

He’ll come in a compete for a practice squad spot. There isn’t much data on Swaim, he doesn’t have many games under his belt or much production at all. He was a JUCO transfer and in his two seasons at Texas he had just 13 total receptions for 84 yards. Used as an h-back in a few formations at Texas, with the ability to block. It’ll be interesting to see if Swaim has any impact at all. This trade up is baffling. We’ll see what he can do in camp, the coaches must see some untapped potential and upside.