Dallas Cowboys 2018 Draft Class Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to begin the review process on how each team stacks up with the selections they’ve made. While the Cowboys took a giant step back in 2017, retooling and reloading was the primary objective for Jerry Jones and Americas Team. Having glaring needs requiring great improvement, and cutting bait with notable talent (Dez Bryant), gave way to the Cowboys to draft for need while hoping to score with high-end talent. Jason Witten announced his retirement while the Cowboys found a way to trade for gadget player Tavon Austin to help ease the transition. With nine picks in the 2018 draft, there is potential the Cowboys could find themselves relevant once again, let’s review… 

Dallas Cowboys 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick 19 (19)

Leighton Vander Esch (LB)

While question marks arose on Vander Esch’s medical diagnosis during the draft process which forced some teams to remove him from their board altogether, the Cowboys didn’t waiver and selected the top talent at pick nineteen. ADF is a big fan of what Vander Esch can bring to any club let along the Dallas Cowboys. Leighton has great measurables standing at 6’4” tall, weighing in at 256 pounds, making him a fantastic plug-in player at the line backer position. Vander Esch tested extremely well showing fantastic speed, strength, agility, and vertical for a man of his size.

His fantastic final season at Boise State opened eyes and gave credence to scouts that he was in fact the real deal ready to take the next step in his progression. A straight tackling machine dropping ball carries 141 total times in 2017 shows he’s more than capable in handling the middle of the defense. While ADF is a great believer in what Vander Esch brings to the table in terms of skill and playmaking ability, his injuries have us a little concerned that he may not be able to handle the rigor of the NFL. Dallas has witnessed the struggles of current line backer Sean Lee missing ample time to injuries throughout the course of his career and hope it won’t be a duplicate in Leighton’s case. On paper the Cowboys haven’t employed a trio of talented players in the middle of their defense in quite a long time. Having Vander Esch teamed up with Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith could potentially be a very dominating unit. ADF supports this selection, and if injuries are a thing of the past for Vander Esch, Dallas got a monster for their defense.   

ADF Prediction: Day one starter, Pro Bowl potential.

Round 2 – Pick 18 (50)

Conner Williams (OL)

Jerry Jones is very much old school and also understands that building the offensive line is imperative to the success of his franchise. Already housing a great unit upfront, the Cowboys just got better with home grown talent Texas boy Conner Williams. Conner does possess great height but lacks the overall weight that would make ADF take notice. Playing at his current weight does allow for more athleticism which is something Williams does have. Playing Guard in the NFL is a tricky position that requires the intelligence which we have no question marks to place at this time. We at ADF do like this selection as Conner has the potential to become a day one starter while learning the trade from the many highly talented players on this Cowboys offensive line. However, it’s quite clear Conner will start his career on the sidelines learning and acting as a key depth addition to the club.   

ADF Prediction: Great potential, depth player to begin career, future starter.

Round 3 – Pick 17 (81)

Michael Gallup (WR)

The consensus in most circles tends to show the lack of discussion regarding the talent level of Michael Gallup pre-draft process. Some had Gallup ranked as their top receiver in this draft class showing great ability and finish to be a top flight receiver in the NFL. Michael does possess good height and weight to man the outside on any offense, while showing his good route running ability and quick first step off the line. Gallup did produce at high levels in his two years at Colorado State amassing 176 receptions, 2690 yards, and 21 receiving touchdowns – 14 of which came in his junior season, very impressive.

Landing in Dallas has both great upside and potential for drawbacks without a true number one threat on the team. ADF isn’t suggesting that Gallup couldn’t develop into the team’s number one target in time, but his rookie season should show a great adjustments and learning curves as the season moves forward. The Cowboys offense will be very intriguing in the passing game this season as more specialty plays and formations to confuse the opposition should be on point. The addition of Tavon Austin will allow the coaching staff to get creative allowing Gallup to see fewer double teams and safety assisted coverage bases to get him in open space to make plays on the ball. ADF really likes what Gallup could do in Dallas.

ADF Prediction: High potential, great upside.

Round 4 – Pick 16 (116)

Dorance Armstrong (DE)

ADF was a big naysayer in how Jerry Jones was building this team in the past post Super Bowl winning seasons, but, over the past several years, Jones and his staff have regained credibility when it comes to the talent they draft on both the offensive and defensive lines showing great skill and producing at an extremely high level. Dorance Armstrong instantly fits into the rotational category of the Cowboys defensive line with the potential to become a starter later in his career. Having great speed off the edge with a good first move makes Armstrong a very interesting player in the Dallas defense. Some scouts have him pegged as an outside line backer believing he will produce much better standing up then having his hand in the dirt. ADF believes Dorance has a lot to learn at the next level but could be a better pro then college player.   

ADF Prediction: Moderate/low potential.

Round 4 – Pick 37 (137)

Dalton Schultz (TE)

With future hall of famer Jason Witten waiting until the last minute to announce his retirement, Dallas had to adjust their strategy to include tight ends on their draft board. With their second pick on day three, the Cowboys filled the need selecting former Stanford product Dalton Schultz to join the team. ADF struggled to evaluate if Schultz was a better pass catcher or run blocker from the initial look on tape. Standing a fantastic 6’6” tall will give Dak Prescott a viable weapon in the redzone and check-downs with the potential of becoming a favorite on converting first downs. While Dalton does have good skill, ADF would like to see more strength added to his frame to improve upon his rather unimpressive 15 bench reps at the combine. Schultz could be a decent asset in the run game allowing him to remain on the field with the potential to catch passes and make plays.   

ADF Prediction: Work in progress, some potential.

 

Round 5 – Pick 34 (171)

Mike White (QB)

This pick came as quite a shock to us at ADF knowing they have a very capable backup on the roster in Cooper Rush. Though White does possess good arm talent, and looks the part of an NFL quarterback in terms of stature, he also has proven to be rather accurate and productive in his last two seasons. Even still, White is a project player that will require much tutelage from Jason Garrett and ADF is very curious to see if he’ll land on the roster or be sent to the practice squad open for others to sign.  

ADF Prediction: Some potential, project player.

Round 6 – Pick 19 (193)

Chris Covington (LB)

Going into the later rounds, the Cowboys are clearly addressing their depth issues in hopes they found a diamond in line backer Chris Covington. He has good ability and has decent potential to play on the edge both rushing the quarterback and dropping into coverage. His speed for his size is very encouraging and he should be able to prove his worth on kickoff and punt coverage. If there was a more glaring need on the Cowboys from last season, it was adequate depth to the roster; they seem to be filing those needs.     

Round 6 – Pick 34 (208)

Cedrick Wilson (WR)

More weapons for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense was the driving factor in this pick late in the sixth round. Yet another receiver in this class with good size and very good college production, Dallas may have found a viable target late in the draft. Wilson had good stats in his two seasons at Boise State which saw him total 139 receptions, 2640 yards, and 18 touchdowns over that span. Some scouts have Wilson pegged for slot duties and Cedrick can double down with returning kicks. Versatility was the keen outlook on Wilson as he has a good opportunity to prove his worth.  

Round 7 – Pick 18 (236)

Bo Scarbrough (RB)

Perhaps one of the better seventh round selections in the entire draft, the Cowboys landed straight bulldozer and former Alabama product Bo Scarbrough. Even with all-star Zeke Elliott running the show in Big-D, having a player of Scarbrough’s talent level will goes a long way in the latter portions of contests. Having 11 touchdowns in his Bama career and constantly running over would-be tacklers, the appeal of both Bo and Zeke in the backfield on the goal line could be a nightmare to defend. The Cowboys could get very creative with Scarbrough, but the limitations in his game would preclude him from any passing down situations. Still love the potential and the value late in the seventh round.

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Bryce Johnson, OL, St. Cloud State

Dalton Sturm, QB, UT-San Antonio

Jordan Chunn, RB, Troy

Donovan Olumba, CB, Portland State

Jake Campos, OL, Iowa State

Malik Earl, WR, Missouri State

David Wells, TE, San Diego State

Kameron Kelly, DB, San Diego State

DeQuinton Osborne, DT, Oklahoma State

Charvarius Ward, CB, Middle Tennessee State

Ed Shockley, LB, Villanova

Jashon Robertson, OL, Tennessee

Marchie Murdock, WR, Iowa State

Joel Lanning, LB, Iowa State

Kyle Queiro, DB, Northwestern

Austin Larking, DE, Purdue

Tyree Robinson, DB, Oregon

James Hearns, DE, Louisville