Open Rants by kkunert327

With the draft in the books time to go back and do a wrap up of how teams made out. I might be a bit of a harsh critic to the top 3 round picks, but that is where you need to hit in the draft to be successful. Sure most of the league is 4th rounders and later, but any that turn into Pro Bowlers or All-Pro players is mostly out of luck. So without further adieu, let's get on with the draft that was made from aboard a 200 million dollar yacht by Jerry Jones for his Dallas Cowboys. 

1 (18) - CeeDee Lamb WR Oklahoma - B

2 (19) - Trevon Diggs CB Alabama - A

3 (18) - Neville Gallimore DT Oklahoma - A+

Why can the Cowboys draft so well, but never find a way to win. It makes no sense, sure Dak Prescott is not the best quarterback, but he is certainly in the top 12 conversation among starters. Lamb would have not been my choice here, I would lean towards Xavier McKinney or K'Lavon Chaisson that were both much more important and needed positions for them. I totally understand the appeal behind landing Lamb for them with Jerry making most of the picks on his own this year and with no one keeping him in check. Lamb was a great value just on the factor of him coming off the boards after Henry Ruggs who in my opinion is not even close to Lamb's ability. I was never one to think he was better than Jerry Jeudy who to me proved he was more refined as a route runner in a much more difficult conference than Lamb in the Big 12. In any case, he will provide the Cowboys to have one of the more deadly trio of receivers with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup alongside him. I do not love the pick, due to their lack of need there and I doubt he makes a big in rows in their offense with already Cooper, Gallup, Elliott, and Jarwin to throw to during his rookie season. By his 2nd season he and Cooper should make an elite one-two punch. Diggs was a great get here for the Cowboys who avoided going after a secondary position in the first round. However, historically the Cowboys never do in the first round so it does make a ton of sense. Diggs drops due to injury and lack of upside concerns. He should enter in right away and be a quality starter from Day 1 for the Cowboys. I know many do not love the Gallimore pick after they picked up Gerald McCoy who comes with a big name and following, but his aging play has been overlooked in the media. Trysten Hill their 2nd rounder last year did not show anything not to stop them from taking Gallimore. He is an ideal fit as a three-technique in Mike Nolan's new defensive scheme. 

4 (17) - Reggie Robinson CB Tulsa - A

4 (40) - Tyler Biadasz C Wisconsin - B

5 (34) - Bradlee Anae DE Utah - B+

7 (17) - Ben DiNucci QB James Madison - A

Again, how do the Cowboys draft so damn well, but never seem to get out of their own way when it comes to the regular season and playoffs. It's crazy and must be baffling for Cowboys fans. In any case, they found an equally great value at corner with Robinson who will create a strong press man tandem between he and Diggs. Robinson has more upside as a raw athlete who needs to be coached up further, but he will in no time be better than the rest of their corners thanks to his length. Then they continued to have a great draft finding quality starters who can help out right away for them. Biadasz a fellow alum of recently retired Travis Frederick will come in and be given a shot at the starting gig left by the future Hall of Famer. He is not as powerful or strong as Frederick was in the run game. However, he is not without skill, experience, and ability to anchor an offensive line. He has a very high floor and comes with great starting appeal from a 4th rounder. Anae is in the same group as Biadasz as nice starters who can be quality contributors, but also be upgraded at some point. In the short term, even if Anae is just a pass rushing specialist then finding him in the 5th round is amazing value and he could have gone much higher. Lastly, DiNucci is a very fine hail mary in the 7th round to maybe find an answer if Prescottis not retained long term. Many around the league saw him as a quality back up quarterback project and one I am sure many hoped they could have had as an undrafted gem. The Cowboys were wise to take that chance away and take him to back up Prescott. If not he will become one of the better back ups and could maybe entice a team to trade for him. All in all this is an amazing draft and as a fan of football I hope this draft can turn this whole franchise's fortune around. Having the Cowboys to hate is as American as apple pie in my book and it seems empty when they do not win as much as they used to. This class deserves a strong A grade and could be one of the best from this draft in the short term and long term. 

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