NFL1000: Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft Preview
The Dallas Cowboys' 2016 NFL draft turned the franchise around as much as any in team history and was the most productive since the Jimmy Johnson glory days of the early 1990s.
Owner Jerry Jones, executive vice president Stephen Jones and their personnel struck gold with running back Ezekiel Elliott (No. 4 overall) and quarterback Dak Prescott (No. 135). They turned the Cowboys from a 4-12 squad in 2015, when franchise signal-caller Tony Romo missed 12 games because of injury, to a 13-3 team in 2016 that made the playoffs sans Romo.
It would be a major delayed reward if linebacker Jaylon Smith is able to recover from the nerve damage in his knee that caused him to miss his entire rookie campaign—he was a top-five player at his position before his injury.
Now, the next steps for the Cowboys are to decide Romo's fate, continue to maintain the league's best offensive line and take a serious look at a defense that was league-average last season—and suffered several defections in free agency. Dallas will need to replace cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox and defensive lineman Terrell McClain.
The good news for the Jones Boys is the 2017 draft class is universally recognized as one of the deepest in the secondary over the last decade, and they can fill their need for linebackers and defensive linemen with quality players.
On offense, there's the obvious need to replace Romo with depth, and guard Ronald Leary's departure might sting if La'el Collins doesn't measure up for any reason.
The Cowboys are in decent shape to defend their NFC East title and advance further in the postseason, but this draft is just as crucial as the last one. Dallas can only hope it'll have the same hit rate at key positions.
Here are how the needs shake out per position and the players who might best fit those gaps.
Methodology
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The NFL1000 team of scouts received a series of important attributes to grade for every player in their positional review. Using a scale starting at 0 and going up to anywhere from five to 50 based on the position and the attribute, our scouts graded each player based on their own expertise and countless hours of tape review over the years. Our evaluators had specific positional assignments based on their proven fields of expertise.
- Doug Farrar: Lead scout/Quarterbacks
- John Middlekauff: Running backs/fullbacks
- Marcus Mosher: Wide receivers/tight ends
- Mark Schofield: Wide receivers/tight ends
- Duke Manyweather: Offensive tackles
- Ethan Young: Offensive guards
- Joe Goodberry: AFC defensive ends
- Justis Mosqueda: NFC defensive ends
- Charles McDonald: Defensive tackles
- Zach Kruse: 3-4 outside linebackers
- `1 Klassen: 4-3 outside linebackers
- Jerod Brown: Inside linebackers
- Kyle Posey: Cornerbacks
- Ian Wharton: Cornerbacks
- Mark Bullock: Safeties
- Chuck Zodda: Special teams
Each corresponding position slide was written by the assigned scout.
Quarterback
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Scheme: Air Coryell/Power Zone
Starter: Dak Prescott
NFL1000 Score: 72.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 13/38
It took Prescott a little time to get the hang of coordinator Scott Linehan's passing offense, but once he did late in the season, he had a command of the field and added multiple reads to his short passing game. That mobility plus a new option look (in conjunction with fellow rookie Elliott) had a transformative effect on Dallas' overall offense. As long as he stays healthy, Prescott is a cinch to be the Cowboys' starting quarterback for at least the next three years.
Backup: Tony Romo
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
At this moment, the Cowboys have not traded or released Romo, and they have the option of making him the most expensive backup quarterback in NFL history. Romo has a $24.7 million cap hit for 2017 and a $19.6 million cap charge if released.
The $5.1 million difference may be enough for the team to hold on to the veteran, and that's not the worst idea for a Super Bowl contender. Whether Romo plays for the Cowboys or another team in 2017 (if he's not riding the bench for Prescott), he's still a smart, tough, efficient quarterback when healthy.
The "when healthy" proviso, of course, is a big one. He hasn't been a full-time starter since 2014, when he led the Cowboys to the postseason, and hasn't played every game in a season since 2012.
Backup: Kellen Moore
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
The Cowboys re-signed the former Boise State hero to a one-year contract last Monday, though what Moore has above the neck keeps him in the NFL more than anything he does on the field. He's a smart player with a slight frame (6'0", 200 lbs) and limited arm talent.
Team Need: 6/10
Potential Draft Fits: Nathan Peterman, Pittsburgh Panthers; Chad Kelly, Ole Miss Rebels
The Cowboys need young developmental depth, and if they jettison Romo, they'll need veteran help as well.
Running Back
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Scheme: Power
Starter: Ezekiel Elliott
NFL1000 Score: 78.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 3/82
Elliott established himself as one of the top running backs in the NFL as a rookie. He more than lived up to the hype of being the No. 4 pick in the 2016 draft. Not only did he lead the NFL in rushing (1,631 yards), but he helped lead the Cowboys to the best record in the NFC. The Ohio State product is a dominant player, having the ability to excel in every facet of the offense. He's a powerful inside runner who has excellent vision and the feet to make defenders miss or the strength to run them over.
Elliott also has the speed (4.47 40-yard dash) to dominate outside the tackles. He possesses natural instincts on sweeps and understands how good his offensive linemen are—letting them locate defenders in space. He is excellent in the passing game (had 32 catches for 363 yards and a touchdown), and he has great hands and the playmaking skills to make things happen in space.
The 6'0", 225-pounder is a hammer in pass protection and can block any incoming blitzer. Overall, he is a flat-out star the Cowboys should be able to build around for years.
Backup: Alfred Morris
NFL1000 Scores: 68.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 64/82
Morris saw a limited role in 2016 due to Elliott's arrival. He only had 69 carries, averaging 3.5 yards per attempt. Once a highly productive runner, he has clearly lost a step. Morris lacks the short-area quickness to make guys miss and struggles to make plays because of his limited speed.
While he did have three straight 1,000-yard seasons, those days look like they are long gone. He rushed for 751 yards in 16 games in 2015. Morris has some value in the red zone because he is physical and willing to lower his shoulder on contact.
Dallas wants to trade him, per Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper), but because of his limited production, he doesn't have much value on the market. It would not be shocking if an undrafted free agent beats him in training camp if he is still on the team.
Backup: Darren McFadden
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
McFadden signed a one-year deal to be a backup in Dallas. A longtime Jerry Jones favorite, McFadden has carved out a nice niche. He is limited at this point in his career, but he's still able to be productive behind the best offensive line in the NFL.
McFadden is a stiff, straight-line player who can operate between the tackles; he'll put his foot in the ground and look to get downhill. He is limited outside the tackles because of his inability to shake defenders. However, he still has good top-end speed if he gets in the open field. He's not great in the passing game as a receiver but is solid in pass protection.
Team Need: 2/10
Potential Draft Fits: None. The Cowboys could bring in a couple of guys as undrafted free agents for camp competition.
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Fullback
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Starter: Keith Smith
NFL1000 Scores: 70.8/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 15/20
Keith Smith had a solid season in a limited role for the Cowboys. He played just 13.6 percent of the offensive snaps, including the playoffs. Dallas runs a lot of one-back sets with Elliott, but when Smith had playing time, he was good.
The 6'0", 232-pounder is a physical run-blocking fullback who is a good athlete and can locate linebackers at the second level. While he is not a hammer downhill, he is good at sustaining on contact and has the athletic traits to adjust in the open field.
The 24-year-old does not bring much to the table as an offensive weapon, but the Cowboys do not ask him to do that. Smith is a perfect low-cost option offense moving forward.
Team Need: 2/10
Potential Draft Fits: Dallas could bring in an UDFA but doesn't have a need.
Wide Receiver
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Scheme: Air Coryell
Starter: Dez Bryant
NFL1000 Scores: 71.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 8/155
For the second straight year, Dez Bryant missed a portion of the season because of a lower-body injury. This time, a fracture in his knee caused him to miss three games early in the campaign. It took awhile for him to get back to his dominant self, but Bryant returned to his ways in the second half of the season.
In his last nine games, including the playoffs, he accounted for nine touchdowns and finally got in sync with Dak Prescott. Bryant's route tree is still somewhat limited, but he excels on the few Dallas asks him to run. He's still as physical as any other receiver, and that's a big reason why he's still one of the best red-zone targets in the league.
At 28, he still has multiple years left of high-end play, especially if he can continue to build a rapport with Prescott. He's still a top-10 receiver and one of the toughest covers every week. He's the emotional leader for the Cowboys and a true alpha dog on their offense.
Starter: Terrance Williams
NFL1000 Scores: 64.4/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 77/155
The Cowboys re-signed Terrance Williams near the start of free agency at a modest price to keep their starting Z-receiver. Williams has many flaws in his game, including a limited route tree, small hands (8 ¾") and a tendency to overuse his body to reel in passes.
But as the No.2 in Dallas, Williams fits perfectly. His ability to block on the edge and inline helps the rushing attack. He's also a nice fit as an Air Coryell receiver who can run the slants, vertical and post routes. He has buildup speed that can surprise defenders. He's not flashy, but he fits what the Cowboys want opposite Dez Bryant.
Backup: Cole Beasley
NFL1000 Scores: 68.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 26/155
While Terrance Williams is listed as the other starting receiver in Dallas, Cole Beasley is the second-best wideout on the roster. His ability to win with quickness out of the slot makes him one of the best inside receivers in the league. Beasley has upped his receiving yards every season he's been in the league and is one of the toughest covers out of the slot in the entire NFL.
Backup: Brice Butler
NFL1000 Scores: 61.3/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 118/155
Before the Cowboys re-signed Terrance Williams, they brought back Brice Butler on a cheap one-year deal. Butler has all the athleticism to be a nice player in the NFL, but the inconsistencies in his game keep him in a reserve role. His best spot is as an X-receiver, but he has the versatility to play the Z as well.
Team Need: 2/10
Tight End
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Scheme: Air Coryell
Starter: Jason Witten
NFL1000 Scores: 68.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 9/96
Jason Witten turns 35 in May and just isn't the same player he was five years ago. For the second season in a row, Witten averaged less than 10 yards per catch. He's no longer a threat to make plays after the catch or down the field. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have value for Dallas.
As a true do-it-all tight end, Witten is still one of the top options in the NFL. He can block inline or on the move and is still one of the best on third down. His knack for being able to find a soft spot in zone coverage is still amazing. He's not the dominant player he was earlier in the decade, but he's still an important part of the Cowboys offense.
Backup: Geoff Swaim
NFL1000 Scores: 59.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 66/96
For years, the Cowboys have been searching for that perfect complement to play alongside Witten. Before tearing his pectoral muscle against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the middle of the season, Geoff Swaim—an athletic, move tight end who can hold his own on the line—looked like he may be that piece in 2016.
He injured his foot this offseason, however, requiring surgery on his fifth metatarsal, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. If healthy, Swaim projects as the No. 2 tight end going into 2017.
Backup: Rico Gathers
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
A sixth-round pick in 2016, Gathers failed to make his way onto the field during his rookie season. However, at 6'6", 281 pounds, he has the athletic profile to be a difference-maker. Earlier this month, head coach Jason Garrett had a lot of positive things to say about his development on the practice squad at tight end and tackle, per Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.
He's an interesting depth piece going into next season.
Team Need: 4/10
Potential Draft Fits: Jake Butt, Michigan Wolverines; Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas Razorbacks
Left Tackle
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Scheme: Zone-Flex
Starter: Tyron Smith
NFL1000 Scores: 83/100
LT Rank: 2/40
Tyron Smith is not only one of the top offensive linemen, but also one the top overall players in all of football. There is no debate Smith will be starting at left tackle for Dallas when the 2017 season kicks off in September.
Despite battling injuries in 2016, Smith was the NFL1000's second-ranked left tackle and second overall player with a score of 83.0, just narrowly behind Washington's Trent Williams (83.1).
Smith turned in impressive performances in every game he played, physically dominating in the running game and in pass protection, and he was a huge factor in the Cowboys' success despite having rookies starting at quarterback and running back.
At only 26 years old, Tyron Smith may have his best football ahead of him. That should please Prescott and Elliott as they enter their second years.
Team Need: 1/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Right Tackle
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Scheme: Zone-Flex
Starter: Vacant (Doug Free retired)
Backup: Chaz Green
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
The jury is still out about Chaz Green—not so much because of his on-field ability but rather his lack of availability. Green should be a capable swing tackle with the potential to be the right tackle of the future.
In 2016, Green started two games in place of Tyron Smith, and when he was on the field, he flashed promise.
Unfortunately, the 24-year-old suffered a foot injury that kept him from practicing for weeks. As he worked toward his return to action, he suffered a back injury that required season-ending surgery and landed him on injured reserve.
With Doug Free's retirement announcement earlier this month, Dallas finds itself in a situation where it has to make a decision on Chaz Green's value moving forward. Can it count on him to be available and take over at right tackle as the full-time starter, or is he nothing more than depth when healthy?
The Cowboys haven't done much to address offensive tackle in free agency, only signing veteran Byron Bell to a one-year deal last Friday, so it is likely they will look to upgrade through the 2017 draft and provide some competition at the position.
Team Need: 10/10
Potential Draft Fits: Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin Badgers; Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers; Antonio Garcia, Troy Trojans
Offensive Guard
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Scheme: Zone-Flex
Starter: La'el Collins
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
Collins had a rough start to 2016 after a promising rookie season and was outplayed by Ronald Leary, who replaced in the lineup after he got hurt. Luckily for Collins, Leary is headed to the Denver Broncos, so he should have a clear shot at starting again in his third year. Collins needs to do a better job of maintaining leverage at the contact point. Defenders got into his frame too often and put him in a weak position.
Starter: Zack Martin
NFL1000 Scores: 75.4/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 3/78
At 6'4", 321 pounds, Martin is a sturdy pass protector who sets a powerful base and works from the ground up when Prescott drops back. He's an aggressive run-blocker who wins with power and technique when opening up holes for Elliott. The 26-year-old is an elite-level talent who doesn't have many deficiencies or weaknesses to exploit. He won't be going away anytime soon, and the Cowboys right guard position should be locked in for years to come.
Backup: Ryan Seymour
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
A 2013 seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, the 27-year-old Seymour hasn't played in a regular-season game since 2014. While the Cowboys are set up top at guard, they could clearly use some depth going forward.
Team Need: 3/10
Potential Draft Fits: Danny Isidora, Miami Hurricanes; Sean Harlow, Oregon State Beavers
Center
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Scheme: Zone-Flex
Starter: Travis Frederick
NFL1000 Scores: 75.2
NFL1000 Position Ranks: 1/38
Initially considered an awful reach in the 2013 draft, Frederick is another vital part on the Cowboys' dominant front as the most consistently impressive center in the league. His playing strength in the A-gap can counter even the strongest two-gapping nose tackles, and his efficiency with his hands allows him to reset quickly against quick one-gap penetrators in pass protection. The 6'4", 318-pounder's mental-processing ability is key to the Cowboys' zone-running attack as well. He's the total package.
Backup: Joe Looney
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
Looney has struggled to stay healthy is his career, but given his youth and his versatility to slide to guard as well, the 26-year-old is a fine depth option for Dallas. The Cowboys shouldn't bring in anyone more than a camp body at center.
Team Need: 1/10
Potential Draft Fits: Erik Austell, Charleston Southern Buccaneers (UDFA); Tobijah Hughley, Louisville Cardinals (UDFA)
Defensive End
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Scheme: 4-3
Starter: DeMarcus Lawrence
NFL1000 Scores: 69.2/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 12/68
In 2015, DeMarcus Lawrence had a breakout eight-sack season for the Cowboys. The 2014 second-round pick had high expectations heading into the 2016 season, but after a back surgery and a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, the 24-year-old only posted one sack in nine games, including three starts.
Lawrence is the most complete defensive end on the Cowboys roster, with the second-highest upside behind David Irving, but he wasn't great last campaign. With the Randy Gregory and Greg Hardy experiments going wrong, Lawrence may be one of the weaker No. 1 pass-rushers and has his arrow trending downward in 2017.
Starter: Tyrone Crawford
NFL1000 Scores: 65.2/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 40/68
Like DeMarcus Lawrence, Tyrone Crawford is a Boise State product. Crawford's path from Canada to junior college to Boise State is slightly different than Lawrence's story, though. The Cowboys utilized Crawford more as an under tackle than a defensive end before depth forced him out to the edge nearly full time.
Crawford started 14 games for the team last season, but his five-year, $45 million contract greatly outpaces his production outside. Maliek Collins, a 21-year-old third-round pick who recorded five sacks in 2016, is looking to take over the under tackle role in Dallas, so Crawford's moving back inside full time seems unlikely.
The 27-year-old has moved from 3-4 end to 4-3 end to 4-3 tackle to 4-3 end. In 2018, his salary finally outweighs his dead cap, which would give the Cowboys an opportunity to get out of that contract.
Backup: David Irving
NFL1000 Scores: 65.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 35/68
Since Irving became a free agent so early in his career, the Cowboys offered him an exclusive-rights tender at the beginning of March. Irving is a hybrid end-tackle who started to flash down the stretch last season and racked up four sacks for the year.
That's about as much as you can ask from a promising player with athletic upside.
Given the way the team wanted to hold on to the 23-year-old and his upside, it seems Irving has as good of a chance as anyone to be a 10-sack player at some point in his NFL career.
Backup: Benson Mayowa
NFL1000 Scores: 64.3/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 49/68
After going undrafted in 2013, Benson Mayowa spent his first three seasons in the league with the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders. In 2016, the Cowboys offered a tender to the restricted free agent, and the Raiders didn't match it.
In his first year with the Cowboys, Mayowa played in 13 games with six starts and had six sacks. The suspensions of DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory and the loss of Greg Hardy helped Mayowa's chances to see the field, but he's more of a reserve player than someone who should be receiving starting snaps.
Backup: Charles Tapper
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli may be one of the best D-line coaches ever. Take, for example, the progress David Irving and Maliek Collins made last year.
The Cowboys selected Charles Tapper at No. 101 overall in 2016, but a back injury kept him from seeing the field. At 6'2", 271 pounds, Tapper is an athletic, larger end, and if he can catch the eye of Marinelli, he has a chance to be a starter in the NFL.
Backup: Damontre Moore
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
Damontre Moore was a top-100 pick in the 2013 draft, but he's only recorded 10 sacks in four seasons as a professional. In Week 1 of next season, he will still be just 24 years old and has already been with the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Raiders and Seahawks.
The 2012 consensus All-American at Texas A&M has plenty of time to make up for a slow start in the NFL, but expect him to be a low-depth-chart body going into Year 5.
Team Need: 10/10
Potential Draft Fits: Charles Harris, Missouri Tigers; Derek Rivers, Youngstown State Penguins; Jordan Willis; Kansas State Wildcats
Defensive Tackle
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Scheme: 4-3
Starter: Maliek Collins
NFL1000 Scores: 65.3
NFL1000 Position Rank: 38/99
Maliek Collins had a solid rookie season in 2016. He contributed early, which is always a plus for a Day 2 pick. He should be a fixture for the Cowboys at 3-technique for the near future. Marinelli did a masterful job of helping him get up to speed quickly in the NFL, and big things should be in store for Year 2.
In the back half of the season, Collins started to become more comfortable as a pass-rusher. He had a stellar performance against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. If Dallas can find him a partner in crime at 1-technique in the 2017 draft, it'll be in good shape as it tries to rebuild its defense.
Backup: Cedric Thornton
NFL1000 Scores: 63.8
NFL1000 Position Rank: 45/99
Dallas signed Cedric Thornton last offseason from the Philadelphia Eagles, and he had a decent first year. He's not very disruptive in either the passing or running game, but he often provides a steady presence with sound gap discipline.
Ideally, Thornton is the type of player who's a third or fourth defensive tackle, not a starter. The Cowboys have been awfully quiet in free agency, but maybe they'll fill the role of the No. 2 DT in the draft.
Backup: Stephen Paea
NFL1000 Scores: 63.0
NFL1000 Position Rank: 52/99
The Cowboys signed Stephen Paea in 2017 free agency to be an explosive depth piece behind Cedric Thornton and Maliek Collins. He had an up-and-down season as a Cleveland Brown in 2016. He saw a decent number of snaps most weeks, though didn't play several games as the team was trying to figure out who to keep for the following campaign
Paea has experience under Marinelli from the early portion of his career as a Chicago Bear. The 28-year-old isn't a player who should be seeing a heavy percentage of the snaps, but he's a nice fit behind Collins as a depth piece with some pass-rushing ability.
Team Need: 9/10
Potential Draft Fits: Jaleel Johnson, Iowa Hawkeyes; Tanzel Smart, Tulane Green Wave; Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA Bruins
Outside Linebacker
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Scheme: 4-3
Starter: Sean Lee
NFL1000 Scores: 71.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 4/46
After missing the entire 2014 season due to injury, Lee has seen a nice stretch of health since then. He’s been sidelined for a few games since 2015, but he’s been able to remain a cornerstone for the Cowboys. In 2016, Lee was the most critical piece for Dallas’ front seven. The Cowboys were constantly without their best pass-rushers, either due to suspension or injury, and their interior defensive linemen were not top-tier players. As a result, Lee had to be the king of the front seven, especially in run defense.
His run defense was among the best at his position in 2016. He consistently plugged up leaks for the Cowboys defensive line, in addition to crashing through open gaps to catch running backs at or behind the line of scrimmage. As a pass defender, Lee was again forced to pick up the pieces, seeing as the Cowboys' defensive front could not generate pressure well. Lee had to be even snappier in coverage and do his best to force quarterbacks to hold the ball. He had to command the middle of the field, and, given the difficulty of his job, he did as well as could be expected. Lee played smart, physical and fast football in 2016. Hopefully he continues to stay healthy moving forward.
Backup: Damien Wilson
NFL1000 Scores: 61.8/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 26/46
Damien Wilson is a nice contributor for the Cowboys. The defense rotated through a smorgasbord of linebackers to pair with or relieve Lee throughout the season. Each of them had their own unique traits and specialities, including Wilson. 2016 was his second year in the league, and he proved to be a stout, stable run defender for the Cowboys.
Wilson is not the explosive or exciting type, but he plays with impressive read-and-react skills. More often than not, he steps correctly toward the play at the snap and pursues well enough to keep the play at bay. He does a fine job of getting to his assignment gap and locking down the area. However, he is not one to make spectacular plays, not to mention he is only a two-down player. Wilson does not provide much as a coverage piece or as a pass-rusher. If needed in a pinch, he can play on passing downs, but his value is maximized when he is primarily a run defender.
Backup: Jaylon Smith
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
During Jaylon Smith’s final game at Notre Dame, he suffered a severe knee injury that completely derailed his draft stock and rookie season. As a result of the timing and severity of his injury, Smith fell to the top of the second round, where the Cowboys decided to roll the dice on him. After all, it was the Cowboys' team doctor who did the surgery to repair Smith’s knee. The nature of Smith’s injury was going to require a long, strenuous rehabilitation period, but he should return to relative normalcy once rehab is over. All signs are pointing to Smith being ready to go in 2017.
Smith was a bona fide star at Notre Dame. His athleticism was daunting, and there was not a task he couldn’t handle. On occasion, he would get hyperaggressive and bite on fakes or misdirections, but his aggression so often served him well that teams were willing to take the good with the bad. Smith was a forceful run defender, an electric blitzer and a rangy cover linebacker. It may take him some time to get back into a groove and get his feet under him, but the Cowboys likely got a gem, health permitting.
Team Need: 3/10
Potential Draft Fits: Jordan Evans, Oklahoma; Matt Galambos, Pittsburgh; Elijah Lee, Kansas State
Inside Linebacker
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Scheme: 4-3
Starter: Anthony Hitchens
NFL1000 Scores: 68.4/100
NFL1000 ILB Rank: 43/65
Anthony Hitchens won the starting position in 2016, but he’s far from established. The Cowboys spent plenty of time in nickel defense, and Hitchens was often the player pulled off the field for a fifth defensive back. When he did stay on the field, Hitchens’ coverage skills were exploited. He has the requisite athleticism to play all special teams and can be an above-average backup inside linebacker. As a starter, he’s routinely outmatched week to week.
Hitchens will make splash plays and provides enthusiasm at opportune times, but he lacks the consistency on every down to be an effective run-stopper for the Cowboys. Dallas spent the first four weeks of the season figuring out who it could trust at inside linebacker, and Hitchens won out, but it is easy to see him being replaced in the near future.
Backup: Mark Nzeocha
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
Mark Nzeocha is a quality backup and could easily beat out Hitchens for the starting spot in 2017. Neither player is a long-term piece at inside linebacker, but both could be serviceable players while Dallas addresses other defensive needs. Although linebacker may not be viewed as a priority in the same manner as a pass-rusher, the Cowboys will certainly be looking to upgrade Hitchens and Nzeocha in the near future.
Nzeocha provides consistency as a player but will rarely do anything beyond average play. Against better offensive linemen, he lacks the technique to stack and shed at the line of scrimmage, often trying to elude blocks and effectively taking himself out of the play.
Team Need: 7/10
Potential Draft Fits: Anthony Walker Jr., Northwestern; Ben Gedeon, Michigan; Kendell Beckwith, LSU
Cornerback
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Scheme: Press Man
Starter: Anthony Brown
NFL1000 Scores: 59.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 96/133
After a strong finish to his rookie campaign, the Dallas Cowboys likely have seen enough from Anthony Brown to make him a full-time starter in 2017 after Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne both left via free agency. Brown, like most rookies, was up-and-down, in part because he’s more of an off-ball corner who needed time to grow comfortable in his role. Brown projects as an average starter based on his play last season and should be able to hold his own.
Starter: Nolan Carroll
NFL1000 Scores: 60.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 86/133
The loss of Carr and acquisition of Nolan Carroll went hand-in-hand. Carroll is a very similar player to Carr as far as strengths and weaknesses. The issue for the Cowboys is that Carr graded better for Dallas than what Carroll did for Philadelphia, by almost five points. That’s the difference in Carr finishing 51st and Carroll 102nd in our full-season averages. Carroll is an ideal third outside corner, so the Cowboys will need to prioritize upgrading his position in the draft.
Slot: Orlando Scandrick
NFL1000 Scores: 61.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 77/133
A reliable slot presence, Orlando Scandrick has been steady in his time with Dallas. He’ll enter 2017 in the same role, and the expectation for him to be an average slot remains. At 30 years old, the Cowboys may feel they need to start looking at a replacement option, especially as he only played 12 games last year. After Scandrick, the team is completely devoid of depth.
Team Need: 9/10
Potential Draft Fits: Quincy Wilson, Florida; Gareon Conley, Ohio State; Corn Elder, Miami; Jourdan Lewis, Michigan; Kevin King, Washington
Free Safety
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Scheme: Cover 1 Robber
Starter: Byron Jones
NFL1000 Scores: 75.3/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 4/50
Jones is developing into one of the best young safeties in the league. In base, he plays as the single-high safety with the range to cover a lot of ground and stay on top of everything. It's in nickel and dime packages, however, where Jones displays his best attributes. In those packages, Jones rotates down to match up against tight ends in man coverage.
He has the athleticism and movement skills to stay with the top receiving tight ends in the league and largely take them out of the game. The NFL is finding more and more of the Jordan Reed- and Jimmy Graham-type players who combine receiver skills with a tight end's body. Being able to take those guys away in man coverage is extremely valuable.
Backup: Jeff Heath
NFL1000 Scores: 68.6
NFL1000 Position Rank: 40/50
After going undrafted in 2013, Heath has worked his way up with the Cowboys. While he started the year behind J.J. Wilcox as the backup safety, he began to take away some of his snaps towards the end of the season. Heath played primarily as the third safety, coming in to play single-high or as part of two-deep coverages. By taking over the deep-coverage responsibilities, Heath freed up Jones to rotate down to cover tight ends. Heath displays solid instincts to recognize different route combinations, and he knows what he needs to stay on top of when playing deep. That’s exactly what the Cowboys need from Jones' backup. The team could potentially look to upgrade, but having spent the time developing him, it would be surprising if Dallas moved on from him now.
Team Need: 2/10
Potential Draft Fits: Could bring in an undrafted free agent for competition, but don’t have a need.
Strong Safety
17 of 19
Scheme: Cover 1 Robber
Starter: Kavon Frazier
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
The Cowboys lost starter Barry Church and backup J.J. Wilcox in free agency and opted against replacing them. That leaves Dallas with just 2016 sixth-round pick Kavon Frazier, who only played a handful of snaps, as the only strong safety on the team. Frazier isn’t ready to start yet and shouldn’t be more than a backup next season, meaning the Cowboys have a significant hole to fill that will require attention early on in the draft.
Team Need: 9/10
Potential Draft Fits: Marcus Maye, Florida; Budda Baker, Washington; Josh Jones, N.C. State; Josh Harvey-Clemons, Louisville
Kicker
18 of 19
Starter: Dan Bailey
NFL1000 Scores: 70.1
NFL1000 Position Rank: 3/34
Dan Bailey is one of the top kickers in the NFL, and although his performance saw a small drop at the end of the year, his job is completely safe. As Bailey showed during the divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers, he is capable of hitting field goals from nearly any location on the field, making two 50-plus-yarders while locked in an epic battle with Packers kicker Mason Crosby. Bailey is likely to see his overall accuracy rebound in 2017, and he is among the most consistent and clutch kickers in the NFL today.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Punter
19 of 19
Starter: Chris Jones
NFL1000 Scores: 70.1
NFL1000 Position Rank: 5/34
Chris Jones was remarkably consistent in 2016, with only one weekly score below 60 (Week 6: 59), and generally clustering between 70 and 73. Jones is not a big hitter, but he displayed an ability to consistently place the ball on the numbers this year, with his directional game paying dividends in minimizing returns. Watching Jones on tape, the consistency stands out, as there is rarely a punt that does not travel in the intended direction, and he rarely sees shanks resulting in lower-than-expected hangtime as well.
Jones is on a cheap deal through the 2017 season, so while there is a chance he bolts after 2017 if offered a larger contract, Dallas is unlikely to move on from him at this point. He offers a slightly above-average option at an affordable cost, and with the Cowboys likely looking to make a deeper playoff run in 2017, they are probably going to be deploying resources toward their offense and defense, rather than attempting to retool a very capable special teams unit.
Team Need: 2/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
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