Draft day has arrived, and the rumors and speculation surrounding the Dallas Cowboys will finally be answered. For the Cowboys, the first round will be the talk of the town for the weekend, with them having two picks at 12 and 20. Despite all of the talk about Dallas trading up to get one of the best defensive players in the draft, that noise was seemingly squashed by Director of Player Personnel Stephen Jones during the team’s pre-draft press conference.
Jones, when asked about trading up for a premier defensive player, gave a simple answer: “No.”
With speculation and multiple reports about the Cowboys trading up answered, or at least smoke screened, the focus now shifts to who Dallas should take. This team will have a few options to choose from, but here is the player they should take with the 12th overall pick.
No. 12: Mansoor Delane, Cornerback, LSU
Should Delane fall to the Cowboys at 12, they should be ecstatic, landing the best cornerback in this draft class. The Cowboys have a clear offseason need at cornerback, and added players in free agency, but Delane can come in and start immediately. College quarterbacks learned quickly not to target Delane, as he has a knack for getting his hand on the football. His 4.3 speed makes it tough for opposing receivers to separate from him and free up safeties on the back end who would normally help slower cornerbacks with coverage over the top.
He can play in either a press-man or a zone scheme with his athletic gifts and football IQ. He’s also a willing tackler in the run game. Delane is the most complete cornerback in this draft by far and would be a great addition for Dallas.
So now that they have Delane with the No. 12 pick, the Cowboys would love to find a trade partner and move back from the 20th pick, and many believe they will find one. But for now, we’re going to have them picking at 20.
No. 20 Pick: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
Dallas, with the 20th pick, can land the edge rushing prospect whose quickly risen on draft boards around the league. Lawrence, despite the lack of college production, is one of the more well-rounded edge rushers in the class. He brings a hefty toolbag of pass rush moves and counters, and has one of the quickest edges off the snap, with the speed and bend to get around offensive tackles. Fans can imagine how much better Lawrence will become after working with the Cowboys’ new pass rush specialist and guru, Brandon Jordan.
While he’s one of the lighter edge rushers in the draft, he can transition from speed to power, allowing him to disengage from blockers and make plays in the passing and running game. Adding Lawrence gives Dallas speed off the edge; they lost after trading away Micah Parsons last season.
Paired with edge rushers Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and defensive tackles Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, the Cowboys would have the makings of a formidable defensive front.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Who the Cowboys should draft with the No. 12 and 20 picks
Reporting by Terence Watson , Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
