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Dallas Cowboys Draft: Will These Draft Moves Outrage Fans?

By Daniel Ruppert

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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With just about every fan and expert out there decidedly thinking the Dallas Cowboys will draft defense early and often, one has to wonder the outrage if the following scenarios happen.

We’ve all seen the mock drafts for the Dallas Cowboys. Everyone seems to have an opinion on who the Dallas Cowboys will draft. Top names Jabril Peppers, Gareon Conley, Takkarist McKinley, and other all have one common theme, defense.

However, there are a few scenarios that could send Cowboys Nation into a tailspin, and while the odds say it won’t happen, some could play out and cause Dallas Cowboys fans to fly into outrage.

Tight End

In the first scenario O.J. Howard falls down the draft board and is available to the Dallas Cowboys in the first. Frankly, it would be foolish if the Cowboys pass on his talent should he fall. This would mean the Dallas Cowboys will either have to forego either pass rush or secondary in the first two rounds, and that is even if another top player doesn’t fall for whatever reason.

Could it happen? Well, yes it actually could. Above the Dallas Cowboys there are not a lot of teams that can say a tight end is their highest need. In a draft as defensively deep like this one, the quarterback market is pretty sparse. With some teams fighting for a quarterback and possibly overreaching it could cause a player like Howard to fall. Now, I doubt if he falls to the twenties teams will let that pass, but it most certainly could happen.

If this scenario happens there will be a lot of people up in arms about the draft right from the start. While no one is sure what Rico Gathers will be in the long run and the consensus of need at tight end combined with the massive holes in the defense, would most likely cause a massive ripple throughout Cowboys Nation.

Trade Back

Another possible scenario is a trade out of the first round. With such a deep draft the Dallas Cowboys could opt to drop out of the first and collect a few draft picks. Most likely it would be a team at the top of the second that be offering their second rounder pick along with a later in the draft pick.

If this happens and a player fans want to see is on the board, there could be an outcry for Jerry Jones to step down (more than there is now, at least).

With as many people that want Jabril Peppers, if he is available, and the Dallas Cowboys trade out of the first and they lose out on him, fan outcry will be deafening (to be fair, I am not a fan of Peppers at safety, as a Linebacker? Yes, at safety no way).

But you could replace Peppers with any other name that has been linked to the Cowboys and fans will be ready for a march on AT&T stadium.

More from Cowboys Draft

Could it happen? Absolutely! With such a deep draft, picking at the top of the second round and gaining another draft pick or two could certainly help the Cowboys in the long run. Where the problem could come in is if they try to get cute and over reach themselves. This is the most likely scenario beyond staying put and picking a player.

Split the Difference

The last scenario, and perhaps the most frightening for fans, is if the Dallas Cowboys decide to pick equal parts offense and defense throughout the draft. For instance an offensive lineman in the first, say a wide receiver in the third, a quarterback in the sixth, a tight end in the seventh, and a running back somewhere else.

Even though some fans think the Cowboys aren’t any better or worse with the replacements on defense, most fans agree there is some need on that side of the ball. If the Cowboys decide to bolster an already strong offense and once again leave the defense thin, we can almost hear the yelling now.

Remember Jaylon Smith hasn’t officially been cleared to play this season yet. And even if he does, with him having to wear a brace, no one is sure what he will look like.

Could this happen? Well, yes it can. There is some depth needs on this team on offense. This draft is deeper on defense than it is on offense and the Dallas Cowboys could wait until later in the draft and try to find a gem. Most likely, the Cowboys will fill one or two needs on offense. However, the thin draft and how other teams draft could dictate the best players available will be offense.

Next: Are the Dallas Cowboys Planning to Draft an Offensive Tackle Early?

No one knows what the draft will look like until the draft happens. No expert has ever gotten it right. No fan has ever been right either. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if the Dallas Cowboys do any of these scenarios, or none of them. I do believe if these happen, the outcry will be loud enough to hear across Texas and maybe even the US. What we do know is never try to guess what Jerry Jones will or won’t do.

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