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

The Dallas Cowboys are giving every impression they will be sticking to defense early in the draft, but are the actually planning to grab an offensive tackle early?

The Dallas Cowboys have needs everywhere. Such is the case when you use free agency sparingly. Few will argue that headlining those needs are right defensive end and cornerback. As such, most are predicting the Cowboys to address their two primary needs with their top two or three picks in the draft.

Considering defensive end and cornerback are two of the strongest positions in the draft this year, it’s seems perfectly feasible for Dallas to accomplish this task as well. But what if the Cowboys are quietly planning to draft a player early on offense? What if they are secretly targeting one of the thinnest areas of the draft — offensive tackle?

Like most teams, the Dallas Cowboys make good use of their visits with players before the draft. Sure, they will use them for smokescreens, but for the most part, they primarily use them to assess players they are actually interested in. According to Dallas Morning News’ Bob Strum, 22 out of the last 49 picks were players the Cowboys had previously visited.

Keeping strengths, strengths is very important to the Cowboys’ success in 2017.

Among the players they’ve spent time with this pre-draft season, three were offensive tackles: Pittsburgh’s Adam Bisnowaty, Bucknell’s Julie’n Davenport, and Temple’s Dion Dawkins.

OT Adam Bisnowaty, Pittsburgh

Adam Bisnowaty is a well-regarded four-year starter with a mean streak. The 6’6” 307lbs tackle looks leaner than you want in a tackle. He’s also not as athletic as you want. The Pittsburgh left tackle will unquestionably need to change positions at the next level, but where exactly is up for debate. Some say (like Rob Rang at CBS Sports) he can play right tackle while others think he’ll struggle in space and should play in the interior.

If the Cowboys are interested it would likely be to play tackle and compete on the right side with Chaz Green. If they see him as a guard and still draft him, they’re probably planning to either groom him as La’el Collins’ replacement in 2018, or they’re planning to move Collins to RT to compete with Green in 2017.

OT Julie’n Davenport, Bucknell

Julie’n Davenport is the kind of kid that gets people excited. Standing 6’7” 318lbs, and blessed with athleticism, 36.5 inch arm length, and 10.5inch hands, Davenport has the makeup to play tackle at the pro level. But playing at a non-FBS school like Bucknell, means whoever drafts him will need to be patient.

CBS Sports has him projected to go somewhere in either the 4^th and 5^th round. That may be a little high for a team like the Cowboys to bite on a project player like Davenport. If Dallas really does draft a tackle, it’ll be to compete right away, not to groom.

Regardless of what the Cowboys do, Davenport is a player the Cowboys and many other teams are interested in and if he slides in the draft, Dallas would be wise to give him a chance.

OT Dion Dawkins, Temple

The best of the bunch that Dallas has had some form of special contact with is Temple’s Dion Dawkins. Dawkins, 6’4” 318lbs, is a physically imposing and supremely talented left tackle. I’m certainly no scout and personally find evaluating offensive linemen more difficult than other positions, but on film, Dawkins looks like a first round talent.

CBS Sports has him with a 2^nd round grade and Walter Football has given him a 2^nd-3^rd round grade. Bluntly put, if he made to Dallas in the second, he would be a well worth it given his ability and fit.

Unlike Bisnowaty, Dawkins played in a zone blocking scheme in college. He has the ability to block on the move and dominate opponents. I have no doubt he could be a day 1 starter at RT if the Cowboys made him their pick.

Will They or Won’t They?

At face value, Dallas has much more pressing needs. Edge rusher, cornerback, and even safety seem to be in more dire situations than that of tackle. But if Chaz Green doesn’t pan out as right tackle, and Byron Bell plays like…well, Byron Bell, then the Cowboys may no longer be boasting a very strong offensive line.

Next: Why the Dallas Cowboys Should Move La'el Collins to Tackle

Keeping strengths, strengths is very important to the Cowboys’ success in 2017. And covertly targeting a tackle in a tackle-poor draft may be more savvy than anything else.

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