Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft: Dallas trades back, collects Earl Thomas
By Reid Hanson
Antonio Callaway, Receiver, Florida
If you thought Jack Cichy is a gamble you havn’t met Antonio Callaway. Callaway is a gamble for much different reasons. Callaway to the Dallas Cowboys was something I refused to accept for months based partially on how cliché the marriage seemed and partially on lessons learned from Randy Gregory.
With a history of drug use, involvement in a credit card fraud scheme, and a sexual assault accusation (that led to trial and acquittal) he’s someone who wouldn’t even be on my board. But being one of the Dallas Cowboys’ 30- visitors he’s clearly on Dallas’ radar.
The only way this makes sense, and the only way I’d consider even mocking Callaway to the Dallas Cowboys, is if he falls this far. On ability alone he’d be a first rounder but we’ve all heard the “on talent alone” argument before, haven’t we? I covered this very player and topic yesterday here:
Related Story: The Cowboys are considering these risky draft picks
Essentially, I’m of the opinion that gambles are fun and can be extremely fruitful as long as the cost is low enough. A gamble on Randy Gregory and Jaylon Smith in the second round is very costly. A gamble on Callaway in the fifth round is not.
When you weigh the reward against the risk the potential of the reward makes decent sense. Antonio Callaway has clear starting receiver capabilities. He’s one of the most athletic players in the draft, with elusiveness and deep speed to boot.
On the Cowboys
Antonio Callaway fits best with the Cowboys as a complementary piece – not a key player. Like I said, he could become a key player, but I’d never be reckless enough to trust him in that role. In fact, even if he does keep clean and play up to his amazing potential, I’d be hesitant to re-sign him to a multi-year deal.