3 Reasons the Dallas Cowboys should draft WR DeVonta Smith

Dallas Cowboys Draft: Salary Cap

The Dallas Cowboys trying to play the long game with quarterback Dak Prescott has looked increasingly dumb because he keeps increasing his value to the team without actually stepping onto the field. The quarterback will likely be seeking $40 million-plus per year and the Cowboys will have no choice but to give him what he desires.

Under normal circumstances, that’s a lot of money to designate for one player, albeit it is a necessary expense. When you factor in the possible cap hit that stems from the pandemic, there is an even tighter money crunch. The future implications of the Cowboys waiting so long to re-sign Prescott could result in the team not re-signing wide receiver Michael Gallup.

With Prescott back as the esteemed signal-caller, all three wide receivers should see a boost in production from this year. (The exception might be Cooper as he’s been remarkably consistent this season) The expectation is that Gallup playing better would cause his value to increase, possibly into an average annual salary that the front office simply isn’t willing to commit.

Enter Smith. The expected first-round pick will have a four-plus-one contract that would be cheaper than the one Gallup will likely sign making re-signing him a lesser priority. Mathematically it makes sense and he could fit in the same role as Gallup who seems to slide in as a Z receiver next to Cooper.

Smith has the skill to beat cornerbacks off the release in press coverage at the collegiate but if the Cowboys are unsure it will translate, then slide CeeDee Lamb outside and let Smith feast from the slot. If head coach Mike McCarthy ends up calling plays again because boy genius OC Kellen Moore leaves to take a collegiate head coaching job, Smith would feast off of the McCarthy short passing game especially with Prescott as his quarterback.