By Jamal Baker
NDG Contributing Writer
The Dallas Cowboys entered the NFL Draft with several holes to fill on the roster but walked away with an impressive haul of prospects this past weekend. The Cowboys not only filled positions of need but also drafted the best players available when they were on the clock. Dallas added nine new players to the roster and the team is certainly better than it was before.
In the first round, the Cowboys selected offensive guard Tyler Booker with the No. 12 overall pick. Booker is a tough and high character individual that will immediately step into being the starting right guard for Dallas. Future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin left massive shoes to fill, but if Booker comes in with a mentality to get better every day, the offensive line will be one of the team’s strengths. Drafting Booker proves the Cowboys are committed to dominating the line of scrimmage and will look to impose its will against opposing defenses.
“I just love the aggressiveness and the tenacity of the game of football. It’s legal assault out there,” Booker said. “I love football. The brand of football I play, I make guys not love football anymore.”
Dallas took defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku with pick No. 44 in the second round. Ezeiruaku is a prime example of picking the best player available after he fell in the Cowboys’ lap. The Cowboys will have a formidable pass rotation with Micah Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, and Sam Williams already in the fold. Ezeiruaku is a true outside linebacker who will thrive as a rotational piece in obvious passing situations.
Cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. was drafted by the Cowboys with the No. 76 overall pick in the third round. Projected to be a first or second round draft choice prior to a torn ACL he suffered last season at East Carolina University, Revel could very well be the biggest steal of the entire draft. Standing 6’2”,194 pounds, he is a big and fast corner who can provide a major impact in both man and zone coverage.
The Cowboys used the first of its two fifth round picks on running back Jaydon Blue with the 149th pick. Blue had a productive year with the Longhorns last season, putting up 730 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground while adding 368 yards and six touchdowns through the air. He adds immediate value as a third down back and will eventually develop into a starter.
Linebacker Shemar James came off the board three picks later as Dallas took him with 152nd overall pick. James is still only 20 years old and physically plays downhill. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is known to be a linebacker guru and will develop James into a plus contributor.
With the 204th pick in the sixth round, the Cowboys selected offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius. Cornelius is a versatile and durable lineman that has the ability to play tackle and guard. At this present stage, Cornelius projects as a backup that competes to take over the swing tackle role.
Dallas had a busy seventh round as they drafted defensive tackle Jay Toia with the 217th overall pick, running back Phil Mafah with pick No. 239, and defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote with its final pick at No. 247. Toia and Akingbesote will compete for the same job as the second run stopping one-technique on the roster. Both have high upside and could potentially provide valuable depth along the defensive line. Mafah is a physically imposing running back that can serve as a short yardage back in got-to-have-it situations.
The Dallas Cowboys executed a successful draft and continue to prove they are one of the best organizations at building through the draft. This draft class will look to solidify and build upon the foundations that have been set on both sides of the ball.
