NFL draft insider releases names to watch for Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have a few positions to address entering the 2022 NFL draft. Coming off of a 12-5 season and NFC East division title, they are looking for pieces to get them over the hump and past the first round of the playoffs.

NFL.com draft insider Daniel Jeremiah recently offered his take on what prospects would make good fits with several NFL teams, including the Cowboys. Below is a synopsis of his assessment as well as who he believes Dallas could take when the draft begins April 28 in Las Vegas.

NFL draft prospects to watch for the Dallas Cowboys

Jeremiah believes the Cowboys need to focus on getting better defensively, and gave them several options for doing so. He first mentioned Kyler Gordon, a cornerback out of Washington.

“He’s got the size and length that you love, he’s big-time explosive,” Jeremiah said. “It would be fun to see him on the other side of (Trevon) Diggs.”

Gordon was a first team All-Pac-12 selection this past season after finishing with 45 tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defended and a forced fumble. Pairing him with Diggs, who led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, would certainly create a scary scenario for opposing offenses.

Jeremiah also mentioned Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean, who helped lead college football’s top defense this past season. In fact, Jeremiah currently has Dean going 24th overall to the Dallas Cowboys in his most recent NFL mock draft. The 6-foot, 220-pound defender finished with 72 total tackles (10.5 for loss), six sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as the Bulldogs claimed their first national championship since 1980.

When it comes to the other rounds, Jeremiah sees the Cowboys looking to add to their offensive line. He went on to list a few candidates that could wind up Dallas on Day 2 of the draft.

“I really like (Kentucky’s) Luke Fortner,” Jeremiah said. “I think he’s going to be a long-term starter. (Boston College’s) Zion Johnson, who we’ve talked about. I think both those guys would be good fits. There’s actually a lot of love on the streets in talking to folks around the league for Luke Goedeke from Central Michigan.”

The Cowboys finished this past season as the top ranked offensive line unit according to Pro Football Focus, so that isn’t necessarily a huge weakness. Still, with three lineman set to become free agents and questions at the left guard and center position, it might be wise to add some depth.