
How the Dallas Cowboys approach the NFL Draft will be a fascinating watch.
With so many issues to address, I'm not sure all of them can be adequately fixed in one offseason, but Dallas has to try.
Linebacker, safety, corner, and pass rusher are the top priorities, and with two first-round picks in their back pocket, the Cowboys have some serious draft power for a change.
Of course, that is predicated on the front office not using one in free agency to land a big fish like Maxx Crosby.
But for the purposes of this piece, Dallas keeps both.
Which way should the franchise go?
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Stiles looms is a top choice, so too is Caleb Downs, Sonny's Buckeye teammate. Miami pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey are also other options.
But for PFF's Max Chadwick, in what he calls the "perfect" draft choice, he chooses LSU's lockdown corner, Mansoor Delane.
"The Cowboys earned the worst coverage grade in the NFL this season (30.9) and desperately need to upgrade their secondary," Chadwick wrote. "Delane surrendered only a 26.7 passer rating into his coverage this year, the lowest mark among Power Four cornerbacks."
The secondary was a huge issue for the Cowboys.
Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland were injured, while rookie Shavon Revel Jr. was coming back from an ACL injury, and he didn't even have a proper offseason.
With Diggs out, and the rest of the secondary comprising Josh Butler, Caelen Carson, Alijah Clark, and Trikweze Bridges, it is clear that upgrades are needed.
In Delane, the Cowboys would be getting a corner with all the attributes they need.
He's a sticky corner, who thrives in man coverage, but also has the football IQ to perform well in zone, according to several scouting reports.
But perhaps the best thing about Delane is that he's a physical corner. That's what the Cowboys need. He can impact the run game as well, although his tackling needs some refinement ( like most Cowboys defenders).
There is enough there to suggest Dallas would be getting a nice piece in the secondary, and depending on who the defensive coordinator is, he could be in line to start.
Several areas need improving, and in Delane, the Cowboys could get some much-needed help for their embattled secondary.