For most, the Cowboys should attack the defense in the first round of the draft...but what if they didn't?
The Dallas Cowboys hold two first-round picks entering the NFL Draft.
Given the defensive failures under Matt Eberflus, both of Dallas' picks (No. 12 & No. 20), for most, should be used on defensive players.
Of course, our own Mike Fisher sees a problem with drafting for "need" as they can get a team to reach for a player they don't necessarily think is "that" good.
Instead, Fish suggests a BPA (best player available) or BAA (best available athlete) formula. And he's not wrong.
And it appears that CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson is picking up what Fish is putting down.
Yes, there are defensive needs, and they are glaring. In fact, there are several holes that need to be filled.
However, on the other side of the ball, there is also a big question mark.
And Wilson looks to address it for the Cowboys in his latest mock draft, as Dallas selects Utah right tackle Spencer Fano with the No. 12 pick.
"Fano is an athletic, technically sound right tackle who plays with a strong base, quick feet and excellent balance in pass protection," Wilson wrote. "He consistently mirrors speed rushers, handles stunts with patience and control and redirects smoothly against bendy edge defenders."
Ok, I can hear Cowboys Nation screaming at this pick, but let's walk through it.
Terence Steele is currently Dak Prescott's right tackle, and one could say he hasn't exactly lived up to his $82.5 million contract.
He's been serviceable, but not to the level Dallas wanted. Now, the Cowboys could move on from him.
Per Over The Cap, if Steele is cut after June 1, the Cowboys will save $14 million in cap space and incur only $4 million in dead money. That is a lever Dallas could pull.
And in Fano, they add another first-round talent to protect Dak.
But that would make the offensive line, which was already youthful, even more so.
Tyler Booker would be in Year 2, Cooper Beebe and Tyler Guyton would be in Year 3, Tyler Smith would be the elder statesman, and Fano would be a rookie.
Is that the best course of action for Dallas with its first-round pick?
Steele hasn't been the top tackle the Cowboys have needed, and there is an escape route the team could take with his contract.
But an offensive lineman in the first round when defense is such a big need?
That would be quite a headline-making move.