{"id":19855,"date":"2017-04-30T16:00:45","date_gmt":"2017-04-30T20:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=19855"},"modified":"2017-04-30T17:53:30","modified_gmt":"2017-04-30T21:53:30","slug":"dallas-cowboys-2017-nfl-draft-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/04\/30\/dallas-cowboys-2017-nfl-draft-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jerry Jones<\/a><\/strong> and his team of decision-makers at the Star in Frisco have not blinked since the Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs. The organization\u00a0weathered the storm of the Tony Romo<\/a><\/strong> saga, maneuvered through the free agency signing period, efficiently and improved its roster through the draft. The Cowboys are\u00a0seeking\u00a0an NFC championship game berth. Here\u2019s a breakdown of the Cowboys selections:<\/p>\n

1st<\/sup> Round, 28th<\/sup> Overall: DE Taco Charlton<\/a><\/strong> (Michigan)<\/p>\n

2nd<\/sup> Round, 60th<\/sup> Overall: CB Chidobe Awuzie<\/a><\/strong> (Colorado)<\/p>\n

3rd<\/sup> Round, 92nd<\/sup> Overall: CB Jourdan Lewis<\/a><\/strong> (Michigan)<\/p>\n

4th<\/sup> Round, 133rd<\/sup> Overall: WR Ryan Switzer<\/a><\/strong> (North Carolina)<\/p>\n

6th<\/sup> Round, 191st<\/sup> Overall: S Xavier Woods<\/a><\/strong> (Louisiana Tech)<\/p>\n

6th<\/sup> Round, 216th<\/sup> Overall: CB Marquez White<\/a><\/strong> (Florida)<\/p>\n

7th<\/sup> Round, 228th<\/sup> Overall: DT Joey Ivie<\/a><\/strong> (Florida)<\/p>\n

7th<\/sup> Round, 239th<\/sup> Overall: WR Noah Brown<\/a><\/strong> (Ohio State)<\/p>\n

7th<\/sup> Round, 248th<\/sup> Overall: DT Jordan Carrell<\/a><\/strong> (Colorado)<\/p>\n

Cowboys 2017 Draft Grades: 8\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft Review<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Best Player\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Corner-back J<\/strong>ourdan Lewis<\/strong> should hold this distinction. Charges stemming from a domestic violence accusation should be behind him, soon. The Cowboys are confident the player will be exonerated. When the ordeal plays itself out, Lewis will direct his attention toward his craft. This will not bode well for NFL wide receivers.\u00a0Lewis has a tenacious appetite for takeaways, highlighted by the one-handed grab he secured against Wisconsin, last season. He finished his collegiate career with six interceptions and a forced fumble. Look for Lewis to continue the trend in the pros.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Head-Scratcher<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Wide receiver Noah Brown<\/strong> is a bit of a head-scratcher, considering the number of bodies that currently reside inside the Cowboys receiver room. Brown does not possess blazing speed but he does have size.\u00a0At 6\u20191\u201d 222 pounds, the player has similar traits to Dez Bryant<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>There isn’t room for another Bryant on the team but Brown’s presence could be an indication that the competition level is about to go through the roof during training camp.<\/p>\n

The Surprise<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To everyone’s surprise the Cowboys selected defensive tackle Jordan Carrell<\/strong> with their final pick. Right tackle Doug Free<\/a><\/strong> recently retired, creating a hole at right offensive tackle. One would have assumed the team would take a young offensive lineman in an attempt to add depth.\u00a0Instead, they created an even more competitive situation along the defensive front by adding a potential one-technique who can double as a defensive end. The 6\u20193\u201d 300 pound defender fits Rod Marinelli\u2019s<\/strong> scheme but will have a tough time making the 2017 roster.<\/p>\n

The Steal<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The steal of this year\u2019s Cowboys draft picks may have a hard time making friends with receiver Lucky Whitehead<\/a><\/strong>. Ryan Switzer<\/a><\/strong> is just the type of player the team needed. The slot receiver doubles as a special team\u2019s ace, having returned seven punts for touchdowns during his career at North Carolina. \u00a0Switzer is poised to push undrafted free agent Whitehead for the lead kick-returner job as well as a spot as a slot receiver.<\/p>\n

Switzer\u00a0is explosive and shifty but most importantly his is hungry and focused. He\u00a0is a \u201cGarrett Guy\u201d and has the kind of heart that a player of his slight stature (5\u20198\u201d 181 pounds) must have to succeed at the highest level. Many consider him a Cole Beasley<\/a><\/strong> clone but Switzer is more like a Tim Dwight<\/a><\/strong> clone.\u00a0Dwight was a key member of the Atlanta Falcons back in the day. He dazzled as a slot receiver and as a return man. Switzer should be able to do the exact same thing.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First round selection Taco Charlton<\/a><\/strong> should make his presence felt in training camp. Charlton is another \u201cGarrett Guy\u201d with the spirit and physique to become a special player. His 6\u20196\u201d 277 pound frame will serve him well as he transitions to the NFL. Battling the likes of offensive tackle Tyron Smith<\/a><\/strong> will turn him into a beast.<\/p>\n

Charlton only started for one season at Michigan but was able to produce nine and half sacks for Coach Jim Harbaugh<\/a><\/strong> and the wolverines.\u00a0Charlton has the tenacity and explosive first step to aid him in excelling as both a run-stopper and a pass-rusher.<\/p>\n

He is highly-intelligent and articulate. His off the field slate is squeaky-clean and his desire to be a Cowboy began, when he was just a youngster, sleeping in a bed covered by sheets with the blue star on them. He will take great pride in his job with the Cowboys.<\/p>\n

The Rest\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Chidobe Awuzie<\/a><\/strong>, Xavier Woods<\/strong> and Marquez White<\/strong> will make the Cowboys secondary younger and faster. The team needed to upgrade from the departed who worked their tails off to remain competitive the past few years.\u00a0No one would speak poorly of players like Barry Church<\/a><\/strong>, J.J. Wilcox<\/a><\/strong> or Morris Claiborne<\/a> <\/strong>but neither of them provided the team with the kind of ball-skills it needs to become a true contender on the defensive side of the ball. These new acquisitions should be hungry and exciting as they work from week to week to navigate the tough landscape of the NFL.<\/p>\n

The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A\u00a0new era of Dallas Cowboys football has begun and these players will be intricate pieces to the puzzle as head coach Jason Garrett<\/a><\/strong> continues his mission to return the team to an NFC title game. He is finally getting his guys.\u00a0Stephen Jones<\/a><\/strong> has been instrumental in the rebuilding of America\u2019s team as has assistant director of player personnel Will McClay<\/strong>. The Cowboys have put together a strong executive core that should continue to lift the team onward and upward for years to come.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n