2022 NFL DRAFT DEEP DIVE: Dallas Cowboys

By Paul Mainwaring

The NFL Draft is over, and we cannot head into the three-month abyss that is the offseason without looking at what all 262 selections mean for each franchise. Whilst too early to judge just how successful a draft class each team’s was, we can look at how rookies fit within schemes, where they stand on depth charts, and who we can expect to make an impact in 2022. We continue our team by team series with the Dallas Cowboys:

Draft Haul

RNDPICKPROSPECTPOSSCHOOL
124Tyler SmithOTTulsa
256Sam WilliamsEDGEOle Miss
388Jalen TolbertWRSouth Alabama
4129Jake FergusonTEWisconsin
5155Matt WaletzkoOTNorth Dakota
5167DaRon BlandCBFresno State
5176Damone ClarkLBLSU
5178John RidgewayIDLArkansas
6193Devin HarperLBOklahoma State

Day One

Credit: Dallas Morning News

Given the moves prior to the draft, it was assumed that the Cowboys would go offense with their first pick (number 24) whether that be someone to replace Amari Cooper or an offensive lineman to bolster an ageing group.

The Cowboys went OT at 24 taking Tyler Smith from Tulsa. Although Offensive Line was a position of need, the pick and position did raise a couple of eyebrows. It was assumed that if the Cowboys went OL they would draft a guard like Zion Johnson – especially given the elite OT’s were off the board. Smith was not seen by many as an elite player with Dane Brugler ranking him 50th on his big board and our own Si Carroll stating he was a projected 2nd rounder.

Although Smith has the size and physicality to be a great tackle in the NFL  he is still very raw, and relies on overpowering players rather than his technique – which could cause him major problems at the next level.

It will be assumed that Smith will eventually play Tackle for the Cowboys but given the roster this year he will start at Guard, although Stephen Jones was non-committal on Smith starting right away. Given the pick and the need, the Cowboys would be hoping for a pro-bowler, but there will be a lot of development needed for this to happen.

Day Two

Credit: FanSided

Day 2 started for the Cowboys with them getting their DC a EDGE Toy to play with in Sam Williams from Ole Miss. Although Williams has off the field concerns he had elite testing numbers and I am sure Dan Quinn  believes he can get the very best out of him. I think this is definitely a pick of positional value as the Cowboys believe a Pass Rusher is more valuable than a more elite player at another position who may have been available.

Their other pick on Day 2 was Jalen Tolbert from South Alabama. Whereas it could be argued that Dallas’ first 2 picks were reaches, this pick was seen by many (Rated #59 by Dane Brugler) as a steal. We will come onto Jalen later in the article, but given the loss of Cooper and the need of all NFL teams to have multiple pass catchers the Cowboys had to pick up a WR – and they picked up a very good one at pick 88.

Day Three

Day 3 saw  the Cowboys pick up 6 players; 2 on offense and 4 on defense, including 2 Linebackers. Although picks on Day 3 are always hit and miss I did like one on each side of the ball. I love the upside of OT Mike Waletzko who is a giant of a man, and although Si Carroll believed he would be a 7th rounder I really like where the Cowboys took him. On defense I again love the size and speed of DaRon Bland, and although he may only be a special teamer this season he will be given the opportunity to show his speed and physicality in later seasons.

“Big and long - two things you cannot teach as an NFL coach. So when it comes to identifying late round prospects with some upside, Matt Waletzko ticks that box at least. The concern for Waletzko is two-fold; firstly, how do you make a man of that size more fluid and able to reach points of the field that allows him to protect the quarterback, and secondly, how do you build his core strength as a run blocker without compromising the marginal agility he currently possesses? It doesn’t help that Waletzko hails from the FCS and will already be embracing a steeper learning curve than most prospects, but there is no denying the elite measurables he brings to the table. He’s a candidate to be picked in the final round by a team wanting to avoid getting in a bidding war for his services as a UDFA.”
Mock Draft
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content

One To Watch: Jalen Tolbert

After losing Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson the Cowboys had to draft a WR, and I think they got a steal with Jalen Tolbert. Tolbert has 82 catches for 1,474 yards in his final season in South Alabama, and given the lack of depth in the Cowboys WR room I expect him to be on the field a lot – especially in 3 and 4 WR sets. He doesn’t have elite speed but has great footwork; expect Dak Prescott to fall in love with this kid.

UDFA Tracker

Credit: BC Athletics
Big Kat BryantEDGEUCF
Juanyeh ThomasSGeorgia Tech
Markquese BellSFlorida A&M
Ty FryfogleWRIndiana
Amon SimonIOLTexas A&M Commerce
Isaac Taylor-StuartCBUSC
Aaron ShamplinRBHarvard
Alec LindstromIOLBoston College
Dontario DrummondWROle Miss
Jonathan GaribayKTexas Tech
La’Kendrick Van ZandtSTCU
Aaron HansfordLBTexas A&M
Storey JacksonLBLiberty
Dennis HoustonWRWestern Illinois
James EmpeyIOLBYU
Peyton HendershotTEIndiana
Malik DavisRBFlorida
Quandre MoselyCBKentucky
Jaquarri RobersonWRWake Forest
Mike TafuaEDGEUtah

Conclusion

I think the Cowboys will say they followed their board and they will be very happy – but their board seems very different to draft experts, especially in the early rounds. I think they need Tyler Smith to be a productive starter, and if he is and with a couple of later picks panning out this will be seen as a success. If Smith and Williams don’t hit however, Jerry and Stephen might have to fire themselves…

Paul Mainwaring

NFL Analyst

A former UKEndzone writer, Paul has been dragged out of an enforced retirement to give his thoughts on the NFL and anything else  he can slide past the editorial team.

Paul is most famous (infamous?) as Mainz one half of Waxing Lyrical. alongside his Partner in Crime Neil ‘Dutts’ Dutton.

Find him @Mainzey7 where all manner of sports are on the menu.