Dallas has never been known as a blue-collar – pick up your lunch pail, put on your hard hat and go to work – type of team. That description is usually reserved for teams like Pittsburgh and Green Bay. But, that is exactly what the Cowboys did in last week’s NFL Draft and I loved it.

Filling team needs is exactly what the draft is all about, and the Cowboys took a no-nonsense approach to get that done this year. The needs going into the draft were linebacker, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive tackle and safety. Between the players selected in the draft and two trades, Dallas checked all of those boxes except safety.

I was thrilled with the first-round selection of Leighton Vander Esch. This kid is in the mold of Sean Lee, only bigger and faster. The Cowboys' defense revolves around Lee and anytime he misses a game, the unit struggles. With Vander Esch in the fold, that will no longer be the case. The rookie may not be a starter when the season begins, but he is going to see plenty of snaps and will be a difference maker.

After selecting a linebacker in the first round, I was expecting Dallas to pick a wide receiver in the second round, so I was surprised when they went with offensive lineman Connor Williams. But, this is another pick I love. Several teams had a first-round grade on Williams, and he is very capable of stepping in and filling the opening the Cowboys have at left guard.

And, one of the best moments of the draft was Williams’ reaction when he got the phone call from the Cowboys. If you didn’t see it, find it. This Texas Longhorn is excited to be playing in his hometown.

While I was happy with the first-round pick, what made me even happier was the fact that the Cowboys’ brass didn’t let national opinion sway them into taking a receiver at No. 19. When they finally did pull the trigger for a receiver, they claimed Michael Gallup, who could turn out to be a third-round steal. Gallup has size, speed, good hands and runs good routes. He is going to contribute right away.

I honestly don’t know if the Cowboys could have selected better in the first three rounds of the draft. And, while I like what the team did and I think this draft was a very good one, I have some reservations on some of the selections in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

More on Cowboys: NFL draft steals: Cowboys have some of most promising value picks

Safety was an area of concern going into the draft, and with the No. 16 pick in the fourth round the Cowboys could have selected Kyzir White, a safety from West Virginia. Instead, the team opted for defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr., from Kansas. With DeMarcus Lawrence, Taco Charlton, Charles Tapper and Kony Ealy already on the roster, and the possibility of Randy Gregory returning, I think White, or another safety, would have been a better selection.

With Jason Witten’s possible retirement, (that is going to make me so sad!) the Cowboys needed to draft a tight end, so I’m OK with selecting Dalton Schultz. Although I still believe in Rico Gathers.

I also don’t understand the Chris Covington selection at No. 19 in the sixth round. Selecting another linebacker seems unnecessary to me, and the way the team likes to stockpile offensive linemen, a better pick here could have been Matt Pryor from TCU.

 

While Dallas didn’t make any “splash” trades, the Cowboys did make two trades. They traded a sixth-round pick to Los Angeles for receiver/running back Tavon Austin, and sent Ryan Switzer to Oakland for defensive tackle Jihad Ward. With Cole Beasley, and now Austin, in front of him, Switzer was not going to see much playing time, and by sending Switzer to the Raiders, the Cowboys managed to get the defensive tackle they didn’t get in the draft.

This was a very, very good draft and the Dallas front office checked off almost all of the boxes. Now, the players just have to perform on the field.

 

2018 COWBOYS SCHEDULE

Sept. 9    at Panthers    3:25 p.m.

Sept. 16    Giants    7:20 p.m.

Sept. 23    at Seahawks    3:25 p.m.

Sept. 30    Lions    noon

Oct. 7    at Texans    7:20 p.m.

Oct. 14    Jaguars    3:25 p.m.
Oct. 21    at Redskins    3:25 p.m.
Oct. 28 BYE

Nov. 5    Titans    7:15 p.m.
Nov. 11    at Eagles    7:20 p.m.
Nov. 18    at  Falcons    noon 
Nov. 22    Redskins    3:30 p.m.
Nov. 29    Saints    7:20 p.m. 
Dec. 9    Eagles    3:25 p.m.
Dec. 16    at Colts    noon
Dec. 23    Buccaneers    noon
Dec. 30    at Giants    noon