FRISCO, TEXAS — With the NFL Draft just over two weeks away, the Dallas Cowboys are going through the evaluation process before acquiring their carefully constructed undrafted free agent depth and making seven picks in the currently scheduled draft. It is in the final stage.
In our Pick Fit series, we look at each position group and which players would be a good fit for the Cowboys with each of the seven picks within that position group.
Next are the wide receivers.
Round 1, Pick 24: Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU): The hipster pick in a recent mock draft was Dallas jumped on 24-year-old Brian Thomas Jr. if he was still available. His 4.33 speed and explosiveness from last season will translate quickly to the NFL, but I have a hard time finding that Dallas doesn't draft an offensive lineman in the first round. scenario. That being said, if the big names are gone and Thomas Jr. is still on the board, this scenario should be kept in mind.
Round 2, Pick 56: Malachi Coley (Western Kentucky): You'd be hard-pressed to find a better run-after-catch receiver than “YAC King” Malachi Coley. Over the past three seasons, Corey has led the FBS with 2,078 yards after the catch, topped 77 tackles (second in the FBS) and is on his way to becoming one of the open-field prizes in his draft class. The Cowboys hosted Corey's 30th visit last week, and his name could remain on the board even at age 56.
Round 3, Pick 87: Jalen McMillan (Washington): One of Washington's three receivers last season expected to be taken in the first two days of the draft, Jalen McMillan's size and skillset made him one of the first players drafted by Michael Gallup in Dallas before his knee injury. It reflects almost exactly what he brought to Japan. McMillan is able to win off the line and make contested catches downfield, giving him a solid chance to advance to the third round. The Cowboys formally met with McMillan at the NFL Combine.
Round 5, Pick 174: Bub Means (Pittsburgh): A big physical presence on the outside with great athleticism, Bab Means combines 4.43 speed and 39.5 inches of verticality in his 6-foot-1, 212-pound frame, making him an excellent choice in one-on-one situations. Then it becomes a nightmare. His performance didn't jump off the stat sheet, but his reliability in red zone situations led to him scoring six touchdowns in the 2023 season.
Round 6, Pick 216: Cornelius Johnson (Michigan State): Cornelius Johnson, a fifth-year player at the University of Michigan who managed to record 47 receptions for 604 yards for the reigning national champions while playing a rear guard role in 2023, was the third-year player on Day 3. At 6-6, he offered one of the best physical skill sets of any receiver. His 3-foot, 212-pound frame simply overwhelms opposing defensive backs. Additionally, his run-blocking efforts are comparable to the best among receivers in the draft class, as he puts his big frame in position to make big plays on the ground in his direction.
Round 7, Pick 233: Jordan Whittington (Texas): Jordan Whittington's early career at the University of Texas was derailed by injuries, but once he can stay on the field and find his role in Austin's crowded receiver room, he could shine in late 2023. was completed. Whittington is physical and has long speed. He could be a huge weapon on the field. His value early in his NFL career will be on special teams, where he can serve as a gunner with offense and angles. The biggest question mark will always be his health. A hamstring injury has recently affected his play on the field, keeping him out of the combine and pro day.
Round 7, Pick 244: Ryan Flournoy (Southeast Missouri State): Ryan Flournoy, a transfer from Iowa Western Community College and only in his second year at SEMO, is one of the FCS's Day Three projects, earning draft love in the process. And along the way, he got a feel for the route down the middle (which he'll be playing soon). Mike McCarthy's 2023 West Coast vibe) and his physicality off the line. Flournois will need the right system to be open in general, but his potential could mean he could be on the 53-man roster next season.
UDFA: Joshua Cephas (UTSA): A big, productive receiver out of UTSA, Joshua Cephas has a lanky 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame that can stretch vertically down the field and pick up chunk play after chunk play. He enters the NFL with a string of accomplishments, with 176 receptions, 2,136 yards, and 16 touchdowns all at or near the top of the FBS leaderboard over the past two seasons. The team has some concerns about his off-field management after two drunk-driving incidents during his time with the Roadrunners, but Cephas insists his maturity has taken another step forward. Note that if Cephas goes undrafted, he could be joined by the Cowboys and Vikings.
