The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2022 draft with several positions to be filled. Pre-draft interviews with Owner and CEO Jerry Jones had indicated the team was anticipating filling holes on the offensive line and bringing some help to the defense rather than targeting star receivers or other big-name players in the draft.
Now that the dust has settled in Las Vegas and the 2022 NFL draft has come to a close, the Cowboys have an opportunity to evaluate their new additions and begin planning for undrafted free agent acquisitions to fill the remaining holes ahead of Organized Team Activities (OTA), which officially start May 24.
In all, the Dallas Cowboys had nine draft picks for 2022, four of which came in the fifth round due to the offseason trade of Amari Cooper to Cleveland.
The team’s first two picks went along with the hints that had been dropped leading up to the draft as Dallas selected offensive tackle Tyler Smith in the first round, 24th overall, and linebacker Sam Williams in the second round, 56th overall.
Both players are likely to be starters when the 2022 season starts.
In the third round, the Cowboys went to the offensive side of the ball and selected wide receiver Jalen Tolbert and tight end Jake Fergusen in the fourth round to add some potential tools for Dak Prescott, who lost Cedrick Wilson in addition to Amari Cooper this offseason.
With four picks in the fifth round, Dallas Cowboys wasted no time finding solutions to some of the team’s needs on both sides of the ball. They took offensive tackle Matt Waletzcko (#155), corner DaRon Bland (#167), linebacker Damone Clark (#176), and defensive tackle John Ridgeway (#178).
The Cowboys’ final draft pick was linebacker Devin Harper at #193, a selection also arranged through the Cooper trade with Cleveland. Dallas did not have a seventh-round pick this year.
Many expert opinions see this draft haul as a benefit with the potential for massive upsides. At the same time, a handful of writers expressed that the desire to go largely all-in on linemen leaves too many holes on the team and not enough depth at critical positions.
Writing for The Dallas Morning News, Michael Gehlken provided one of the more positive draft grades, giving Dallas an A for addressing the line needs.
“My generous grading may draw frowns in the teacher lounge,” Gehlken writes. “In any event, the Cowboys became a far more physical and athletic team during the past three days, all while adding depth and competition at crucial spots. Is the job done? No. Some veteran additions are surely needed before the season, but this is a very legitimate haul of young talent for the coaching staff to develop.”
Vinnie Iyer with Sporting News concurred with Gehlken and gave the Cowboys an A.
“The Cowboys went down the line well with Jerry Jones to get their most pressing needs, starting with interior run blocking in Smith and outside pass rushing in Williams,” Iyer writes while also pointing out that several Cowboys’ late draft picks may pan out to be steals.
More critical of the draft decisions, Connor Orr with Sports Illustrated and Mel Kiper at ESPN both gave the Cowboys a C+ grade, citing too many unknowns with some of the players selected.
With the NFL Draft at an end, teams will also begin to sign undrafted free agents, players who were passed over in the draft. Already, the Cowboys are reporting nineteen signings, including Texas A&M linebacker Aaron Hansford, whom the team convinced away from the Washington Commanders.
Many of the undrafted free agent signings and likely a few of the draft picks may never wear a Cowboys uniform, and only time will tell if this year’s haul produces more Roger Staubach’s than it does Taco Charlton’s.