Home / NFL / NFL Draft: Ranking The Dallas Cowboys’ Best Options For the 17th Pick NFL Draft: Ranking The Dallas Cowboys’ Best Options For the 17th Pick Written by Sports EditorJack Dougherty Updated –Apr 17, 2020 We publish independently audited content meeting strict editorial standards. Ads on our site are served by Google AdSense and are not controlled or influenced by our editorial team. The Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs last season, but they’ve already made a series of moves to ensure it doesn’t happen again in 2020. Dallas threw the exclusive franchise tag at Dak Prescott and extended Amari Cooper. With Ezekiel Elliott still commanding the backfield, the Cowboys will have one of the best offensive trios in the NFL next year. Jerry Jones should undoubtedly look to bolster the defense with the 17th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Who are the Cowboys’ best options in middle the first round? Xavier McKinney — Safety, Alabama You can never go wrong drafting an Alabama player with your top pick. Nick Saban builds professionals on and off the field, and Xavier McKinney is no exception. McKinney is arguably the best safety in the entire 2020 NFL draft. He’s an extremely versatile defender that can play anywhere on the field. His game is similar to that of Jets’ Jamal Adams. McKinney was a second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-SEC pick last season. He led the Crimson Tide in tackles with 95. He could fit in seamlessly with fellow Alabama alum Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in the Cowboys’ defensive backfield. Jeff Gladney — Cornerback, TCU The departure of Byron Jones leaves a huge hole at the cornerback position for Dallas. Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis would be the starters if the season started today, but the Cowboys need more depth at the position. Gladney is a solid option at 17 for Dallas if their top options are off the board. He’s an aggressive ball hawk who can make game-changing plays on defense. Gladney is a bit undersized, standing at 5-foot 10 and weighing in at 191 pounds, but he proved at TCU he can hold his own on the outside. Gladney is a top-five corner in the class, but the Cowboys should be aiming higher. C.J. Henderson — Cornerback, Florida The C.J. Henderson hype is real. Florida consistently pumps out elite cornerback talent, and Henderson is the latest product out of Gainesville. Henderson dazzled in his NFL combine performance by running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, and he immediately shot up draft boards. The corner might not last to the 17th pick, but the Cowboys shouldn’t hesitate to take him if he does fall into their laps. Henderson recorded six interceptions and 20 passes defended last year. He’s regarded as the second-best cornerback prospect behind Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah. Could Jerry Jones work his magic and trade up for the Florida standout? K’Lavon Chaisson — Edge, LSU The three prospects listed above would be solid options for the Cowboys, but the No. 1 target for Dallas should be LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson. And not just because he has one of the best names in the draft. Chaisson is widely considered the best pass rusher in the draft behind Ohio State’s Chase Young. Since Young will be off the board 10 minutes into the draft, Chaisson presents the best option for Dallas to bolster their pass rush. Robert Quinn and his 11.5 sacks are gone. DeMarcus Lawrence only had five sacks last year, and the rest of the defensive line didn’t produce much either. Jourdan Lewis was second on the team with four sacks last season. Chaisson can immediately jump into the lineup as the team’s best pass rusher on day one. He recorded a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season. Chaisson was the best player on LSU’s championship defense. His 6-foot-3, 254-pound frame and elite quickness make him one of the best overall prospects in the draft. Cowboy fans should be ecstatic if Chaisson slaps a blue star on his helmet next week. Written by Sports EditorJack Dougherty Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies. When Jack isn't writing about sports, he's watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He's also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another. All posts by Jack Dougherty
#NASCAR Erik Jones Reveals Strategy For In-Season Challenge Battle With Teammate John Hunter Nemechek Jared Turner, 15H #NASCAR
#Tennis Wimbledon Champion Iga Swiatek Receives A Special Gift And Inspires A Culinary Debate wendioliveros, 19H #Tennis
#NASCAR NASCAR Xfinity Series Fans Respond With Thumbs-Up To Connor Zilisch Earning Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 Title At Sonoma Raceway Jeff Hawkins, 19H #NASCAR