The Dallas Cowboys have the fourth overall selection in the NFL draft this year. While the team has the chance to take a top five prospect, the Cowboys should consider trading down in the first round to try and pick quarterback Paxton Lynch and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell.
The Cowboys are coming into the draft with needs at various positions, but one area is quarterback. Last season the team saw what happened when Tony Romo went down with an injury, and the Cowboys want to be prepared with a solid backup plan moving forward. The play at quarterback was one of the main reasons the team did not make the playoffs, making it likely that the Cowboy will look at drafting a quarterback this year.
Most scouts and draft experts think the Cowboys will at least consider taking a quarterback at number four. Jared Goff and Carson Wentz are the top two quarterback prospects this year, and it's likely one of them will go to the Cleveland Browns at number two. If that happens and the Cowboys sit at number four, expect them to strongly consider taking a quarterback. However, the Cowboys should consider making some other moves.
Jon Machota at the Dallas Morning News writes that the team should consider trading back in the first round to add some extra picks, while also taking a quarterback. Machota writes that the team should trade back in the first round with a team looking for a quarterback, and with the extra picks they get, make moves to draft two solid prospects in the opening round.
Treadwell could be available in the top 15 depending on where the Cowboys can move, while Lynch could be a target later in the round. Lynch had a private workout with the Cowboys and was reportedly very impressive in the session. Rand Getlin reported that the session went "very well" for Lynch and the Cowboys.
There are a number of teams that could look at trading up to take a quarterback, and the Cowboys should take advantage of that. If they move back in the top 10 or top 15, there is a chance they could get Treadwell with the pick. Treadwell comes in after making 82 receptions for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and he could be a great number two for Dez Bryant, who missed time last season with injuries.
The team also could then try and trade back into the first round to take Lynch. While the logistics would be tough to figure out, teams have done this before and it is something the Cowboys should consider. Lynch has some potential as an NFL quarterback, but he needs time to develop and learn. With Romo firmly in as the starter, Dallas is a good place to do that and he could be the QB of the future.
The Cowboys feel that they are very close to being a playoff team, and the only reasons they weren't last year was because of injuries to Romo and Bryant. The team expects them to be healthy this year, but the Cowboys also need to consider the future, which makes Lynch and Treadwell very appealing. Will the Cowboys consider a move like this? Only time will tell. The NFL draft begins on April 28.
