The Dallas Cowboys, perhaps more than any other team, remain a mystery with just a few weeks remaining before the first-round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Do they target a quarterback, an eventual successor to the aging and oft-injured Tony Romo? What about pass rusher, where Demarcus Lawrence doesn't seem to have much in the way of help after Randy Gregory was suspended and Greg Hardy Greg Hardy-ed his way out of town? Heck, a team that had to bring back Morris Claiborne's probably in the market for corner too, right?
Really, with the first-round inching ever closer, the Cowboys could seemingly go any number of directions with the No. 4 pick. But thanks to a new report, we may finally have some further clarity on just what the Jones' are thinking.
Per the report, the Cowboys have NDSU's Carson Wentz as the top quarterback on their board. That's not a big surprise, considering Wentz is widely considered to be the most talented of the big three signal-callers available in the 2016 NFL Draft. Cal's Jared Goff is a close second, probably edged out by Wentz due strictly to Wentz's physical characteristics and overall upside.
Memphis' Paxton Lynch is also in consideration and had a strong showing at his pro day this week, but is a notch below Wentz and Goff.
Nabbing a guy like Wentz when the quarterback-needy Cleveland Browns are at No. 2 would probably require the Cowboys move up to the first-overall pick, which, according to the report is actually something Jones and Co. have "inquired" about. Now, whether that's just due diligence or a glimpse into their draft plan is hard to say, but we at least know they're considering what it would take to have their pick of the litter come late April.
And with Tony Romo advancing in age and proving increasingly fragile, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Cowboys go that direction.
Interestingly, a player that has long been connected with the Cowboys who would seem to fit and fill an immediate need, Ohio State's Joey Bosa, apparently no longer holds much interest for Dallas. There isn't much in the way of specifics in the report, but it seems that Cowboys defensive line coach Leon Lett is "down" on the Buckeyes pass rusher.
The biggest knock against Bosa is his limited ceiling - he's not special athletically and used brute strength and a good technical approach to dominate in college. And while he did dominate, it seems plenty of teams are concerned that he won't be able to make the same kind of mark in the NFL.
Dallas is also still said to have all-purpose athletic marvel, Jalen Ramsey atop their draft board. That's not a surprise - Ramsey is big and fluid and versatile and basically everything an NFL team would want in an elite defensive back. He was said to be the top player on their board a month ago and it seems that hasn't changed.
But if trading up is in play, then so are Ramsey, Wentz or whoever else the Cowboys may wind up targeting.
