The Cowboys have put together a strong draft, despite not filling biggest holes

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FRISCO, Texas — Especially this time of year, anything NFL executives say publicly should be received with skepticism. While they sometimes speak the truth, they often talk in ways that can serve them best in landing the talent they desire.

Through two days of the NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys’ strategy has been exactly what they advertised it would be.

“When we’ve had our best success — we were talking in there, with a Micah Parsons, a Zack Martin, a CeeDee (Lamb), they weren’t even a twinkle in our eye when the draft opened up,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Friday night. “They just happened to be sitting there at the top (of our board), and that’s what you take.”

A general feeling externally entering the draft was that the Cowboys had the most immediate holes at RB1, the No. 2 wide receiver spot and at cornerback, along with a perpetual need at defensive tackle. Through two days and three picks, the Cowboys addressed one of those four positions, yet enter Day 3 feeling good about their work.

“It was almost the old adage that when you get the great players, it all slows down and it’s kind of in slow motion as it’s coming through,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “Our preparation made these decisions feel as good about these as I’ve ever been involved in in a draft.”

The Cowboys still have glaring roster holes. They signed a couple of veteran running backs in free agency and are returning Deuce Vaughn but don’t have a true top running back right now. There was a strong belief expressed Friday night that the depth of this draft at running back gives the front office hope the hole can be addressed in Day 3, despite the Cowboys not having a selection until 47 picks into the day. Even if Dallas doesn’t come out of this draft with a running back, it is confident it can find an answer it will be comfortable with at running back.

No. 2 wide receiver is another one that has gone unsolved — so far. Lamb is the obvious No. 1, followed by a collection of players who qualify as No. 3 receivers, or beyond. That group includes Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, Parris Campbell, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin and Ryan Flournoy. The Cowboys aren’t completely dismissing the idea that one of them rises to fill the No. 2 void.

“I would start with Mingo, and guys like Jalen Tolbert and the whole crew — Flournoy — those guys have potential to be a No. 2,” Stephen Jones said. “But they’re not there yet. They haven’t done it. They haven’t hit that level yet. That’s why we have had an interest in upgrading that room. But I think once you get to No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, the positions you try to fill, I think that receiving corps checks all of those boxes. It’s just, will one of those guys — like Jerry said, Mingo we had in the top of the second round, does he ultimately achieve that?”

Stephen Jones’ comments are understandable in the proper context. Dallas will pump the tires of the existing group of receivers and try to boost their confidence publicly, even if they believe otherwise internally. Considering they likely would have selected Tetairoa McMillan at No. 12 had the Arizona receiver lasted that long, it’s clear the Cowboys understand the No. 2 spot has to be addressed beyond the existing players on the roster.

The front office has repeatedly hinted of a potential trade or free-agency signing that could be in the works at wide receiver and other positions, so not coming out of the draft with all of the solutions doesn’t mean they won’t explore other options.

Despite the remaining holes, it’s understandable why the Cowboys feel good about their two-day haul: guard Tyler Booker (Round 1), edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku (Round 2) and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. (Round 3). The Cowboys not only liked those three players but felt they got great value relative to where they were on the team’s draft board.

All three profile as instant contributors, and all three positions were needs, even if not as pressing as others.

• Zack Martin’s retirement left a void at right guard that Booker will immediately fill.

• In addition to a team never having enough pass rushers, DeMarcus Lawrence’s departure created an opening for Ezeiruaku.

•  Revel’s talent would have him much higher than where he was selected, if not for his knee injury. He is progressing well and is on track to be a training camp participant, even if he starts on the Physically Unable to Perform list, as Stephen Jones indicated might happen.

The Cowboys have approached every part of their draft the way they said they would. Jerry Jones said earlier in the week that improving the running game was important but that it would start with the offensive line over a running back. Booker’s selection was a manifestation of that ideology. Dallas said it would take a best-player-available approach. They followed through on that philosophy by selecting Ezeiruaku and Revel.

Barring trades, the Cowboys have seven selections to make on Day 3. There are plenty of areas the team can still improve. Whether or not they come out of this weekend with a roster fans feel good about is to be determined, but if they stay the course, there will be plenty to feel good about from this draft.

(Photo of Donovan Ezeiruaku: Eric Canha / Imagn Images)

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