PFF is putting together team-specific draft boards for all 32 teams using our draft rankings and evaluation of how each player fits in specific schemes.
Included are three ideal targets for each team with their first-, second-, and third-round picks, along with a team-specific draft board (scroll down to bottom of article) that includes every player in PFF's draft rankings.
Here is the list of potential picks for the Dallas Cowboys:
Round 1 (fourth overall)
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
You can never have enough quality pass rushers, and spending 2nd-round picks on defensive ends during the last two drafts shouldn’t stop the Cowboys from adding a potentially top-tier defensive end here. The Cowboys ranked 23rd in the league in terms of total pressures from their edge defenders in 2015 and adding a player with 145 pressures over the last two seasons at Ohio State would boost this group.
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State
A top-tier talent matching a pressing need would make Ramsey an ideal fit for the Cowboys at the top of the draft. Ramsey shifted from a hybrid slot/safety role to outside corner this year at Florida State surrendering more than 50 yards in a game only twice all year. The Rams trade up to the number one overall pick brings Ramsey firmly into the conversation to fall to Dallas at No. 4.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
The Cowboys refused to pull the trigger on a runner last April despite a clear need, and after signing Alfred Morris to a two-year deal in free agency it would not be surprising to see them pass on a back here. However, Elliott’s all-round game would solve the Cowboys need at running back once and for all. A talented blocker and receiver, Elliott would be the every-down back to clear up the Cowboys muddled backfield situation.
Round 2 (34 overall)
Maliek Collins, DT, Penn State
A strong 2014 season that earned Tyrone Crawford an early contract extension wasn’t backed up in 2015 and the Cowboys are now thin at defensive tackle behind Crawford and newly signed Cedric Thornton. Collins is coming off a quality season as both a pass rusher and run defender at Nebraska and would provide an immediate rotational upgrade for the Dallas defensive line.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
When healthy, Tony Romo is still the man for the Dallas Cowboys and a quality starting quarterback, but his enforced absence this year highlighted that the Cowboys lack a plan B for right now and have nobody ready to take over down the line. Step forward Lynch, who until a late-season slump was in the mix to be the first quarterback taken in this year’s draft. If the Cowboys can get the QB who tore up the Mississippi Rebels’ talented defense midway through the season they will have their QB of the future.
Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers
The Cowboys’ supporting cast at receiver failed to pick up the slack for an injured Dez Bryant this season, and though they have a solid core when Bryant is in place, competition and greater quality to cover for any future absences are essential. In limited playing time this season Carroo was exceptional eclipsing the 125-yard mark in half of the games he played this year and scoring three touchdowns in three games.
Round 3 (65 overall)
Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State
The Cowboys have two starters in place with Rolando McClain and Sean Lee ready to continue their pairing at middle linebacker and weak-side linebacker, but at strong-side linebacker the Cowboys need an upgrade over the competition between Anthony Hitchens and Kyle Wilber. Perry was productive in all three phases for the Buckeyes over the last two seasons, earning positive grades in coverage, against the run and as a pass rusher in both 2014 and 2015.
Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
If the Cowboys choose to pass on a running back in the first and second rounds they still need to add a running back who can improve their play in the passing game out of the backfield; neither Alfred Morris nor Darren McFadden are adding value here. Booker collected 80 catches for the Utes over the last two seasons and forced 14 missed tackles as a receiver this past season — third-most in this draft class.
Kalan Reed, CB, Southern Miss
Making plays on the ball was not the forté of the Cowboys cornerback corps in 2015 — on 276 targets their corners broke up just 20 passes and collected only two interceptions. In an exceptional season for Southern Miss, Reed broke up 14 of the 89 passes targeted into his coverage and snagged four interceptions. Reed would immediately put pressure on the underwhelming duo of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne for playing time on the outside.
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