FRISCO, Texas — Brian Schottenheimer’s first NFL draft as coach of the Dallas Cowboys comes after a free agency period that focused mainly on defense. How he uses the No. 12 pick could shape the team’s identity for years.
The focus on defense is a surprise to some. Schottenheimer is a longtime offensive coach who will call plays for Dak Prescott. Yet the Cowboys made several defensive moves this spring.
“You look at what we did, I mean, I got Klayton Adams looking at me, ‘Hey man, I thought you were an offensive coach,’” Schottenheimer said, referring to his new offensive coordinator. “But I will say there’s a couple times that … we were making some decisions in free agency and I literally had to say, ‘Well, we need to go with this guy,’ and he was on the defensive side of the ball. But that’s what’s best for the football team.”
Dallas picks 12th in the first round on April 24. The club could stand pat, trade down, or use the pick to fill a clear need. Team history shows trading down can pay off; the Cowboys moved down in a previous draft and landed Micah Parsons, now a star pass rusher.
Executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said the Cowboys might trade down rather than move up. “Part of what we do in free agency is to make it to where hopefully there’s a great player sitting there with each pick that we really like and don’t want to be nailed down to, ‘Hey, it’s got to be a defensive lineman or it’s got to be a receiver or it’s got to be a linebacker or a running back,’” Jones said. “We like the two running backs we signed in free agency. We’ll see if there is a young back there as well that can help us in the draft. We’re certainly wide open to that. Just see what comes our way.”
Running back depth is a key theme of this draft. The Cowboys added Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency and let Rico Dowdle leave. Scouts say there are many quality backs available across the board. “I think there’s a lot of depth on the defensive line. Both interior and on the edge,” Schottenheimer said. “I think there’s a lot of depth obviously with the running back position. I mean, there’s guys at every level with every different grade on them that you’re like. The difference is not that huge.”
The offensive line is another area to watch. Dallas drafted blockers early several times in the past decade and could do so again after losing six-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin to retirement. The team drafted Tyler Smith and Tyler Guyton recently, but more help could arrive if the front office wants to boost the run game and physicality up front.
“If we’re not creating competition then I’m not doing my job, and the players need to understand that,” Schottenheimer said. “There’s no jobs being given out.” A rookie starter would increase competition across multiple spots.
The Cowboys also have holes at receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and at linebacker after not re-signing Eric Kendricks. They traded for Joe Milton III and have Will Grier, so drafting a quarterback appears unlikely. Needs exist at nearly every other position.
How Dallas balances defense, running back depth, offensive line upgrades and other needs will define Schottenheimer’s first draft class. The choices at No. 12 — whether to pick, trade or add more selections — will show how the team plans to move forward.
