Dallas Cowboys: A few options to replace Dez Bryant

What players could replace Dez Bryant for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2018 NFL Draft? We take a look at some guys the Cowboys have interest in…

Dallas Cowboys fans shouldn’t have to wait very long to know which player will take Dez Bryant’s place on the roster as the team’s ‘top’ wide receiver.

The Cowboys have brought in a number of this year’s top prospects at the receiver position, and while that doesn’t necessarily guarantee they will take a guy, it does mean they are going to strongly consider it.

In case you needed an idea, the Cowboys have had an official pre-draft visit or workout with 13 different receivers. Here are the players they could consider on the first two days to replace Bryant…

Courtland Sutton, SMU

Sutton has the prototypical size for a number one receiver at 6-foot-3, 218 pounds. Sutton has big play ability, better deep speed than you’d expect for a player of his size, and great length to win in one-on-one situations. He could be an ideal possession receiver to replace Bryant.

Projected draft slot: 1st round

Calvin Ridley, Alabama

Ridley is known as the most well-rounded receiver prospect in this year’s draft class. He’s going to be a little bit older for a rookie, but his NFL-readiness will be attractive to teams and if he somehow falls to the Cowboys at pick number 19, I don’t think they would hesitate to make that pick.

Projected draft slot: Top 15

Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

Christian Kirk has some of the sweetest feet at receiver in this year’s draft class. He has the ability to win after the catch and before the catch with his route running ability. He has drawn some comparisons to Golden Tate.

Projected draft slot: 1st-2nd round

D.J. Moore, Maryland

D.J. Moore may be the best receiver in the draft after the catch. He’s built almost like a big running back and has excellent speed. He’s one of the fastest rising players in this year’s class.

Projected draft slot: Late 1st round

James Washington, Oklahoma State

There was no better player at the 2018 Senior Bowl than James Washington. This is a guy who just flat out catches everything. He’s one of the best at going up and getting the ball in this draft with long arms and strong hands.

Projected draft slot: Day two

D.J. Chark, LSU

LSU doesn’t have a potent passing attack, but D.J. Chark stood out over the past two years, specifically in 2017, averaging nearly 22 yards per reception. This guy is a speed demon with big play ability.

Projected draft slot: 2nd round

Tre’Quan Smith, UCF

With long arms and big time athletic ability, Smith is one of the top sleepers in this year’s draft class. He might be a supplementary pick for a team like the Cowboys, who could be looking for multiple receivers, but he could be a great find on late day two, early day three.

Projected draft slot: 3rd-4th round

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DaeSean Hamilton, Penn State

Hamilton has some of the best intangibles in the class and is also arguably the best route runner in the crop. He’s not as flashy as some other players, but he doesn’t drop many passes and looks like a future stud number two or three.

Projected draft slot: 3rd round

Michael Gallup, Colorado State

If there’s a receiver in this year’s draft that just does a little bit of everything very well, it’s Gallup. He played at Colorado State where he was dominant, but he showed out when given the chance to do so against top competition.

He may be the steal of this class at receiver.

Projected draft slot: 2nd-3rd round.

Conclusion

These are all players the Cowboys have privately visited, or privately worked out. They have a lot of really solid options in this year’s draft, but perhaps no one who stands out as an elite number one receiver.

With that being said, there are a lot of players that have NFL-ready skills that could come in and help the Cowboys a lot this year. Look for them to spend one of their top two picks on the position.

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