FRISCO, Texas – Somehow, it's draft season once again.
The offseason is flying by, and the 2019 NFL Draft is set to start in just a few short weeks.
This year is different from other ones, as the Cowboys' trade for Amari Cooper leaves them without a first-round pick this month. With their first selection coming at pick No. 58, it's a bit more challenging to identify their targets.
Still, by paying attention to their pre-draft movements, it's possible to get an idea for what the Cowboys are thinking this year. The goal of this series is to identify their targets at the back end of the second round.
The series continues with Mississippi tight end Dawson Knox.
- Name: Dawson Knox
- Position: TE
- College: Ole Miss
- Height/Weight: 6-4/254
- Honors: Knox made the 2018 Mackey Award watch list (nation's best college tight end) and was among nine Rebels players invited to the NFL scouting combine.
- Key Stat: Knox averaged 15.5 yards per catch the last two seasons at Ole Miss, proof of his potential as a vertical threat.
How's His Stock: Looks pretty good despite very modest production at the college level. Most draft observers seem to agree on Knox as a likely Day 2 pick and possible second-rounder. He only played two complete seasons at Ole Miss and posted only 39 total catches for 605 yards and no touchdowns, including 15 catches for 284 yards last season. But he wasn't heavily featured, either – the Rebels offense relied a lot on receivers A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf. A former walk-on, Knox tested well in Indianapolis among the other tight end prospects and projects well in the pros, even if he doesn't have a ton of tape to show for it.
How He Could Help: Knox, or any rookie tight end, would enter a crowded depth chart in Dallas. Jason Witten's return adds experience to a young group (Blake Jarwin, Rico Gathers and 2018 fourth-round pick Dalton Schultz) that took steps forward last season. One can argue that adding Witten to the rotation allows the Cowboys to evaluate Jarwin and company for another season before having to decide whether they need to spend a high pick on a tight end. But the Cowboys believe strongly in taking the best prospects available and they've done a solid job of addressing their needs in free agency. You can't rule out the possibility that they draft a receiver or tight end to help Dak Prescott and the passing game.
Scouting Report: Always on the move. Will find and fit on his man with a little pop. A fit/finish guy. Has the ability to make plays down the field. Will catch the ball over his head. Can snatch the ball on the move. Good run after catch. Will adjust his hands to catch the ball. Plays well flexed. Low number of catches but super productive with ball in his hands. Just didn't get that many opportunities to catch the ball at Ole Miss. Played in a scheme where there were outstanding receivers but a poor quarterback. Might be a sneaky player as an athlete. – Bryan Broaddus
