*(Editor's Note: The staff of DallasCowboys.com is currently previewing the depth chart at each position on the Cowboys' roster. The biggest remaining variable in determining that depth chart is the NFL draft, which begins April 30. This series will identify five potential draft picks who could affect the depth chart at each position. Today, we continue with wide receiver.) *
IRVING, Texas –The Cowboys have one of the NFL's best receivers in Dez Bryant, along with a touchdown-scoring No. 2 receiver in Terrance Williams.
Cole Beasley earned himself a sizeable contract as the third receiver and Devin Street should be ready to contribute more in his second season.
What the club lost in Dwayne Harris will be hard to replace. He not only was the fourth receiver and a good blocker, but the return specialist and a special teams coverage player. So while the Cowboys might not be looking early for a receiver, finding one with return ability should be on the priority list.
Here's a look at five possible fits for the Cowboys at receiver:
1. Devin Smith, Ohio State –An intriguing prospect because of his ability to get deep, Smith also has good return ability. He also has been a gunner for Ohio State's kick coverage units, which enhances his value immediately. But the former track sprinter knows how to run the 9 route and that will be valuable in itself. If he's around at No. 60, the Cowboys might not need him, but will be hard to pass on him.
2. Phillip Dorsett, Miami, Fla. – While there would be immediate storyline comparisons to another namesake in this organization, but Dorsett would provide a speed element this team has lacked in recent years. His return ability helps him but he's not considered one of the top returners. Still, his speed and playmaking ability would be hard to pass up on in the third round.
3. Ty Montgomery, Stanford –Arguably the best returner in this draft, Montgomery is a Dallas native who became an All-American return specialist at Stanford. He's taller, but has a stocky frame like Harris and would be the best fit to replace him. He handles all of the returns and could be a fourth-option receiver with blocking skills.
4. Tyler Lockett, Kansas State –He's another Lockett from Kansas State and there have been plenty of them. But the latest version is rather undersized at 5-9, 182 but turned into more than just a dynamic returner for KSU. He was a polished receiver last year with 106 catches and 1,515 yards to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors as both a receiver and return specialist. In the fourth round, this could be a good pickup for the Cowboys.
5. J.J. Nelson, Ala-Birmingham –If the seventh round comes around and the Cowboys still don't have a receiver or returner, Nelson could be a nice addition. He's not big at all – weighing in at just 155 pounds at the combine. But his 4.25 time in the 40-yard dash makes up for it. And it's probably the one thing that will get him drafted earlier than that. He returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in 2014 alone and averaged 38.3 yards, earning first-team All-American honors.
