The 2018 NFL Draft is less than 24 hours away. This will be the first major event since the Super Bowl a few months back. Fans across the world will be able to attend and tune in to their favorite teams as they choose the top college prospects for their respective rosters.

The Draft will be hosted in Dallas this year, which is in the Dallas Cowboys' backyard, after last year’s event being held in Philadelphia. The Cowboys currently own the 19th pick and hold ten total picks throughout the draft to help bolster their roster. Look for Jerry Jones and his staff to shake things up in their house.

The Cowboys' top needs in the draft

The Cowboys have some holes on their roster to fill after the roller coaster 2017 season. With the release of Dez Bryant, a wide receiver has become a position that needs to be addressed. Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News posted his final mock draft in which he had the Cowboys select SMU wide receiver Courtland Sutton in the first round. While that might be a possibility, the Cowboys are a run-first team that has one of the best offensive lines and running backs in the NFL so having a top-tier receiver isn't a big need.

Other needs on the team that need to be addressed are a linebacker, left guard, defensive tackle and safety. These four positions were key reasons as to why the Cowboys finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs, they didn’t have enough depth at the positions to win them games.

Linebacker Sean Lee missed five games last season and the Cowboys defense gave up double the yardage when he was out. That is a major problem the Cowboys need to address because history shows Sean Lee cannot last a full season. The left guard position wasn’t a total wreck, but it wasn’t as effective as it was when former Cowboys Guard Ron Leary was there before he signed a deal with the Broncos in 2017.

They signed guard Marcus Martin in the offseason but he’s there for depth, the Cowboys could use their top pick on a guard to fill the starting spot.

Defensive tackle and safety could also be addressed with the 19th pick if they decide to go in that direction. These two positions lacked true players and the Cowboys haven’t had talent at these positions in a decade.

That trend could change at the draft on Thursday night.

Players who would fit the Cowboys

The Cowboys have finished all of their draft visits on players who they like and would consider drafting. The hot name fans want the Cowboys to draft is Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley, who could eventually be Dez Bryant’s replacement. Like I mentioned before, the Cowboys are a run-first team and necessarily do not need a number one receiver, they just need someone to stretch the field and catch the football. There are plenty of receivers in rounds two and three who have the first-round talent so spending the 19th pick on Calvin Ridley isn’t a major concern.

Linebacker and safety have good prospects in this draft, such as linebacker Rashaan Evans, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, and safety Derwin James, who could be possible picks for the Cowboys.

Derwin James is arguably the best safety in this draft, and he is a tough and smart player who could set the tone for the Cowboys secondary.

Rashaan Evans is a player who could take over for Anthony Hitchens at middle linebacker and could form dominant linebacker core along with Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith. His power and tackling ability could be beneficial to a team who needs a true Mike Linebacker.

Another player in my opinion who could benefit the entire defensive is Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea. Vita Vea is not only a dominant run stopper but he also can rusher the passer as well. There are not many big guys who could move that fast and have the athletic ability to get up the field like he can.

Having a big guy in the middle along with David Irving and Demarcus Lawrence on the edge could make this defense dominant. I believe if he is available, which is not likely, the Cowboys should select him with the 19th pick.

The closer the draft gets the harder these decisions are, the preparation for the draft starts months before the season ends. There is so much information teams have to find out about these players before they make their draft boards. Character, scheme fit, and ability are some of the things front offices determine in the draft process. The draft never goes how everyone expects it to go, so all eyes will be on the Cowboys and what Jerry Jones will do in Dallas.
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