The Dallas Cowboys have a type when it comes to the second round of the NFL Draft.
It is something we have discussed before, and this year there is another player that fits the Cowboys' established criteria that they look for; but there is another problem with him.
He is a running back.
When you look at Texas running back, Jonathon Brooks and his draft profile, a number of analysts give him to the Cowboys in the second round.
And when you go into the specifics it does make some sense.
Brooks went to a school in Texas, he is a running back and the Cowboys do have a need. Additionally, the doctor who performed the surgery on his ACL repair is also the Cowboys' team doctor.
Yet there is still a glaring problem.
There are other positions of need.
The Cowboys have many needs heading into the draft this year, as they continue to neglect free agency.
There are glaring needs at two spots on the offensive line, in addition, they need more depth there as well; there is a need at running back, there is a need on the defensive line, there is a need at linebacker, and there is a need for depth in the secondary.
So almost every position on the field.
With the Cowboys being such a draft-oriented team, fans often look for any insight into the players the team may be targeting so that they can become familiar with the player in case he is selected.
This is why we at A to Z Sports made a 30 visit tracker for the Cowboys that can be found here.
When we look at the positions they are targeting, it can tell us a few things.
By position, the Cowboys are bringing in the following for a 30 visit:
5 running backs
1 wide receiver
5 Offensive line
1 defensive line
1 edge
6 linebackers
When you look at the names it can tell us even more.
The Cowboys are going offensive line in round one. This is something we have previously discussed but is becoming more apparent when you look at the names of the 30 visits.
At linebacker, it tells us a more grim strategy.
The Cowboys are taking an all-or-nothing approach to linebacker
When you look at the names of who the Cowboys are bringing in for 30 visits at linebacker, two names will stand out.
Edgerrin Cooper out of Texas A&M, and Payton Wilson of North Carolina State.
You ask anyone who covers the draft and does analysis of players these are the linebackers one and two.
While these seem like ideal names to bring in, there is an underlying problem.
This is viewed as a weak linebacker class, and only one has been flirting with first-round consideration, by the media.
The Cowboys have already told us they are taking offensive line in round one, so they must be hoping that Cooper slides to them in round two.
Which begs the question.
What if they don't?
Well, as of right now the Cowboys only have one other widely considered top-100 pick at linebacker on their 30 visits and that is Payton Wilson.
The rest of the linebackers are day 3 linebackers, outside of Junior Colson.
The Cowboys don't seem to be doing much work on the middle tier of linebacker prospects.
Which can be an unnerving strategy for fans.
You would think at such a glaring position of need the Cowboys would be pouring more effort into finding as much out about the class as possible.
Only time will tell if the Cowboys are playing their cards close to their chest or this is the strategy they will take, but it appears they are leaving a lot up to chance.
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