Solid Starter
Connor McGovern, G, Penn State – Round 3 
In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cowboys selected Texas offensive lineman Connor Williams in the second round, but many teams around the league had him graded much lower. Dallas forced Williams onto the field at left guard as a rookie, and predictably, he struggled. The Cowboys needed more depth and competition at guard, so taking McGovern in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft made sense. I think McGovern could beat out Williams before long and become a solid starter for Dallas.
The Cowboys’ offense is predicated on a strong running game and their offensive line controlling the line of scrimmage. Williams lacks strength and physicality, so having a guard who struggles to generate movement at the point of attack is a real detriment to consistently opening holes for Ezekiel Elliott. Williams has reportedly added 15 pounds in an attempt to regain his starting spot, but I believe that McGovern is a naturally stronger and able to push defensive linemen around at the point of attack. The 6-foot-5, 308-pounder consistently opened holes for Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders over the past few seasons. His run blocking looked ready to compete at the NFL level.
McGovern also was a solid pass protector at Penn State, while Williams allowed 4.5 sacks as a rookie, which is a large number but even bigger when you consider that Williams missed time with an injury during his first season.
Even if Williams turns it around, there is a path for McGovern to be a starter. If Williams turns into a solid pro, he could move to right tackle with La’el Collins entering free agency. Before long I think, McGovern will take over as the left guard for Dallas and become a solid starter.
2018: Leighton Vander Esch, LB
2017: Jourdan Lewis, CB
2016: Ezekiel Elliott, RB
2015: Cha Green, OT
2014: Zack Martin, G
2013: Travis Frederick, C
Most Likely To Bust
Michael Jackson, CB, Miami – Round 5 
For the last two years of his collegiate career, there were some in the draft media who were hyping Jackson as an early-round talent, with some saying he could be a first-round pick. Team sources, however, never held Jackson in that regard, and some felt he belonged in the undrafted ranks. The Cowboys took him on the third day of the draft, so that is not really a bust considering so few of those picks work out in the NFL, but of their draft picks, Jackson looks like the player with the most bust potential to me.
While Jackson has a skill set with size and speed, he struggles in coverage with poor technique to allow separation consistently. On top of not translating well to the NFL, Dallas has put a lot of resources into the cornerback position, so Jackson could have a hard time seeing the field over players with more experience who also have the investment of an early-round draft pick. Byron Jones, Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis were all taken in the first three rounds of previous drafts. Jones is the No. 1 defender in the Dallas secondary, while Awuzie and Lewis are much more polished in coverage. Thus, I think Jackson could end up struggling to get on the field and end up being a bust for Dallas.
2018: Connor Williams, OT
2017: Chidobe Awuzie, CB
2016: Dak Prescott, QB
2015: Randy Gregory, DE
2014: Anthony Hitchens, LB
2013: Gavin Escobar, TE
Potential Boom Pick
Trysten Hill, DT, Central Florida – Round 2 
Over his excellent coaching career, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has had a lot of success with a certain type of defensive tackle. The interior linemen who Marinelli likes would fit his description of “short, quick and thick.” Hill fits that to a “T” and was a disruptive force at the point of attack for Central Florida.
The 6-foot-2, 308-pound Hill has a lot of physical upside. In his compact frame, Hill shows surprising quickness and athleticism. In 2018, Hill totaled 36 tackles with three sacks. The junior was more disruptive than the numbers illustrate, and he worked out really well before the draft.
Dallas landed Hill in the second round, and there are some evaluators who felt he has a ton of upside to be a force in the NFL. With the Cowboys, it shouldn’t take long for Hill to break into the starting lineup. He has to beat out veterans like Antwaun Woods and Christian Covington for the starting role. Those veterans are better fits as rotational backups, and Hill is more physically talented. With Marinelli coaching him and good defensive ends around him, Hill has boom potential for Dallas.
2018: Dorance Armstrong, DE
2017: Taco Charlton, DE
2016: Jaylon Smith, LB
2015: Byron Jones, S
2014: DeMarcus Lawrence, DE
2013: Terrance Williams, WR
Future Depth Player
Tony Pollard, RB, Memphis – Round 4 
Ezekiel Elliott is firmly established as the Cowboys’ starting running back for a long time, but they could use depth behind Elliott. A shifty back like Pollard (5-11, 210) is an excellent fit as a backup to offer a change of pace and help cut down on Elliott’s work load. Pollard is a fast back who can serve as a receiver out of the backfield and also can contribute on special teams as a returner. Pollard was a dangerous running and receiving option for Memphis in 2018. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry on only 78 attempts for 552 yards with six touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes for 458 yards with three scores. The previous season saw Pollard catch 36 passes for 536 yards and four touchdowns. While Pollard may never be a starter in Dallas, he could be a good backup who provides nice depth for the Cowboys.
2018: Michael Gallup, WR
2017: Ryan Switzer, WR
2016: Charles Tapper, DE
2015: Damien Wilson, LB
2014: Ben Gardner, DE
2013: Joseph Randle, RB
Walt’s 2019 NFL Draft Grades:
58. Trysten Hill, NT, Central Florida C+ Grade
This is a slight reach, so I wonder if the Cowboys were trying to trade down, given how much time they took on the clock. Trysten Hill is a very physically gifted nose tackle, but he’s very raw. I don’t know if he’ll be ready to contribute all that much as a rookie, so I thought he should have been chosen in the third round. Still, the upside is there, and Hill could potentially fill a huge need.
90. Connor McGovern, G/C, Penn State A- Grade
This pick makes a ton of sense. The Cowboys need both an insurance policy for guard Connor Williams, who was predictably awful as a rookie last year, and also for center Travis Frederick, who may not be able to play again because of his unfortunate auto-immune disease. Connor McGovern can play any position in the interior, and he’s a prospect who could’ve been chosen a bit earlier than this.
128. Tony Pollard, RB/KR, Memphis C Grade
This is a bit early for Tony Pollard as a running back, as he’s a player who doesn’t do anything particularly well. However, if he can contribute as a kick returner, that gives an added bonus to this selection, which might end up being pretty good. But I don’t have much faith in Pollard as a runner.
158. Michael Jackson, CB, Miami A Grade
I wouldn’t exactly say the Cowboys are starting something with this pick, but Michael Jackson was a fine choice in the fifth round. That was his range entering the draft, and he could fill a need, so this is a logical selection. Jackson has good upside because of his size (6-1, 210) and solid athleticism, but he needs to be coached up, as he gets mentally lost sometimes.
165. Joe Jackson, DE, Miami B Grade
Joe Jackson was very productive at Miami, and there could’ve been an argument for him to be selected a round earlier than this. However, I’m not sure if his production will translate to the NFL because of his limited athleticism and upside. Still, I think this is a fine pick because Jackson could develop into a decent rotational lineman.
213. Donovan Wilson, S, Texas A&M C Grade
Donovan Wilson will likely get penalized for some helmet-to-helmet hits in the NFL, based on his playing style. Those hits, however, will likely come on special teams, as he doesn’t seem good enough to be a defensive player. I’m not sure if he’ll make the 53-man roster, so I’m not a fan of this choice.
218. Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State A+ Grade
I mocked Mike Weber to the Cowboys – at pick No. 136. This is a steal for sure. Weber tested better athletically than the tape showed, so I thought he would be chosen earlier on Day 3. I think he has a good chance to make the 53-man roster as Ezekiel Elliott’s direct backup.
241. Jalen Jelks, DE, Oregon C Grade
I like the player more than the fit in this instance. Jalen Jelks has some nice length and ability to translate into a pass rusher, but he’s a 3-4 prospect more than a 4-3 player. I don’t see how he fits into Dallas’ defense, so I can’t say I’m a fan of this selection.
2019 NFL Draft Team Grade: C . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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