Most of our 2018 draft picks as well as WR Amari Cooper will present an interesting set of decisions for the Cowboys going into next offseason.
Why? The rookie deals for LVE, Connor Williams, Michael Gallup, Dalton Schultz, Dorance Armstrong, and Cedric Wilson will all be ending. And Amari Cooper, with his big deal signed in 2020 has a team escape hatch built in after 2021 which may make his future staying here a question between who do we want to keep going forward- Cooper or Gallup? And it appears that in this recent draft, this team has probably drafted its replacements for both LVE and cap heavy Jaylon Smith.
Anyway you look at it, the Cowboys top brass will need to make some tough cap decisions after this season about multiple players.
Let’s examine those players and whether or not they are likely to be kept in 2022:
- LVE- the only way he’s around next year is if he has an unbelievably productive and healthy season in 2021. His neck injuries have been a problem since college so who knows if he’s ever going to be healthy again for long, but it will take a great season and great heathy to see LVE next year. Prediction: Not back in 2022
- Connor Williams- for a second round pick who supposedly had some first round talent, Williams has been just ok at best, inconsistent at worst. Has he been good enough to start? Yeah. Good enough to keep with a bigger contract? No way. Prediction: Not back in 2022
- Michael Gallup- I am a huge Gallup fan. He has been effective every year he’s been here, including having a 1,000 yd season in 2019, with a slight drop off last yr after Dak went down. IMO, the key will depend on whether or not Cedee Lamb develops into the stud he could be. IF SO…I think Cooper’s salary become expendable and Gallup could get signed to a deal less than Cooper. I like Coop but he has been the best WR on bad teams for a long time. Obviously having Coop is not the key to a SB. Prediction: I’m against it, but I think we keep Cooper and let Gallup go after 2021.
- Dalton Schultz- last year, Schultz emerged as a decent TE option after Blake Jarwin went down. But the team signed Jarwin to a big deal just before the 2020 season and I think the team is committed to him. Prediction: Not back in 2022.
- Dorrance Armstrong- the former 4th rounder from Kansas has flashed some ability but unless he surprises us in 2021, he’s gone. Prediction: Not back in 2022 or back with a cheap deal.
- Cedric Wilson- This guy has shown flashes of brilliance followed by long amounts of nothing. He has made plays both as a receiver and as a returner on STs. If he has a good season, he could be earning a bigger deal elsewhere next year. Prediction: possibly back in 2022 if under a team friendly deal.
So looking at the 2018 draft, we could be seeing many if not all of these guys gone after this season. And I will throw in Jaylon Smith as a bonus. Unless he has a breakout great year in 2021, he’s probably gone in 2022.
How do you see it? Who will remain and who will go from the 2018 draft?