Cowboys' Draft Strategy: Shutting Down Defense

On April 3rd, with the NFL draft just three weeks away, the Dallas Cowboys hold the 12th and 20th picks in Round 1, a prime shot to grab.

Multiple game changers. Their offense dominated last season, but the defense crumbled, coughing up a league worse 30.1 points per game.

They made moves to fix it, starting with firing defensive coordinator Matt Eberfluss and handing the reins to Christian Parker.

Free agency brought safeties, Jalen Thompson and PJ.

Lock, cornerback, Kobe Durant, outside linebacker Rashan Gary, defensive end Jonathan Bullard and nose tackle, Otito Augbania.

Experts like Bleacher reports Brad Gagnon flagged the defense as Dallas's top worry, despite the ads.

They struck out upgrading inside linebackers, traded away Osa Odizua and lacked death across the board, turning it from strength to glaring.

Weakness. Now the focus shifts to draft day, where those two first rounders should target defensive studs.

Elite prospects like Bayley, Styles and Downs, might vanish by 12, but talent such as Height, Hill and Rodriguez could slide to 20.

Cowboys brass knows their early pick history shines, so they're mapping every trade and target to flip that unit into a shutdown crew before the season hits.