Flaco Guapo Media/ Jim Sánchez

SAN ANGELO – When it comes to, “Best Player Available” versus need, the Dallas Cowboys brass went with "BPA" as the storied franchise never thought that Oklahoma Sooner, CeeDee Lamb would ever be there at #17. In Friday’s 2020 NFL first time ever, virtual draft, conducted by Commissioner, Roger Goodell, the Cowboys had the best of both worlds available on their draft board; either a defensive end. Or a “YAC,” yards after catch “electrifying playmaker” receiver on offense.



NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, conducted his first-ever virtual  2020 draft from his basement in New York.



When Dallas went on the clock to select their first-round pick, two players considered “BPA” was there. One was LSU defensive end, K'lavon Chaisson. The other was Sooner slot receiver, Lamb.
Cowboys’ owner/ GM Jerry Jones, his son, Executive Vice President/ CEO, Stephen Jones, Coach Mike McCarthy, and Will Clay, vice president of player personnel, didn’t take long to take who they absolutely wanted, not "needed"— Lamb. The Cowboys from owner to CEO, player personnel and head coach, could not believe CeeDee fell in their laps.

This sports reporter, Flaco Guapo Media [am also fairly certain many of America’s team fans] would have thought that selecting Chaisson would have addressed their defensive woes. Because if you remember Dallas’ 2019 season went “down-the-toilet,” despite its offense being ranked No. 1. It was on the defensive side of the ball where the ‘Pokes allowed 321 points scored, with 5,232 yards rushed against it. Hence the “need” for a defensive player. "I don't mind telling you [Chaisson] was a serious thought," "We talked about it,” said Jones.  He and his coaching staff seriously considered K'lavon as worthy of being an “extremely high value” pick.



As for how Lamb fits into McCarthy’s offense. “His versatility would enable the Cowboys to use a variety of personnel deployments in their "11" personnel package (1 RB, 1 TE & 3 WRs) to create mismatches all over the field. Moreover, Lamb's positional flexibility could enable Mike McCarthy to put the rookie and Amari Cooper in interchangeable roles to make it nearly impossible to double team or bracket No.19 in the passing game,”https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/bucky-brooks-lamb-has-hopkins-like-traits



Just how exceptional is CeeDee? He finished his three-year career at Oklahoma with fantasy numbers: 173 receptions, 3,292 receiving yards, 33 total touchdowns per Dallas Cowboys' website. As for Lamb’s average yards per catch, 19.0.
In the end, or in this case, in that slot receiver position, the “Best Player Available” selection of Lamb was too good of a deal to pass up.



Here are Dallas’ picks from rounds one through seven.

Round 1, pick 17: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Round 2, pick 51: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Round 3, pick 82: Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
Round 4, pick 123: Reggie Robinson II, CB, Tulsa
Round 5, pick 146: Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin
Round 5, pick 179: Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah
Round 7, pick 231: Ben DiNucci, QB, James Madison

Here is the NFL’s 32 teams draft order:
Round 1

1. Cincinnati: QB Joe Burrow, LSU
2. Washington: EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State
3. Detroit: CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
4. NY Giants: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
5. Miami: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
6. LA Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
7. Carolina: DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
8. Arizona: LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
9. Jacksonville: CB CJ Henderson, Florida
10. Cleveland: OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama
11. NY Jets: OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
12. Las Vegas: WR Henry Ruggs, Alabama
13. Tampa Bay f/IND via SF: OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
14. San Francisco f/TB: DL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
15. Denver: WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
16. Atlanta: CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson
17. Dallas: WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
18. Miami f/PIT: OL Austin Jackson, USC
19. Las Vegas f/CHI: CB Damon Arnette, Ohio State
20. Jacksonville f/LAR: EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
21. Philadelphia: WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
22. Minnesota f/BUF: WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
23. LA Chargers f/NE: LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
24. New Orleans: OL Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
25. San Francisco f/MIN: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
26. Green Bay f/HOU via MIA: QB Jordan Love, Utah State
27. Seattle: LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
28. Baltimore: LB Patrick Queen, LSU
29. Tennessee: OL Isaiah Wilson, Georgia
30. Miami f/GB: CB Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
31. Minnesota f/SF: CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
32. Kansas City: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU