It's probably too early to know, for certain, that the Dallas Cowboys did the right thing in this year's draft. On paper, Tyler Booker looks like the right pick for where Dallas' roster is right now, but until you strap on the pads and try to block Jalen Carter, it's hard to know for sure. (And honestly, blocking Jalen Carter probably shouldn't be the standard.)
What it's NOT too early for – at least, on the internet – is feeling confident about who the Cowboys didn't draft. Life's too short to wait for internet victory laps. Take, for instance, cornerback Will Johnson. Johnson was one of the most talented prospects in this year's class, and was frequently connected to the Cowboys in the pre-draft process. Injuries have always been a part of Johnson's career, though, and it's not a stretch to assume that they played a major role in why Dallas declined to take him with the 12th overall pick.
And through the first few months of offseason activity, that decision looks ... pretty good. While Booker's drawn rave reviews and has been running with the starters from literally his first day on the practice field, Johnson's been ... playing hurt. Already.
Cowboys' decision not to draft Will Johnson is looking pretty good right about now
Obviously I'm not-so-subtly jumping to conclusions here, but it's nice to feel like a Dallas Cowboys draft decision is already going well. Hell, it's nice to feel like any Dallas Cowboys decision is already going well.
Maybe Johnson's hamstring injury clears up and he proceeds to go play a decade of All-Pro level football, and then in 10 years some random Cardinals blogger finds this and drags me for it. I'm at peace with that. But right now, an injury-prone cornerback is already dealing with new injuries – and soft-tissue ones, at that – while the Cowboys' first round pick is quickly becoming an established starter. (When I talk about how it's never too early for a victory lap on the internet, this is what I'm talking about.)
So shoutout to Cowboys fans. You all called your shot, and you were right. Maybe Stephen A. Smith will finally admit that this time around. If nothing else, he'll surely have some thoughts on how this affects Dak Prescott's legacy.
