Cowboys take draft's boldest swing with Shavon Revel (and it might be genius)

It's definitely premature to say the Dallas Cowboys are owning the NFL Draft, but they are putting together a brilliant run of picks to start the three-day marathon.

Joining first-rounder Tyler Booker and second-rounder Donovan Ezeiruaku is East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., whom Dallas picked No. 76 overall.

Revel suffered a torn ACL last September, but Cowboys doctor Dr. Dan Cooper performed the surgery and there is hope Revel will be healthy by training camp. If he was healthy, he's likely a first-round pick with the potential to be the first non-Travis Hunter CB off the board.

This is a big gamble by Dallas, but it's worth it.

Cowboys' Shavon Revel Jr. pick could be the steal of the NFL Draft

It took three rounds, but the Cowboys finally delivered a Blue Star special. This team has a penchant for drafting injured players.

Former linebacker Jaylon Smith is perhaps the most extreme example in that regard after he tore up his knee in his final game at Notre Dame before Dallas drafted him at the top of the second round.

Revel is a supreme athlete who excels in press man coverage, but he has the awareness, vision and instincts to thrive in a zone scheme. In other words, he fits defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' defense like a glove. The injury concerns cannot be ignored and he's an older prospect at 24 years old, but the upside was simply too enticing to pass up.

Not to mention, cornerback was arguably the biggest need in the draft this side of a new starting receiver.

DaRon Bland is the only healthy returning starter as Trevon Diggs is expected to miss the start of the season recovering from his own knee surgery and nickel standout Jourdan Lewis signed with the Jaguars as a free agent. Bland, meanwhile, is due for an extension as he enters the final year of his contract. It's not a slam-dunk that he's back this time next year.

It's unclear how healthy Revel will be to start the year, but he offers plenty of insurance amidst the uncertain futures of Bland and Diggs.