The Dallas Cowboys suffered a setback when it was announced that their 2015 second round pick Randy Gregory would be suspended for the first 4 games of the 2016 NFL season. Gregory, who entered the NFL with a litany of off-field issues, violated the NFL's substance abuse policy. As a result, the Cowboys likely now will find themselves moving away from drafting the best player available and instead focus on their key needs. With Gregory's suspension there is no definite starter opposite Demarcus Lawrence on the Dallas defensive line, which could force Tyrone Crawford to slide over, though that would just create a hole at the 3-technique.
Gregory's suspension also comes at a bad time because the Cowboys are likely to move on from controversial edge rusher Greg Hardy and veteran defensive lineman Jeremy Mincey. All of these changes coming at once cannot help the Cowboys pass rush in the slightest. Another issue on the horizon is Brandon Carr's cap hit, which will cause the team to consider moving on from him or restructure his contract. This, at the same time as Morris Claiborne is hitting free agency. The Cowboys were expected to move on from both cornerbacks after they posted abysmal stat lines the past couple of seasons.
As a result, the Cowboys may be forced into taking a player in the draft they did not expect to take in the first round. It may also force the Cowboys to avoid the offensive side of the ball entirely in the first few rounds. The Cowboys will likely look closely at the pass rushers that could go early such as Oregon's DeForest Buckner, Noah Spence, and of course Joey Bosa.
FSU's Jalen Ramsey though, is the top defensive back in the draft and will likely be the Cowboys selection if Bosa is taken by the San Diego Chargers.
