There's a tangible outrage that still exists within a faction of Dallas Cowboys' fans who demanded the team select "their" pass rusher with the 28th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, namely one T.J. Watt -- who gained a sizable following within the ranks of the team faithful leading up to the star-studded weekend.

The Cowboys took the mound and threw a wicked cutter with the choice to select star Michigan defensive end Taco Charlton instead, setting off a firestorm of "why, why, why" and broken heart-driven tweets that were then met with resistance from those who vehemently support the call.

All in all, it was a rather eventful -- if not emotional -- Day One for those who had planted their flags for the Wisconsin standout and younger brother of three-time defensive player of the year, J.J. Watt.

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So why didn't Dallas go with the sexier and more popular choice of Watt over Charlton?

Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Stephen Jones explained what the thought process was, and it has nothing to do with doubting Watt.

"I would not bet against T.J. Watt," said Jones on 105.3FM The Fan following the Day One selection, via The Dallas Morning News. "Everything about him is plus, plus, plus. The toughest thing for him with us is just there are some risks there because you don't see it on tape as much of him putting his hand in the ground. Whenever we're grading players, if there's a projection, there's a discount there if you don't see it.

"It doesn't mean that they're not going to do it and do it well."

That said, Jones wishes Watt the best but wants to be clear they had a stronger attraction to what Charlton brought to the table.

And he has zero regrets as he praises his new rookie pass rusher.

"Certainly if we were going to bet on a player and his football character as well as his off-the-field character, you're going to line up with T.J. Watt and bet on him," Jones said. "It just so happens we felt a little more comfortable with Taco because you see him do it every day on the film. You see it every play and he's doing it against big-time competition, as T.J. was as well, obviously the same conference. You just see it there and you feel more comfortable with Taco.

"But certainly we think the world of [Watt]. We brought him in here and made us think more of him."

Watt would immediately be selected with the 29th overall pick by the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, but that is of no concern to a Cowboys team who clearly had their minds made up early that Charlton was their guy.

It's like the team is trying to win football games, and not elections.

Novel approach.

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