The 2020 NFL draft has finally reached our doorstep, which means optimism truly reigns supreme among the 32 franchises. Every team believes if it can just hit on its picks this year, it will set itself up for success moving forward. Whether it’s giving a contender the final piece to make a Super Bowl run or a pretender looking to lay a strong foundation for future successes, every team believes this weekend will bring it one step closer to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

We have discussed a bunch of different scenarios for the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2020 draft, but what are the best-case scenarios, the ones that will earn an "A" in The Dallas Morning News’ post-draft grades?

Let’s dive in to find out:

Trade down in Round 1

As things currently stand, trading down from the 17th overall pick to accumulate more picks is probably the most realistic best-case scenario for the Cowboys in the first round. Trading down in the first round is one of the biggest market inefficiencies to exploit. Accumulating more picks -- meaning more attempts to hit big -- is a smart draft strategy, especially where the Cowboys are sitting in the first round.

The reality of this draft class is that, unless one of the blue-chip prospects slides on draft night, the difference in the caliber of prospects available at No. 17 isn’t that much different than the prospects available in the late first round. So, grabbing a similarly graded player while adding an extra pick or two is an optimal strategy for the Cowboys in the first round.

For example: Would you rather draft LSU edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson at 17 or trade back with the Baltimore Ravens to get picks 28 and 60, where Dallas could possibly select Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs and Notre Dame edge rusher Julian Okwara (or any two prospects who tickle your fancy)?

To me, it’s a no-brainer: Trading back is the better scenario because it enables the Cowboys to fill more holes without sacrificing much in terms of player value.

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

Most of Dallas’ needs are on defense, but Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is the absolute best-case scenario at pick No. 17 although it’s unlikely to happen (this article is titled best-case scenarios and not most realistic scenarios for a reason). The same can be said about Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and Jeudy’s teammate Henry Ruggs III, but Jeudy is the best fit for the Cowboys given their need at slot receiver.

Jerry Jeudy, WR1.



He is the top pure separator in this class. He consistently wins at the intermediate and deep levels of the field with strong route-running and releases at the LOS. And his YAC ability is also a huge plus.pic.twitter.com/jOUpQ5SdhI — Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) March 23, 2020

Listed at 6-1, 193 pounds, Jeudy is the best route runner in this class and will step into the NFL with a route-running repertoire that can win against elevated competition. Jeudy is extremely efficient in and out of his breaks, enabling him to create an exorbitant amount of separation against man coverage. On top of that, Jeudy has the football intelligence to read coverage and find soft spots between zones.

The biggest reason Jeudy could fall to Dallas as pick No. 17 is his pedestrian athleticism. He tested into the 21st percentile among NFL receivers at the scouting combine, per Three Sigma Athlete. On top of that, Jeudy has occasional issues with drops, credited with seven in 2019, per Pro Football Focus. The fact of the matter is some teams want their top-15 picks to check every box, so Jeudy’s poor combine could push him down on draft boards.

If that’s the case, other teams’ loss is the Cowboys’ gain, as they would be able to provide Dak Prescott with another supremely refined route runner.

Time to score some (read: a lot of) points!

CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

For much of the buildup to the draft, Florida cornerback CJ Henderson appeared to be the most realistic best-case scenario for the Cowboys in the first round. But the closer we get to draft night, the more it becomes apparent that Henderson probably won’t be available at pick No. 17.

Having said that, crazier things have happened and it’s conceivable the buzz surrounding Henderson could be a smokescreen to hide some teams’ true intentions in the first round. Whatever the case, if Henderson somehow made it to No. 17, he’d be a home-run pick for the Cowboys in the first round.

Listed at 6-1, 204 pounds, Henderson is probably the most gifted athlete at the position in this class, having tested into the 95th percentile among NFL corners, per Three Sigma Athlete. He’s an extremely fluid mover who can mirror and match the full route tree while also remaining in-phase in and out of breaks, which gives Henderson the added versatility to thrive outside or in the slot.

CJ Henderson stealing Jamarr Chase's soul at the LOS. Jumps him with a powerful 2-hand jam that totally disrupts the timing of Chase's route. pic.twitter.com/qyMOqrJL9b — John Owning (@JohnOwning) March 3, 2020

Moreover, Henderson has the length and size to play with physicality at the line of scrimmage and at the top of routes, making him someone who can match up with any type of receiver the NFL has to offer.

Henderson isn’t without his faults -- he’s a poor tackler whose lackadaisical body positioning at the catch point leads to more receptions than he should allow.

Still, Henderson’s athleticism and coverage ability would make him a no-brainer pick at No. 17 if he’s available.

Zack Baun, DE/LB, Wisconsin

While most pundits would have Chaisson here, I actually have Wisconsin edge rusher Zack Baun rated higher, which is why he gets the nod as a best-case scenario for the Cowboys in the first round.

Don’t get it twisted, Chaisson would be a great pick, which is why I mocked him to Dallas on Monday. But I just believe Baun is a better prospect.

😍 Inside jab with a club-arm over to grease the edge and finishes with a chop on the QB's throwing arm to force the fumble. pic.twitter.com/2xZ8L54P2s — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 20, 2020

Chaisson does have most of the physical advantages -- he’s a better athlete with more size, flexibility and power. But it’s not like Baun isn’t a good athlete in his own right while also being significantly more refined from a technique perspective.

Love how nuanced Zack Baun's footwork is. Look how he manipulates stride length to change timing of his inside move.



With right foot back an inside move has to come on 2nd step BUT since he shortens 1st step, the inside move hits quicker than usual, throwing off the RT's timing pic.twitter.com/THeUGStAk5 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 20, 2020

Baun’s hand technique is cleaner, more diverse and consistent than Chaisson’s, and his footwork is more manipulative, giving him better access to inside moves and shortened corners. On top of that, Baun’s rush IQ is much better, as he does a better job of breaking a tackle’s rhythm by changing up the footwork and foot frequency in his approach.

Doesn't make the tackle, but Zack Baun helps bottle up this run. Good footwork prevents him from getting hooked and puts him in a balanced position when makes contact with the RT. Resets the LOS and occupies 2 blockers, which prevents the RB from bouncing outside. pic.twitter.com/IyR8TNC3F7 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 20, 2020

Baun is much more consistent and effective against the run, showing a better sense for blocking schemes while playing with a hotter motor when defending the ground game.

Baun would be the perfect player to fulfill the SAM linebacker/designated pass rusher role that Stephen Jones mentioned recently, as it would match him up with tight ends in the run game while still allowing him to rush the passer on a consistent basis.

Oh don't mind me, just watching Wisconsin EDGE Zack Baun match a WRs chair route and force and incompletion. Totally normal. pic.twitter.com/GUqLipr47L — John Owning (@JohnOwning) March 3, 2020

Lastly, Baun’s skills against the pass would allow the Cowboys to confidently drop him into coverage on occasion to break tendency. (In 2014, Kroy Biermann played the SAM/DPR role in the Mike Nolan-led Atlanta Falcons defense, dropping into coverage 92 times all season while rushing the passer 395 times.)

Overall, Baun’s ceiling may not be quite as high as Chaisson’s, but his floor is significantly higher and his versatility could be the key to unlocking front-seven multiplicity in Nolan’s Cowboys defense.

Find more Cowboys stories from The Dallas Morning News here.