Is a UCLA Wave Coming To Dallas? Cowboys Could Draft Charbonnet, DTR, Bobo
There is a small and most likely impossible chance that a trio of UCLA alumni could find themselves calling Dallas home after the 2023 NFL Draft.
Running back Zach Charbonnet is a powerful runner who can catch and run. He is good at everything, just not elite at anything. And his blocking is sus.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, or more easily DTR, is a mobile quarterback who keeps the defense honest and isn't afraid to take off if he catches them slipping. He underthrows a bunch, though.
The big body wide receiver catching touchdowns from DTR is Jake Bobo, who towers over defenders at 6'5 and could be something special in the NFL. He's slow, though, and his size might not be a good enough answer for the next level of competition.
These three UCLA studs played together for one year in 2022. Bobo transferred from Duke and ended up catching 57 catches for 817 yards and 7 touchdowns. Four more than his previous four seasons at Duke combined! No wonder he left.
DTR isn't super impressive with his passing, throwing behind the receiver in low pressure, wide open scenarios. Still, he has an eye for an open man, and his rushing ability exploded his last two seasons at UCLA. Thompson-Robinson totalled 1255 yards and 21 touchdowns with his feet. That would be an interesting weapon if his arm strength can improve.
And the prize of the bunch, in my humble opinion, is Zach Charbonnet. He looks great on tape. He's strong, shifty, and can catch a football, too. Charbonnet, darlin', Charbonnet wasn't doing much in Michigan before transferring to UCLA in 2021 where he went OFF! In his two seasons with the Bruins, the Charbonnator tallied 397 carries, 2,496 yards, and 27 touchdowns on the ground. That's good for a 6.3 yard average!
The way I see this working out for the Dallas Cowboys goes as follows:
Round 2 - Zach Charbonnet, RB
Round 5 - Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB
Round 6 - Jake Bobo, WR
The reality is Zach Charbonnet is either a reach, or you have to trade back and hold your breath. But if the Cowboys don't have Bijan Robinson gift wrapped and waiting for them when the 26th pick is on the clock, I don't see them reaching with their second round. I'd love it, though. A trade is also possible, moving back and picking up a few extra picks. Then it could make more sense.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson is probably gonna have to be a reach too, or through a trade where the Dallas Cowboys end up with a higher fifth round pick. This is the perfect time to select a QB; the Cowboys aren't in a position to have a quarterback battle, even if that's what makes a football team better. If they find success with a fifth rounder, they get to call themselves geniuses. If they miss, they get to say they drafted a QB. Check? Mate.
A very realistic pick in the sixth round is Jake Bobo, and this guy checks off a couple empty boxes. He's just really slow. Like 4.99 40 slow. But if you can find a way to get him open, especially in the red zone, he can be the huge target that the Dallas Cowboys offense is missing.
Out of all three, Bobo wearing the star next season is most realistic.
