With the 133rd pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys drafted Cole Beasley Ryan Switzer out of North Carolina. Switzer was a favorite target of now Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky, catching 96 passes from him in 2016 for 1,112 yards. When it comes to Switzer’s stock with the Cowboys though, his most valuable trait could be his punt return ability, grading himself as the top return man in this class.
"A lot of teams had me as the top returner in the draft. I certainly had myself there." – @Switz03 on @TheDraftShow and @1053thefan
— Sean Martin ✭ (@SeanMartinNFL) April 29, 2017
Ryan Switzer added that other team’s had him as the top returner, as he scored on seven punt returns over his four years in the ACC – five of which came as a freshman. Dallas Cowboys Special Teams Coach Rich Bisaccia, who entered the Cowboys war room after Scott Linehan in preparation to draft Switzer in the fourth round, had similar praise for his skill set.
Switzer says Bissacia called him to say that he liked his ability on offense and special teams, told him they'd target in the 4th. They did.
— Sean Martin ✭ (@SeanMartinNFL) April 29, 2017
As mentioned, Ryan Switzer’s pro comparison is perhaps the easiest to make in this draft, and it is now teammate Cole Beasley.
https://twitter.com/Bease11/status/858385177713795073
Beasley’s role as the Cowboys’ slot receiver and a security blanket to Dak Prescott is going nowhere in Scott Linehan’s offense, but Switzer could find snaps in the slot at the same time as Beasley – or potentially take both offensive and special teams touches away from Lucky Whitehead.
https://twitter.com/Switz03/status/858374872468160512
Ryan Switzer is certainly not short on confidence coming into a great situation with the Dallas Cowboys, where he can immediately upgrade the punt returner position and show off his insane upside as a WR that defensive backs simply can’t match up with.