[tps_title]2017 Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft: Round 3, Pick 92[/tps_title]
Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois
I know a lot of you would like to see the Dallas Cowboys draft a defensive end with one of their first two draft picks, but any DE they do draft will probably be a rotational player as a rookie anyway. Dawuane Smoot checks a lot of the boxes you look for in a 4-3 DE and drafting him in the third round for the Cowboys just makes way too much since not to happen for me.
Defensive ends need time to develop their skill set at the NFL level and I think Smoot could be just as good as anybody the Cowboys could’ve drafted at the end of the first round at 28 or in the second round at 60. In fact, he may have a head start on anybody in this draft class because of his familiarity with defensive coordinator Ron Marinelli’s 4-3 defensive scheme. That is because he played under head coach Lovie Smith at Illinois and they operate the same system.
He needs to develop his pass rushing repertoire and learn how to better use his hands, but he has the tools to work with to become a starting caliber defensive end in the NFL.
I am in love with Fabian Moreau. I was so disappointed that he performed so well at the combine. I was hoping to snag him in the 3rd or at least in the second, but it’s clear we have to take him in the 1st. Godwin in the 2nd is a nice get and will replace Williams beautifully. After that, the only other pick I’m thrilled with is the last one: Muhammed. Nice diamond-in-the-rough there. Another one to think of is Joe Mathis from Washington. Before his injury, he was on par with Garrett as a player, although he didn’t have the junior season that Garrett had. Apparently Mathis grew up a lot before his senior season and the coaches and players raved about him when he was there his senior year. Not sure how much I like Vanderdoes though… seems like another Golden Cock to me.
Thanks for commenting Kevin. I would probably go a completely different direction in just about every round with the exception of Fabian Moreau if I do this over today.
I like Godwin, but I’d like him more in the 3rd. Just no chance he falls that far I’m afraid.
I like your draft but my dream DT is Larry Ogunjobi from Charlotte.
Albert, I’m not familiar with him. I’m going to have to check him out.
Changes with Sidney Jones gone with Achilles tear (instead of ahead of us in Rd 1 – drops him to Rd 3 maybe)? Paea signed (PFF rates it an upgrade)? Carroll joined? TWill re-signed?