Well, the Rams trading up eliminates several of our previous draft scenarios, but it does open up a new one. Perhaps Tennessee is willing to trade a couple of picks to come up and get the player they would have drafted number one overall. So in this scenario (#7 by the way), we will assume a trade with Tennessee for the fourth overall pick.
So how could the Cowboys and Titans find common ground? I am sure Tennessee would make a trade if they only had to give up a second and third (33 and 64). The Cowboys on the other hand, would probably hold out for two second rounder’s (let’s say 33 & 45). Not sure how badly Tennessee covets Laremy Tunsil (or another top player) but if they do, would they be willing to give up two prize picks?
A middle ground could be the Cowboys asking for the 15th, 43rd and 45th picks. Or, perhaps the Cowboys could throw in another pick to help make it more palatable. Say either their fourth or a sixth.
For this scenario, let’s assume the Cowboys hold out for the 33rd and 43rd, but they need to throw in the 101st to sweeten the pot.
- So the Cowboys would trade the 4th and the 101st. They would receive back the 15th, 33rd, and 43rd.
In this scenario the Cowboys would wind up with the 15th, 33rd, 34th, 43rd, 67th, 135th, 189th, 212th, 216th, and 217th. In this scenario they have 5 of the top 67 picks. A pretty good haul.
There are many possible draft combinations so let’s look at a few of them:
| # | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 | Dream 1 | Dream 2 |
| 15 | P. Lynch (QB) |
L. Floyd (DT3) |
S. Rankins (DT3) |
R. Ragland (MLB) |
S. Lawson (DE) |
V. Hargreaves (CB) |
| 33 | J. Bullard (DE/DT) |
C. Cook (QB) |
E. Ogbah (DE) |
K. Dodd (DE) |
W. Jackson (CB) |
R. Nkemdiche (DT) |
| 34 | E. Ogbah (DE) |
W. Fuller (WR) |
D. Henry (RB) |
W. Fuller (WR) |
J. Doctson (WR) |
N. Spence (DE) |
| 43
|
A. Burns (CB) |
C. Jones (DT) |
M. Thomas (WR) |
K. Fuller (CB) |
J. Bullard (DE/DT) |
W. Fuller (WR) |
| 67 | Dixon (RB) |
C. Nassib (DE) |
X. Howard (CB) |
D. Jones (LB) |
Dixon (RB) |
Booker (RB) |
| 135 | G. Glasgow (C/G) |
D. Lasco (RB) |
J. Haeg (OT) |
R. Robinson (CB) |
R. Blair (DE) |
M. Collins (DT) |
| 189 | K. Marshall (RB) |
D. Alexander (LB) |
T. Holmes (DE) |
A. Zettel (DE) |
J. Brissett (QB) |
T. Holmes (DE) |
| 212 | T. Powell (S) |
T. Powell (S) |
T. Powell (S) |
K. Marshall (RB) |
J. Thuney (OL) |
T. Powell (S) |
| 216 | D. Watt (FB) |
D. Watt (FB) |
D. Watt (FB) |
D. Watt (FB) |
D. Watt (FB) |
D. Watt (FB) |
| 217 | J. Norris (LB) |
K. Frazier (FS) |
B. Allen (QB) |
K. Hogan (QB) |
T. Holmes (DE) |
B. Allen (QB) |
Mock Scenario #1
This scenario would be a positive one for the Cowboys. The Cowboys might be able to obtain their backup QB and still booster several key positions.
In the first mock, the Cowboys go ahead and draft a QB that is talented, but needs a few years before he is ready to start. They then come back and focus on the defense in the second round. They pick up a DE, DT and CB all with starting potential. This would give the Cowboys the depth and youth they need desperately.
In the third round they get their running back, who also could be starting for them by year’s end. At the end of the fourth they get a center/guard who may be able start for them in several years. At a minimum he would add depth.
In the sixth round the Cowboys take chances on several athletes with physical traits that could propel them into long-term NFL players. Marshall has speed and power. Powell has height and speed to give him deep coverage range. Watt can be a physical fullback we have lacked. Norris is a hard player to judge. He has instincts but does not have some of the elite physical traits.
Mock Scenario #2
In the second scenario, they would wind up with the top edge rusher in the draft. He is small for a DE, but could be a pass rush specialist and SAM LB. They get their developmental QB with their second pick. Then they get the speedy Fuller, who would add another dimension to the pass game. Jones may be the three tech with the highest upside in the draft. Nassib will be a solid rotational DE for many years. Lasco is a polished third down and change of pace back.
Alexander is interesting. He could go much higher, but he is hard to gauge. He has talent, but he can get blown up at times. He is a boom/bust type player. Frazier is an interesting FS gamble. But at this point in the sixth, it is worth the risk.
Mock Scenario #3
In the third mock, Rankins is a great get at 15. He can play the three and one. He is disruptive and he fits well into the Cowboys scheme. Ogbah is a physically gifted DE who will play into the rotation. Henry would give the Cowboys a home run threat they missed last year.
Henry is dropping down some boards, and would be a good get mid second round. Thomas is a tall receiver with speed, and he knows how to run routes. In the third, Howard is a Brandon Carr type of corner with more speed who can replace Carr next year. Haeg would provide some depth at tackle and could be a Doug Free like right OT in the next few years. Holmes is a pass rush specialist that would be higher rated if he came from a bigger school. In this mock, the QB is addressed in the sixth.
Mock Scenario #4
Option four looks at getting the long term solution as middle LB first, then getting a potential starting LDE in Dodd. The Fullers (no relation) would add athleticism at receiver and corner/safety. Dion Jones is one of the most athletic LBs in the draft; as is his LSU running mate Robinson at corner. Zettel is an all effort edge setting DE the Cowboys coaching staff would really like. Hogan is a QB with a high upside because of his leadership and intelligence.
Dream Scenarios
Our dream options are probably too good to hope for, but most players are not more than 10 slots from where they are predicted to go. So stranger things have happened. We can certainly hope.
That’s all for scenario seven. Let me know your thoughts. Would you make the trade?
