It is officially draft week, and as such I decided to put out my final 7-round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys before the 2017 NFL Draft officially kicks off.
I really put a lot of thought into this mock draft based on who the Dallas Cowboys have met with or shown interest in this off-season. The majority the players I drafted for the Cowboys were pre-draft visitors or were worked out privately by the coaching staff. The organization has shown in the past that they lean towards drafting these players, so why would things change now.
Below is my attempt to draft the way I think the Cowboys will, although they might not be the players I would have selected personally. Take a look and let me know what you think.
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R1/28 – DAL: Kevin King, CB, Washington
King is the prototypical CB NFL teams are looking for on the outside. He has the size, length, and speed to match up with the bigger WRs and would be a Day 1 starter for the Cowboys. His addition instantly upgrades the Cowboys secondary.
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R2/28 – DAL: Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio
Basham has the versatility to play LDE or RDE in the Cowboys 4-3 defensive scheme. He has a quick first step and the natural bend to apply pressure to opposing QBs. He would likely step in and be the immediate starter at RDE as a rookie.
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R3/28 – DAL: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
Smith-Schuster is one of the few offensive players the Cowboys have brought in for a pre-draft visit and someone who would provide insurance in case Dez Bryant continues to struggle with injuries. He is a young player with #1 WR potential.
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R4/26 – DAL: Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
The Cowboys have a plethora of strong safeties on their roster and could use a player with more range. Jackson was a CB/S at Alabama and could compete to start next to Byron Jones as a rookie. He could also end up being the primary return man. Better as a deep safety than in the box.
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R6/27 – DAL: Conor McDermott, OT, UCLA
McDermott could come in and compete for RT, but would likely serve as the swing tackle on game days as a rookie. He has the movement and feet quickness of a left tackle, but struggles with power. Really needs time in the weight room to add strength in order to hold up as a bookend in the NFL.
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R7/10 – DAL: Brendan Langley, CB, Lamar
Langley is an intriguing CB prospect because he has the size/length NFL teams look for their outside corners, but he needs time to develop his skill set. He has gotten by on his athleticism, but will need to clean up his mechanics and footwork before he can be a reliable contributor.
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R7/28 – DAL: Treyvon Hester, DT, Toledo
Hester is a disruptive 3-tech that would fit in perfectly in Marinelli’s 4-3 defense. He needs to clean up his technique because he plays too high at times, but he has a quick first step and would be a good rotational player as a rookie.
There is no way of knowing if this is the way the Dallas Cowboys draft will actually turn out, but we could see a few these players names written down on the Cowboys draft card later this week.
The only two players in this mock draft that I can’t really find any connection to the Cowboys throughout this draft process is Eddie Jackson and Treyvon Hester, but there are always a few surprises. Both players fit the scheme which is why draft them, but the Cowboys could go an entirely different direction.
This would be a good draft if it goes exactly like this, which it won’t. I do like the Kevin King pick in the 1st. rd. It would be nice to have a CB who can match up with tall WR’s since King is 6’3. I would rather see Dallas take LB/DE TJ Watt over Basham in the 2d. round though if Watt is still there in rd. 2.
I don’t think Watt makes it out of the first round. In fact, I think he’s a consideration for the Cowboys at 28. I don’t think the Cowboys will consider a player like Peppers. They are looking for immediate contributors and no one really knows what his position will be in the NFL. I think they’re going to look for more plug-and-play players in the first few rounds.
I’m good with this.
My short list at this point for 28 is Bowser, Watt, Takk, and King. Unless something unforseen happens and one of those top half of the draft guys drop.
Would really love to get Juju in here. He isn’t a speed guy, but he has all the tools to dominate the 50/50 deep balls in the air, the way that Dez does. With TWill resigned, Juju would get a year or two to work on his game before having to have an immediate impact.
brian how are you the draft was awesome for the boys awuzie is a good pick lewis another woods another switzer another the reciever from buckeyes another dez physical
Wilson, I agree. The Cowboys came away with some good young talent that should upgrade the roster.
taco charlton is the real deal with tapper [ook out
I think all of us Cowboys fans are hoping that’s the case. We will just have to wait and see.
i am surprised that you picked watt basham ahead of taco he,s the third best defensive end in the draft
I thought the Cowboys were looking for a RDE, which is why I had Watt and Basham ahead of Charlton. I think Charlton is a better LDE, something that the Cowboys have an abundance of.