Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft Headlined by Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

We are now a little over 5 weeks away from the NFL Draft, and the Cowboys draft targets are coming into focus with all the major free agent moves in the bag. The Cowboys are full steam ahead to April 30th, with various private workouts scheduled between now and then.

On the front page of the blog we have a compiled a list of players the Cowboys have met with either by way of the East-West Shrine game, Senior Bowl, Scouting Combine, and scheduled meetings. Check back daily for the latest prospects that are attached to the Cowboys.

The Cowboys biggest move in free agency has been the 1-yr deal they sealed with Greg Hardy, and in doing so, we now have more leverage in the draft and we can take the best player available for needs on the team.

I wanted to let free agency settle down before doing our next Cowboys mock draft. Let’s take a look at my 7-round mock draft 2.0:

Let’s talk about my selections:

1st round  (#27): Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

Adding Hardy, fills a pass rushing need, and allows the Cowboys to work on the secondary. Outside of Orlando Scandrick, we are paper thin with quality talent. I like the upside with Tyler Patmon, and the addition of Corey White gives us some more depth. But with questions surrounding the declining play of Brandon Carr and the major whiff on Claiborne, Will McClay will be tasked with fixing the secondary and with Johnson available, we now have another corner that plays physical, like Scandrick and gives us an upgrade from here and beyond.

2nd round (#60): Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State

I could envision the Cowboys taking Sambrailo in the first round if Johnson is gone, but in this mock he was still available, so it was an easy pick for me. The Cowboys will want to keep the talent going on the offensive line, and with Ron Leary playing on a 1-yr deal, and Mac Bernadeau becoming a FA in 2016, the Cowboys will need to reload. Leary will get paid big by someone in 2016. Sambrailo could come in and compete immediately for the LG spot and start full time in 2016. He is listed as an OT, but he has started games up and down the offensive line and has that position flex the Cowboys covet. The line would be complete for years to come and then Dallas could plan on a rookie QB soon, with a monster line to protect him.

3rd round (#91): Kwon Alexander, LB, LSU

The Cowboys have added a few linebackers to fill the void from the departures of Bruce Carter, Kevin Durant, and Rolando McClain; however, I have a gut feeling the Cowboys will be adding another linebacker somewhere in the first three rounds, maybe as high as the first. Alexander was available here, so I took him to give the Cowboys some insurance at linebacker and to compete at the will and sam linebacker. The reality is, Sean Lee won’t hold up for the year, so they better have a quality guy ready. Alexander fills those needs and could be come a part of the future at LB for the Cowboys. Coach Eberflus will raise his game as well.

4th round (#124): Javorius Allen, RB, USC

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys keep the fans sweating until the 4th round to address the running back position. For all you know, they may be content with McFadden and Randle, but my gut tells me the Cowboys are going to move forward with another young RB in this draft. Allen fits the frame and on-field production the Cowboys desire in a primary back, so adding Allen here was a no-brainer.

5th round (#155): Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State

The Cowboys are all about keeping the competition on the starters. Wilcox has the 2015 and 2016 to earn a contract extension, but there are many that believe his roster spot could be upgraded. Randall will get most of his playing time in special teams. The 5th round is probably about right for him from the games I’ve seen. He has flashes of playing solid and some moments where he doesn’t secure the tackle at all. Feels a lot like another Jeff Heath, but with more upside.

7th round (#211): Justin Coleman, CB, Tennessee

The Cowboys have met with Coleman, so there is some interest here in the player. I feel the Cowboys will throw some more players into the mix at cornerback as they look to retool that position group moving forward. From what I have seen of Coleman he’s  a physical corner, and could provide some depth for a position group that is paper thin for the Cowboys.

7th round (#218): Ryan Russell, DE, Purdue

Russell performed well during the Combine, and was a 4-yr player at Purdue, but his production tailed off a bit his final season. Russell has some of the same measurables as some players rated to go in higher rounds, so taking a flyer on Russell could be an ultra steal. Under Marinelli, Russell could excel and raise his game.