We are about a week away from welcoming our newest draft class and the Cowboys fan base is anxiously awaiting what we do with the #27 pick? Will we trade up, will we stay put, or will we trade down? So many scenarios to ponder.
In my latest mock draft, I contemplated moving up for Todd Gurley, but he went #17 to the Chargers, so I decided to let the players fall to me. Listening to Stephen Jones, there is a heavy emphasis on building the roster through the draft. Last draft, the Cowboys didn’t have any interest in moving up for Barr or Donald, and they stayed put. In this mock, I did the same thing.
With that being said, Let’s take a look at my 7-round mock draft 6.0:
Let’s talk about the selections.
Round 1 (#27): Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
I’ve mocked Johnson to us previously, and I am coming back to Johnson here. I’m torn between Johnson and Byron Jones, but Jones’ durability issue kinda scare me off just a bit, so that was my deciding factor between the two. The Cowboys are attracted to Johnson’s 4yr-starter . 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. It’ll be interesting to see how other teams rate cornerbacks in this draft.
Round 2 (#60): Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
With the recent knee concerns with Jay Ajayi, I think Coleman moves up to the Cowboys #2 or #3 rated running back on their board. His proday was impressive as he exhibited to flight, break away speed. Couple this with Coleman’s physical running style, he could very well be the guy the Cowboys have wanted all along. It would not surprise me if they take a look at Coleman at the end of the 1st round either, especially if the CBs are wiped out. I have moved up Coleman to #3 RB on my board. He was available at #60, so I took the pick and not looking back!
Round 3 (#91): Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State
I honestly feel the Cowboys want to revamp the secondary, and they could double-dip here with Nelson. I’ve been following Nelson since the Senior Bowl and his gameplay has looked solid from the handful of games I was able to watch.
From Dane Brugler:
SUMMARY: After poor grades in high school, Nelson forced himself to move across the country to “be his own man” and get his grades in order (3.2 GPA at College of the Sequoias). He arrived in Corvallis and it didn’t take long for him to earn a starting job, showing consistent improvement and production the past two seasons. Nelson’s lack of size will show up quite a bit on film, but his ability as a defensive playmaker shows up even more. He is feisty with the competitive spirit and confident attitude needed for the next level, along with the work ethic and ambition to be great between games. Nelson projects as a slightly bigger version of Nickell Robey and he should be able to play nickel as a rookie before eventually moving outside – top-75 pick. (Brugler, 2015 Draft Guide)
Round 4 (#127): Frank Clark, DE, Michigan
Clark’s name seems to be picking up some steam with the Cowboys, so he was available in the 4th round, so I took him here and hope he can contribute immediately. The Cowboys will like his size and his upside. His biggest issue are the off-field red flags.
More details from Brugler’s 2015 Draft Guide:
STRENGTHS: Powerful build with good body thickness – added 60+ pounds the last four seasons, working hard to develop his growth potential…quick first step upfield with sustained momentum to work off blocks and win the edge, taking sharp angles to the pocket…active, quick hands to work through blockers with excellent push-pull technique…sets up his moves and appears to have a rush strategy, making adjustments throughout the game…attacks the chest of blockers and drives them backwards, locking out with his long arms…closes fast and violent…hyper-active motor with top-shelf hustle to finish through the whistle…relentless in pursuit and closes with violence…improved backfield vision with the discipline and recognition to stay at home, trusting his eyes and holding the edge…has some experience dropping in space with fluid feet and the natural instincts…productive starter with 35.0 tackles for loss in 26 career starts…attended counseling since his dismissal from Michigan and has invested time and energy into reconciling the situation.
WEAKNESSES: Almost too muscle bound, restricting his movements at times…overaggressive and will over-run plays due to his high-effort style…inconsistent leverage off the edge and prefers to use his natural ability over fundamentals…needs to consistently load more ammo into his punch…suspect anticipation in space and can be late to react – late off the snap too often…needs to better break down on the move to control his momentum and finish…worrisome off-field red flags – dismissed from the program after a domestic violence arrest (Nov. 2014) for allegedly striking his girlfriend in a hotel room (case is still pending); arrested (June 2012) and convicted of second-degree felony home invasion after stealing a laptop from a dorm room; pulled over for driving on the wrong side of the center line (March 2014) without proof of insurance or proper plates and had a bench warrant issued after he missed his court date.
Round 5 (#163): Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
Selecting Montgomery here fills the need for the Cowboys’ return game. Montgomery can come in and become the primary return guy and contribute in the passing game. Devin Street could be pushed here with the selection of Montgomery, and his return game could separate him between the two.
SUMMARY: Arguably the best return man in this draft class, Montgomery averaged 27.4 yards per kick return and 18.3 yards per punt return at Stanford, but he is still developing at the wide receiver position and needs work with his routes and finishing ability. He isn’t as effective as his measureables would suggest and he lacks sudden or slippery burst, but he has impressive athleticism and is able to be elusive with his toughness and acceleration. Although not yet finely-tuned at the receiver position, he is an all-purpose demon with the potential to impact the game in several ways – not the guy you want as the feature weapon of the offense. Montgomery has the NFL ceiling to be a versatile “Z” receiver, but he has a low NFL floor as well – projects as a Josh Cribbs-type of talent right now, as both a receiver and return man. (Brugler, 2015 NFL Draft Guide)
Round 7 (#236): Laurence Gibson, OT, Virginia Tech
Gibson is a player the Cowboys worked out and could fill the Cowboys swing tackle need, at the minimum he’ll come in and compete with the other reserve tackles.
Gibson, the Virginia Tech senior offensive tackle, put up some of the top numbers among offensive linemen during testing Friday.
He ran a 5.04 40-yard dash, had a 33.5-inch vertical jump and a 113-inch broad jump.
“He’s one of the workout warriors of this group that scouts are going to have to go back and do some more work on,” ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay said Monday. “Because position coaches are wondering, ‘Why we don’t have a higher grade on this guy and if he has enough to work with than we can bring him in and I can coach him up.’” (Richmond Times)
Round 7 (#243): Chris Bonner, QB, Colorado State-Pueblo
The whole rookie QB talk in Dallas is intriguing to me in the sense that this is the first year the Cowboys have gone through some legitimate lengths into looking at QBs this year than any other previous draft. Will the Cowboys take a QB earlier, like Petty, Grayson, or Mannion? They are all being sifted through by the Cowboys, or is it just some practice interviews for next year. Do the Cowboys like Vaughan and want to get another arm in here to compete with him to see if he takes the next level and overtakes Weeden? Lot’s of questions here. So, in my mock, I chose not to take a QB until the end here with Bonner. Bonner is another player the Cowboys have taken a closer look at.
SUMMARY: After going overlooked at a smaller high school, Bonner spent two years at the JUCO level before arriving at Colorado State-Pueblo, which didn’t have a football program until 2008, leading the ThunderWolves to the Division-II National Championship in 2014. He finished his two years with several school records and a 25-2 record, thriving in a pro-style offense and taking snaps under center and shotgun. Bonner has the physical ingredients that the NFL is looking for with his size and arm strength and does a great job reading defenses, adjusting plays and delivering downfield. He can struggle with pressure and isn’t the lightest on his feet, but manages the pocket well with the confidence and cool head to reset and fire strikes. A developmental version of Mike Glennon, Bonner needs time before ready for NFL snaps, but he shows promise that most other passers in the 2015 quarterback class do not – not NFL ready, but a developmental passer worth a late round draft pick. (Brugler, 2015 Draft Guide)
If you haven’t gotten Brugler’s 2015 Draft Guide, nab your copy, it’s really full of great information from one of my favorite trusted sources for everything draft related. I’ve been able to quote him on a few of my mock picks and it’s a great tool to have when the real draft gets here, especially for later round guys. You’ll have some background on the player as you watch the picks come in.
Previous Mock Drafts: 1.o; 2.0; 3.0; 4.0; 5.0
Have a Cowboys mock draft or want to give it a try? Go here and post up your Cowboys draft class. My final two mocks will have potential trades, so be sure to check back soon for my 6.0 draft and final mock draft 7.0, leading up to the big day.
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