Tomorrow the Cowboys begin a new chapter towards the 2015 season. With free agency out of the way, the Cowboys will look to improve the roster through the draft. We picked up a few role player guys in free agency, but now the real work starts in building a championship roster.
The Cowboys need to bolster the defense, and that was made clear in the Cowboys playoff run against the Detroit Lions, but especially against the Green Bay Packers. In the divisional round, the Cowboys were unable to sack or rattle a gimpy Aaron Rodgers, that’s when we knew this team needed to make some moves in the offseason if they want any chance to advance in 2015.
This is my final mock draft before the real deal tomorrow. I’ll break this up into two separate mocks; one with no trades and one with trades.
Let’s take a look at my final 7-round mock draft 7.0:
Round 1 (#27): Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
The Cowboys wanted to address LB last draft, this time around they get their guy. The Cowboys spent a lot of time studying and interviewing the player. Matt Eberflus was on hand to work him out as well. Stephen Jones said he wanted to get some defensive players and add depth to the team. Kendricks may not start at LB, but he will see significant playing time with McClain and Lee unable to stay healthy.
Round 2 (#60): Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State
The Cowboys need to get more athletic at the safety position, and Randall will boost the coverage skills in the secondary. In a time when the NFL has gone pass heavy, you basically need safeties that can cover and make plays. Randall will compete and have the opportunity to push out JJ Wilcox. The quickest way to the playoffs is by clinching your division and with Randall he’ll help the Cowboys cancel out some of the NFC East receivers. Randall is a great special teams player as well.
Round 3 (#91): Javorius Allen, RB, USC
Despite what was said in the pre-draft conference, the Cowboys do in fact add another running back into the mix with Allen. Allen is one of my top 4 running backs that the Cowboys could target and he has all the attributes Scott Linehan will want to utilize. Allen has solid hands and catches the ball naturally and runs hard.
Round 4 (#127): Kevin White, CB, TCU
White will be moved inside to nickel corner in the Cowboys scheme where he’ll compete with Tyler Patmon. I know we signed Corey White, but it’s possible the Cowboys are looking at him as a backup safety. Either way, White can come in and help solidify the depth at cornerback with the opportunity to play.
Round 5 (#163): Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
I’ve been on the Montgomery train for awhile as the Cowboys don’t have a clear cut special teams return guy. We have a few that could potentially be something, but Montgomery is a proven commodity. He’s one of the marquee return specialist and will be a big upgrade of the fumbling Harris.
Round 7 (#236): Chaz Green, OT, Florida
Green will give the Cowboys a nice swing tackle option for training camp and will compete against the other developmental offensive lineman. He’ll need to get his conditioning up as this was an issue with him at his proday. The upside for Green is solid.
Round 7 (#243): Gabe Martin, LB, Bowling Green
Martin could be on the Cowboys radar and will give the Cowboys a nice player to bring to camp and compete for a roster spot. The Cowboys like the player.
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Here’s the second version that includes trade:
Round 1 (#18): Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
The Cowboys feel good about their defensive line, but they absolutely do not feel the same about the secondary. Outside of Scandrick, the corners have a bunch of question marks. Adding Johnson gives the Cowboys a solid player that has matched up well with stud receivers in DeAndre Hopkins and Sammie Watkins. That being said, Johnson will help the Cowboys lock down the NFC East receivers opposite Scandrick.
Round 2: traded to Kansas City
Round 3 (#91): Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
The Cowboys need depth at the LE position and Hunter will come in and fill that void. He’ll be an upgrade over the departed George Selvie and will give us a nice player opposite Lawrence once the season starts.
Round 4 (#127): Jeremiah Poutasi, OG, Utah
The Cowboys want to bolster the offensive line’s depth for this year and the future. Adding Poutasi here will give the Cowboys peace of mind at the guard position. Bernadeau will be gone after this year, and we’re not sure if the Cowboys will want to give Leary a long-term deal in 2016. Poutasi becomes a starter in 2016.
Round 5 (#163): Chris Hackett, FS, TCU
Depending on how you feel about Wilcox or the depth at the safety position, the Cowboys get a safety somewhere in this draft and with Hackett still on the board, he is the pick and will compete for playing time and push Wilcox.
Round 7 (#236): Frank Clark, DE, Michigan
Clark could go a lot higher if teams base his grade on his football production, but some of his wild off-field issues could keep him low. The Cowboys take a flyer here and let the Marinelli magic go to work.
Round 7 (#243): Alani Fua, LB, BYU
The Cowboys close out the draft with a defender and have a draft that went defensive heavy. Fua will have the opportunity to compete at the SAM linebacker and special teams.
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Previous Mock Drafts: 1.o; 2.0; 3.0; 4.0; 5.0; 6.0
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