We are two weeks out from the NFL Draft in Chicago and the Cowboys draft targets have been visiting Valley Ranch at a furious pace. The Cowboys have brought in a lot of running backs, cornerbacks, and quarterbacks to run a fine tooth comb through. It sure feels like those three are atop the Cowboys positional targets with the amount of time they have put in with private workouts and visits, but that’s not to say other positions will be targeted early.
Let’s take a look at my 7-round mock draft 5.0
Let’s talk about the selections:
Round 1 (#27): Bryon Jones, CB, Connecticut
In this simulation both Jones and Kevin Johnson were still on the board, but I went with Jones this time around, only because I think he has a lot more athleticism that Johnson, and this may help the Cowboys cancel out Odell Beckham’s athleticism. We saw what he did to Carr and it was ridiculous. When drafting players we need to keep an eye on how our picks match-up within the division, since this is where playoff hopes are born. We have to keep winning in the division. Put Jones next to Scandrick and we’re in business. The only thing that concerns me is his durability and this is where the Cowboys will take a closer look when they bring Jones in for a closer look. They have a scheduled visit coming.
Round 2 (#60): T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama
The simulation felt a bit more accurate this time around in regards to the running backs. Gurley and Gordon were taken in the 1st round and there was a run early and mid-way through the second round, which I feel more and more may happen when the real deal arrives. All my guys were wiped out except Yeldon and Coleman. I took Yeldon here, I prefer his game over Coleman and his versatility. ‘Bama backs get a bad rap for being run into the ground before they even set foot in the NFL, but Yeldon does not come with a lot of miles on his tires like previous ‘Bama backs, so I do take comfort in that as well. Yeldon and McFadden will give the Cowboys enough running attack to be close to pace from last year. Has some durability concerns from last season.
Round 3 (#91): Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT, Southern Mississippi
I’m becoming a bit more hesitant on taking a DT anywhere in this draft, only because the Cowboys have not brought in a single DT for a visit. They have met with a few during the all-star games and combine, but none for a closer look. The Cowboys may feel better about what they have on the roster right now, and that may be the reason. With Ken Bishop and Davon Coleman set to take another step up in their game, plus Chris Whaley coming back from injury, they could be set to be honest. But Rakeem is a player on my radar from all the draft talk from Bryan Brouddus over at DallasCowboys.com. I watched a few of his games and understand why they like him. He’s a player with a high motor and has good size and versatile in run defense and can collapse the pocket. Adding Nunez-Roches would give us a great rotation at the 1-tech, but he can also play some 3-tech. #71 on Brugler’s Top 100 prospects.
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): Chaz Green, OT, Florida
The Cowboys are looking for some more depth on the offensive line and Green could be a player the Cowboys take late if available. I went ahead and took him here to assure we could get him developed under Coach Pollack’s tutelage. Green has some conditioning concerns which showed up at the Florida pro-day, albeit it was reportedly a very humid day that day, but the Cowboys may take that into some consideration. Green is Brugler’s #15 best offensive tackle in this year’s class, projected a 5th-6th rounder.
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
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.
Let’s go Cowboys!
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