Cowboys Mock Draft time! As promised, here is this week’s mock draft. The Cowboys are getting closer to buttoning up their draft strategy with three weeks remaining until the big day. This week the Cowboys are hosting their mandated 30 prospect visits, and Dallas Day.
Like many draft seasons the names we’re seeing visiting the Cowboys are the names to watch closely. The Cowboys have plucked draft picks from their visits in years past and added priority undrafted free agents from all the players they have met with. The list of players the Cowboys have met with since the East-West Shrine game are posted on the front homepage, so be sure to toggle through that list.
Let’s take a look at my 7-round mock draft 4.0:
Let’s talk about the selections:
1st round (#27): Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
Although, I feel the Cowboys should take a CB in first round, I keep coming back to the Cowboys strategy from last draft in which they wanted a LB, Ryan Shazier. I feel the Cowboys are looking to upgrade and protect themselves by taking a LB early. With Hendricks available in my simulation, I took the pick. Adding Hendricks would bolster the LB corps significantly, and he would provide us with his versatility at LB.
2nd round (#60): Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State
In my simulation Ajayi was still there and he’ll be an impact day-one starter. The Cowboys have an affinity for the Boise State program, so they know this player very well. He’s scheduled for a private workout and he could be a huge pickup for the offense. We want to maul people in the running game and we want to tire you down. You add Ajayi, a physical quick back and we’ll break people’s will. Everyone has their preference at RB, but Ajayi behind our line could send our offense into prolific status.
3rd round (#91): Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State
I remember Nelson having a nice Senior Bowl, and had solid numbers from his combine. His play on the field this year was solid from the games I watched. Nelson is the third round would be in the mix to start for the Cowboys and could be the pick that sends Carr packing after the draft. Nelson has an interesting background, and his determination his entire career is remarkable.
“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, Draft Guide 2015)
4th round (#127): Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT, Southern Mississippi
This 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
5th round (#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.
7th round (#236): 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.
7th round (#243): Laurence Gibson, OT, Virginia Tech
“After a prep year at Hargrave Military Academy, Gibson was a four-star recruit and ultimately chose Virginia Tech over Clemson, redshirting in 2010. He played sparingly as a redshirt freshman and sophomore, seeing only 27 combined snaps on offense his first three seasons in Blacksburg. Gibson saw playing time as a junior in 2013 and started six games at right tackle before moving to the left side in 2014, starting all 13 games there as a senior. He has adequate foot quickness and lower body coordination to shuffle and square on the edges, showing the range to get downfield in the run game. Gibson is all over the place with his eyes and limb placement, welcoming rushers into his body and failing to properly achieve angles as a run blocker. Gibson’s highlight reel is impressive, but unfortunately they came in sporadic spurts on tape and he needs time to improve his fundamentals and functional power before ready for NFL snaps – practice squad candidate with upside.” (Brugler, Draft Guide 2015)
Previous Mock Drafts: 1.o; 2.0; 3.0
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