Four more weeks and we’ll know which college players will join the Cowboys, and with the signing of Rolando McClain, the Cowboys now have full control of what they want to do in the 1st round. Linebacker no longer becomes a must need, and now we can move up if we want, or we can move down a bit more and pick up another pick.
I’ll be ramping up my Cowboys-centric mock drafts on a weekly basis as we approach the real deal. As I did this third mock draft, it became pretty challenging and tempting to take the mock draft in any direction.
Let’s take a look at my 7-round mock draft 3.0:
Let’s talk about the selections:
1st round (#27): Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
I still have the Cowboys going cornerback here, Johnson was the best player in my opinion in my particular simulation and it’s a no-brainer. The Cowboys have made some moves on the defensive line with Hardy and Hayden as some veterans that will play well in the system. Taking Johnson here allows the Cowboys to put another stout corner on the other side of Orlando Scandrick. The secondary needs to be revamped, and that work should start in this draft class.
2nd round (#60): Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State
I’ll be honest, I could see Ajayi going in the 1st round, but he won’t since most teams are not built to showcase a running attack like the Cowboys. If anything you may start to see other teams model what the Cowboys have done with the offensive line and then get their running back. 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.
3rd round (#91): Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
We’ve heard Jerry’s comments on possibly taking a QB soon and to me, this is something that has probably been tossed around in meetings and this is why he put it out there. The Cowboys were onsite to check out Petty’s pro day, and from all accounts the Cowboys liked what they saw and heard from Petty. He was still on the board, so I made the pick here and we can now let him learn the system behind Romo and help ramp up competition between Weeden and Vaughan.
4th round (#127): Chris Hackett, S, TCU
I feel the Cowboys will take some additional secondary players in this draft, either a double-dip at corner, or one CB and one safety. In this mock, Hackett was available and he’s a player the Cowboys have interest in. Hacket has nice size and makes plays on defense, forces turnovers. The 4th round may be a reach on Hackett, but was available and a player I enjoyed watching this year.
5th round (#163): Tyeler Davison, DT, Fresno State
I wanted Nunez-Roches here, but he was gone, so I took the next best available DT with Davison. Davison had a nice stint at Fresno State, and the consistent starter production the Cowboys like. Davison had a nice combine, and could be a nice rotational fit for the Cowboys. I’m somewhat hesitant on taking a DT past the 2nd round since we have a lot of players waiting in the wings to compete, but a lot of questions with those players, so taking a flyer on a guy could be what the Cowboys do late in the draft.
7th round (#236): Laurence Gibson, OT, Virginia Tech
Gibson has a lot of upside at right tackle, and he could be a guy we add into the mix to compete for the swing tackle. The Cowboys lost Jeremy Parnell, so the Cowboys will be looking for his replacement.
7th round (#243): Bryce Callahan, CB, Rice
Callahan has really good measurable and had a great pro day exhibiting speed and explosiveness, but his height 5-9, will ding him in the draft. His upside could be special, and could compete on special teams and vie for playing time in the nickel or slot corner.
Previous Mock Drafts: 1.o; 2.0
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