Hello Cowboys Nation! I thought we’d have some fun before free agency officially kicks off in a couple of days (March 17) and look at the different mock draft simulators available online. Different player rankings mean different results for the Dallas Cowboys.
For this exercise I used the mock draft simulators from Draft Network, Pro Football Network, Pro Football Focus, Fanspeak, and NFL Mock Draft Database. I chose to draft for the Dallas Cowboys based on their current draft picks (no trades) and tried to focus on the best player available (BPA) with team needs in mind.
Before we get started I think it’s important that you know Caleb Farley and Patrick Surtain II were both drafted before they made it to the Dallas Cowboys in all but one of the mock drafts. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how things turned out.
Pro Football Network
In the PFN mock draft the Dallas Cowboys are getting a starting CB (Caleb Farley), a freakishly athletic DE prospect (Jayson Oweh), a versatile LB (Jamin Davis), and Tyron Smith’s eventual replacement (James Hudson) with their four picks in the Top 100.
In the middle rounds they add some much-needed depth at DT (Marvin Wilson), a potential starting FS (Caden Sterns), and a versatile OL (Robert Hainsey) who opened a lot of eyes at the Senior Bowl by performing well at tackle, guard, and center.
With the last three picks the Cowboys get a speed demon slot WR (Anthony Schwartz), a versatile DB (Tre Norwood) who played outside CB, in the slot, and FS at Oklahoma, and another developmental outside CB (Olaijah Griffin).
The Draft Network
The top CBs went early in the TDN mock draft, leaving Kyle Pitts as the BPA available for the Dallas Cowboys. Whether it’s at WR or TE he’s a mismatch problem for opposing defenses. With their next three picks in the Top 100 they and their starting FS (Trevon Moehrig), a starting caliber CB (Paulson Adebo), and a potential starting 1-tech (Alim McNeill).
In the middle rounds the Cowboys add a DE who is as equally good against the run as he is as a pass rusher (Patrick Jones II), a backup OT with starting potential (Walker Little), and a slot CB with FS experience (Kary Vincent Jr.).
With the last three picks Dallas adds a special teams ace and a starting caliber SAM LB (Justin Hilliard), a speedy/shifty slot WR (Jaelon Darden), and again a versatile defensive back who played outside CB, in the slot, and FS at Oklahoma (Tre Norwood).
Pro Football Focus
With the Dallas Cowboys four picks in the Top 100 they land a Tyreek Hill type of playmaker in WR Jaylen Waddle, one of my favorite CBs in the 2021 draft class in Greg Newsome II, a versatile DT in Levi Onwuzurike, and a Tyron Smith insurance policy in D’Ante Smith.
With their next three picks in the middle rounds they again add pass rush help in Patrick Jones II, a player to challenge Tyler Biadasz for the starting center job in Josh Myers, and a name you’ve seen before Caden Sterns who I believe could be the starting FS as a rookie.
To close things out Dallas adds a developmental WILL LB in Tony Fields II, a tall/lengthy CB in Keith Taylor Jr. who’s somehow still available, and a S/LB hybrid who provides depth at both positions in JaCoby Stevens with their final three picks.
Fanspeak
Jaycee Horn, Trevon Moehrig, Dillon Radunz, and Alim McNeill would be my dream come true for the Dallas Cowboys with their first four picks in the Top 100. That would give them their starting CB, FS, and maybe even DT as well as a potential replacement/insurance policy for Tyron Smith.
With their next three draft picks I have them once again adding Patrick Jones II (obviously one of my favorites) for more DE depth. Pete Werner provides much-needed depth at LB as either a MLB or SAM and Robert Hainsey’s versatility to play anywhere on the OL could be invaluable.
Somehow Cameron McGrone is still on the board this late in the draft and I couldn’t pass up on him with the first of the Cowboys sixth-round picks. Cornell Powell was an intriguing slot WR who I believe his best football is ahead of him. And, the versatile Tre Norwood who by now you know.
NFL Mock Draft Database
Jaylen Waddle was once again the BPA for the Dallas Cowboys with the 10th overall pick. To follow that up Daviyon Nixon is a potential starting DT and the same could be said for Kelvin Joseph at CB. Cameron McGrone adds much-needed LB depth and could could be the future of the position.
D’Ante Smith’s name once again pops up for OT depth and a potential replacement for Tyron Smith. Keith Taylor Jr. is another tall/lengthy CB who fits Dan Quinn’s system and S James Wiggins could possibly be be the steal of the draft if he can overcome his injury history.
Ade Ogundeji is an intriguing long armed DE prospect who has starting potential with more time to develop. I couldn’t pass up on Sam Ehlinger whose game/leadership reminds me of Dak’s. And, Divine Deablo is an interesting developmental safety prospect with the upside.
