Popular draft analyst and staff writer for The Athletic, Dane Brugler, recently released a full seven-round mock draft for all 32 teams. When the author of The Beast, arguably the most complete draft guide in publication, speaks you should listen. That’s especially true because of his connection with the Dallas Cowboys.
While you have to be a subscriber to The Athletic to see how each pick played out for all 32 teams in Brugler’s mock draft, I can give you a preview of who he selected for the Dallas Cowboys. Below is how he utilized all 10 of the Cowboys draft picks.
| RD. | PICK | PLAYER |
| 1 | 10 | Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama |
| 2 | 44 | Javon Holland, DS, Oregon |
| 3 | 75 | Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC |
| 3 | 99 | D’Ante Smith, OT, East Carolina |
| 4 | 115 | Chauncey Golston, EDGE, Iowa |
| 4 | 138 | Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama |
| 5 | 179 | Trevon Grimes, WR, Florida |
| 6 | 192 | John Bates, TE, Boise State |
| 6 | 227 | William Sherman, OG/C, Colorado |
| 7 | 238 | Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State |
Draft Breakdown:
I don’t know what you think about Dane Brugler’s selections for the Dallas Cowboys, but I think he did an excellent job of properly using all 10 of their draft picks while keeping their team needs in mind.
With the four picks the Cowboys have in the Top 100 he upgraded the defense by adding a plug-and-play CB, a versatile safety who could challenge for a starting job, and a starting caliber DT to upgrade the defensive line. He also added an insurance policy and potential replacement for Tyron Smith.
With the first of the Cowboys Day 2 picks Brugler selected a versatile defensive lineman who can play out on the edge or kick inside. He could take over the Tyrone Crawford role and provide much-needed depth at both DE and DT.
Next he added a talented linebacker who probably would’ve went in the first-round last year if he’d entered the draft. If not for an injury plagued 2020 season he’d likely be in the first-round discussion this year as well. He’ll provide much-needed depth and could compete for a starting job in the not-too-distant future.
With the Cowboys four remaining draft picks Brugler decided to address the offense by providing more depth at WR, TE, RB, and a versatile interior offensive lineman. None of these players will likely compete for a starting job this year, but could be a factor in the starting rotation as soon as next season.
Overall, I think Dane Brugler did a pretty solid job of not only addressing some of the Dallas Cowboys biggest team needs right now, but also for the future as well. While I may have Carne different direction with a few of the picks I can’t say that I wouldn’t be pleased if this is the way things play out.
