ESPN’s NFL Draft Analyst, Matt Miller, released his full seven-round mock draft this week. You have to be a member of ESPN+ to read it.
So I can’t post the full seven rounds with every player listed.
But we can take a look at the picks he has Dallas making, comment on them, and offer our own picks in comparison.
It’s either that or dwell on a dead free agency period and the ongoing saga of the Dak Prescott non-extension. Or worse yet, review last year’s not-so-great draft.
That’s what I thought.
So, with about a month to go until the draft starts, let’s examine this mock.
ROUND 1 (24th Overall Pick)
Miller’s Pick: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Miller is laser-focused on the offensive line. And he’s not wrong to do so.
The Cowboys have so many holes in the roster they really can’t miss with this pick.
Problem is, he’s not right here either.
My first issue is that I doubt Mims falls this far. My second issue is they have three young offensive linemen that can – and likely will be – starters.
Tyler Smith is almost a sure lock to start at left tackle in 2024.
Mims would be nice to have, yes, but I wouldn’t count on him being there at 24.
The player I’d like to see Dallas grab at 24 is receiver Xavier Worthy out of Texas. His speed will open up Lamb and the other receivers
And Dallas needs a WR2 with the impending departure of Michael Gallup.
But let’s say neither Mims nor Worthy is there when Dallas goes on the clock?
In that case – with the numerous roster holes to fill – Dallas needs to trade back into the second round and use the extra picks. That may be the move to make even if Mims or Worthy are still there.
ROUND 2 (56th Overall Pick)
Miller’s Pick: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
I agree with this pick, especially if they don’t trade out of the first round.
Normally I would cringe at drafting another player coming off a leg/foot injury. Last year’s second round pick, Luke Schoonmaker, comes to mind as a reason not to.
But Brooks is a solid back, and if he’s fully recovered from an ACL tear suffered in November, he could be a solid RB1 for years to come.
Plus, by the 56th pick, any running back high on the draft board worth taking is going to be gone. So unless Dallas is planning on praying J.K. Dobbins can become Derrick Henry, Brooks is the pick.
ROUND 3 (87th Overall Pick)
Miller’s pick: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
If the Cowboys can land Worthy in the first round, this pick of Miller’s goes away. But if they are still looking for a receiver by this point, Polk could be the player they’ll land.
If they have addressed WR at this point, this might be the time to look around for a defensive tackle instead.
The jury is still out on Mazi Smith – and Dallas did not retain Johnathan Hankins’ services – so this is a position of need.
If Dallas does not go after a defensive tackle here, then they will be relying on Mike Zimmer. Can he salvage their No. 1 pick from last year’s draft?
He’s good. Let’s hope he’s good enough.
ROUND 4 (No Pick)
The Cowboys traded away this pick to San Francisco for quarterback Trey Lance.
He has yet to see the field for Dallas. Should 2024 be Dak Prescott’s final year in a Cowboys’ uniform, this pick could transform into their next starting quarterback.
Genius or folly?
Only time will tell.
ROUND 5 (174th Overall Pick)
Miller’s pick: Hunter Nourzad, C, Penn State
The Cowboys get this pick as a compensatory pick. Their original fifth rounder went to Kansas City for the Chiefs’ sixth round pick in 2023.
That pick became defensive back Eric Scott – who also has yet to see the field for Dallas.
But Dallas gets a fifth rounder this year as compensation for losing Connor McGovern in free agency last year. As far as Miller’s choice, if Nourzad is still on the board I can find no fault in picking him up. I still think Brock Hoffman is the starting center in 2024 though.
ROUND 6 (216th Overall Pick)
Miller’s pick: Justin Rogers, DT, Auburn
As with the fifth round, this is a compensatory pick for Dallas, after losing tight end Dalton Schultz in free agency.
Their original pick was traded to the Texans for Brandin Cooks. That trade paid off very well in 2023.
Miller proposes taking a defensive tackle here. Even though I advocate for a player at this position earlier in the draft, I agree with this pick too.
Dallas must beef up the interior defense to stop the run.
So either grab another defensive tackle or another middle linebacker. But do something to shore up the biggest weakness on the defensive side of the ball.
ROUND 7 (233rd & 244th Overall Picks)
Miller’s picks: (233) Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia & (244) Kalen DeLoach, LB, Florida State
Back in 2022, Dallas traded their 2023 sixth-round pick to the Raiders for Hankins and the Raiders 2024 seventh round pick.
That pick turned out to be the 233rd overall this year.
Looking at Miller’s picks I tend to agree with both – certainly at the positions even if the specific players are off the board by then.
Overall
It’s hard to argue Miller’s picks for Dallas that much. The man makes his living doing this after all.
I’m not sure I’m crazy enough to try to divine what 32 NFL GMs are thinking as they approach the draft.
And some of the trades he proposes in his mock are a little out there. I don’t see New England trading out of third for anything less than a starting quarterback.
I myself would love to see Dallas ship Prescott to the Patriots and draft their next quarterback – I just don’t see it happening.
Still, as mock drafts go, I’ll give this one an A- grade.
