Normally at this point in the offseason we would be diagnosing all of the information obtained at the NFL Scouting Combine, but sadly due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that’s not the case. That leaves us with nothing to look forward to until the start of the new league year (March 17) and free agency.
Since there’s really not anything else going on I thought I would take this opportunity to do a complete seven-round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys before they make any moves in free agency. For this exercise I used The Draft Network’s mock draft machine
Let’s get started, shall we!?
TRADE: Cowboys send 1.10 to New York Jets for 1.23, 3.66, 4.107
Round 1, Pick 23 (from Jets)
S Trevon Moehrig, TCU
Word is the Dallas Cowboys are really high on Trevon Moehrig so it wouldn’t be completely impossible if they made him their first-round pick in a trade-down scenario. He is a perfect fit in Dan Quinn’s heavy Cover 1-3 coverage scheme as a single-high safety.
Round 2, Pick 44
CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse
Ifeatu Melifonwu (6’2″, 215) is a tall, lengthy cornerback and fits the mold Dan Quinn likes in his outside CBs. He would pair nicely with last year’s second-round pick Trevon Diggs and give the Cowboys two young, talented press-man corners for the foreseeable future.
Round 3, Pick 66 (from Jets)
OT James Hudson, Cincinnati
James Hudson is a DT turned OT who would be an excellent insurance policy and eventual replacement for Tyron Smith in the not so distant future. He still a little raw as a blindside protector, but his ceiling is as high as any OT in the 2021 draft class.
Round 3, Pick 75
LB Jabril Cox, LSU
Jabril Cox is a perfect fit as a WILL LB in Dan Quinn’s 4-3 scheme. His ability to make plays in space and in coverage is exactly what the Dallas Cowboys defense has been lacking. And, his addition would mean Jaylon Smith can move back to MLB where he seems to fit better.
Round 3, Pick 99
DT Alim McNeill, NC State
The Dallas Cowboys are in desperate need of upgrading their defensive line and Alim McNeill would go a long ways in doing just that. He is a perfect fit as a 1-tech and his ability to set and reset the offensive line would help keep the LBs behind him clean to make plays.
Round 4, Pick 107 (from Jets)
CB Keith Taylor Jr., Washington
Keith Taylor Jr. (6’2″, 191) is another tall, lengthy CB who fits Dan Quinn’s preferred parameters. Taylor has the versatility to play outside or in the slot, which could be invaluable, but is at his best in a heavy press-man scheme like the Cowboys plan on deploying.
Round 4, Pick 115
EDGE Adetokunbo Ogundeji, Notre Dame
Adetokunbo Ogundeji (6’4″, 260) is an intriguing developmental defensive end with starting potential. He is gifted physically and has tremendous length with above average get-off at snap the ball. He would provide much-needed DE depth behind DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory.
TRADE: Cowboys send 4.139, 7.232 for Minnesota Vikings 4.119
Round 4, Pick 119 (from Vikings)
S Talanoa Hufanga, USC
I like the idea of giving Donovan Wilson first shot started strong safety, but I don’t think he should go unchallenged. Talanoa Hufanga is a versatile, hard-hitting safety who excels around the line of scrimmage. He he is an excellent blitzer and also has experience playing as a dime LB as well.
Round 5, Pick 179
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa
Ihmir Smith-Marsette is a smooth moving, versatile WR with special teams ability in the return game as both a kick and punt returner. He can play in the slot or outside and can be used on gimmicky plays as well. He is exactly the kind of depth WR the Cowboys can utilize a variety of ways.
Round 6, Pick 194
DT Ta’Quon Graham, Texas
Ta’Quon Graham (6’3″, 290) is a developmental 3-tech who I believe provides DT/DE versatility. He was an All-American DE in high school before kicking inside at Texas to DT. He relies mostly on his length and power, but possesses the intangibles to become a rotational player early on.
