Dallas Cowboys fans need another mock draft, and luckily for you, this is a seven-round mock draft after the Cowboys suffered a horrible loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.
The game was also unique, as a simulcast was being aired with “The Simpsons” playing the same game.
The game itself made Cowboys fans go “D’Oh,” as the game ended with a crazy turnover after the Cowboys blocked a punt that was fumbled by the Cowboys and recovered by the Bengals.
The loss pushed the Cowboys closer to a top-ten pick in next year’s draft as the team moved to the 12th pick.
With the 12th pick in the draft, a mock draft is needed. This could be how the Cowboys go, but Jerry Jones and Company always pull a wild pick out of their hat.
Round One Pick 12 Luther Burden III WR (Missouri)
The Dallas Cowboys find CeeDee Lamb’s sidekick in Luther Burden III. This could be the player the Cowboys front office envisioned when they picked up Brandin Cooks.
Luther Burden III is a bigger and more athletic version of Cooks and will be a weapon for this offense for the foreseeable future.
Many descriptors highlight Burden’s skills as a young athlete. He possesses an explosive first step, allowing him to consistently win off the line of scrimmage and create instant separation. Burden demonstrates elite body control and flexibility, making him a mismatched threat in contested catch situations and on back-shoulder throws.
He has legitimate track speed, which enables him to take the top off defenses, compelling safeties to respect his deep threat on every snap.
Burden exhibits soft hands, skillfully plucking the ball away from his frame and securing it despite contact.
He is a yards-after-catch (YAC) monster, combining vision, lateral agility, and contact balance to turn short passes into significant gains. Additionally, he brings value on special teams as a dynamic punt returner, having scored on returns during both of his collegiate seasons.
Weighing in at 208 pounds, he has a compact and well-built frame that allows him to play bigger than his listed height. Furthermore, he is a tenacious blocker who brings a physical edge to the perimeter run game, sustaining blocks until the whistle blows.
This sounds like the perfect receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb to keep opposing defenses on their toes.
Round Two Pick 43 Barrett Carter LB (Clemson)
Barrett Carter, a linebacker from Clemson University, is slightly undersized but would be a great addition to the linebacker core.
The injury to DeMarvion Overshown left the position with a huge hole to fill, and why not fill it with another athletic, do-it-all linebacker?
Barrett Carter possesses exceptional athleticism, featuring impressive speed, agility, and burst, which enable him to cover the field from sideline to sideline.
He is a versatile defender capable of excelling in run defense, pass coverage, and as a blitzer. His strong coverage skills allow him to match up effectively against tight ends and running backs in man coverage.
Carter displays good eye discipline and route recognition while playing zone coverage and is an explosive blitzer who can generate pressure from various alignments.
He is physical at the point of attack when engaging with blocks from tight ends and demonstrates good pursuit angles against outside runs.
Additionally, he has a high football IQ, enabling him to diagnose plays quickly.
Away from the football field, Carter has been recognized for his academic achievements and community involvement. He was named to the All-ACC Academic Team in 2022 and 2023 and was named a quarter-finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2023.
He actively participates in community service, reading to elementary school students and volunteering with Our Friend Christopher, an organization founded in memory of a high school teammate who died from brain cancer.
Not only is Barrett Carter an exceptional athlete, but he is also a remarkable human being who would be a great addition to the locker room.
Round Three Pick 74 Nicholas Singleton RB (Penn State)
Once given full reign of the running back room, Rico Dowdle has done an admirable job. Getting a player of Nicholas Singleton’s caliber in the third round would be a boon for this offense.
The Penn State running back is a big back with 4.39 speed. Dowdle and Singleton would be a great combination, which could be like David Montgomery/ Jahmyr Gibbs in the future.
Nicholas Singleton is exactly the kind of player the Cowboys need. Ranked #31 on Bruce Feldman’s 2023 Freak’s List, Singleton is a powerhouse at 228 pounds and showcases blistering speed with a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash, a 4.18 shuttle time, and a 10-foot broad jump.
He possesses an explosive burst through the hole, consistently catching linebackers off guard. His patience allows him to let blocks develop, but once a gap opens, he takes full advantage with keen vision and agility.
Running with a low center of gravity, he maintains exceptional balance through contact and consistently gains extra yards.
Singleton also excels as a receiver out of the backfield, demonstrating soft hands and the ability to pivot quickly. His pass protection skills are top-notch, and he seamlessly adapts to both zone and gap schemes.
With an innate ability to find the end zone, he is a formidable scoring threat who can make an immediate impact near the goal line.
Round Five Pick 149 Fernando Carmona Jr. OT (Arkansas)
Fernando Carmona Jr. is an impressive offensive tackle prospect poised to become a standout NFL starter.
His exceptional combination of size, athleticism, and power forms a solid foundation for success at the professional level. Carmona demonstrates a powerful ability to create movement in the run game, and his quick feet ensure adequate pass protection, making him a highly versatile asset for any offensive scheme.
As a potential blindside protector, Carmona’s physicality in the run game positions him as a prime target for teams needing offensive line support. Moreover, his experience as a former tight end highlights significant untapped athletic potential, which can be fully realized with the right coaching in the NFL.
If the Dallas Cowboys decide to move on from Terrence Steele in the future, Carmona could be a potential starter at left tackle. This move would send Tyler Guyton to his more natural right tackle position.
This pick could help solidify the offensive line with younger, more athletic linemen.
Round Five Pick 170 Jason Marshall Jr. CB (Florida)
Jason Marshall Jr. from the University of Florida would be a superb pick in the late fifth round of the draft.
Jason Marshall Jr. is the ideal size and length for an NFL boundary cornerback, allowing him to effectively match up with larger receivers outside. He excels in press-man coverage, using his long arms to disrupt receivers at the line.
His technique and patience in mirroring releases are exceptional. He rarely opens his hips too early or bites on fakes.
Marshall’s fluidity and change-of-direction skills keep him glued to receivers throughout routes.
He demonstrates strong ball skills and awareness in zone coverage, consistently locating the football. His excellent route recognition and closing speed enable him to jump short and intermediate routes effectively.
Proven against elite SEC receivers, he showcases competitiveness and confidence under pressure. Marshall’s versatility and experience in various coverage schemes position him as a strong fit for multiple NFL defenses.
Round Five Pick 171 Nic Anderson WR (Oklahoma)
If Nic Anderson decides to enter the NFL Draft, he could be a tremendous developmental wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.
With his impressive size, speed, and ball skills, Anderson is a critical prospect for teams looking to enhance their receiving corps with a dynamic playmaker.
NFL coordinators will appreciate his versatility in both spread and traditional offenses. His ability to stretch the field and excel in contested catches makes him invaluable in deep passing systems.
Although he needs to refine his route-running and improve his consistency, Anderson’s physical attributes and early production position him as a potential WR2 or high-end WR3 in the NFL.
Nic Anderson could be a late-round gem if given the right opportunity to learn and grow. I cannot think of a better receiver to learn from than CeeDee Lamb.
Round Five Pick 172 DJ Giddens RB (Kansas State)
DJ Giddens is poised to become a reliable workhorse running back at the next level. He has the skill set to make an immediate impact in a committee role while developing into a featured runner.
His impressive size, vision, and versatility make him a standout prospect for teams utilizing zone-blocking schemes.
Though he may not possess elite breakaway speed, Giddens excels at gaining yards after contact and is an asset in the passing game.
Giddens must refine his pass protection skills and enhance his receiving abilities to fully realize his potential as an every-down back in the NFL. With proven production against top competition and significant upside, he has all the tools necessary to be a key contributor in an NFL backfield.
Teams seeking a back capable of handling a heavy workload and serving as a dependable short-passing option should see him as an invaluable mid-round target.
Round Six Pick 186 Bryce Anderson S (Texas A&M)
Anderson is a dominant force who excels in physical contact and is a key asset in run support and coverage at Texas A&M. While he can be reckless at times, his strengths are undeniable.
He has the size, top-end speed, and burst to close in on ball carriers effectively.
Not only is Anderson agile, but he can also change direction fluidly, allowing him to cover slot receivers and drop into the box when needed.
He remains aware of the quarterback in man coverage, often making plays on the ball. His ability to track the ball in the air is reminiscent of a receiver.
With his exceptional versatility, he can be aligned in various positions and is capable of playing any of the three deep spots in the secondary.
Round Six Pick 213 R Mason Thomas EDGE (Oklahoma)
Undecided on the NFL at this point in the college football season, but R Mason Thomas could be a good pickup late in the draft.
R. Mason Thomas has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, earning All-SEC honors by securing a spot on the conference’s second team. His impressive performance included a team-high nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
After overcoming injuries in his first two seasons in Norman, Thomas delivered a dominant breakout season with the Sooners, showcasing his ability to be a dynamic pass rusher in critical moments.
If integrated into the Cowboys’ defense, Thomas will undoubtedly become a significant pass-rushing threat.
Round Seven Pick 246 Cade Klubnik QB (Clemson)
Developing a quarterback could be in the cards for the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott has become injury-prone with two major leg injuries.
Cade Klubnik could be the ideal backup, learning from an experienced signal-caller such as Prescott. This could be a buy-low pick with exceptional upside for the quarterback room.
What does Cade Klubnik bring to the position?
Klubnik possesses the tools to develop into a solid signal-caller at the next level. His quick release and dual-threat capabilities provide a solid foundation for success in today’s NFL. Operating primarily from the gun in Clemson’s spread attack, Klubnik has shown improvement in full-field reads and decision-making in 2024.
Cade Klubnik is a formidable dual-threat playmaker who excels with his speed and escapability. With a gunslinger mentality, he possesses exceptional arm talent that allows him to deliver precise throws into tight windows.
His quick release renders pressure ineffective in the pocket, enabling him to maintain composure. Klubnik showcases impressive touch and arc on deep passes, particularly with back-shoulder fades.
He demonstrates remarkable off-platform throwing ability when plays break down and maintains a strong pocket presence, effectively extending plays with his legs. His aptitude for reading full-field progressions within an Air Raid-inspired system is noteworthy. As a natural leader, he has consistently proven his success at multiple levels.
This profile sounds like a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback who everyone wrote off because he was undrafted. That player is Tony Romo.
Could Klubnik be the next Romo? Unlikely, but if he is, this would be the cherry on top of a great draft.
This draft covers several areas of need and gives the Cowboys options at positions they have not previously had.
A draft like this could go down as a win for the Cowboys at the end of a terrible, injury-riddled season.