The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine completed over the weekend, meaning new mock drafts are flooding the Internet. Not so surprisingly, one of my favorite “draft analysts”, Matt Miller, just dropped his Post-Combine mock draft. I always enjoy reading who he selects for the Dallas Cowboys because I think he has a good feeling for team needs, and he certainly didn’t disappoint with who we selected for America’s Team.
I like Matt Miller’s picks for the Dallas Cowboys, but I personally would’ve gone a little different direction if I’m being completely honest. There’s some players he passed on who I wouldn’t have. But, we will get to that later. First, let’s take a look at who he chose for the Cowboys with their first three draft picks.
Matt Miller’s Picks for the Dallas Cowboys
Round 1, Pick 17 – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
Round 2, Pick 51 – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
Round 3, Pick 82 – Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M
Analysis
Overall, there’s a lot to like about Matt Miller’s selections for the Dallas Cowboys. CJ Henderson would replace Byron Jones, Brycen Hopkins would replace Jason Witten, and Justin Madubuike would replace Maliek Collins. It all makes sense and would be a good draft haul for the Cowboys, but I don’t like the fact he passed up on a few really good players to make these selections.
For instance, Matt Miller decided to draft CJ Henderson in the first-round with Henry Ruggs III still on the board. Ruggs fell to 22 for the Philadelphia Eagles, which is even more disappointing. The Cowboys definitely need more CB depth, but I don’t think they should pass on a blue-chip, game changer like Ruggs. I think they can wait till the second-round to address the CB position.
My suspicion was confirmed when both Noah Igbinoghene (Auburn) and Cameron Dantzler (Mississippi State) were drafted right after Matt Miller selected Brycen Hopkins with the Cowboys second-round pick. I think Igbinoghene and Dantzler are both starting caliber CBs and possibly have more upside than CJ Henderson.
Getting Justin Madubuike in the third-round would probably be considered a draft day steal for the Dallas Cowboys. I personally have him ranked much higher, so much so I don’t know if he would be there at 51 for the Cowboys. So to get him this late in the draft would be a huge win.
