With the help of Draft Network, CBSSports, and Matt Miller I decided to take a different approach when doing a seven-round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys. I used their prospect rankings and tried to select who I believe is the best fit for the Cowboys with each one of their draft picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
I know it’s not a perfect way of doing things because anything can happen on Draft Day, but it was interesting to see how differently these three draft resources rank this year’s draft class. With no cheating on my part, I pretended as if each of these prospects were slotted correctly and then drafted accordingly.
Let’s take a look at how things turned out…
Even though I used different prospect rankings from three different sources, you can clearly see the positions I was targeting for the Dallas Cowboys in this mock draft. I can honestly say I would be extremely happy if any one of these three mock drafts came true.
Let’s dive into this a little further so I can share with you why I chose each one of these players…
1st-round (17th overall)
CJ Henderson ranked 20th overall in Draft Network’s rankings and 18th overall in CBSSports’. He should challenge for a starting job from Day 1 and quite possibly be the Dallas Cowboys best CB as a rookie.
Zack Baun may be Matt Miller’s 31st overall in his rankings, but he was arguably the best player still available for the Dallas Cowboys in my opinion. He can play defensive end, linebacker, and be a core special-teams player. His value is his versatility.
2nd-round (51st overall)
Coming in at 51st overall in Draft Network’s rankings, Julian Okwara is an EDGE player who compares favorably to potential Top 15 pick K’Lavon Chaisson. He has a pro-ready body and skill set and if added with Randy Gregory and Tyrone Crawford, would be a formidable trio at RDE.
Antoine Winfield Jr. is 52nd overall in CBSSports rankings and should challenge for a starting job next Xavier Woods as a rookie. I believe he’s a Day 1 starter.
Noah Igbinoghene is Matt Miller’s 52nd overall in his rankings and I believe he somebody not talked about enough. I believe he’s not only challenges for a starting job as a rookie, but also upgrades the Cowboy special-teams as a return man as well.
3rd-round (82nd overall)
Kenny Robinson is Matt Miller’s 89th ranked player and one of my favorite safeties in this draft class. He’s taken an unconventional route to the NFL – two years at West Virginia, one year in the XFL – but he can play FS or SS and could challenge to start next to Xavier Woods as a rookie.
Darrell Taylor is a talented EDGE rusher who is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential and currently ranks 92nd over on CBSSports rankings. He’s likely not an immediate starter, but would be a good rotational/pass rush specialist as a rookie.
Bryan Edwards is currently 93rd overall in Draft Network’s rankings and is in the same mold of his former teammate Deebo Samuel. He has the versatility to play inside or out and would fit right in with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
4th-round (123rd overall)
Jordan Elliott is currently right 124th overall in Draft Network’s rankings. He adds much needed depth and is a potential Day 1 starter. He can play up and down the DL.
Leki Fotu is CBSSports 159th ranked player and can potentially push the newly signed Dontari Poe for the starting job. At the very least, he provides much needed depth at the 1-tech.
KJ Hill currently ranks 145th overall in Matt Miller’s rankings and should be able to step in immediately and replace Randall Cobb in the slot.
5th-round (164th overall)
Albert Okwuegbunam is a big, athletically gifted TE and currently ranks 169th overall in Draft Network’s rankings. He would provide much-needed depth and potentially push Blake Jarwin for playing time as a rookie.
Saahdiq Charles is an up-and-coming left tackle prospect and currently ranks 168th overall in CBSSports rankings. He would likely be the Cowboys swing tackle as a rookie, but could also be Tyron Smith’s eventual replacement.
Davon Hamilton is Matt Miller’s 170th overall rate player and one of my favorite DT prospects in this year’s draft class. It would be an absolute steal if the Cowboys can get him this late in the draft. I think he can challenge Dontari Poe for playing time as a rookie.
5th-round (179th overall)
Jacob Phillips is currently ranked 179th overall in Draft Network’s rankings. He’s likely a core special teams player as a rookie, but he could work himself into the LB rotation as soon as Year 2.
CBSSports shamefully has Quartney Davis ranked 203rd overall right now, so if he’s still available here for the Dallas Cowboys it would be a no-brainer. He is a precise router and likely steps in immediately for Randall Cobb.
Hakeem Adeniji is currently ranked 182nd overall in Matt Miller’s rankings and with the Cowboys he would likely take over for Cameron Fleming as their swing tackle. He could eventually replace Tyron Smith in a year or two with further development.
7th-round (231st overall)
Keith Ismael is Draft Network’s 235th ranked player and is someone who could provide more depth at center for the Dallas Cowboys. He’s probably best in a zone blocking scheme, but definitely talented enough to gamble on this late in the draft.
Dalton Keene is CBSSports 289th ranked player right now. He was a versatile weapon at Virginia Tech playing TE, H-back, fullback, and was even used as a personal pass protector. That kind of versatility could earn him a role as a rookie.
Matt Miller currently has Reggie Robinson III ranked 231st in his rankings, which is far too low in my opinion. Robinson played CB at Tulsa, but his future may be at safety in the NFL, which is where Miller has him right now in his rankings.
