The Super Bowl is over and it's officially draft season around the NFL. What does this mean for us? It's time for mock drafts!
We've been working hard at delivering scouting reports over the last couple of months and those will continue, but today I bring you my first Cowboys specific four-round mock draft of 2018. I drafted multiple times using FanSpeak's On The Clock simulator, and tried to put this together by using the “average” of those picks.
Let's get into the mock.
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R1/19 – DAL: Derwin James, Safety, Florida State
The Cowboys continue to overhaul the back-end of their defense in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by selecting Derwin James. James was a do-it-all player at Florida State, and should be able to play a similar role in the NFL. The Cowboys clearly want this type of player – a freakishly athletic box safety who can play everywhere on the field – and James fits the bill. He could potentially be Kris Richard's Kam Chancellor type player in Dallas.
If you're drafting Derwin James in the first round, you're most likely betting on his traits over his tape, but even his floor is relatively high and worthy of a 19th overall pick.
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R2/50 – DAL: James Daniels, Guard, Iowa
With their second selection in the draft, the Cowboys find a new starting left guard. Iowa offensive lineman James Daniels can play both center and guard, and should be an immediate plug-and-play guy in the Cowboys' zone blocking scheme. He is excellent blocking on outside zone plays, something which have become a staple of the Cowboys running game through the years.
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R3/81 – DAL: Cedrick Wilson, WR, Boise State
Cedrick Wilson is a 6'3″ wide receiver who simply makes plays. His size and length give him a red zone presence which should take some pressure of Dez Bryant, and his ability to create separation vertically would help him win the WR2 job in Dallas from day one. Wilson is a solid route runner and consistently created yards after catch at Boise State. He would be a welcomed addition to the Cowboys wide receiver room.
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R4/118 – DAL: Kemoko Turay, EDGE, Rutgers
Rutgers defensive end Kemoko Turay is my guy, so when available in the fourth round, I had to take him. Turay is an explosive edge rusher who has the ability to be the WDE the Cowboys need opposite of DeMarcus Lawrence. He's a bit of a project, but he could provide excellent value in the fourth round for a team which needs pass rushers.
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R4/136 – DAL: Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
Like Wallace, Kalen Ballage made a name for himself at the 2018 Senior Bowl. Ballage is a big and athletic running back, but his lack of college production worries scouts. What did he show in the Senior Bowl? Well, behind the right offensive line and with talent around him he can perform well. He'll have that just in Dallas and can be productive as RB2/3 behind Ezekiel Elliott, playing in the Lance Dunbar role.
He is a good receiver out of the backfield, something the Cowboys' offense has missed greatly since the departure of Dunbar.
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R4/139 – DAL: Levi Wallace, CB, Alabama
Levi Wallace is a former walk-on at Alabama who earned a scholarship and ended up starting on one of the nation's best defenses. Wallace has a skinny frame, but at 6'0″ he possesses the height of a good NFL corner. Wallace plays with refined technique in coverage and is an incredibly competitive player. He may not be a starter in Dallas, but they can afford to add more depth in the secondary, especially depending on whatever happens with Orlando Scandrick.
