Well, the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers officially put a stamp on the end of the 2019-2020 season. All in all it was a rather disappointing year for the Dallas Cowboys, but there is a renewed optimism surrounding this team heading into the future. It's that future I want to take a look at today.
With the future in mind, I thought I'd go ahead and attempt to predict what the Dallas Cowboys 2020 NFL Draft could look like in my latest seven-round mock draft. Let me know what you think in the comment section located at the end of the article and feel free to share your mock drafts as well.
Round 1
Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Maurice Linquist, the Dallas Cowboys new secondary coach, apparently wants “ballhawks” at the safety position. Well, there's not another safety in the 2020 draft class with the same kind of range and ball skills as former LSU Safety Grant Delpit. Delpit is fluid in coverage and his rare blend of skills might be exactly what Linguist is looking for. The only knock on his game is his inconsistency as a tackler, but fortunately that's something Linquist emphasizes as a coach.
Round 2
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Noah Igbinoghene is a cornerback Dallas Cowboys fans might want to get more familiar with. The 5'11”, 200 pound former Auburn Tiger could end up being one of the best CBs to come out of this draft class. His athleticism and elite coverage skills jump out on film. It's easy to see why he was recruited to Auburn for both track and field and as a wide receiver. It took two seasons at WR before he found his true calling at CB and he's been on the rise ever since.
Round 3
Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
The Dallas Cowboys have shied away from drafting small school prospects over the years, but they may want to make an exception for Adam Trautman. He proved at the Senior Bowl, both in practices and in the game, that he is more than capable of being a starting caliber TE in the NFL. I believe he is one of the few complete TEs in this year's draft class and could challenge for starting job as a rookie. I'd personally let him and Blake Jarwin battle it out to be the Cowboys TE1.
Round 4
James Lynch, DT, Baylor
James Lynch is one of the most underrated pass rushers in the 2020 draft class. He played as a 3-4 defensive end at Baylor, but I think his future in the NFL is at defensive tackle. His tenacious play and nonstop motor would make him an excellent 3-tech in the Dallas Cowboys 4-3 scheme. But if Mike Nolan wants to give some 3-4 looks, Lynch has ability to play the 5-tech as well. I believe he is a versatile chess piece that could be moved up and down the defensive line.
Round 5
Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
Watching Quintez Cephus' film gives me Michael Gallup vibes. Both receivers are nearly identical in size and play with the same kind of physicality. In any other year Cephus would likely be drafted a round or two earlier but will likely to slide due to the depth of the WR draft class this year. He was utilized all over the formation at Wisconsin and could do the same with the Dallas Cowboys. I think he would fit in perfectly with Gallup and Amari Cooper as the WR3.
Round 5 (Comp. pick)
Cameron Brown, LB, Penn State
Right now only Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are the only proven linebackers on the Dallas Cowboys roster. They could definitely use some more depth at the position and Cameron Brown is a versatile player capable of playing all three LB spots. He was used all over the defense at Penn State, even split out in coverage, which is arguably his best trait. I can see a specific role in mind for him as a rookie, quite possibly matching up against athletic TEs in the passing game.
Round 7
Tyler Bass, K, Georgia Southern
With the Dallas Cowboys final pick in the 2020 NFL Draft I decided to select a kicker to solidify the position for years to come. Tyler Bass isn't receiving the same kind of attention as Georgia Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, but he's not only just as good, but might be better. He has a strong right leg, which he showed off at the Senior Bowl when he split the uprights on all four of his extra points and two field goal attempts, including a 50 yarder. He's a weapon the Cowboys can definitely use.
