Welcome to April! Not only does this turning of the calendar get us one month closer to football season, but we now enter an all-important draft month. Come April 27th, the NFL will take center stage once again, with the Draft being hosted at AT&T Stadium.
The Dallas Cowboys hold ten total picks in their home draft, and three inside the top 100. These picks are known as premium picks.
As we prepare for our final weeks of draft coverage, here is my latest projection of how the first three rounds could play out for the Cowboys.
Round 1, Pick 19 – Will Hernandez G UTEP
The Dallas Cowboys did not necessarily fill their need for a starting LG in free agency. Losing Jonathan Cooper to the 49ers, the team did sign swing tackle Cam Fleming and guard Marcus Martin – while retaining backup G/C Joe Looney.
Inserting another top draft pick into this line could pave the way for Ezekiel Elliott to rush the Cowboys offense back to form in 2018, as well as better protect third-year QB Dak Prescott.
Hernandez is a mammoth of an athlete at 6203 (6′ 2 3/8″) and 327 pounds, controlling the line of scrimmage with heavy hands and terrific movement ability given his size. A wall of Hernandez, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin up front in Dallas would change the Cowboys' identity on offense overnight.
Round 2, Pick 18 (50th Overall) – Taven Bryan 3T DT Florida
Earlier this week, Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli was seen working out Florida's Taven Bryan at the Gators' pro day. It remains to be seen just how much pull Marinelli will have on the team's draft decisions, entering a season that many expect to be his last.
Bryan is not just a patented Marinelli prospect though, with the traits to fill a need at the 3T position for the Cowboys. David Irving will be expected to take most of the team's snaps here, but mixing in a prospect with the raw speed and athleticism of Bryan would benefit the entire Cowboys' front seven.
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For more on Taven Bryan, you can check out my complete scouting report at Slant Sports.
Round 3, Pick 17 (81st Overall) – Anthony Miller WR Memphis
The Cowboys seem determined to add a wide receiver with one of their first two picks, given the names they've shown interest in. The likes of Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore, or Courtland Sutton would cost them these picks, but Memphis' Anthony Miller cannot be forgotten about.
Dealing with a foot injury through this draft process, Miller's tape is as impressive as any of the top pass catchers available in this 2018 Draft. For a Cowboys team still in need of another dynamic target, Miller would be an absolute steal at 81st overall.
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Miller's polished route running ability and vertical catch radius make him a true “put him on the field” prospect – able to contribute in Dallas as an X, Y, or even Z receiver.
Like Taven Bryan, you can read my full scouting report on Anthony Miller at Slant Sports.
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Cowboys Nation should be very excited if the first three rounds of their NFL Draft play out like this. Not only does each pick above fill a need, but it does so by also adding players with elite upside.
The Cowboys are in need of depth (holding seven picks in the remaining four rounds), but also the star power that Hernandez, Bryan, or Miller could someday add. As we continue to get even closer to draft night, I will have more projections and scouting reports right here at Inside the Star.
This mock draft was completed using Fanspeak's “On The Clock” simulator, and Matt Miller's Bleacher Report Big Board.
