I don't know about you, but I like to look at way too early mock drafts throughout the season to see who the so-called “draft analysts” predict for each team. Matt Miller happens to be one of my favorite draft analysts and fortunately he just released his latest 2018 NFL Mock Draft.
Matt Miller has his ear to the ground and has a pretty good connection with NFL scouts around the league. He uses those connections for these mock drafts and bases each selection on what he's hearing from those teams instead of who he would personally choose. That's why I put a little bit more credibility in his mock drafts than others.
Let's take a look at who Matt Miller predicts the Dallas Cowboys will select with their first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Miller set the draft order according to each teams current record and the strength of schedule for the rest of the 2017 season.
19. Dallas Cowboys (4-3)
Holton Hill, CB, University of Texas
Surprisingly enough, draft analyst Matt Miller predicts the Dallas Cowboys will select a cornerback in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft despite using their second and third round selections in 2017 on CBs (Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis). Miller of course does state that this isn't necessarily the direction he would go. The selections are based on what he's hearing from teams around the league.
Here is what Matt Miller says about Holton Hill:
“The 6'3″, 200-pound junior cornerback has eye-popping tools and traits. Hill's arm length, toughness as a tackler and 4.5 speed might just remind you of a young Richard Sherman. On the year, Hill has two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns. He continues to impress with five passes defensed despite offenses staying away from his side of the field.”
Holton Hill is the first cornerback off the board in Matt Miller's 2018 NFL mock draft and certainly sounds like a player the Dallas Cowboys could use. He would add much-needed size to the position and could be the #1 CB they are currently lacking. The only concern I would have is his lack of straight-line speed. But, Miller using Richard Sherman as a comparison lessens the concern just a little.
I've personally watched Holton Hill play a few games this season, and I have to say I've liked what I've seen from him. He is exactly the type of CB Rod Marinelli likes in his system. Hill is equally as good in man-to-man coverage or zone, and prides himself on his physical tackling ability against the run.
Whether or not the Dallas Cowboys draft another CB early is still up in the air, but I certainly think it's possible. Orlando Scandrick might be playing his last year in Dallas and Anthony Brown has seemed to regress this season. Jourdan Lewis certainly looks like a keeper as does Xavier Woods, but Chidobe Awuzie's health issues make him an unknown at this point.
Given all the unknowns and youth at the cornerback position for the Dallas Cowboys, I believe Holton Hill will certainly be in play for them in the first round if available. Unfortunately, we have to wait until April to find out if this is true or not.
