New Dallas Cowboys’ 7 Round Mock Draft: All 11 Picks
By Reid Hanson
Oct 13, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat (44) looks to the sidelines during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners during the red river rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma beat Texas 63-21. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
We have to be realists don’t we? Jadeveon Clowney isn’t going to miraculously slip to the Cowboys at 16 or anything. To keep expectations realistic we used a Mock Draft Simulator through our friends at Fanspeak. We even ran the draft using player rankings from renowned NFL Draft Guru, Walter Football. We played this simulation by the book and things came out pretty darn well for the Dallas Cowboys.
Things looked a little rough at the start as Ealy, Donald, Pryor, Clinton-Dix, Mack, and Barr were all picked before the Cowboys went on the clock. The results left the Cowboys without a whole lot of options.
This draft simulation really earns its stripes as it progresses. Perfection? There is no such thing. That is why I’m calling this simply “successful”. The Cowboys addressed some major needs without reaching too much. They took advantage of bargains and found value, potential, and character in most cases. They balanced risk with safe and smart.
Follow with us through all 11 draft picks as we unveil what can realistically be seen as successful.
1st Round
DT Ra’Shede Hageman
6’6” 310lbs
Hageman has been a fan favorite of Dallas Cowboys fans this year. With Aaron Donald gone (along with Ealy, Mack, Clinton-Dix, Pryor, and Barr), the Cowboys are faced with a tough decision: Jernigan or Hageman.
Hageman has plenty of risk but also plenty of upside. Yes, he projects best as a 3-technique DT. Yes, the same position that was just filled by former Pro Bowler Henry Melton. But Melton is returning from knee surgery and is technically only locked in on a one year deal. Passing over a top talent in the draft (like Hageman) for a player who may never bounce back and maybe even gone in a year, is no way to run a draft.
Hageman’s talent and versatility will ensure he can find a spot on Rod Marinelli’s defensive line. Speaking of Rod Marinelli, both he and Stephen Jones have commented that they like the depth at 1 technique tackle this draft. One can assume they plan to address the 1 technique a bit later…