Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft: Final Edition

The Dallas Cowboys embark on the 2017 NFL Draft tomorrow, based on their wants, needs, and activity, this is what I predict to be their draft.

Mock drafts are inherently ridiculous endeavors. The Dallas Cowboys, like every other NFL team, wisely disguise their intentions every step of the way. Thus leaving prognosticators like me, not only in the dark, but often times, misled.

Even still, actions speak louder than words and the Dallas Cowboys’ actions have spoken painfully loud this offseason.

Case in Point: The Secondary

The Dallas Cowboys did not lose members of their secondary this offseason. They allowed them to go. Completely uncontested, I might add. Some may say these were the actions of a cap-strapped club, but the Cowboys, masters of financial manipulation, could clear oodles of cash simply by restructuring easy contracts.

But even still, the Cowboys let 2,656 snaps walk out the door and did little to address it in free agency.

Since 80-90 percent of most teams’ draft boards are intact by February, the Cowboys likely knew what they were going to be doing in the draft before they let their guys go in free agency. That’s why, against my better advice, the Cowboys will be going cornerback with their first pick.

Whether the Cowboys trade back into the second round (which is a distinct possibility) or stay pat at pick 28, I would put money on CB being the top selection. It doesn’t matter how many praises I sing for T.J. Watt, Taco Charlton, or Takk McKinley the Cowboys don’t give a rat’s behind what I want.

So here it is. Here is my Final Mock Draft on one page. As you’ll see, majority were pre-draft invites and all were interviewed.

Round 1: Adoree’ Jackson, Cornerback, USC

Adoree’ Jackson is quite possibly the best athlete of the entire draft. At 5’10” 186 lbs, he isn’t the biggest. And his 4.42 speed isn’t the fastest. Yet, he’s found a way to dominate opponents both in coverage and on special teams. He’s a play-maker and game-changer and an instant starter on the Cowboys on the outside, in the slot, and in the return game.

Round 2: Derek Rivers, Defensive End, Youngstown State

If the Dallas Cowboys select a CB in round one, and wait until late in the second to make their second round pick, the 6’4” 248lbs edge rusher, Derek Rivers, is their man. Serving as their primary pass rushing right defensive end, Rivers will give the Cowboys something they are missing given the Randy Gregory suspension.

Note: If the Cowboys went with an edge rusher in the first, look for someone like CB Teez Tabor.

Round 3: Fabian Moreau, Cornerback, UCLA

In drafting the 6’0” 206lbs Fabian Moreau, the Cowboys get more than just your average 3^rd round player. Moreau only falls this far because of a torn pectoral that may delay the start of his pro career. Dallas will need to be patient but will no doubt be the ones laughing when Moreau establishes himself as one of the league’s best up-and-coming cornerbacks.

Note: If already off the board look for CB Cordrea Tankersley.

Round 4: Tedric Thompson, Free Safety, Colorado

Dallas loves athletic freaks who dominate the SPARQ scores but Tedric Thompson may be the exception. His 15% SPARQ drops him down to the bottom of the safety list but his actual college film and statistics (which make him the best of the class) trump those scores to some degree here. He can’t play single high but he can ball hawk in cover-2 which should fill the void left by J.J. Wilcox just fine.

Note: Don’t overlook OT Julie’n Davenport at this point in the draft.

Round 6: Aaron Jones, Running Back, UTEP

Aaron Jones isn’t a popular name floating around the league but like every single guy on this list, he’s had meetings with Dallas brass and fits what the Cowboys are trying to do. The jack-of-all-trades can be situational or change of pace and most relates to the playing style of Ray Rice. On top of it all he can return kicks which could save Adoree’ Jackson from needless contact on 50% of special teams.

Round 7: Brian Allen, Cornerback, Utah

Here’s the poor man’s Kevin King. I know Dallas loves Kevin King but I think they are going to pass on him in the first round because of this kid.

At 6’3”, 215lbs, 34 inch arms, and 4.48 speed Brian Allen is physically a Kevin King and Richard Sherman clone. Since Rod Marinelli loves playing press and trail coverage, tall CBs like Sherman/King/Allen are tailor made for the Cowboys. He’s a project player but one with a high ceiling.

Round 7: Brendan Langley, Cornerback, Lamar

At 6’0”, 201lbs, 32 inch arms, and 4.43 speed Lance Zierlein relates Langley to Anthony Brown. Langley could go anywhere from the fifth to the seventh round so he could be off the board at this point which would open the Cowboys up to a number of options like: a Y-tight end, a speed WR, a G/C combo, or a coverage-based MIKE. Very rarely do NFL Teams go purely Best Player Available but it will be the case for the Cowboys late in the draft.

Next: Why Trading Back is an Extremely Viable Option

I sincerely believe that the Dallas Cowboys will trade back at some point (very possibly the first round) to accumulate picks. I won’t mock that because it opens up an entirely new realm of unpredictability. With that said, do not be surprised to see Dallas move back 10 spots from any round anywhere throughout the first half of the draft.

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