Cowboys 7-Rd Mock Draft v2.0: Finding the X-Factor (2/7)
By Reid Hanson
Round 3, Pick 81
Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T
If you haven’t been following draft buzz this winter you probably don’t know who Brandon Parker is. Heck, you probably never heard of North Carolina A&T. But this is a guy you need to know. The 6’8” 310lbs tackle stood out in practice at the Senior Bowl and he’s moving up draft boards as we speak.
His hand work isn’t NFL-ready yet but his quick feet, size, and athleticism are starting left tackle quality. To think he could come in as a swing tackle this season and potentially take over full time a couple years down the road (when La’el Collins is a free agent or if, God-forbid, Tyron Smith is forced into an injury-induced early retirement).
I have made to secret I value the offensive line more than most. No single thing, not Zeke, not Dez, not Dak, negatively impacted the season more than the dysfunction on the offensive line. That’s why I have no problem using a Day 2 pick on an offensive lineman.
Depending who is assessing him, Parker has been going anywhere from the second round to the fourth. Consider me one of the former. Admittedly, I’m not a scout but from what I’ve seen, he looks like the real deal and most importantly plays nothing like Chaz Green.
Chad Rueter from NFL.com even listed Brandon Parker as one of his 15 non-Power-Five prospects that will be NFL Stars. Which is actually a great way to introduce the Cowboys’ fourth round pick…