Dallas Cowboys: Complete 7-Round Mock Draft V2.3
By Carl Daley
1st Round – 19th overall: Calvin Ridley (Alabama)/D.J. Moore (Maryland)
The biggest need on this roster is at wide receiver if we are being truly honest about the situation. The Cowboys have some depth along the defensive line and with Anthony Hitchens, gone linebacker does appear to be a need, however, the wide receiver group has struggled more than any other position.
Now a lot of that is on their star wide receiver, Dez Bryant, however, you cannot blame it all on number 88. Moore or Ridley would make an excellent selection at 19 and immediately make this offense more “Dak friendly” which is the goal of the offseason by the way.
No matter what you think of Ridley, he is fairly fast for a 6-foot wide receiver and has shown incredible playmaking skills during his time with Alabama. He is the top-rated wide receiver but his combine stats besides his forty time will likely push him down the draft board to Dallas.
The Cowboys could also take D.J. Moore, now this is not an attempt to hedge my bets but more rather what the team is likely thinking. Moore is basically the second number one receiver in this class and is a bit faster than Ridley.
His tape is just as impressive if not more and should be a big-time player in the NFL. A new number one wide receiver (or at the very least another productive one) is absolutely necessary because it is likely the Cowboys will have to deal with a lot of this Dez Bryant contract drama next season as well.
Expect the team to continue adding pieces through the draft and honestly, I would not be surprised to see them draft two receivers early. There are very few veterans available that the team could pay in free agency which is why they double dip in the draft.
Gaining leverage in the Bryant contract situation will be important but the bigger factor is getting wide receivers who can be productive on the football field. The Dallas Cowboys have met with both Ridley and Moore so it is likely that one of them will be the selection.
Drafting a guard here is a bit too high and there are other players that carry more value in the first round. The two best linebackers will most likely be gone and there is some doubt about both players.
Medical questions surrounding Roquan Smith and the lack of scheme fit with Tremaine Edmunds will likely mean the Cowboys wait on drafting a linebacker.
Alternate Pick: Derwin James (Florida State): I personally think the Cowboys should trade up for one of the more talented safeties in recent memory than go after Earl Thomas. But if James was to fall to the right spot, the Cowboys should not hesitate in selecting him.
He is one of the most prolific safeties if not the most in the class, and would immediately sure up this secondary. Taking a safety in round one is also viewed as not the best decision, however, James would be worth it if he could finally solve the problems on the backend of the defense.