Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft: Trading up for a future All-Pro

Round 4, Pick 123

DE/OLB Alton Robinson

Syracuse

Alton Robinson is a familiar face in my mock drafts. At this point in the draft his value is great. And since there’s a limited quantity of pass-rushing edge players capable of playing right defensive end in a 4-3 and outside linebacker in a 3-4, I’m targeting Robinson. Especially since the Dallas wants to flip between the two fronts the nest couple seasons.

Robinson projects as a pass-rushing specialist at the pro level. He can play RDE in nickel packages and contribute in 3-4 as well as 3-3-5 packages. He may never be a good run stopper but those guys are easy to find. Natural ability to turn the corner isn’t.

Round 4, Pick 131

DT, Leki Fotu

Utah

Leki Fotu can go anywhere from the bottom of the 3rd round to the top of the 5th round. He’s a great player, teams just generally devalue those run-stopping 2-gap nose tackles in the draft. In the past, Dallas would never draft one. Rod Marinelli felt he could find these guys on the scrap heap. But with Marinelli gone, perhaps Dallas will have a change of heart.

I still don’t think Dallas will invest much in run-stopping tackle (Will McClay doesn’t seem to find great value in them either) but using a fourth rounder on a guy who can be an immediate contributor and future starter is pretty good value, even if he can’t pressure the quarterback.