Dallas Cowboys Complete 7-Round Mock Draft (The ‘Boys Trade Back)

Dallas Cowboys Draft

Round 4, Pick 105

EDGE, Jaelan Phillips

The Dallas Cowboys always seem to have a need on the edge and this year is no different. With Tyrone Crawford expected to leave, and Aldon Smith possibly joining him, Dallas could use another rotational defensive end or two (especially since Dorance Armstrong has struggled to progress).

Jaelan Phillips is a guy who I think should be going much sooner than many draft sites are projecting. Phillips is a 5 star recruit with elite explosion on the edge. The 6-foot-5 258lbs edge rusher has a quick first step, Gumby like bend, and speed to turn the edge.

This season he’s logged 37 tackles, five sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. So why is a highly talented and highly productive player this far down in the draft? Injury history. Phillips has been injured more often than he’s been healthy and has a laundry list of issues that’s held him back until today.

Round 4, Pick 136

LB, Baron Browning

Here’s another guy I can’t figure out why he’s so low on draft boards. The fact that he’s consistently available in the fourth round is a head scratcher for me because, like Phillips, Browning is a good producer with an elite skill set.

The 6-foot-3 248 lb five star recruit from Ohio State has the build, speed, and athleticism of a top-end NFL linebacker. His play isn’t flawless but it’s nothing some more seasoning won’t fix. The jury is out on if Jaylon Smith comes back next season or gets cut. I suspect Dallas will give him one more season as they focus on adding girth inside at DT and freeing him to make plays. If that’s the case, Browning could find the perfect opportunity to ease into the job as he eventually becomes Smith’s replacement.

Browning looks the part of a starter and has the types of skills that make a Pro Bowl a possibly one day. What’s not to like in the fourth round?