Dallas Cowboys Complete Mock Draft: Big Guys and Big Trades
Dallas Cowboys Mock
2nd Round, Pick 44
Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
If there was any draft to not consider taking an offensive tackle in the first round, you could make the case that the 2021 draft class is that one. The Cowboys saw an abundance of offensive line injuries in 2020. With All-Pro Tyron Smith missing most of the season due to a neck problem, there is widespread concern from the fanbase on his aspirations to continue playing football.
This explains why Rashawn Slater has a popular pick in the first round; however, what this doesn’t explain is how much of a panic move this actually is. Last season, the Cowboys proved they were more than productive with Brandon Knight and Cam Erving as their swing tackles in large part due to OL coach Joe Philbin.
Even with them being the worst part of the offensive line, the rest of the line is Connor Williams, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, and La’el Collins. Those four players alone should provide enough security for fans that it isn’t imperative an offensive lineman need be drafted on Day 1.
In this case, we solve the “concern” with a Day 2 pick of someone who likely is a Day 1 prospect in other draft classes. The redshirt senior has started each of the last three seasons and has been a key cog in the rise of running backs Justice Hill and Chuba Hubbard. (That didn’t last very long, unfortunately)
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound right tackle plays as you’d expect a 6-foot-6, 320-pound man to play the position. He displays solid athletic ability, good play strength, long arms, good anchor, and a whole lotta competitive toughness. His pad level isn’t consistent nor is his use of hands and this allows him to get beat when rushers turn speed to power on a bull rush. He’s okay at moving in space isn’t always the most consistent at reaching his set points to maintain a half-man relationship with his defender but he still recovers because of his good grip strength that prevents defenders from breaking his grasp.
If you want someone with the size of Tyron Smith, Jenkins gives you that. He might not have the athletic ability or body type but he does give you everything else.
(See guys, we found a Pro-Bowl caliber left tackle in the second round. Stop panicking and taking Slater in the first round!)