Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft
Round 5, Pick 179
Justin Hilliard, LB
Ohio State
We don’t know what the Dallas Cowboys are going to do at the linebacker position this offseason. Leighton Vander Esch has missed roughly 50% of the snaps over the past two seasons and Jaylon Smith appears to be chronically overpaid. LVE is safe for this year but Jaylon’s future is in doubt…
Dallas can find mild relief by making Jaylon a designated June cut (spreading the hit into 2022) but I think they want to see what the pair can do back in the old scheme and playing behind somewhat decent DT play in front of them.
That’s why I’m kicking the can here at linebacker and trying to take a stab at one of my favorite Day 3 guys in Justin Hilliard.
No player in 2021 draft helped himself more over past two months than @OhioStateFB LB Justin Hilliard (@JHilliard47). Former 5⭐️ overcame string of injuries to excel in CFP and was one of top performers Senior Bowl week. This drop & drive is exactly what NFL is looking for at LB. pic.twitter.com/9TMF7sgG8W
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 11, 2021
Hilliard was caught in a numbers game at Ohio State. They were loaded at LB and Hilliard often found himself the odd man out. But as his time drew to an end, he started playing his best football and really flashed at the Senior Bowl. Hilliard is a guy to keep an eye on.
Round 6, Pick 194
Khyiris Tonga, DT
BYU
The Dallas Cowboys don’t value 1-tech defensive tackles so they usually wait until the end of the draft or the end of free agency to address the spot. You’d think they’d learn their lessen after last year, but I’ve thought and said that before – on multiple occasions.
Tonga is a big guy with tremendous power and good gap control. He can play NT in an odd man front or 1-tech in a 4-3. He can 1-gap and 2-gap. He can do all the little things Dallas needs to fix their defense in 2021.