Dallas Cowboys Complete 7-Round Mock Draft: Pre-Free Agency Edition
The Dallas Cowboys are about to start free agency, and during this time rookies will also be trying to impress scouts during the Pro Day tour of schools the NFL is running this year. Without knowing what the Cowboys do in free agency we will again not have trades in this mock draft and assume the Cowboys hold on to some of the bigger needs of the team. Let’s clarify how the mock was created before we begin.
The board used was my own and we are using the “Best Player Available with respect to needs” model. Multiple runs through The Draft Network, Pro Football Focus, and Pro Football Network was used and the most often picked player is the name you see listed here. I am assuming the Cowboys keep Dak Prescott and do not need a quarterback. Let’s get into the draft.
Before free agency starts, we take one final stab at a mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys.
Side Note: It is projected the Cowboys will have ten picks.
Dallas Cowboys Round One
Jaycee Horn – Cornerback – South Carolina
I was targeting either Surtain or Farley, but without trades both were gone and I was staring at offensive tackle, quarterback, wide receiver, Horn, or linebacker. While linebacker could be the pick, I am assuming Chidobe Awuzie doesn’t return and corner becomes a bigger need. Horn is rising up boards and could end up a top fifteen player before the draft. With the news about La’el Collins and Tyron Smith already getting ready, I pushed the offensive tackle need down a little.
Horn is shooting up boards with his ability to play press coverage and ability to stick with the most physical receivers. For as good as Horn is in press coverage, he is just as good in zone coverage. Horn does well to get into passing lanes and reads the play well. Horn isn’t the fastest corner, but his physicality off the line helps him a ton, off-man coverage may be a small issue early on. However, Horn looks like he could develop into a corner who can be left on an island and be the top corner on a team.
Horn can get a little grabby as the route gets longer and his hips can be a little tight at times. His ability to stick with a receiver in man coverage shows that if he can fix the grabbing he could be corner to put on the number one receiver. He won’t wow you in run support, but that isn’t why you draft him. He has decent ball skills to disrupt passes, but creating turnovers has not been his strong suit.
Other picks: Patrick Surtain and Rashawn Slater