Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft: Trading up for a Quarterback
By Reid Hanson
The Dallas Cowboys trade Dak Prescott
The Trade: Dallas trades Prescott to New England for their 2021 first round pick and 2022 first round pick.
As we’ve recently discussed, the Dallas Cowboys can’t afford to let Dak play on the franchise tag in 2021. It almost guarantees he’ll test the open market next year (since Dallas can’t tag him a third time) and that all but assures his departure. I don’t have to tell Cowboys Nation, losing him for nothing is unacceptable.
Even his biggest haters in the fan base recognize Dak has high value around the NFL and he should garner a decent haul – even with the unresolved contract situation.
Dallas needs to re-sign Dak, but they haven’t yet, and if we’re being honest with ourselves, they may never. We cannot roll into draft weekend without the situation properly resolved.
New England is ready to bounce back. Bill Belichick won’t tolerate another year like 2020 and his top-ranked 2019 defense is getting their key players back in 2021 (NE had the most starting defensive players opt out last year). The franchise is flush with cash and ready to win now. They just need a QB.
In addition to their 2021 first rounder, they send their 2022 first round pick. They do so fully expecting to be picking at the very back of the draft. Dallas also expects to compete right away in 2021 – even with a rookie signal caller.
The NFC East is ripe for the taking and chances are they’ll just be swapping their low-20s pick ( to ATL) for NE’s high 20s pick. Dallas could have probably gotten more for Dak had they traded him the first week of March, but all in all this a good outcome considering they’re in damage control.
After the draft, Dak Prescott’s trade value immediately plummets. They have to put irons in the fire well in advance, so they can quickly pull the trigger (should they trade up for a new QB like in this scenario).
Dallas Cowboys Round 1, Pick 15*
Christian Barmore, DT
Alabama
The Dallas Cowboys are tempted to go a variety of ways here but given the depth at CB and the optimism surrounding La’el Collins and Tyron Smith, they opt to go DT. Barmore is the top 3-tech tackle in the draft and while he may stack up in the 20s, he has high enough value to a DT needy team like Dallas to take at 15.
*Updated at 8am 3/7/21