Dallas Cowboys Final 7-Round Mock Draft: Prediction and Dream Scenario

Dallas Cowboys Dream Scenario

If you’ll remember, Dallas scored an extra pick this year from the trade with Chicago. In this scenario we picked CB Caleb Farley in the first round. Risky, I know. But provided he’s healthy, the move netted Dallas the best CB in the draft (Dallas wouldn’t consider him if they didn’t think he would recover), and added two high picks in return.

Realistic Dream Pick at 44: Richie Grant, SAF

The Dallas Cowboys don’t value the safety position. Stephen Jones essentially confirmed it during his most recent interview. So I really don’t see that changing anytime soon. But since this is my realistic dream pick, I’m going with safety Richie Grant.

I expect Trevon Moehrig and Jevon Holland to be gone at this point. That places Grant as the highest safety on my board and a good fit on the Dallas Cowboys defense.

Grant is one of the most versatile safeties in the class. He can play a variety of roles including in the slot, on the line, and as the all-important single high safety. He’s a smart player who impressed everyone at the Senior Bowl and he’s a true leader on the field and in the locker room.

We don’t know how this Dallas Cowboys defense will evolve the next few years but we know Dan Quinn uses a variety of coverages and schemes so getting a safety with a wide range of skills and abilities is a must.

Realistic Dream Pick at 52: Jabril Cox, LB

Assuming Baron Browning is gone here (otherwise he’s my pick), I’m swinging for a linebacker who brings a unique skillset to the mix – coverage ability .

Jaylon Smith is poor in coverage and Leighton Vander Esch is somehow even worse. The Dallas Cowboys desperately need a linebacker or two that isn’t a complete liability against the pass. That’s why they brought in Keanu Neal to play some WILL this season and that’s why I’m drafting the best coverage linebacker left on the board here.

Cox is a smart, high character player who plays well in space and can be an asset in both man and zone coverage. He has lateral ability and takes good angles. The downside is he’s not great with his run fits and will get washed out in traffic. To many Dallas Cowboys fans that’s a deal breaker, but I consider it completely manageable:

NFL teams pass more often than they run, therefore coverage is more important than run-stopping ability. Contrary to popular opinion, the Cowboys were hurt more against the pass than they  were against the run and the switch back to a single high scheme brings another defender into the box, further helping Dallas’ run stopping ability. Finally, everyone struggles against the run when the D-line play stinks and fixing that this season will help all of the Dallas LBs rebound.

As a rookie, Cox can be rotated evenly with Jaylon and/or LVE, but by Year 2, he should be a clear starter. He has elite ability in coverage and can play either WILL or MIKE depending on scheme and need. He’s a special player if used correctly.