Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft: Episode One (Filling Holes)

Round Seven – Zakhari Franklin – Wide Receiver – UTSA

With all the Dallas Cowboys needs at wide receiver, Franklin offers some things to fill at least one of the holes. With the speed drafted in Iosivas, Franklin offers route running and hands. He will need some work but can fill a role early if given the right opportunities. He may not wow you with speed, but he is a smart player that uses what he has to make plays.

Franklin is a sharp route runner who breaks quickly and can cause corners to be a step late recognizing he has changed directions. He seemingly always comes down with 50/50 balls and uses his body well to block out defenders. He projects as an outside receiver but can play inside where his route running and hands would help. He isn’t afraid to go over the middle and does well shielding the ball.

Franklin doesn’t always get the separation due to a lack of top-end speed. While he makes up for it in other ways, it will be a limitation on what he is asked to do. I believe he is quicker out of the breaks than sometimes it seems, but it’s something to watch throughout the draft process. He will sometimes make the easy look hard.

Dallas Cowboys conclusions and wrap-up

Kicker is a position to watch as the Dallas Cowboys go through the off-season, as they could use a late-round pick to get a new one if they feel the Maher “yips” will stick around. As usual, they will scour the undrafted free agents, and I do think cornerback, wide receiver, and the offensive line will be a focus then. They could look at quarterback really late in the draft to build a quality backup and potential replacement should they decide in the next few years to move on.

There is still a long road to the draft, but it is now time to start getting familiar with names. At this point, it is about finding players who fill specific needs and figuring out what those needs will be. The front office may need to use free agency as their draft and build philosophy has only gotten them so far.

Should they replace coaches we may see some of their current player traits change, which could change how they approach the draft. The offseason for the Cowboys has officially started.