Dallas Cowboys: Full 7-Round Mock Draft
For all the woes of being a supporter of the Dallas Cowboys comes with, the draft isn't one of them. The organization is notoriously well-run in scouting and drafting areas, lead by Will McClay. The past two drafts have produced six full-time starters, three Pro-Bowlers and two All-Pros, alone. So far. Who could forget Micah […]
For all the woes of being a supporter of the Dallas Cowboys comes with, the draft isn't one of them. The organization is notoriously well-run in scouting and drafting areas, lead by Will McClay.
The past two drafts have produced six full-time starters, three Pro-Bowlers and two All-Pros, alone. So far. Who could forget Micah Parsons' reaction to being drafted by Dallas?
With all the uncertainty in free agency, as well as active players, it's unknown just how different this team will look in 2022. The good news is the draft has plenty of quality depth at key positions the Cowboys will address.
This mock draft is still early, without compensatory picks yet announced. Given the current needs, the holes that could be made later and the trends the Dallas Cowboys use, this is a good scale for how the real selections could end up.
Rd. 1, No. 24 Overall: LB, Nakobe Dean, Georgia
![Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) almost intercepts a late fourth quarter Florida pass near the end zone. The Florida Gators fell to the Georgia Bulldogs 34 to 7.in Jacksonville, Florida Saturday, October 30, 2021. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union] Syndication Gainesville Sun](http://atozsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/8684-syndication-online-athens.jpg)
Cowboys fans might have mixed feelings about taking a linebacker first for the second year in a row. However, the 2021 Butkus Award winner helps by theoretically in filling two holes on the defense.
Parsons is the team's best pass rusher, but flexes between an off and on-ball linebacker. The issue really stems from when Parsons is doing only one aspect of his game.
The linebacker core is decimated. Jaylon Smith is gone and both Leighton Vander Esch and Keanu Neal are free agents. Jabril Cox is assumed to take a bigger role in Year Two, but it's never easy to return to form after a torn ACL. Even with a high ceiling.
On the edges, Randy Gregory is due a new contract and DeMarcus Lawrence's future is in question.
Obviously Parsons can't play both, but having the Georgia star back there allows the breathing room to continue to use Parsons in his current role. Giving the Cowboys no setbacks in pass rush, or in in coverage.
Rd. 2, No. 56 Overall: OL, Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Here's the truth: the Dallas Cowboys offensive line is living off reputation. Outside of Zack Martin, there's big question marks over the future, health and skill along the front. It needs to get better and younger.
Darian Kinnard is an All-American and a two time All-SEC offensive tackle with plenty of positional flexibility. Having played both tackle spots, he even showed his ability play at guard in the Senior Bowl.
Likely losing Connor Williams, and the annual health issues of Tyron Smith makes both spots a need, and both spots seemingly filled in case. Especially in the run game where he posted a 91.8 run blocking grade in 2021, according to PFF.
Given the struggles the Dallas Cowboys had running the ball, staying healthy and pass protection as the season progressed, Kinnard is a win-win-win.
Rd. 3, No. 88 Overall: WR, Khalil Shakir, Boise State
What would a Cowboys draft look like if it didn't have any Boise State players? In fact, since 2007, their have been five Broncos selected by Dallas. More than any other franchise.
The future of the Cowboys wide receivers is a mystery. Michael Gallup, Cedrick Wilson, Noah Brown and Malik Turner are free agents, and Amari Cooper may have played his last snap in silver and blue.
Khalil Shakir had a productive career in Boise, finishing with the fifth-most receptions (208), fourth-most yards (2878) and fifth-most touchdowns (20) in program history. With Shakir, the Cowboys would have one of the better route runners in the draft, with plenty of athleticism go with it.
Even if Dallas is able to retain one of their free agent receivers, assuming they let Cooper go, it creates a hole at the position. As it stands, the only for-sure players going into 2022 are CeeDee Lamb and Simi Fehoko. Not only does adding Shakir fill the depth, it secures plenty of reliable weapons in the passing game.
Rd. 4, No. 126 Overall: DT, John Ridgeway, Arkansas
The Dallas Cowboys seem to ignore nose tackles in the draft until day 3. Instead opting for athletic 3-techniques. With Ridgeway, he's right there in that sweet spot of athletic defensive tackle, who can also play the 1-technique spot.
Carlos Watkins and Brent Urban are both free agents, and Quinton Bohanna is going into his second season. Currently, the ideal starting tackles would be Osa Odighizuwa and Neville Gallimore, their best tackles.
With John Ridgeway comes a 6'4" 330-pound transfer from Illinois State to Jerry Jones' alma mater. Similar to Odighizuwa, he's got a wrestling background, with a strong, powerful frame. Strong enough to play the run, rip off blocks, and even rush the passer.
What the Dallas Cowboys need is a reliable player who can rotate inside, and play the run. If it so happens to be Ridgeway, that would also include starter potential down the line.
Rd. 5, No. 165 Overall: TE, Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin
Dalton Schultz is likely to get a big pay raise this off-season. Whether it's free agency or from a potential franchise tag, Schultz is going to make much more money in 2022.
With Blake Jarwin and Sean McKeon both coming off injury, it's unlikely Dallas only goes in with just two tight ends at the position. A Day Three developmental player, with plenty of upside like the Wisconsin product would be a perfect fit.
Coming out of Wisconsin, Ferguson is well established as a run blocker. Even more impressive is how developed he is as a receiver. While he doesn't always run the crispest routes, he's got very good hands and is competitive with defenders. Regardless of if the ball's in the air or his hands.
Tight end is another position the Dallas Cowboys don't value as much as others. Since drafting Jason Witten in 2003, they've picked nine tight ends. Five being drafted in the fourth round or later.
This year's draft is stocked with plenty of quality tight ends. Having a one like Ferguson might not help for 2022, but could become what the Cowboys have gotten from tight ends in recent history.
Rd. 5, No. 178 Overall: S, JT Woods, Baylor
There will be plenty of high quality safeties early in the draft like Michigan's Daxton Hill, among others. However, history suggests the Cowboys won't touch a safety early.
In the last 20 years, Roy Williams is the only safety to be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first two rounds. Since then, J.J. Wilcox is the highest safety drafted, being taken in the third round (Byron Jones played and was drafted as a cornerback).
JT Woods is an interesting prospect. While not as noteworthy as his teammate Jalen Pitre, Woods does offer plenty of traits that make him a fit in this defense.
He's got the ideal Dan Quinn size for a defensive back (6'2" 190-pounds), and displays a combination of athleticism and ball skills. All things necessary to improve on the high number of down-field plays the defense gave up.
The defense doesn't currently have anyone on the roster who can play deep safety. With both Malik Hooker and Damontae Kazee hitting free agency, Woods fills a need on a scheme he could thrive.
Rd. 6, No. 201 Overall: OT, Myron Cunningham, Arkansas
A trend the Dallas Cowboys going back to 2017 is that they select a pair of college teammates. In 2022, why not go for a pair of large men from Jerry Jones University?
As mentioned earlier, the offensive line needs depth and it needs to get younger. In Myron Cunningham, they'll get a 3-year starter who's played both tackle spots as well as inside.
Close to Kinnard in size (6'6" 325-pounds), Cunningham offers much as a flex player would could develop into a starter. He could be another Terence Steele, lying in wait to take over. He's a steal on Day Three.
Featured image via-Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
