Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft: Cowboys add playmaking linebacker
It is now the offseason for the Dallas Cowboys. That means it is time to turn the page from the season to free agency and the NFL Draft. The NFL Draft isn't for a few months, but it is never too early to dive into prospects. Several major outlets have already released mock drafts that […]
It is now the offseason for the Dallas Cowboys. That means it is time to turn the page from the season to free agency and the NFL Draft.
The NFL Draft isn't for a few months, but it is never too early to dive into prospects. Several major outlets have already released mock drafts that are relevant to the Dallas Cowboys.
ESPN, The Athletic, and NFL.com have published mock drafts this week that are very interesting in relation to the Cowboys. Dallas has a handful of needs to address, and these mock drafts do a great job of filling in the holes.
Offensive line might be the biggest need for the Cowboys right now; however, defense needs some boost as well, considering what Dallas could lose this offseason.
COWBOYS ADD PLAYMAKING LINEBACKER
Daniel Jeremiah is one of the best in the NFL Draft game. His mock draft is always must-read, regardless of how early it is in the offseason.
Jeremiah sees the Dallas Cowboys adding to the defense in his first mock of the cycle, passing on some quality linemen in the process. Georgia star linebacker Nakobe Dean is the selection for the Cowboys.
Dean is one of my favorite players in the 2022 class. He oozes instincts and playmaking. However, his lack of ideal size (6-0, 225) will probably cause him to drop a little bit. Landing Dean this low would be a steal for the Cowboys. It would free them up to use All-Pro Micah Parsons more on the edge as a pass rusher.
Adding a player of Dean's caliber to pair with phenom Micah Parsons would be a dream scenario for the Cowboys.
DALLAS BOLSTERS OL
Offensive line, as mentioned above, is a serious need for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. Dallas needs to improve, especially in the interior, and it doesn't help that Connor Williams is set to hit free agency.
Look for the Cowboys to add an offensive lineman early in the draft, perhaps as early as the first-round. Dane Brugler of The Athletic sees Dallas grabbing Texas A&M lineman Kenyon Green at no. 24 overall.
Left guard Connor Williams, who probably played his final game in Dallas on Saturday, was a liability for most of the Cowboys’ wild-card game, and the 49ers took advantage. Although Green played predominantly at left guard for the Aggies, he also logged starts at left tackle, right tackle and right guard in 2021 and would give Dallas a versatile blocker who can fill in at several positions if needed.
Green played all over the line of scrimmage in College Station, so his versatility is extremely attractive.
PASS RUSHING GETS BOOST
Randy Gregory is set to hit the open market, and it remains to be seen if the Cowboys will bring him back in 2022. Therefore, EDGE rusher is another position of need for Dallas.
Mel Kiper of ESPN has the Cowboys grabbing Georgia defender Travon Walker, who many believe has an enormous ceiling.
Walker, who McShay recently called "one of the most underrated prospects in the class," stands out every time I watch the loaded Georgia defense. He can blow up tackles at the point of attack, and he has the physical traits to chase down ball carriers in the run game. At 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, he has some scheme versatility at the next level.
Walker, as Kiper pointed out, was one of several talented prospects on a stacked Georgia defense. Selecting a player of Walker's caliber at the back-end of the first-round would be a very good get.
We still have a very long way to go in the draft process, but these three mock drafts give us an idea of where the Cowboys could be looking come April.
Featured image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
