Cowboys: 2023 Seven-round mock draft
The free-agency period has all but comes to a close for the Dallas Cowboys, and to say they shocked people would be an understatement. We saw the Cowboys make two very smart trades. Trades that allow them to stick to their draft strategy of choosing the best available player. It was no secret the Cowboys […]
The free-agency period has all but comes to a close for the Dallas Cowboys, and to say they shocked people would be an understatement.
We saw the Cowboys make two very smart trades. Trades that allow them to stick to their draft strategy of choosing the best available player.
It was no secret the Cowboys needed help at corner and wide receiver. With the addition of Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore, those needs are no longer a must-address in the draft. Now they can still add depth, but this can come in the form of a best-player-available approach.
So without further ado, let's get into it.
Round 1 Pick 26: WR Jordan Addison, USC
In this simulation, one of the best possible scenarios fell into the Cowboys' lap. That scenario is USC wide receiver Jordan Addison. Having a starting trio of CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, with Addison in the slot, and having Michael Gallup as your fourth option certainly isn't a bad place to be in.
Addison is a nuanced route runner, who knows how to attack a defensive back. He can separate at all levels of the field , and has exceptional footwork with his release package around the line of scrimmage.
Round 2 Pick 58: DT Siaki Ika, Baylor
The Cowboys tugged on the heartstrings of fans everywhere when they traded for defensive tackle, Johnathan Hankins. We already addressed how he bolstered their run defense following the trade. However, the Cowboys have yet to bring him back.
Luckily this draft presents some options for them. Let's bring in Baylor DT Siaki Ika. Ika is a massive human coming in at 6'3, 335 pounds at the combine. He can clog up the middle of the defense with ease, and anchors in very well against the run; becoming quite difficult to move. He is very powerful and can long-arm offensive linemen to work his way into the backfield. Oh, and he has shown some ability as a pass rusher.
Round 3 Pick 90: RB DeWayne McBride, UAB
The Cowboys made headlines with the release of former top-five overall pick Ezekiel Elliott. The emergence of a fourth-round pick, Tony Pollard helped make this possible. With Pollard back under the franchise tag, his future in Dallas is uncertain. They do have Malik Davis and Ronald Jones behind him, but it could be wise to add some competition. Let's add UAB RB, DeWayne McBride to the mix.
McBride has exceptional vision and contact balance. He forces a lot of missed tackles and could work himself into being the full-time starter if the Cowboys should part ways with Tony Pollard following this next season.
Round 4 Pick 129: iOL Atonio Mafi
At the moment, we only know of one Dallas Cowboys top-30 visit. That visitor is Atonio Mafi. So let's add him to the Cowboys' offensive line.
Mafi can either be used as a developmental player behind All-pro Zack Martin, or he can compete to start at left guard (depending on the Cowboys' plans for Tyler Smith and Tyron Smith). Mafi is raw as a pass protector often keeping his hands and feet tied together, having both stall out in the middle of a rep. He is violent, with a passion for finishing defenders into the dirt. He is a converted defensive lineman so that knowledge of hand placement translates over quite well. He is comfortable when he is asked to pull as a lead blocker.
Round 5 Pick 169: QB Clayton Tune, Houston
The Cowboys got reliable playing time from backup QB, Cooper Rush this year when Dak Prescott was sidelined with an injury. The Cowboys are only tied to Cooper for two more years, with a potential out after this year with a dead cap hit of less than $1 million if he is released. They have Will Grier on the roster, but let's add someone who can add some ambiguity to the QB room. let's add Houston QB, Clayton Tune.
Tune has all the makings of a modern backup QB in the NFL. He has flashes of accuracy, he is adequately mobile, smart with the football, all while having good pocket presence. His arm strength leaves a fair amount to be desired, and he doesn't get through his progressions at a high level.
Round 6 Pick 212: WR Shedrick Jackson, Auburn
Can I interest you in a sleeper? Perhaps one that has NFL bloodlines? Let's talk about Auburn wide receiver Shedrick Jackson. First and foremost he is the nephew of one Bo Jackson; one of the most legendary athletes of all time.
Shedrick put the NFL world on notice with his pro-day performance.
A 4.28 40-yard dash, makes him the second-fastest player in the draft. Shedricks' production suffered from the QB play at Auburn, so his real potential has not been reached. Taking elite athletes late in the draft is never a bad option.
Round 7 Pick 244: CB Isaiah Bolden, Jackson State
The starting rotation in the Dallas cornerback room appears all but locked up between Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmore, and DaRon Bland. The backups could use some work, however. If one of the starters goes down with an injury, the Cowboys are looking at adding Nahshon Wright, Kelvin Joseph, or Jourdan Lewis to fill the void.
Now Lewis isn't a bad player but he doesn't fit the prototypical Dan Quinn mold of a player. He swung for the fences on Nahson Wright just a few years ago, it has yet to pan out. How about we give him one more swing, this time we won't use a top-100 selection on it. Let's take Jackson State CB, Isaiah Bolden. Bolden started off his career at Florida State, before transferring over to Jackson State where he would be coached under Cowboys legend, Deion Sanders.
Bolden fits the Dan Quinn threshold as he has 32" arms. He is 6'1 193 pounds, and he is flirting with the 4.3s in his 40-yard dash. Bolden has all the flashes worthy of a late-round selection. He has good feet in press man, can disrupt routes as they come across his zone, very fluid hips, and has return experience. He can play on the outside or in the nickel and is a willing tackler.
To recap, here are the Cowboys' selections in this mock draft:
- Round 1 Pick 26: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
- Round 2 Pick 58: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
- Round 3 Pick 90: DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
- Round 4 Pick 129: Atonio Mafi, iOL, UCLA
- Round 5 Pick 169: Clayton Tune, QB, Houston
- Round 6 Pick 212: Shedrick Jackson, WR, Auburn
- Round 7 Pick 244: Isaiah Bolden, CB, Jackson State
