The 2022 NFL Draft is just a couple of weeks out, therefore, draft pundits are going to kick things into high gear over the coming days.

The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler is one of them. He recently released his seven-round mock draft for all 32 NFL teams and all 262 picks. Brugler is one of the most respected and most knowledgeable pundits in the country and his mock drafts always contain the most important aspects/factors when it comes to predicting a team’s future picks.

What does he have in mind for the Dallas Cowboys? Let’s dive in and find out.

Brugler has the Cowboys selecting the following players:

• Round 1, Pick No. 24 overall: OG, Zion Johnson, Boston College Eagles
• Round 2, Pick No. 56 overall: Edge, Sam Williams, Ole Miss Rebels
• Round 3, Pick No. 88 overall:TE, Jelani Woods, Virginia Cavaliers
• Round 4, Pick No. 129 overall: WR, Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech Red Raiders
• Round 5, Pick No. 155 overall: K, Cade York, LSU Tigers
• Round 5, Pick No. 167 overall: RB, Abraham Smith, Baylor Bears
• Round 5, Pick No. 176 overall: LB, Brandon Smith, Penn State Nittany Lions
• Round 5, Pick No. 178 overall: OT, Ryan Van Demark, UCONN Huskies
• Round 6, Pick No. 193 overall: DB, DaRon Bland, Fresno State Bulldogs

Best Pick: OG Zion Johnson

This shouldn't come as a shock. The Dallas Cowboys biggest need is on the offensive line. Zion Johnson is arguably the best overall interior lineman in this year's draft, and is a plag and play-type guard.

Johnson and Kenyon Green have been favorites to land with the Cowboys, given need and value with the 24th overall pick. With Johnson having started games at both guard and tackle in his time with Boston College, he displays plenty of positional versatility the team will likely need. Having dealt with injuries to Tyron Smith and Zack Martin the past few seasons.

He doesn't have the length or reach to probably play tackle despite playing there with the Golden Eagles. What he is an immediate starter at guard and could be a project at center, similar to how Connor Williams was used last off-season. Almost too good to pass up.

Worst Pick: K, Cade York

As far a players and their positions, Cade York isn't a bad pick based on his position. He could very well be the best kicker in this year's draft. But therein lies the issue: he's a kicker.

Taking a kicker with their first fifth round pick must be based on how much the need for a kicker exceeds the value of taking him just outside the top 150.

If York turns into the next Daniel Carlson or Evan McPherson, there's no harm. Both players were taken around the same time. However, with other needs still needing to be filled, taking a kicker with the first fifth round selection is a risky move.

Final Word

Landing two players in The Draft Network's list of the Top 75 prospects is fantastic, especially given how far back in each round the Dallas Cowboys have a pick.

Arguably, the five most pressing needs are guard, wide receiver, right end, edge rusher and nose tackle. All but one of these positions get filled with the first four picks. Given how the Cowboys have shown to devalue the nose tackle position, this makes plenty of sense.

With all of their day one and two picks looking like immediate starters and contributors, and all day three players looking like developmental prospects, this looks like one of the better drafts in since 2018. In the same breathe as 2020.

It's not the sexiest mock draft out there for the Cowboys, but hits on all major areas. Need and value by selection.

Featured image via Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports