Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft v2.0: Cowboys load up on both sides of the ball
The Dallas Cowboys are making one thing clear in free agency: They will build the team through the NFL Draft. This maintains their philosophy to fill holes in free agency and grab the best player of value come April. It's understandable why. The past two drafts have produced six full-time starters, three Pro-Bowlers and two […]
The Dallas Cowboys are making one thing clear in free agency: They will build the team through the NFL Draft. This maintains their philosophy to fill holes in free agency and grab the best player of value come April.
It's understandable why. The past two drafts have produced six full-time starters, three Pro-Bowlers and two All-Pros, alone. The results show what a great job Will McClay and the scouting department do. And this reaffirms the Cowboys' belief in their process.
Now, we are just about a month away from the NFL Draft. The Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine and heaviest names in free agency have come and gone. Now comes the college pro days, leading us to the NFL Draft in Las Vegas come April 28-30.
As we get closer to the event, we are starting to have a better idea of which teams are targeting which players, and which players fall to which rounds. Our first mock draft outlined major needs for the Dallas Cowboys and now we have a clearer understanding where they go.
Rd 1, No. 24 Overall: G, Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
One of the most mocked players to the Dallas Cowboys is Texas A&M guard, Kenyon Green. And for good reason. The Aggie team captain is a two-time All-American and has started games at nearly every spot along the offensive line; including both guard spots and even tackle.
If there's any other indication, he's already become one of the Cowboys' 30 visits. Not since Maurice Claiborne have they taken a first round pick on a player they didn't use an official visit on.
Green is a very flexible blocker, with a great first step out of his stance in pass protection and a very stout, powerful run blocker. Both are obvious areas of need for the Cowboys. His position versatility only makes him more valuable, given the question marks all around the current Cowboys offensive line.
After a strong pro day, Green has all but sealed the likelihood that he'll be called on night one of the draft.
Rd 2, No. 56 Overall: WR, Skyy Moore, Western Michigan
One of this year's best combinations of route running and speed comes by way of Kalamazoo, Michigan. A smaller receiver with so much big play ability, Moore had an impressive breakout season for the Broncos in 2021 with 95 catches, 1,292 yards and 10 touchdowns. All greater than his previous two seasons combined.
An effortless route runner, Moore is dangerous after the catch, making him a proper Amari Cooper replacement. The deep play he brings with Gallup is enough to give the Dallas Cowboys a consistent down-field component they often lacked in 2021. Moore's ability to separate and get open makes him a very Dak-friendly target early on.
Rd 3, No. 88 Overall: LB, Channing Tindall, Georgia
Tindall may not be the Georgia linebacker you were expecting, but he's the Georgia linebacker you deserve. Tindall is an athletic run defender who's also shown the ability to play well in coverage. Tindall has the skillsets to be a starter in a year or two. Playing behind players like Micah Parsons, Jabril Cox and Leighton Vander Esch, would allow him to develop and he could possibly make an impact in the current rotation.
He's a bit undersized at 6-foot-1, 220-pounds, but he plays with speed and toughness to overcome size discrepancies. Tindall has the skills and football intelligence to be a roaming player and play any LB spot in a Dallas Cowboys base 4-3.
Shown to be a good blitzer, expect him to be more of an inside defender, rather than play all over as Parsons does. He might be the immediate impact player Cowboys fans want, but he adds great depth to an injury-ridden core and plenty of speed.
Rd 4, No. 129 Overall: TE, Cade Otton, Washington
UW tight end Cade Otton is a two-headed monster and is one of this year's best combinations of blocking and receiving abilities at the position. The redshirt senior gabbed nine career touchdowns, while earning All-Pac-12 honors in 2020, despite a shortened season.
Otton is someone the Dallas Cowboys are already familiar with, having been one of the early players they met with at the scouting combine. He's only seen his draft stock rise since then. He's considered a late Day 2, early Day 3 tight end prospect.
Health is going to be a big factor in where Otton goes, having only played in eight games due to an ankle injury. He is, however, a good run blocker with high upside as a receiver, especially down the field. Cotton will likely take a year or so to fully develop his receiving skillset, but is in a strikingly similar situation to Dalton Schultz when he was drafted.
As we all know, that turned out well.
Rd 5, No. 155 Overall: DL, Otito Ogbonnia, UCLA
Osa Odighizuwa's teammate, Otitio Ogbonnia is one of the most athletic players at the nose tackle position in this year's draft. Not only is he one of the better run-defending tackles in the draft, but he's a two-time Texas State Champion shot put thrower and he even finished 10th as a college player in 2019.
Ogbannia, like Quinton Bohanna, is a developmental project as a nose tackle. He's got plenty of upside as an interior defender, despite not much burst off the snap.
He's a strong prospect who's a rotational piece to start, but could turn into something more.
Rd 5, No. 167 Overall: Edge, Dominique Robinson, Miami (OH)
![University of Akron's Michael Mathison gets past Miami RedhawksÕ Dominique Robinson after a first quarter pass on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 in Akron, Ohio, at InfoCision Stadium. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal] Zips Miami3](http://atozsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/8573-syndication-akron-beacon-journal.jpg){kind=tracking}
Dominique Robinson is a player with incredible athletic upside. Recruited as a QB, he played his first two seasons as a tight end/wide receiver before switching to edge in 2020 and breaking out last season. While still very raw as a pass rusher, he still has that burst of a skill position player.
Patience is key with Robinson, but there will be a team who takes a player like him in the draft. A project player who might be the Dallas Cowboys defensive version of Rico Gathers. He's got a ways to go before he can be a full-time rotational end, but could pay dividends in the next 1-2 seasons.
Rd 5, No. 176 Overall: OT, Max Mitchell, UL-Lafeyette
With Terrence Steele now plugged in as the starting right tackle, the Dallas Cowboys need a new swing tackle to develop. Enter Max Mitchell. The Rajun' Cajun, while playing for a smaller school, has been big-time when it comes to his on-field play. Mitchell has the frame and lateral quickness you love to see from a third team All-American.
Mitchell has the experience at both left and right tackle, as well. A continuing criticism of Mitchell has been his lateral strength. He's got potential to be a starter one day for either side, even possibly as Tyron Smith's suitor.
Rd 5, No. 178 Overall: DB, Kalon Barnes, Baylor
The Dallas Cowboys like to take local players on Day 3. Kalon Barnes, while a smaller defensive back, is the fastest defender in this year's draft. The former state champion 100m dash runner has displayed good coverage skills, making plays down the field.
Year one, Barnes is a likely candidate for special teams. He's got great straight line speed, but his lateral movement needs improving before he can find time on defense. He also needs to improve on his tackling skills, too often trying be an 'ankle biter'.
Even if he's this team's next CJ Goodwin, the fifth round is great value for a player who can alter field position and potentially be a solid deep defender given time.
Rd 6, No. 193 Overall: DB, Nick Grant, Virginia
One of the best things Nick Grant can bring a team is his versatility. Having played games at nickel and both safety positions.
Grant's asset is his wide skillset. He has solid ball skills when in the area of the receiver, and tackling skills that could allow him to play some in the box.
He's a great run stuffer as a safety, who can read out a play and always be present near the ball. He's got average size (6'0" 190-pounds) and isn't as fast as teams would want from him, but makes up for it with his on-field play.
Even if he's a niche player, primarily playing special teams and coming in on obvious running situations, he's worthy of a sixth round pick. Giving the Dallas Cowboys depth at safety, in the area of the draft where they typically select them.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
