The Dallas Cowboys have a total of 10 picks in the 2018 draft. It is likely that Jerry Jones and co. will use that extra draft capital to make one or more trades but assuming the Cowboys do keep all of their picks here is CowboysCoffeeTalk.com 7 round mock draft 1.0 post combine addition. The free agency period is yet to begin so this mock is based on some popular assumptions on how the offseason will play out.
Round 1: Pick #19 … The Dallas Cowboys select…Da’Ron Payne, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
In this scenario, Tremaine Edmunds, Roquan Smith, Derwin James, Vita Vea and Calvin Ridley have already been selected. The available options are the plug and play guards Isaiah Wynn and Will Hernandez, potential 1st round receivers Courtland Sutton, Christian Kirk or D.J Moore, and some intriguing options at offensive tackle, linebacker, or safety. I am leaning towards Da’Ron Payne here since defensive tackle is as always a need on this team and there is no guarantee that David Irving will still be around. The Cowboys are notorious for refusing to draft a pure one technique in the early rounds but Stephen Jones did say that they would only consider a DT if they had some 3 Technique traits. Da’Ron Payne is certainly athletic enough to fit the bill but I am hoping that if they make this selection he is slotted at nose tackle and Maleik Collins slides back to under tackle.
Round 2: Pick #50… The Dallas Cowboys select… Anthony Miller, Wide Receiver, Memphis
At this point in the draft the Cowboys have addressed defensive tackle and they could possibly go safety, offensive line or linebacker. I think that the pickings will be slim for Guard or Tackle. At safety and linebacker there may be several options still available but I am imagining a run on WR’s from the late 1st round to the mid second round. Even if the rumors of Dez Bryant being a cap casualty are false the Cowboys could use some help there and they are clearly in the market to draft a wide receiver as they have been talking to a bunch of them during combine week. Anthony Miller is a guy who can play inside or outside, he is a feisty route runner and he can make difficult catches. He would be a great addition to Dallas’ receiving corps.
Round 3: Pick #81… The Dallas Cowboys select…Josey Jewell, Linebacker, Iowa
In the third round the Cowboys could look to add a swing tackle as they did in 2015 with Chaz Green. There could be some solid safeties available here as well but they do have several young safeties on their roster now and a new DB coach that could further their development. Their thinnest position could be linebacker, where MLB Anthony Hitchens will likely depart in free agency. Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith, who both come with injury concerns, are going to play WILL and SAM respectively so the Cowboys will need a capable player to step in and play right away. They will certainly add some depth in free agency but the selection of Josey Jewell here would be a prudent decision. Jewell is not the most athletic guy, but like fellow Hawkeye Anthony Hitchens before him, he is a solid football player who could contribute right away.
Round 4: Pick #116… The Dallas Cowboys select… Marcel Frazier, Defensive End, Missourri
You can never have enough pass rushers and Dallas recently had to release 2016 sack leader Benson Mayowa. DeMarcus Lawrence emerged as the long sought after “war daddy”and he won’t be going anywhere after signing the franchise tag but behind him there is a lot of unproven or wasted talent. Frazier has a high motor and good pass rush skills. He could be a rotational piece for now and maybe developed into an eventual starter.
Round 4: Pick # 137… The Dallas Cowboys select… Toby Weathersby, Offensive Tackle, LSU
After the Chaz Green debacle in Atlanta last season, it has become clear that Dallas needs to do something about the swing tackle position. With Tackle being a prime position, the Cowboys may have to reach to secure a player that they feel good about. Weathersby is an athletic right tackle who was used occasionally on the left side. He could potentialy compete with Green or another free agent acquisition for that swing tackle spot.
Round 5: Pick #171 and Pick #173…The Cowboys select Deshaun Elliott, Safety, Texas and Akrum Wadley, Running Back, Iowa
Deshaun Elliott could be a solid in the box safety but he also has a penchant for creating turnovers, something which the Cowboys defense has been lacking for years. He could be in the mix with some of the other young safeties, along with another potential low key free agent signing, for playing time and he could contribute on special teams as well.
Wadley is an undersized back but he is a dual threat as a runner and receiver. The Cowboys cut ties with Darren McFadden and will also likely lose Alfred Morris to free agency so it is highly probable that they address the running back position in the draft at some point.
Round 6: Pick #193… The Dallas Cowboys select JT Barrett, Quarterback, Ohio State
Jerry Jones has hinted that the Cowboys may look to draft another developmental QB to work behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. Barrett has limitations as a passer but the Cowboys have a lot of picks this year and have shown a willingness to take a chance on a potential playmaker in the past like they did with undrafted free agent Jameill Showers.
Round 6: Pick #208… The Dallas Cowboys select Tanner Carew, Long Snapper, Oregon
Longtime Cowboys long snapper L.P Ladouceur is a free agent and while long snappers do not usually get selected in the NFL draft, Tanner Carew is being talked about as a guy that could be drafted.
Round 7: Pick #236… The Dallas Cowboys select Marques Valdes-Scantling, Wide Receiver, South Florida
This guy is a raw athletic freak with rare size. Similar to when Dallas selected Rico Gathers in 2016, he is worth taking a flyer on if available in the late rounds.
*Photo by Marianne O’Leary https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode
Prospect rankings and analysis based in part by information provided in by…
NFL.COM 2018 Draft Prospect webpage http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/tracker#dt-tabs:dt-by-name
Lindy’s Sports 2018 NFL Draft Guide annual magazine, published by J. Lindy Davis. Jr and printed by D.M.D Publications Inc. 2100 Centennial Drive, Suite 100, Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35216