Now that free agency is in full swing, a clearer picture of the Dallas Cowboys draft needs and the type of player the new regime is looking for has emerged. The departures of Robert Quinn, Byron Jones, and Randall Cobb left gaping holes to fill at DE, CB, and WR. Safety and Defensive Tackle are still areas of need despite the signings of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Gerald McCoy, and Dontari Poe who are all short term solutions. The surprise retirement of Travis Frederick makes Offensive Line depth even more of a priority than it already was and the heatlh of Leighton Vander Esch could make linebacker a sneaky need more so than Tight End even. With an emphasis on defense, pass rush, ball skills, and special teams value, here is the Cowboys Coffee Talk 2020 Dallas Cowboys mock draft 2.0: The post free-agency edition.
ROUND 1, PICK #17……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
K’LAVON CHAISSON, DEFENSIVE END, LSU
(PREVIUS MOCK SELECTION: GRANT DELPIT, S, LSU) K’Lavon Chaisson is considered by many the second best pass rusher in the draft class and for this reason I predict that he will be selected before the Dallas Cowboys have an opportunity. However, in this scenario he was available and can be considered both the best player available, and he addresses a significant need following the departure of Robert Quinn. Chaisson is considered an explosive pass rusher with prototypical physical traits and extremely high potential for success in the NFL. He has had some injury issues in the past and his 6.5 sacks in 2019 is not overly impressive production. Those concerns tend to scare me personally as I am much less averse to risk for my preferential prospect but I would be more than happy if indeed the Dallas Cowboys selected Chaisson at this draft slot. After all, selecting 17th overall it is highly unlikely that the Cowboys will be able to draft a perfect prospect. If the Dallas Cowboys do miss out on a top tier pass rusher there could be options available in the 2nd round and Curtis Weaver of Boise State as well as Julian Okwara of Notre Dame are players that I am fond of personally.
ROUND 2, PICK #51……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
TREVON DIGGS, CB, ALABAMA
(PREVIOUS MOCK SELECTION: MARLON DAVIDSON, DL, AUBURN) Of all the position groups, it seems to me there is always more disagreement over the ranking of cornerbacks than any other position. Certain positions such as Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Offensive Tackle and Edge Rusher carry more weight and thus teams tend to reach more for those type of players. In contrast, each and every year there are quality cornerbacks, widely considered first round talent, that fall deep into the second round. That is why I anticipate that the Dallas Cowboys will be able to find great value on day two of the 2020 draft just as they did in 2017 when they selected Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis in the 2nd and 3rd round. In my opinion, C.J Henderson of Florida is the second best corner behind Jeffery Okudah of Ohio State. Those two are then followed by Kristian Fulton of LSU and Jeff Gladney of TCU. Trevon Diggs, the little brother of the Bills WR Stefon Diggs, is next best in my view. I would be thrilled if Diggs were to last until pick #51 of the second round and perhaps due to concerns over his speed he could be a likely candidate to be passed over up until that point. The Dallas Cowboys have been thin at cornerback the last couple of seasons but had great fortune in terms of injuries. After losing Byron Jones in free agency and having their two remaining best corners on the final year of their contracts, cornerback is a major need for them in the draft. Getting Trevon Diggs at pick #51 could be considered a steal for the Dallas Cowboys if it were to become a reality.
ROUND 3, PICK #82……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
JAMES LYNCH, DT, BAYLOR
(PREVIOUS MOCK SELECTION: MICHAEL PITTMAN, WR, USC) The Dallas Cowboys may have beefed up the defensive line with free agent additions Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe but these are both older players on relatively short term deals. They still need to address the defensive line and James Lynch would be an excellent understudy to the veteran McCoy. Lynch had a highly productive college career as a pass rusher proving to be a disruptive force for The Baylor Bears. Lynch could immediately provide depth for the Cowboys on the interior DL while potentially being groomed into a real difference maker for the future.
ROUND 4, PICK #123……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
K.J HILL, WR, OHIO STATE
(PREVIOUS MOCK SELECTION: JARED PINKNEY, TE, VANDERBILT) The Dallas Cowboys have an excellent one two punch at wide receiver with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup but with slot receiver Randall Cobb departing in free agency, they could use some help at that position. Fortunately for the Cowboys, the 2020 draft class is loaded at receiver. I anticipate that the Dallas Cowboys will be able to get excellent value in the later rounds and K.J Hill of Ohio State could be available for them in the fourth round. Hill does not possess great speed but he is an effective slot receiver who could potentially start right away as a replacement for Randall Cobb. In addition to his value as a slot receiver, K.J Hill has experience returning punts which would be would especially useful given the likelihood that Tavon Austin does not return.
ROUND 5, PICK #165……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
JOSH METELLUS, S, MICHIGAN
(PREVIOUS MOCK SELECTION; STANFORD SAMUES, CB, FSU) The Dallas Cowboys signed HA Ha Clinton-Dix as a free agent but only to a one year deal. Xavier Woods also has one year remaining on his contract. Other than second year man Donovan Wilson, the Cowboys do not have another safety on the roster. Josh Metellus of Michigan can provide depth at the position and could potentially carve out a role on special teams. Metellus is not averse to contact and showed impressive athletic ability at the NFL combine. Despite his athleticism and physicality, Metellus does not project to have a very high ceiling as an NFL prospect.
ROUND 5, (compensatory pick) #180……the Dallas Cowboy select………
TREVIS GIPSON, DE, TULSA
There are certainly needs at other positions for the Dallas Cowboys so double dipping at Defensive End is not ideal but in the late 5th round it is wise to take chances on developmental or high risk players. Players drafted here have little chance of making the roster so it is a good idea to try to find value. Gipson is not an elite athlete and he is a bit of a raw prospect but he has demonstrated an ability to rush the passer which is a valuable skill. With the Dallas Cowboys he could potentially claim a roster spot and contribute on special teams where he played early in his college career.
ROUND 7, PICK #233…..the Dallas Cowboy select………
GRAYLAND ARNOLD, CB, BAYLOR
Grayland is and undersized nickel corner who some say declared for the NFL draft a year too early. He does possess excellent ball skills and can contribute immediately as a punt returner on special teams.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT CANDIDATES:
- Cameron Clark, OT, Charlotte
- Qaadir Sheppard, OLB, Ole Miss
- Thakarius Keyes, CB, Tulane
- Evin Ksierzarcyk, OT, Buffalo
- Broderick Washington, DT, Texas-Tech
Prospect rankings and analysis based in part by information provided by…
NFL.COM 2020 Draft Prospects,;https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/prospects
Lindy’s Sports 2020 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
NFLTradeRumors.co https://nfltraderumors.co/2020-nfl-draft-prospect-visit-tracker/
WalterFootball.com https://walterfootball.com/prospectMeetings/byteam
*Photo by Tammy Anthony Bakerhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
And yet again a bunch of no names
Jerry Jeudy Or Henry Ruggs III there is enough defensive players to get later. Or get Dre Kirkpatrick and Ed Reid in FA