The NFL Draft is less than one week away and the Dallas Cowboys have several needs to fill. 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. In addition to those areas of need, the front office has been doing their due diligence on other positions such as Linebacker, Running Back, and even Quarterback interviewing players like LB Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma), RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU), and QB Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma). With an emphasis on defense, pass rush, ball skills, and special teams value, here is the Cowboys Coffee Talk final 2020 Dallas Cowboys mock draft.
ROUND 1, PICK #17……the Dallas Cowboy trade pick #17 to the New England Patriots for pick #23 and pick #87…………….
ROUND 1, PICK #23……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
KRISTIAN FULTON, CORNERBACK, LSU
(PREVIUS MOCK SELECTION: K’LAVON CHAISSON, DE, LSU) Kristian Fulton has been relegated to the second round in many recent mock drafts but in my opinion, he is the third best cornerback in the class behind Jeffery Okudah (Ohio State) and C.J. Henderson (Florida). I think there is a good chance the Cowboys will be able to draft Henderson with pick #17 but in this trade down scenario, Fulton is the first round pick with pick #23. Fulton is a talented and athletic cover corner with high upside. He has had some minor disciplinary issues in college, is not the best tackler, and only had 2 career interceptions but he stood out as a member of the National Champion LSU Tigers due to his exceptional coverage skills. The Dallas Cowboys need a potential number one corner and they lack long term solutions at the position. As a result cornerback may be the single biggest need for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys draft and look for them to address that need early and potentially reach if necessary.
ROUND 2, PICK #51……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
CURTIS WEAVER, DEFENSIVE END, BOISE STATE
Curtis Weaver is one of the more polarizing prospects of the 2020 NFL Draft. There are those that questions his athleticism, arm length, the level of competition he faced in college, and his overall maturity. One thing that no one can deny is that Weaver can flat out rush the passer. The former Boise State Bronco accumulated 34 sacks and 46.5 tackles for loss in 3 seasons as a starter. The Dallas Cowboys have a history of drafting players from Boise State and the new coaching staff really wants to get after the quarterback. Mid-second round seems to be a good spot for the Dallas Cowboys to be able to select Weaver.
ROUND 3, PICK #82……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
RAEKWON DAVIS, DL, ALABAMA
(PREVIOUS MOCK SELECTION: JAMES LYNCH, DT, BAYLOR) 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 for the future and to add depth and Raekwon Davis would fit that need. Davis would start out as a rotational player who could grow into a full time starter. The Dallas Cowboys have placed little value on run-stuffing interior defensive linemen in the past but under the new regime a change in philosophy is apparent. The signing of McCoy and Poe are evidence of that. Furthermore, a potential shift to a 3-4 defense in the future is a real possibility with this new coaching staff in which case adding some more size on the interior DL is a must.
ROUND 3, PICK #87 (From New England)……the Dallas Cowboys select…………….
LYNN BOWDEN, WR, KENTUCKY
The Dallas Cowboys lost Randall Cobb in free agency and need to replace him with a capable slot receiver. Bowden is a bit unpolished as a route runner but he brings dynamic play making ability as an open field runner. Like Randall Cobb, Bowden went to the school at Kentucky, played quarterback, and was used in the return game. In addition to being a replacement for Cobb, Bowden could also fill the role of Tavon Austin in the offense and on special teams because of his ability once he has the ball in his hands. Even if Bowden can’t step in to the slot receiver role right away, he is tough and tenacious player who could potentially earn playing time as a core special teamer.
ROUND 4, PICK #123……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
DEVIN ASIASI, TE, UCLA
(PREVIOUS MOCK SELECTION: K.J HILL, WR, OHIO STATE) Long before Jason Witten retired, unretired, and left in free agency, the Dallas Cowboys have been trying to draft his successor and with little success. They recently signed Blake Jarwin to an extension this offseason and brought in free agent Blake Bell to compete with 2018 Draft pick Dalton Shultz. The Cowboys have some depth at tight end but it is far from a position of strength. Devin Asiasi in the 4th round would be an excellent value pick for the Dallas Cowboys should he be available here. Asiasi is not going to be a threat to steal the starting job from Jarwin but he could become a serviceable backup this season who is a decent receiver and blocker. Potentially, Asiasi could develop into a starter down the line.
ROUND 5, PICK #164……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
KENNY ROBINSON JR, S, XFL ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (WEST VIRGINIA)
(PREVIOUS MOCK SELECTION; JOSH METELLUS, S, MICHIGAN) 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. the Dallas Cowboys have been stubborn addressing the safety position in the past both in free agency and in the draft. They tried to execute trades for Earl Thomas prior to last season and were also interested in Jamal Adams but were not able to get those deals done or willing to pay the required amount in free agency. If the Cowboys insist on continuing to bargain shop and find value in the later rounds, Kenny Robinson could be their man. Robinson was dismissed from West Virginia and played in the XFL this past season. He is looking to become the first XFL player drafted in the NFL. It would be fitting if the Dallas Cowboys are the team to take a chance on the talented player with proven ball skills but some red flags that should be available on Day 3 of the draft. This would surely be a popular pick among Dallas Cowboys fans.
ROUND 5, (compensatory pick) #179……the Dallas Cowboy select………
CAMERON CLARK, OL, CHARLOTTE
(PREVIOUS MOCK SELECTION; TREVIS GIPSON, DE, TULSA) The Great Wall of Dallas is crumbling to some degree. Travis Frederick retired, Tyron Smith has had chronic back issues, and last season Zack Martin was banged up all year. The Dallas Cowboys need to continue to invest in the offensive line depth and Cameron Clark would be a great developmental prospect for them. Clark played OT in college but has experience at both Guard and Center from high school. Clark is likely to kick inside in the NFL and the Cowboys could certainly use some more bodies there. If Clark and second year man Connor McGovern could impress during training camp this year, perhaps Connor Williams could become the new swing tackle to replace Cameron Fleming who departed in free agency.
ROUND 7, PICK #233…..the Dallas Cowboy select………
JORDAN FULLER, OHIO STATE
(PREVIOUS MOCK SELECTION; GRAYLAND ARNOLD, CB, BAYLOR) Jordan Fuller is limited in terms of his coverage skills but he is a high character, tough football player. Another late round safety prospect, he could provide competition at the very thin safety position and also potentially make the team as a special teams contributor.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT CANDIDATES:
- Grayland Arnold, CB, Baylor
- Qaadir Sheppard, OLB, Ole Miss
- Thakarius Keyes, CB, Tulane
- Evin Ksierzarcyk, OT, Buffalo
- Broderick Washington, DT, Texas-Tech
- Josiah Coatney, DT, Ole Miss
- Shyheim Carter CB/S, Alabama
*Photo by Tammy Anthony Bakerhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode
Prospect rankings and analysis based in part by information provided by…
The Athletic’s 2020 NFL Draft Guideby Dane BruglerThe Athletic.com available for purchaseHERE
NFL.COM2019 Draft Prospects ;https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/prospects
NFLTradeRumors.https://nfltraderumors.co/2020-nfl-draft-prospect-visit-tracker/
WalterFootball.comhttps://walterfootball.com/prospectMeetings/byteam
2020 Dallas Cowboys Draft Visits Tracker: All visits, reports, and rumors for prospects,RJ OchoaandDave HalprinBlogging the Boys, SB Nation UpdatedApr 10, 2020, 3:37pm CDT
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