Jerry Jones has already gone on record to confirm that the Dallas Cowboys are going to target offensive line in the first round of 2022 NFL draft unless a truly elite player like CeeDee Lamb or Micah Parsons falls to them at pick #24. Whether that will be offensive tackle or interior offensive line may depend on which players are still on the board and on the influence of Cowboys OL coach Joe Philbin. The Cowboys have lost some key starters via free agency, trade, and as salary cap casualties such as Amari Cooper, Randy Gregory, Connor Williams, and Cedrick Wilson. Will McClay and the scouting department will have their work cut out for them to fill some of those holes in the draft. Here is a full 7 round Dallas Cowboys mock draft version 3.0 for 2022. This mock draft includes trades and emphasizes players that the Cowboys have shown interest in and are therefore likely to draft. In this mock draft, the Cowboys kick it off with a trade down from pick #24 but only get moderate compensation due to relatively low demand.
***TRADE*** DALLAS COWBOYS receive pick #30 (Round 1) and pick #103 (Round 3) and KANSAS CITY CHIEFS receive pick #24 (Round 1)
ROUND 1, PICK #30……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
KEYNON GREEN, OG, TEXAS A&M
Keynon Green is big, powerful lineman who can dominate in the NFL as a run blocker. He is one of the better interior offensive line prospects in the draft but could be available for the Cowboys even at pick #30 with him being less athletic than guys like Tyler Linderbaum or Zion Johnson. If the Cowboys did draft Green in the first round, he projects to be an immediate starter for them at guard with the potential to develop into a pro-bowl caliber offensive lineman.
ROUND 2, PICK #56……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
DEMARVIN LEAL, DT, TEXAS A&M
In this mock draft the Cowboys select back to back Aggies with their first two picks. DeMarvin Leal is a player with a ton of ability but hasn’t really put it all together during his college career. He is an intriguing and versatile player with experience at multiple spots on the defensive line but has potential to become a difference maker at the valuable three technique position. If the Cowboys drafted the defensive tackle from Texas A&M, it would give Dan Quinn an opportunity to work his magic and get the most out of his tremendous potential.
***TRADE*** DALLAS COWBOYS receive pick #84 (Round 3) and PITTSBURGH STEELERS receive pick #88 (Round 3) and pick #155 (Round 5)
SAM WILLIAMS, EDGE, OLE MISS
Sam Williams has become a popular selection in Dallas Cowboys mock drafts ever since Dan Quinn worked him out at his Pro-Day. Williams also revealed to reporters that he has had several conversations with the Dallas Cowboys during the draft process. In my previous Dallas Cowboys 7 round mock draft, the Cowboys selected him in the second round. In this mock draft, the Cowboys pass on the edge rusher out of Ole Miss in round 2 but use one of their fifth round picks to secure him in the third round. Dan Quinn appears to have quite a bit of influence in the war room and if he is high on Williams, the Cowboys might be inclined to be aggressive to make him a Cowboy. The Steelers don’t have a fifth round pick so this trade would make a lot of sense on multiple levels. Williams does have some character concerns but that has never really stopped Jerry Jones before.
ROUND 3, PICK #103……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
JELANI WOODS, TE, VIRGINIA
Another hot name among Cowboys fans is Virginia TE Jelani Woods. Woods is skyrocketing up many peoples draft boards because of his freakish combine performance and his truly rare size. He is not the most polished player at his position but he offers tremendous upside. The Cowboys franchised tagged Dalton Schultz in the offseason to remain the starter but they are clearly looking to draft and develop a tight end for the future. Jelani Woods is one of several tight ends on the teams’ radar including Jalen Wydermyer, Isaiah Likely, Jeremy Ruckert, Grant Calcaterra, and Cade Otton. I fully expect the Cowboys to draft a tight end on day 2 of the 2022 draft or very early on day 3.
***TRADE*** DALLAS COWBOYS receive pick #113 (Round 4) and WASHINGTON COMMANDERS receive pick #129 (Round 4) and pick #167 (Round 5)
ROUND 4, PICK #113……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
DANNY GRAY, WR, SMU
Danny Gray is an exciting play maker with blazing fast speed. He has experience as both an inside and outside receiver and can return punts and kicks. Physically, he is on the slender side and may need to bulk up for the NFL. He also requires some development as a route runner and has had some issues with drops which is not something Cowboys fans want to hear. Despite some of those issues, Gray could contribute immediately as a return man for the Cowboys and develop into a #3 wide receiver with a ton of big play potential.
ROUND 5, PICK #176……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
CADE MAYS, OL, TENNESSEE
Cade Mays is a player once projected to be an early round pick but his draft stock has plummeted substantially leading up to the draft. Mays has experience playing all 5 positions on the offensive line but that may work against him as he may be considered a jack of all trades but master of none. Mays also comes with some injury concerns which may also cause him to fall down draft boards. At this point in the draft, it makes a ton of sense for the Cowboys to draft a player who could provide depth at multiple positions or as a developmental offensive lineman wherever they see his best fit would be in the pros.
ROUND 5, PICK #178……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
HASSAN HASKINS, RB, MICHIGAN
Haskins is a big, powerful back who is difficult to tackle though not overly explosive. He is also a solid blocker. After injuries to both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard last season, the Cowboys realize that they need to address the depth at the running back position. If they draft Haskins, he should be able to make the roster and also contribute on special teams.
ROUND 6, PICK #193……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….
TARIQ CARPENTER, S/LB, GEORGIA TECH
Carpenter has some impressive size and athletic traits but has a classic tweener with no clearly defined position at the next level. He was a starting safety for four years in college but may be looking to make the move to linebacker in the NFL where he does not have experience and will require some development. A creative defensive coach may be able to get the best out of his physical skills and who better than Dan Quinn? Carpenter does have extensive experience on special teams and would have a great opportunity to make the roster solely in that capacity as a rookie.