2020 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys 7 round mock draft 1.0

The 2020 NFL Draft will be the first draft for the Dallas Cowboys under Mike McCarthy. For Mike McCarthy it will mark his first NFL draft removed from the Green Bay Packers organisation where he had virtually no say in the draft process. That means that any previous patterns or tendencies can be thrown out the window and Cowboy fans can expect the unexpected. For this 2020 Dallas Cowboys 7 round mock draft, I have ignored previous tendencies and attempted to make predictions based on some of the things Mike McCarthy and DC Mike Nolan have said in various interviews. Through those outlets, some clues that have been provided as a general guideline and from that we can surmise the following about the Dallas Cowboys 2020 draft:

• The Dallas Cowboys will not overlook a player based on scheme fit. Instead they will look to draft players that they feel are better prospects and develop their scheme around them.
• The are focused primarily on defense.
• Defensively the main goals are to be able to rush the passer and create turnovers.
• They will build their roster with a desire to improve special teams and therefore find players that can contribute in that aspect of the game.

With the above generalisations taken into account and from information gathered on which prospects the Dallas Cowboys have spoken to or have expressed interest in, here is the Cowboys Coffee Talk Dallas Cowboys 7 round mock draft 1.0.

ROUND 1, PICK #17……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….

GRANT DELPIT, SAFETY, LSU

The Grant Delpit hype train has lost a lot of steam since the beginning of the offseason. Draft analysts who have previously praised Delpit as the best safety in the draft class are now concerned over the tackling issues that have plagued him for the last 2 seasons. Some experts are ranking Alabama’s Xavier McKinney above Grant Delpit in their mock drafts. I still prefer Delpit over McKinney due to his athleticism and superior ball skills. Other players on the Cowboys radar in round one will be South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw and Florida CB C.J Henderson. I do not anticipate Kinlaw being available when the Cowboys are on the board. With the impending loss of Byron Jones in free agency, C.J Henderson is appealing but for this mock I have selected Delpit at pick #17 which is a sensible spot as the first safety to be drafted in 2020. I am anticipating the Dallas Cowboys to seek safety help in free agency and that may impact the perceived need at this position in the draft. In the past the Dallas Cowboys have been reluctant to spend free agent dollars or premium draft picks at this position but this is a new regime so that tendency may change. If Grant Delpit is not selected here in the first round there are some intriguing options that could be available in the following round such as Antoine Winfield JR. or Kyle Dugger.

ROUND 2, PICK #51……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….

MARLON DAVIDSON, DL, AUBURN

Marlon Davidson is a solid defensive linemen with position versatility and scheme flexibility. He is aggressive and powerful and would be a great asset for the Dallas Cowboys in the trenches where they have a huge need. Especially since Tyrone Crawford Maliek Collins, and Michael Bennett likely will not return in 2020. I am a big fan of Davidson’s competitive attitude and physical style of play. Davidson was a team captain his senior year. He is a gritty player and he has a knack for knocking down balls in the passing lane. I do expect the Dallas Cowboys to bring back Robert Quinn and to add some veteran size and talent in the middle but they do need to inject some youth into the rotation. Davidson has generated some buzz lately and some experts believe he wont be available with pick #51. Other than Davidson, run stuffing DT Raekwon Davis from Alabama could be an option. It is also possible that a talented corner such as Trevon Diggs from Alabama or Kristian Fulton from LSU falls to the middle of round 2 and either one of those guys would be in play in that scenario.

ROUND 3, PICK #82……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….

MICHAEL PITTMAN JR, WR, USC

The 2020 wide receiver class is stacked and similar to 2018 the Dallas Cowboys should have plenty of quality options available in the 3rd round. Pittman is a big bodied receiver who is a good route runner and can make contested catches. He could carve out a role immediately with the Cowboys as a possession receiver and red zone target and could be a long term answer if the Cowboys are not able to get a long term deal done with Amari Cooper. As an added bonus, Pittman has experience with special teams at USC as a punt returner and in coverage. That special teams experience will increase his value in the eyes of Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys.

ROUND 4, PICK #123……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….

JARED PINKNEY TE, VANDERBILT

Jared Pinkney is a very complete tight end with solid receiving skills and he also excels as a blocker. He would be the type of tight end that the old regime would covet. The biggest knock on Pinkney is his lack of speed. His 40 yard dash at the combine was very slow. In fact, Pinkney posted the worst time among the position group. Despite that poor 40 time, Pinkney would be a great addition to the current group of tight ends on the roster. Blake Jarwin should be elevated to the starter and Pinkney and Dalton Shultz can provide depth at the position. Jason Witten likely will not return in 2020.

ROUND 5, PICK #165……the Dallas Cowboy select…………….

STANFORD SAMUELS III, CB, FLORIDA STATE

Stanford Samuels was very productive during his college career displaying exceptional ball skills which will make him a valuable addition to the Dallas Cowboys. Samuels draft stock may have taken a hit following a poor showing in the 40 yard dash at the combine. His lack of speed and thin frame are concerns but his length, physicality in coverage, and coordination offer intriguing upside.

ROUND 5, (compensatory pick) #180……the Dallas Cowboy select………

TREVIS GIPSON, DE, TULSA

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

The NFL free agency period is fast approaching and once that approaches, we will get a much clearer picture of what the biggest team needs will be come draft time. Stay tuned for the Dallas Cowboys 2020 7 round mock draft 2.0 to follow at that time.

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

*Photo by Tammy Anthony Baker https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/