NFL
By: Greg Rector
Dallas Cowboys fans are in full swing with how to improve from two straight 12-5 seasons where the elusive playoff success eluded the franchise yet again. Now I’m fully aware that free agency comes first, but realistically how many Dallas Cowboys believe the leopard we all know as Stephen “Cap Boy” Jones will change his spots and actually spend money instead of waiting for the rest of the league to feast first and buy the cheapest scraps available afterward? This is actually one of the weaker free-agent groups in years especially at positions the Dallas Cowboys are looking to bolster for the 2023 season.
With that history in mind, I have gone ahead and done a full 7 round mock draft. If you know me at all one big thing I am fond of at the draft is trading back, especially when drafting at the end of the first round. The prospects with first-round grades will be gone and by moving even just a couple of spots back you can get additional day-two picks. That’s what I do with this draft not once but twice as you will see. I did this mock draft at PFF. Let’s look at the moves and the picks and I will also give brief remarks for each player. Currently, the Dallas Cowboys have 9 picks and after my two trades back they will now have 11 draft picks. Originally the Dallas Cowboys had the 26th 58th 90th 129th 163rd 170th 176th 204th* and 246th picks* (* comp picks may move a spot or two) Because of the two trades I was able to add both the 92nd and 95th picks in the third round.
The first trade back is with the Bengals which moved the Dallas Cowboys back to the 28th pick but added that 92nd pick. The second deal back with the Philadelphia Eagles puts the Dallas Cowboys at the 31st and last choice in the first round while also giving the Cowboys the 95th pick. Here’s who the Cowboys drafted in this scenario.
31st Pick
Antonio Johnson Safety/Slot Corner Texas A&M
One of the most instinctive defenders in the SEC last season Johnson can be used in multiple roles, a familiar story with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. I’m not certain the Cowboys keep the current group of safeties and corners intact so I draft the 6’3″ 195lb Aggie here. Johnson is a physical defender that has only shown one area of concern for me and that’s his ball skills, something we haven’t much of from his time at Texas A&M. Johnson is an excellent tackler however, and doesn’t give up yardage after contact. That’s one reason I like him here he can limit rushing yards a weakness of Dan Quinn’s defense at times.
58th Pick
Parker Washington WR Penn State
Yes, the wide receiving corps was disappointing after Ceedee Lamb for the 2022 Dallas Cowboys. Gallup was nowhere near what he was before the ACL injury. Sadly the Jones’ signed him to a multi-year deal that is punishing to get out of until after the 2023 season. Enter Parker a 5’11” 210lb wideout who can play in the slot but has also shown other spots are fine as well. The biggest thing about Washington? He’s got ball skills galore. Plenty of one-handed grabs from his time as a Nittany Lion. Another major positive he knows how to get open something the Dallas Cowboys receivers struggled with as well know. Washington is also built like a brick wall and has absorbed hits while keeping his hands on the ball. His RAC (Run after Catch) ability is also one of the best in all of college football.
90th Pick
Hendon Hooker QB Tennessee
I know good old JJ has said glowing things about Max Duggan and yes you could wait until day three and draft Duggan late or instead you could draft Hooker who for a good part of the 2022 season was in the running for the Heisman Trophy. Sure, he is an older pick and did have an injury but his recovery is well ahead of schedule and he’s far more talented than Duggan. At 6’4″ and 215lbs Hooker is a bigger more mobile quarterback than Duggan with the dual threat abilities so many teams crave at the position. If he isn’t quite ready for training camp there are options to compete with Cooper Rush if he is still the backup.
92nd Pick
Sean Tucker RB Syracuse
The Dallas Cowboys backfield could be a very different room if the Cowboys cannot make a business aka cap space deal to keep Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard while many want to keep him those same folks are pretty hypocritical if you ask me because you don’t give a running back a second contract!! As well when needed to carry the load Pollard did end up getting injured therefore running backs are needed. Tucker is 5’10” and 205lbs and can be a very explosive back. He is nowhere near the run blocker Elliott has been nor is he the receiving Pollard is either, then again it remains to be seen if the new play caller would use Pollard in that role as we know Kellen Moore did not do that enough in the eyes of Dallas Cowboys fans. With the right blocking in front of him though the former track star could be a dangerous weapon and of course, with coaching can improve in the areas of weakness.
95th Pick
Jaylon Jones Corner Texas A&M
Jones is a former five-star recruit who has lived up to the billing as far as I am concerned. Please keep in mind the Aggies’ defense spent far too much on the field as their offense was, to put it mildly, god awful. the 6’2″ 205lb corner fits Dan Quinn’s preferred length and overall size. Do you want a corner opposite Trevon Diggs that can make life miserable for receivers? Jones can do that in spades. He may have been with a program that struggled but his physical tools are up there with many of those corners who will be drafted a bit earlier. This is the type of pick we draft junkies to call a potential “steal” if he is available at 95.
129th Pick
DeWayne McBride RB UAB
The 5’11’ 215lb McBride would give the Dallas Cowboys another option in the backfield except this time with far more power over explosiveness that Tucker provides. One of the most productive running backs in the last two seasons of college football he is no fun to bring down for defenses. This is the guy you want to run the clock with especially in the second half of games. He won’t be breaking downfield for big runs but he did have 7.3 yards per carry for UAB and could be that punishing runner who can consistently get 5 yards a carry in the NFL.
163rd Pick
Connor Galvin OT Baylor
We’re into developmental territory with this 5th-round pick. Galvin is 6’5″ and weighs about 310 lbs currently. He’s going to add the weight that playing tackle in the NFL needs these days. The strengths though are his high football IQ and he’s had plenty of snaps in college. He shows excellent fluidity and hip mobility along with the arm length to deal with pass rushers. His functional strength improves and again you can find yourself with a serviceable offensive lineman. He has snaps at guard as well at the Senior Bowl and held his own. Versatility keeps you around NFL teams.
170th Pick
Ochaun Mathis Edge Nebraska
It never hurts to add more rotational pieces on the defensive line. Mathis is 6’5″ and 260 lbs so he has the size teams like coming off the edge. Mathis though was only able to show his attack abilities for one season at Nebraska. He had transferred from TCU where he was asked to be more of a read-assignment player. So he has experience in various schemes. Improve his functional strength though and like Galvin, you might have a nice piece on a rookie deal.
176th Pick
Josh Whyle Tight End Cincinnati
“Ferguson and Hendershot were so good we don’t need to replace Dalton Schultz with anyone in the draft” oh how wrong Dallas Cowboys fans can be at times. Whyle steadily improved as a blocker as his body matured while playing for the Bearcats. At 6’6″ and 245 lbs Whyle also does something very well that NFL teams crave. he’s an excellent route runner as a tight end and has very good hands and most importantly is really good at exactly getting open down the seam, remind you of anyone that is likely not going to be with the Dallas Cowboys anymore? Whyle might not be available here but in this exercise he was and I jumped all over him.
204th Pick
Ricky Stromberg IOL Arkansas
Another player who had a good Senior Bowl and might be gone by the time this pick comes along. For all those who miss the days of having a “people mover” especially at the center position (Travis Frederick) enter from Jerry and Stephen’s alma mater Stromberg. 6′ 4″ 315 lbs and Stromberg has a nasty disposition. Tremendous run blocker and was almost as good in pass pro for the Razorbacks. There are so many centers in this draft class that the Dallas Cowboys could get lucky and find themselves with a more physical player than Biabisz who certainly improved but do you want to extend him?
212th Pick
Jerrod Clark DT Coastal Carolina
Y’all like what we got with Hankins after he was traded to Dallas? Well again at this point of the draft to find a possible diamond in the rough still around you jump on it. Not sure why Coastal Carolina players all seem to be valued less by scouts and evaluators. Clark is a 6’3″ 345 lb run stuffer who could be an excellent late-round pick. Clark consistently showed an ability to clog up two gaps and he is explosive enough to also cause some problems in the pass rush. The pass-rush moves and technique though need work.
246th Pick
Shaquan Davis WR South Carolina State
You better believe I am not letting Davis receive UDFA calls if he hasn’t been picked when Dallas has their final pick of the draft. Davis is 6’5″ and 215 lbs. Davis brings height speed and play-making ability. Sure he’s from a small school but at this stage it’s nowhere near risk that Jalen Tobert was in the 3rd round.
