Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft: A Closer Look at DraftTek's Latest 7 Round Mock

With mock drafts setting the football world ablaze at this juncture of the offseason, I'd like to shine the spotlight a little bit on the most recent projections by Drafttek.com. 

The Drafttek 7-round mock is rather intriguing in that it uses a computer model that generates the final results of the draft. As player rankings change along with team needs, Drafttek will publish updated projections as often as they see fit.  

Drafttek's primary focus is to produce final draft selections that use a player value system or draft board in relation to team needs. What the model also does is weigh the more pressing needs of a team higher in relation to the order that they pick. 

Nonetheless, Drafttek puts out a thorough full-scale mock that is definitely worth checking out. Let's take a closer look at the results of their latest 7 round predictions for the Dallas Cowboys. 

I will introduce the pick, provide an assessment and profile, disclose their alternate picks and draw my conclusions. 

Let's get started.  

Round 1, 14th Overall, Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Assessment

Drafttek selects the 6'3", 237-pound inside linebacker out of Boston College. As the Cowboys roster stands right now only Orie Lemon serves as depth at inside linebacker behind Sean Lee and Bruce Carter.  

Lemon must be viewed as an unknown commodity unless he can really prove himself in camp this year. I wouldn't bet on it but stranger things have happened. 

Kuechly, arguably the best inside linebacker prospect in the draft, could turn the position into one of the biggest strengths of the team and possibly the league if selected. In assessing this pick that definitely fills a need, Kuechly would arguably challenge Carter for a starting position and he's NFL ready. It's hard to argue the value when assessing this pick.

When watching Kuechly play, it's not hard to see that he plays with outstanding instincts. He is a sure handed tackler, he pursues the ball well while taking great angles and he's a true leader on the field. He could probably stand to add some mass to his frame and he's not the fastest linebacker but his play jumps out at you. 

Is inside linebacker the biggest need on the Cowboys ? No. Overall it remains cornerback and offensive line. Having Kuechly on their radar certainly wouldn't hurt the Cowboys and he could fall into that best player available scenario depending on how the draft plays out. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to wind up with Kuechly.

Alternate picks

Drafttek has Janoris Jenkins and Michael Floyd as alternate picks one and two, respectively.

Jenkins has been my pick through two of my own published mock drafts and I still stand firm with that selection along with Dre Kirkpatrick as the other candidate.

Although Michael Floyd is a fantastic prospect, I just don't see the rhyme or reason for taking him at No. 14 unless Laurent Robinson leaves in free agency and Jerry Jones feels he needs a first round replacement as his No. 3 receiver. With Jerry Jones in charge it's certainly possible but I view this alternate pick of Floyd as a head-scratcher.

Conclusion

To conclude Drafttek's first round selection, I definitely see where value meets pick. Kuechly is a dynamite prospect but the Cowboys really have two pressing needs that override linebacker—corner and offensive line. I would even view pass-rusher as more of a need than linebacker. 

The Cowboys can address linebacker in the middle rounds of the draft, in free agency or a combination of both. My selection would still be cornerback based on the need to develop and replace as many as three from our current roster. 

Round 2, 45th Overall, Chase Minniefield, CB, Virginia

Assessment

The 6'0", 188-pound cornerback from Virgina is Drafttek's second round pick here. Minniefield's dad, Frank, was a former player with the Cleveland Browns and played corner as well so their is good pedigree here. 

It's hard not to like this pick because Minniefield's ability would be a welcomed addition to the secondary and bring a smile to Rob Ryan's face. In watching footage of Minniefield it seemed like offenses were throwing away from his side. I noticed that on some plays he struggled a bit in man coverage but he also showed outstanding ability as a zone corner with great anticipation skills.  

Minniefield is also not afraid to lay the lumber or clean a few piles. Overall, he has a solid skill set and would be an immediate contributor to the Cowboys defense. Based on Drafttek's first selection of Luke Kuechly, I would've liked to have seen an offensive lineman such as Kelechi Osemele taken in this slot but I can live with this pick.

Alternate Picks

Drafttek had Coryell Judie and Brandon Boykin as alternate selections in Round 2.  Both prospects had great seasons at Texas A&M and Georgia respectively and would also be solid additions to the secondary. 

Of the two, I would prefer Boykin because he brings a little more athletic ability and return skills which the Cowboys could use.

Conclusion

Overall I have to say that Drafttek did a pretty good job with this pick. The Cowboys have obvious needs at cornerback and Minniefield fits the bill. I really like the offensive line prospects available in the second round and what you see at the conclusion of Drafttek's selections will shock you when it comes to how they address the need.   

Round 3, 82nd Overall, Kendall Reyes, DE, UConn

Assessment

Drafttek selects the 6'4", 295-pound defensive lineman in Round 3. Reyes would play end in the Cowboys 3-4 alignment and would definitely fill a need as a pass-rusher. Again, Drafttek fails to select an offensive lineman in this slot but let's focus on Reyes for a second. 

Reyes excels in run pursuit, he has a strong power move—but probably needs to add a few to his arsenal—and has great athletic ability. He's a prospect that's moving up the draft board and in a lot of mocks I've seen him in the second round. If he's even available at this point in Round 3 it would be a tremendous value pick. He would be an upgrade over Kenyon Coleman for sure and if Reyes adds some more mass to his frame he could be a beast in the future. 

Again, it's another round where offensive line is not addressed but it's hard to argue that Reyes is not worthy of a selection here. In my latest mock I have Markelle Martin selected in this slot and offensive line off the board in Round 2. So far it's an interesting pattern by Drafttek as they go ILB, CB and DE.

Alternate Picks

Drafttek has Casey Hayward and DaJohn Harris as alternate selections. Hayward is a cornerback from Vanderbilt and Harris a defensive lineman from USC. Both are solid prospects and again it's an interesting pattern. 

Harris would also play end in the 3-4 alignment but I like Reyes better as a prospect. If Hayward were the selection it would've been back to back corner selections for Jerry Jones which would be highly unlikely. Hayward brings a solid skill set at corner.

Conclusion

I still can't fathom the Cowboys actually going through the first three rounds without an offensive lineman.

This draft is deep at corner so really the value would be higher for offensive line in Round 2. Perhaps an offensive lineman like Brandon Washington or Michael Brewster at this spot after the Kuechly and Minniefield selections could've provided better balance.  

But overall Reyes is a force with a lot of upside who happens to be a pass-rusher. A solid job by Drafttek.

Round 4, 113th Overall, Josh Robinson, CB, UCF

Assessment

Robinson has been the big topic for discussion from the combine after running a sub 4.3 in the 40-yard dash. I've seen some UCF games this year and although you could see the agility and overall athletic ability in his game, running a sub 4.3 has turned some major heads that is pulling him up the draft board. 

Robinson's certainly not the biggest corner at 5'10" but when you factor in the speed and his leaping ability he's an intriguing prospect. With a player like this, the key is to not get seduced by the measurables—something that does happen with Jerry Jones. His game needs fine tuning and once drafted, he will have to learn some of the finer points about being an NFL corner. 

If I'm picking a 5'10" corner I'd much rather have Janoris Jenkins. My thought process is that Robinson won't last until the fourth round after coming off that combine performance. However, Drafttek did a good job with this selection by prioritizing the need at corner. Through four rounds Drafttek has selected ILB, CB, DL and CB.  

Not selecting an offensive lineman through this stage is pretty tough to accept considering the Cowboys need to do a better job protecting Romo. Solid prospect but offensive lineman still worries me through four rounds of Drafttek.

Alternate Picks

Drafttek selected Donnie Fletcher and Ryan Steed as alternate picks. Both are cornerbacks with Fletcher coming from Boston College and Steed from Furman. Drafttek has really made a run at cornerback through four rounds which matches our needs but doesn't identify them all. 

Of the two, I like Fletcher being he's a taller corner at 6'1". Steed might be a little quicker but both will bring solid skills to the NFL.

Conclusion

I'm still hung up on the fact that an offensive lineman wasn't selected through four rounds.

At this point in my own mock, I had CB, OG, SS and DE selected. Robinson is an exciting player and that speed is a definite plus but I'd be cautious not to be overly enamored. Is this another DeMarcus Van Dyke-type player who skyrocketed up the board or is Robinson going to become a well-rounded corner? 

With Drafttek's targeting of Minniefield in Round 2, I think this was the round that offensive line needed to be addressed and that did not happen. If that scenario had been accomplished then I take Minniefield and Robinson and call it a day at cornerback.   

Round 5, 144th Overall, Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego St.

Assessment

Drafttek deals the 6'4", 220-pound quarterback to Dallas in Round 5 and avoids offensive line needs for a fifth consecutive time. 

I think Lindley is a good quarterback prospect with good size, has a strong arm and displays solid toughness. I watched him against Boise State and although he struggled in that particular game against a very good team, he competed hard until the end. I saw some accuracy issues and he missed a few wide-open receivers.

But I see a player that with a few seasons of watching and learning could be a nice prospect for the right team. Backup quarterback is a need for Dallas but this is not the right choice for this draft slot. I just can't imagine the Cowboys not selecting an offensive lineman through four rounds then drafting a quarterback. 

I believe the Cowboys will address quarterback in free agency or with a prospect such as Chandler Harnish in later rounds. Drafttek did not get this pick right at all. 

Alternate Picks

Chris Rainey and Jermaine Kearse are the alternate picks Drafttek selected. Kearse, a wide receiver from Washington, is a solid mix of size and speed that is dangerous after the catch.

Rainey, a versatile running back, would bring a world of options to the Cowboys offense. An explosive athlete that can run the ball, catch passes in the flat, line up in the slot and would be a weapon in the return game. A very intriguing player for the Cowboys that I would be more comfortable with than Lindley at this point if they chose to focus on an offensive player.

Conclusion

I totally disagree with the selection of Lindley at this point. If the Cowboys wanted to target an offensive prospect like Rainey or a tight end I could understand. But this selection just doesn't make sense. So far the pattern through five rounds reads like this—ILB, CB, DL, CB and QB. 

Round 6, 175th Overall, Kevin Koger, TE, Michigan

Assessment

Drafttek selects the 6'4", 255-pound tight end from Michigan in Round 6. Koger is a big target with good hands that was overshadowed at Michigan. He would compete for the No. 3 tight end position in Dallas if they were to select him. 

I do see tight end as a need for the Cowboys with the impending departure of Martellus Bennett but I'm not a huge fan of this pick at all. I think for the Cowboys to get value they would need to consider Michael Egnew a round or two earlier. Koger is still a little raw and even if the Cowboys selected a tight end at this slot I would prefer Evan Rodriguez.

I can still see how the module would have tight end on the radar so I can't fault the logic. What still has me baffled is the void that still exists in selecting an offensive lineman. Six rounds and no offensive lineman? Hard to imagine.

Alternate Picks

Drafttek had Tommy Streeter, a wide receiver from Miami, and Nicholas-Jean Baptiste, a defensive tackle from Baylor, as alternate picks. Baptiste is right in the Cowboys backyard at Baylor and is a 6'2", 336-pound nose tackle that would be a great pick right here over Koger. He could be the nose tackle that allows Ratliff to move to defensive end. 

Streeter is a 6'4", 215-pound wide receiver with great size and speed. A raw but intriguing prospect that needs time to develop. Between Koger, Streeter and Baptiste, Drafttek provides a nice contrast of players. 

Conclusion

Had offensive line been addressed with at least one pick I would've leaned a little towards Baptiste over Koger which would've given them a solid defensive line draft when paired with Reyes. Regardless of the facts it's hard to like this pick knowing that a more glaring and obvious need still exists. Koger will make a good fit for someone's roster but not the Cowboys.

Round 7, 205th Overall, Adrian Robinson, OLB, Temple

Assessment

Drafttek concludes the Cowboys draft by selecting the 6'2", 245-pound linebacker from Temple. Seven rounds complete and Drafttek failed to select one offensive lineman? 

The All-MAC first team selection is best known for his speed-rushing ability. I've watched him on several occasions during the college season and overall he's a solid prospect who would play outside linebacker in the Cowboys 3-4 alignment. He would compete for a backup role right away and be a contributor on special teams. Even though the Anthony Spencer situation has a little more clarity to it the Cowboys have depth concerns at linebacker and Robinson would help stabilize that. 

It's hard to imagine that Drafttek would fail to address the offensive line issues the Cowboys have even when selecting picks in the later rounds and that's why I view the overall selections as below my expectation level. Selecting Robinson over an offensive line prospect in the seventh round might be better value at this point. 

Alternate Picks

Drafttek selects a couple of wide receivers as alternate seventh-round picks, with Devon Wylie and Jarrett Boykin being those players. The seventh round is usually a crap shoot and sometimes taking an offensive player with a lot of talent or speed is a common selection. Wylie fits this description along with his blazing speed that he displayed at the combine. He's a bit undersized at 5'9" and 184 pounds but he fights for the ball and could be a solid slot receiver with home run ability. 

Boykin is a taller prospect at 6'2" and would be a possession type receiver with excellent hands who could use his frame to make the tougher catches. I would include Jordan White and Eric Page in this group also as seventh-round prospects. 

Any of these receivers would be insurance and provide competition in the receiver mix should Laurent Robinson depart in free agency.

Conclusion

I'm starting to sound like a broken record but not one single selection by Drafttek was directed at offensive line. I have mixed feelings about not only this pick but all the selections in general. Whether it be Robinson, Wylie or Boykin, neither of them can block for Tony Romo. They still remain solid prospects who can fill other needs on this team but not one of the most important ones.

The picks are in and Drafttek's recent mock draft is complete. The selection pattern consists of the following positions—ILB, CB, DE, CB, QB, TE and OLB. 

Drafttek has a unique module for sure that does make you look at the mock draft culture a little differently. While I see needs filled at corner, linebacker and defensive end I would've like to see at least two offensive lineman in this projection. It would be nice to protect Tony Romo once and awhile unless you want Ryan Lindley as the starting quarterback. I'm looking forward to Drafttek's next projection.