Dallas Cowboys' 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

The painful sting of the Dallas Cowboys' 4-12 season has finally given way to the dream of a better season that comes with the NFL draft. The 2016 NFL draft begins April 28, and the three-day whirlwind will dramatically change each team's roster construction. 

This draft is important for the Cowboys as they try to rebound from an embarrassing campaign in 2015. Thus far, they have been quiet this offseason. Instead of spending big money on star players, the Cowboys have gone bargain hunting in an effort to try to fill the holes on their team. 

At the moment, Dallas has a couple of glaring holes on the roster. With the loss of Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory's suspension, the Cowboys need to find a defensive end who can get after the quarterback alongside DeMarcus Lawrence and Benson Mayowa. Also, the Cowboys need to find a backup quarterback to develop during Tony Romo's waning years. An underrated position of need is an interior offensive lineman who can play offensive guard and center. With the loss of Mackenzy Bernadeau, the team will miss having the Swiss Army knife interior offensive lineman. 

For a glimpse at what the Cowboys might do, especially in the first round, look at whom they invite to Valley Ranch for predraft visits. In the last 10 years, every first-round pick, besides Morris Claiborne, has been a national visitor; therefore, it is a good indication as to what Dallas is looking to do in the first round. 

Fanspeak.com's mock draft simulator was utilized for this mock draft for an idea as to who was available at each pick. This is a great exercise to see which options the Cowboys might have and what directions they might go. 

Without further ado, let's take a look at a top-100 big board and seven-round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys. 

Top-100 Big Board

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

This big board is a ranked order of the best players in the draft from the Dallas Cowboys' perspective. This means that it is likely different from the other big boards you see in the media because it takes into account the Cowboys' scheme and needs. This big board is littered with defensive linemen and wide receivers, as those positions seem to have the most depth in this draft. 

Dallas Cowboys Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Laremy Tunsil	Offensive Tackle	Mississippi
2	Jalen Ramsey	Defensive Back	Florida State
3	Joey Bosa	Defensive End	Ohio State
4	DeForest Buckner	Defensive Lineman	Oregon
5	Myles Jack	Linebacker	UCLA
6	Ezekiel Elliott	Running Back	Ohio State
7	Jared Goff	Quarterback	California
8	Laquon Treadwell	Wide Receiver	Mississippi
9	Josh Doctson	Wide Receiver	TCU
10	Sheldon Rankins	Defensive Tackle	Louisville
11	Vernon Hargreaves III	Cornerback	Florida
12	William Jackson III	Cornerback	Houston
13	Sterling Shepard	Wide Receiver	Oklahoma
14	Noah Spence	Defensive End	Eastern Kentucky
15	Shaq Lawson	Defensive End	Clemson
16	Karl Joseph	Safety	West Virginia
17	Michael Thomas	Wide Receiver	Ohio State
18	Ryan Kelly	Center	Alabama
19	Andrew Billings	Nose Tackle	Baylor
20	Chris Jones	Under Tackle	Mississippi State
21	Corey Coleman	Wide Receiver	Baylor
22	Paxton Lynch	Quarterback	Memphis
23	Jarran Reed	Nose Tackle	Alabama
24	Cody Whitehair	Offensive Guard	Kansas State
25	Jonathan Bullard	Under Tackle	Florida
26	Taylor Decker	Offensive Tackle	Ohio State
27	Kenneth Dixon	Running Back	Louisiana Tech
28	Derrick Henry	Running Back	Alabama
29	Ronnie Stanley	Offensive Tackle	Notre Dame
30	Robert Nkemdiche	Under Tackle	Mississippi
31	Javon Hargrave	Nose Tackle	South Carolina State
32	Vernon Butler	Nose Tackle	Louisiana Tech
33	Hassan Ridgeway	Under Tackle	Texas
34	Reggie Ragland	Linebacker	Alabama
35	Eli Apple	Cornerback	Ohio State
36	Kentrell Brothers	Linebacker	Missouri
37	Hunter Henry	Tight End	Arkansas
38	Christian Westerman	Offensive Guard	Arizona State
39	Carson Wentz	Quarterback	North Dakota State
40	Keanu Neal	Safety	Florida
41	Joshua Garnett	Offensive Guard	Stanford
42	Kevin Dodd	Defensive End	Clemson
43	Leonte Carroo	Wide Receiver	Rutgers
44	Will Fuller	Wide Receiver	Notre Dame
45	Jack Conklin	Offensive Tackle	Michigan State
46	Mackensie Alexander	Cornerback	Clemson
47	Kenny Clark	Nose Tackle	UCLA
48	Leonard Floyd	Defensive End/Linebacker	Georgia
49	Shilique Calhoun	Defensive End	Michigan State
50	Jason Spriggs	Offensive Tackle	Indiana
51	Emmanuel Ogbah	Defensive End	Oklahoma State
52	Vonn Bell	Safety	Ohio State
53	Matt Judon	Defensive End	Grand Valley State
54	Darron Lee	Linebacker	Ohio State
55	Xavien Howard	Cornerback	Baylor
56	Kendall Fuller	Cornerback	Notre Dame
57	Joshua Perry	Linebacker	Ohio State
58	Cardale Jones	Quarterback	Ohio State
59	Austin Hooper	Tight End	Stanford
60	A'Shawn Robinson	Nose Tackle	Alabama
61	Nick Martin	Center	Notre Dame
62	Paul Perkins	Running Back	UCLA
63	Max Tuerk	Center	USC
64	K.J. Dillon	Safety	West Virginia
65	Tyrone Holmes	Defensive End	Montana
66	Ronald Blair	Defensive End	Appalachian State
67	Jordan Jenkins	Defensive End/Linebacker	Georgia
68	Devontae Booker	Running Back	Utah
69	Shon Coleman	Offensive Tackle	Auburn
70	Maliek Collins	Under Tackle	Nebraska
71	Rashard Higgins	Wide Receiver	Colorado State
72	David Perkins	Defensive End	Illinois State
73	Alex Collins	Running Back	Arkansas
74	Tyler Boyd	Wide Receiver	Pittsburgh
75	German Ifedi	Offensive Tackle	Texas A&M
76	Artie Burns	Cornerback	Miami
77	Darian Thompson	Safety	Boise State
78	Kenny Lawler	Wide Receiver	California
79	Peyton Barber	Running Back	Auburn
80	Deion Jones	Linebacker	LSU
81	D.J. Reader	Nose Tackle	Clemson
82	Jalen Mills	Defensive Back	LSU
83	Kamalei Correa	Defensive End/Linebacker	Boise State
84	Sean Davis	Safety	Maryland
85	Jonathan Williams	Running Back	Arkansas
86	Jeremy Cash	Safety	Duke
87	Cyrus Jones	Cornerback	Alabama
88	Le'Raven Clark	Offensive Tackle	Texas Tech
89	Jack Allen	Center	Michigan State
90	Isaac Seumalo	Center	Oregon State
91	Willie Henry	Under Tackle	Michigan
92	Bronson Kaufusi	Defensive End/Under Tackle	BYU
93	Kelvin Taylor	Running Back	Florida
94	Malcolm Mitchell	Wide Receiver	Georgia
95	Austin Johnson	Nose Tackle	Penn State
96	Vernon Adams	Quarterback	Oregon
97	C.J. Prosise	Running Back	Notre Dame
98	Daniel Braverman	Wide Receiver	Western Michigan
99	Braxton Miller	Wide Receiver	Ohio State
100	Keith Marshall	Running Back	Georgia

Round 1

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Round 1, Pick 4: Jalen Ramsey, Defensive Back, Florida State

For the second year in a row, the Dallas Cowboys select a freakishly athletic defensive back with position versatility. Last year it was Byron Jones, and this year Jalen Ramsey should hear his name called. With the Los Angeles Rams trading up to the No. 1 pick, which will likely be a quarterback, a great position player was pushed down. In this scenario, the Cowboys had to choose between Ramsey, Joey Bosa, Myles Jack and Ezekiel Elliott. 

In an effort to stay true to their board, the Cowboys would be smart to choose Ramsey with the No. 4 overall pick. The Florida State product has elite athleticism to go along with fantastic football instincts. The Cowboys were unable to create turnovers last year, and Ramsey could be the catalytic player to turn the defense around.

The best part about Ramsey is that he can improve a few positions for the Cowboys. He can play as an outside cornerback opposite of Orlando Scandrick, line up in the box and play close to the line of scrimmage as a strong safety, or cover tight ends out of the slot. 

Ramsey has the size (6'1", 209 lbs), length, athleticism and physical demeanor to play all over the defense. He would allow defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli to be creative with his coverage calls, which would allow Dallas to match personnel with the opposing team. 

Much like how Tyrann Mathieu took the Arizona Cardinals defense to another level, Ramsey can have an even bigger impact in Dallas. 

Round 2

Paul Vernon/Associated Press

Round 2, Pick 34: Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

With Laquon Treadwell, Corey Coleman, Will Fuller and Josh Doctson likely going in the first round, Ohio State's Michael Thomas may be the forgotten receiver who drops to the second round. In this scenario, the Cowboys get to cash in as a first-round-caliber player drops to them at pick No. 34. 

Thomas is a smooth and precise route-runner who organically creates separation from defensive backs. He has the size that the Cowboys covet (6'3", 213 lbs) to go along with the quickness and speed to win in a variety of ways. He is a pro-ready player who understands the nuances of getting off press coverage and exhibits soft hands. 

Thomas would be a great complement to Dez Bryant, as he would take pressure off Terrance Williams to produce at a high level. Tony Romo would have another talented target who can create separation and capitalize on the favorable looks Thomas will get opposite of Bryant. 

Thomas can line up at any receiver position and has the ability to develop into a viable No. 1 option if Bryant gets injured. Thomas gives the Cowboys more firepower on offense and makes life easier on their veteran quarterback. 

Round 3

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Round 3, Pick 67: Paul Perkins, Running Back, UCLA

Last year, the Dallas Cowboys made a big mistake in not grabbing a running back in the NFL draft, which forced them to go into the season with an average backfield at best. This year, they won't make that same mistake as they pick UCLA's Paul Perkins here. 

The Cowboys were forced to run a heavy gap scheme on offense because of Darren McFadden's skill set, even though they prefer to run a zone scheme. If the Cowboys grab Perkins, they would be able to return to their zone running game. 

Perkins is the most elusive running back in this class with his ability to change direction and layer moves together as he knifes through a defense. The former UCLA running back has great vision and the ability to maximize the amount of yards that can be gained on any given play. 

He doesn't have the blazing long speed that you'd like in a running back, but he will make a lot of big plays with his ability to make people miss in confined spaces and in the open field. 

Perkins would be a great complement to Alfred Morris and possibly McFadden. If he improved his pass blocking, don't be surprised if Perkins became the starter by midseason.

Round 4

Timothy J. Gonzalez/Associated Press

Round 4, Pick 101: Isaac Seumalo, Interior Offensive Lineman, Oregon State

With the loss of Mackenzy Bernadeau, the Cowboys need to find a player who can be the Swiss Army knife for the interior offensive line as a reserve. Isaac Seumalo would be the perfect player to fill that hole on Dallas' roster. 

Seumalo started at four of the five offensive line positions while at Oregon State and showed high-level ability while playing on the inside. At 6'4" and 303 pounds with 33" arms, Seumalo has the size and length you look for in an interior offensive lineman. 

The Oregon State product is a technician on the inside with the core strength to hold up against the strong interior defensive linemen in the NFL. Seumalo's footwork is a thing of beauty as it allows him to mirror the quick rushers he may see in the NFL. 

Seumalo gives the Cowboys leverage in their upcoming contract negotiations with Travis Frederick while also significantly improving the depth of the offensive line as a whole. 

Round 4, Pick 135: Matt Judon, Defensive End, Grand Valley State

The biggest hole the Cowboys have yet to fill in this scenario is at defensive end in terms of selecting one who can get after the quarterback. 

In the fourth round, Matt Judon is the best option left, as the small-school product showed a great ability to create pressure off the edge. Judon dominated his competition, accounting for 20 sacks in 2015. He didn't play against great or even average talent, but he showed a ton of skills that make you bullish on his ability to become a legitimate pass-rusher in the NFL. 

Judon's ability to win with pure speed on the edge is his best attribute. He plays with a wild and reckless demeanor, and his motor never goes cold. 

The former Grand Valley State defensive end would be a great rotational defensive end who could give Dallas a dose of pass rush in nickel defense situations. 

Round 6

Ryan Kang/Associated Press

Round 6, Pick 189: Vernon Adams, Quarterback, Oregon

It is nearly impossible to find a decent quarterback this late in the draft; however, it is possible to find a player with the right circumstances. 

Oregon's Vernon Adams has all the attributes you want in a quarterback. He understands how to manipulate the pocket, can make every throw required of him in a given offense, is accurate at every level of the defense and has the intelligence and toughness to be a leader. 

Nevertheless, Adams is available this late because he falls below the typical thresholds that teams have on quarterbacks. Adams is short (5'11") with small hands (9 ⅛"), which eliminates him from a lot of teams' boards, even though those traits are way down on the list as to what makes quarterbacks successful.

In fact, if you write a list of the traits you look for in a quarterback and rank them, height and hand size will likely be low on the list. This gives the Cowboys the ability to take advantage of that and draft a player who should go much higher based on his skill set. 

Round 6, Pick 212: David Perkins, Defensive End, Illinois State

One of the hidden gems of this draft is David Perkins. The athletic defensive end has received almost no buzz, but that doesn't take away from his big-time talent. 

The former Ohio State transfer may be the best athlete on the edge in this draft. Perkins needs to bulk up, but he has the speed, bend and hand use to make an immediate impact as a sub-package pass-rusher. 

Perkins would give the Cowboys another young talent to develop at defensive end and allow them to get less of a drop-off in production when they rotate the starters out. 

Round 6, Pick 216: Deon King, Linebacker, Norfolk State

Every year, the Cowboys draft a linebacker who can make an impact as a special teamer. Deon Kind was a predraft national visitor and has the skill set you look for in a special teams star. 

In the sixth round, you're looking for players who are athletic and possess enough potential to possibly contribute on offense or defense on top of special teams in the future. 

King fits those requirements, as he is athletic to go along with great instincts. King had over 372 tackles and 22 sacks in his career at Norfolk State. H could be another small-school gem who develops into a nice player for the Cowboys. 

Round 6, Pick 217: Rodney Coe, Defensive Tackle, Akron

Rodney Coe is another predraft national visitor who could be a great option in the sixth round for Dallas. He has a checkered past, as he was dismissed from Iowa State, but selecting him this late mitigates any risk the team has by taking him. 

Coe was a running back in high school, and it shows as his athleticism leaps off the screen. At 6'2" and 310 pounds, Coe has the size to play as a nose or under tackle in the Cowboys scheme. 

Coe would take Ken Bishop's spot as the developmental defensive tackle on the roster but with more athletic upside.