Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft: Finding Starters in Every Round
In 2016, the Dallas Cowboys selected two Week 1 starters in the draft: Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott. But by the end of the season, four rookies had found their way into the starting lineup: Elliott, Prescott, Maliek Collins and Anthony Brown. While that's not likely to happen again in 2017, it certainly will be the goal.
The purpose of this mock draft is to select a player with every pick who could start by the end of the 2017 season at the latest. That means this will likely look different than the mock drafts you are accustomed to seeing. Instead of drafting a player with a high ceiling who may not see the field much as a rookie, this mock will focus on players who could find a role on the team by Week 1.
With that in mind, here is a seven-round mock draft in which the Cowboys find a starter with every selection.
Round 1: Pick 28
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The Pick: DE Taco Charlton, Michigan
Taco Charlton isn't someone who has been mentioned a lot in connection with the Cowboys in the first round, but he makes sense as an immediate starter on their defense. While he doesn't project as a right defensive end in Rod Marinelli's scheme, he does make for ideal fit as a left end, replacing Tyrone Crawford.
Charlton improved each year at Michigan and is just starting to learn how to use his massive frame. At 6'6" and 277 pounds, Charlton looks like another Dallas defensive end: David Irving. Both of those players have the flexibility to play anywhere across the defensive line, and that's a trait that Marinelli loves in his "rushmen".
There will likely be more talented, more explosive ends available at the bottom of Round 1, but Charlton makes sense as a plug-and-play left end who can kick inside on third downs. His selection would also allow Crawford to move back inside and compete with Maliek Collins for snaps as the 3-technique. This pick doesn't have the glamor of some of the other names that could be available, but it would certainly upgrade one spot on their defensive line.
Round 2: Pick 60
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The Pick: CB Teez Tabor, Florida
Once considered a lock first-round pick, Teez Tabor proceeded to run a 4.62 40-yard dash at the combine and a 4.75 at Florida's pro day. Those two numbers alone will scare teams from selecting him in the first round, and they may be inclined to remove his name completely from their respective draft boards.
While the speed is concerning, it may not be an issue for Dallas. One position where the Cowboys want to improve this offseason is at cornerback, and they want to bring in players who can take the ball away. In Tabor's last two seasons with the Gators, he had eight interceptions to go along with 28 pass deflections. He was the most consistent defensive back in the SEC over the past two seasons and dominated every receiver he faced. His lack of speed was never a concern, as no receiver was able to beat him deep.
Speed isn't his only concern, however. He was suspended twice while he was in Gainsville, and there have been rumblings that he didn't interview well at the combine, according to Bleacher Report's Matt Miller. But his ideal size and play-making ability make him a worthwhile gamble at the bottom of the second round.
Tabor could immediately start on the outside for Dallas, as the team has no real No. 1 corner on the roster. His lack of speed may show up at times, but his ability to be physical at the line of scrimmage with receivers will help him cover up that lack of speed. He's got the body the Cowboys covet, and he does create turnovers. At Pick 60, it's worth the risk.
Round 3: Pick 92
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The Pick: S Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech
With the departures of Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox this offseason, there is a void in the Cowboys secondary at the strong safety position. While Jeff Heath is an option to fill that role, he's a much better fit as a deep safety on passing downs.
However, the Cowboys are likely to change their philosophy as to what a strong safety should look like in their defense. With so many teams in the NFL favoring three- and four-wide receiver sets, Dallas will be looking for a safety who can cover instead of the typical in-the-box safety. Like Tabor, the Cowboys will favor players who can take the ball away at a high rate. Enter Lousiana Tech's Xavier Woods.
In his past three seasons in school, he created 20 turnovers, including 14 interceptions and four career sacks. Woods was a four-year starter in college who racked up 277 tackles. He's not a great athlete, but he's an instinctive player who can be used all over the field. He's got experience as a nickel corner, mirroring receivers down the field and in the slot.
Woods could step in right away and seize the starting strong safety role. He needs to clean up his overall game in run support and become a stronger athlete, but his skill set would allow him to play immediately, especially on passing downs.
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Round 4: 133
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The Pick: LB Blair Brown, Ohio
No one knows the status of former second-round pick Jaylon Smith. There have been reports that the nerve in his knee has begun to fire, including on SportsDay, but it's also been reported that he will attempt to play with an AFO brace, something that has never been done before at that position.
While Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson are nice players, both project as backups in the NFL. That leaves a spot open next to Sean Lee, especially on third downs. The Cowboys had so little confidence in their linebackers last year, that on passing downs, Barry Church slid down and played that role.
The recent success of "limited" linebackers, such as Deion Jones with the Atlanta Falcons, may open the Cowboys' eyes in terms of what they are looking for in a linebacker. Ohio's Blair Brown might just be the perfect complement to Lee in their nickel package.
At just 5'11", Brown's size would have been the reason he didn't get a shot in the NFL a decade ago. But with teams using their nickel defense as their base defense, Brown now has value. He's a blur on the field and possesses the movement skills to match up with running backs and smaller tight ends in the passing game. He's also a fantastic blitzer and can thrive when he's allowed to run and chase on passing downs.
With the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins all using three-receiver sets as their base offensive personnel, it would be wise for the Cowboys to consider a player like Brown, as he can use his explosiveness to make plays all over the field. He's exactly what the NFL is looking for in their linebackers, but his lack of size will likely allow him to make it to the fourth round of the draft.
Round 6: Pick 211
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The Pick: TE George Kittle, Iowa
Unlike the other three teams in the NFC East, the Cowboys still employ a two-tight end set as their base personnel on offense. With Geoff Swaim and James Hanna rehabbing this offseason from major injuries, and both questionable to be ready for training camp, the team could look to add another tight end late in the draft to provide some insurance.
One player who fits perfectly with what the Cowboys want from their second tight end is Iowa's George Kittle. He's one of the best blockers in this class and provides the athleticism the team wants at the position. Kittle wasn't used much as a receiver in college, catching only 48 passes in 49 career games, but he has the athletic profile to improve in the NFL. He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash while having a 35-inch vertical and posting an 11-foot broad jump.
Kittle could come in right away and help in the rushing game. His experience in Iowa's run-heavy offense will allow him to contribute in an NFL offense in Year 1. The receiving aspect of his game will need time to develop, but he can still contribute in the run game and on special teams as a rookie.
Round 7: Pick 228
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The Pick: KR/PR Isaiah McKenzie, Georgia
The Cowboys haven't returned a kickoff for a touchdown since September 15, 2008. It's been over 3,000 days since Felix Jones returned one for a score against the Eagles in his rookie season. In 2014, Dwayne Harris did add some spark to the return game, but he is returning kicks for the divisional rival New York Giants.
It is becoming painfully clear the Cowboys have to improve in the return game. In 2016, the Cowboys finished 23rd in both average kickoff return-yard (20.5) and punt-return average (7.1). Over the past three seasons, there have been 57 kick- and punt-return touchdowns, with zero by the Cowboys. Other than Dan Bailey, Dallas' special teams unit has been anything but special.
While Lucky Whitehead is a nice player, he just isn't dynamic enough to be the team's returner. In the seventh round, the Cowboys could grab the draft's best returner: Georgia's Isaiah McKenzie. In his three seasons as a Bulldog, McKenzie returned five punts for scores and one kickoff for a touchdown. He also averaged 12.1 yards per punt return in his college career and could be an explosive player on offense.
McKenzie projects to be one of the quickest receivers in the NFL, and his elite production in the SEC would help earn him a spot on the Cowboys' 53-man roster. He could replace Whitehead as the team's returner and find himself a role on offense in no time.
Round 7: Pick 246
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The Pick: OT Conor McDermott, UCLA
Doug Free's sudden retirement means that the Cowboys are forced to rely on the oft-injured Chaz Green at right tackle. In 33 possible games, Green has only appeared in four contests. While Green is likely to be the team's starter, that doesn't mean they won't bring in some competition. Dallas has already signed former Carolina Panther Byron Bell, but his injury history is murky as well, and he's not a lock to make the 53-man roster.
UCLA's Conor McDermott could be an option late on Day 3 for Dallas as the team looks for a possible starter at right tackle. McDermott is a former basketball star who didn't make the transition to tackle until 2014, his sophomore year at UCLA. He's got experience at left tackle and guard and played at a high level at each.
McDermott has the athleticism and feet to play in the Cowboys' zone-heavy scheme, but he needs to gain strength in order to survive against the stronger defensive ends in the NFL. His basketball background and his movement skills could give him a chance to play for the Cowboys if and when Green were to go down. He might not start right away, but he could find his way on to the field before the end of his rookie season.
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