FanPost

Cowboys' Post-Regular Season Mock Draft

The Cowboys have had an amazing year, highlighted by young players and a team that was built through the draft. Getting young talent in the draft is the Cowboys’ biggest source of talent opposed to free agency:


Biggest Needs:

CB: Outside of Anthony Brown, the Cowboys have very little young talent at cornerback. Mo Claiborne and Brandon Carr are both going to be free agents as well. Brown looks like he will be a very solid #2 boundary corner, but the Cowboys need a true lockdown #1 cornerback.


DE: David Irving and Benson Mayowa have emerged as productive pass-rushers late in the season, but the Cowboys will still need more pass-rush help. Tank Lawrence and Randy Gregory both can’t be trusted off the field, so getting a twitchy, explosive edge rusher is a high priority.


WR: Dez Bryant is still an elite receiver, but we are likely to lose Terrance Williams in free agency. Another position that lacks young talent, the Cowboys need to influx some talent at wide receiver through the draft to develop into a true threat across from Dez.


Round 1, Pick #32: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State (rSo./6’1"/202)

Brandon Carr and Mo Claiborne are both set to become free agents this spring, and Mo is the one that is likely to be re-signed, but he can’t be counted on to play a full 16 games. Outside of Anthony Brown, the Cowboys are severely lacking young talent at cornerback. Brown looks like he will develop into an above average #2 corner or into a stud nickel/slot corner. So the Cowboys decide to grab a top-level talent at cornerback with the potential to develop into an elite, lockdown #1 corner. Lattimore has all the tools that you look for in a #1 cornerback. At 6’1", he has long arms and impressive bulk on his frame. He’s a premier athlete with 4.4 speed and explosive leaping ability to go with impressive change of direction skills. His technique is a little raw, but he has some talent as a press-man corner with a strong jab and impressive s

mirroring skills. In zone, he is very aware and smart, displaying impressive closing burst as well. The biggest thing that makes Lattimore special is his ballskills. He was also recruited as a receiver and he has sticky hands and very good tracking skills when the ball is in the air. Lattimore plays hard and is a consistent, effective run defender, but he is young and only has one season of experience, so he may need to be brought along slowly. As a rookie, Lattimore should see some playing time in the cornerback rotation on the boundary while developing his technique. It shouldn’t be long before Lattimore is starting and making plays for the Cowboys.

Career Stats: 16 Games, 45 Total Tackles, 1 Tackle For Loss, 4 Interceptions, 11 Passes Defended, 1 Defensive Touchdown


Round 2, Pick #64: Harold Landry, DE, Boston College (Jr./6’3"/250)

The Cowboys seem to have found life in Ben Mayowa and David Irving as pass-rushers, but with Randy Gregory looking at a potential one-year suspension, Tank Lawrence’s regression, and Mayowa best served as a rotational edge-rusher, the Cowboys need an explosive, bendy edge-rusher that can get after the quarterback. Talented enough to be selected in the first round, in a loaded edge class with up to 12 rushers with first-round grades, Landry falls to the Cowboys in the second round. Landry is extremely explosive off the snap with crazy burst out of his stance. He’s also got the flexibility to bend the edge and flatten to get after the quarterback. He’s still developing pass-rush moves and wins often with his pure athleticism and relentlessness, but he has the potential to become a 10-sack guy in the NFL. He has a knack for making plays in the backfield and forcing fumbles. He’s not very big, but he’s surprisingly strong and disruptive in the run game. He has been so productive over the last two seasons in large part due to his pure relentless nature and motor. The way the Cowboys’ offense forces other teams to play catch-up and throw the ball a ton, they need to be able to get after the passer and get sacks. Landry might need to add a little bit of bulk and add to his pass-rush moves, but he should be able to come in and immediately contribute as a pass-rusher on third downs while developing into a fulltime starter.

Career Stats: 30 Games, 120 Total Tackles, 39.5 Tackles For Loss, 20 Sacks, 1 Interception, 4 Passes Defended, 10 Forced Fumbles

Round 3, Pick #96: KD Cannon, WR, Baylor (Jr./6’0"/180)

The Cowboys have a talented receiving core, but they lack a consistent vertical threat that can routinely win down the field and make explosive plays, while making teams pay for loading up to stop the run. Brice Butler is a quality deep threat with nice size, but he isn’t consistent. Plus, he and Terrance Williams are both set to become free agents after this season. That’s where Cannon can add a new element to the Cowboys’ offense. Listed on the roster at 180 pounds, one look at Cannon and you can see his muscular and tapered physique. Cannon is widely believed to be quite a bit heavier than his listed weight by a lot of scouts. Cannon has one of the quickest releases off the line in college football, with impressive footwork and hand usage to get off press coverage. Even though Cannon isn’t asked to run a full route tree at Baylor, but he shows explosive footwork and a nasty head fake when breaking off his routes and consistently gets open with his explosive quickness and footwork. And while Cannon’s quickness is very impressive, his straight-line speed is even more dangerous, as he consistently runs behind the defense and winning vertically down the field. Cannon is sure-handed and seems to catch everything thrown his way. He’s reported to have a 40-inch vertical jump and a sub-4.4 forty. And despite not being the biggest receiver, Cannon plays with a swagger and intensity that is uncommon at the college level. He plays with the cockiness and brash attitude that is common among the NFL’s elite receivers. The biggest surprise that stood out when watching Cannon’s tape, is that he’s an extremely effective downfield blocker. Cannon could give the Cowboys a new element their offense with someone who is capable of routinely getting separation down the field and making teams pay big time for loading up the box. Cannon creates explosive plays, and his intensity, drive, and will to win will fit right in with the personalities of the Cowboys two biggest stars, Zeke Elliott and Dez Bryant. Cannon could easily step in and contribute in the receiving corps and make a few big plays down the field.

Career Stats: 36 Games, 195 Receptions, 3113 Receiving Yards, 16 Yards Per Reception, 27 Touchdowns


Round 4, Pick #128: Avery Gennesy, OT/OG, Texas A&M (rSr./6’5"/315)

Chaz Green has shown talent and potential, but he has failed to stay healthy throughout his career. Gennesy isn’t quite as polished of a pass-blocker as Green is, but he’s a devastating, mauling run-blocker. Green also struggled when asked to play another position besides left tackle, but Gennesy has experience playing guard and right tackle. Gennesy has the potential to be the next starting right tackle for the Cowboys. Gennesy is a good athlete for the position with excellent size and length and an explosive punch and flashes of twitchy, quick feet. He’s got a strong anchor and upper body and doesn't get pushed around by the bigger, stronger defensive linemen. He’s got the potential to become a very good pass-blocker with some technique work, but he’s already an elite run-blocker whose physical nature and ability to consistently drive defenders off the line of scrimmage is very impressive. Gennesy’s positional versatility will appeal to the Cowboys and his potential to become a high-level starter is worth the draft pick in the middle of the draft.

Career Stats: 26 Games, 26 Starts


Round 6, Pick #198: Dylan Cole, WLB, Missouri State (Sr./6’1"/240)

The Cowboys will be losing Justin Durant and Andrew Gachkar to free agency, so they will need to add some depth at linebacker in the draft. Cole is one of the best linebackers in FCS history who has put up monster production over the last 4 years, including nearly 10 tackles per game throughout his career.. Cole is a freaky athlete with a yolked-up frame, who can really fly around the field. He’s extremely fast for a linebacker and he can make plays from sideline to sideline as well as in the backfield. He is hard-nosed linebacker who can really punish runners with explosive, powerful tackles. He probably will run the 40 in the low 4.5s and he posted a video on Twitter of him pumping out 36 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He’s very good in coverage and can match up with running backs and tight ends and be very effective. His best position is at WILL but he can also play SAM because of his strength against the run. Cole will immediately become a special teams demon thanks to his speed and effort, but he will also be able to provide valuable depth at linebacker. The Cowboys know you can never have too many quality linebackers, and Cole should be able to provide some sort of impact as a rookie.

Career Stats: 46 Games, 457 Total Tackles, 40.5 Tackles For Loss, 5 Interceptions, 21 Passes Defended, 3 Forced Fumbles


Round 7, Pick #212: TJ Logan, RB, North Carolina (Sr./5’10"/190)

Lance Dunbar has failed to stay healthy throughout his career and he and Darren McFadden are both going to free agents this spring. The Cowboys would like to replace Dunbar’s speedy, change-of-pace, pass-catching role. Logan is one of the most versatile and productive players in the country in terms of being a runner/receiver threat. Logan is extremely fast with the speed to take it to the house any time he touches the ball. In space, Logan is even more dangerous. He has explosive footwork and loose hips to make tacklers look silly. Logan is also an excellent return man who destroys pursuit angles with his elite acceleration. His ability to lineup in the slot just adds to his versatility. Logan will never be an every down back, but his ability run the ball, to catch the ball out of the backfield and from the slot, as well as be a very good return man should allow him to become a key role player in the Cowboys offense and a third down nightmare with his excellent route-running and sure hands. Logan should make Lucky Whitehead expendable as a return man as well as offering much more value on offense as he can lineup anywhere on the field and be a playmaker. Logan is an exciting player who can add more explosiveness to the offense.

Career Stats: 49 Games, 2165 Rushing Yards, 5.4 Yards Per Carry, 19 Rushing Touchdowns, 76 Receptions, 8.7 Yards Per Reception, 4 Receiving Touchdowns, 2098 Kick Return Yards, 27.2 Yards Per Kick Return, 5 Kick Return Touchdowns


Round 7, Pick #232: DJ Jones, DT, Ole Miss (Sr./6’0"/321)

The Cowboys know that they can never have too many disruptive defensive linemen that make plays in the backfield. DJ Jones is a perfect fit for the 1-technique spot in the Cowboys’ scheme. The Cowboys signed Richard Ash off the Jaguars practice squad at the end of the season because they needed a true run-stuffer that can eat up blocks and clog running lanes. Jones can be a valuable piece of the defensive line rotation as a run-stopper. He doesn’t have elite length or size, but he’s one of college football’s strongest players, with a 450-pound bench press and an almost 700-pound squat. Jones is a quick-twitch athlete with some serious lower-body explosion. He’s posted a video on his Twitter of him dunking a basketball, which is quite impressive for a man that’s only 6 feet tall and over 320 pounds. He’s asked to play nose tackle in Ole Miss’ scheme, but in a scheme that he can use his explosiveness and strength to penetrate the backfield, he could be much better in an attacking 4-3 scheme where he’s not asked to eat just eat up blocks. He’s a high-effort player with a tremendous motor who has shown flashes of taking over games and being unblockable at times. Jones could immediately contribute in the defensive tackle rotation, especially against the run. With starter potential and rare athletic traits, Jones is worth a draft pick this late.

Career Stats: 25 Games, 70 Total Tackles, 6 Sacks, 8.5 Tackles For Loss, 1 Interception, 1 Forced Fumble


Offense UDFA #1: Antonio Pipkin, QB, Tiffin (Sr./6’1"/221)

A division 2 quarterback who earned a Senior Bowl invite, Pipkin is a terrific athlete with a live arm. He has high upside and he fits the Cowboys’ scheme. Could be worth a roster spot to develop into Dak’s future backup.


Offense UDFA #2: Zach Pascal, WR, Old Dominion (Sr./6’2"/217)

The Cowboys always do a good job of bringing in talents undrafted wide receivers, and Pascal should be the next one. Poor quarterback play has hurt his production, but his combination of size, 4.4 speed, and tremendous hands could give him a chance to compete for a roster spot.


Offense UDFA #3: Devante Mays, RB, Utah State (Sr./5’10"/228)

The JUCO transfer couldn’t stay healthy as a senior, but he’s a punishing runner and workout warrior. He has a vertical jump of over 40", so he has some serious burst and lower-body explosion. The Cowboys have shown that they’re willing to carry 4 running backs at a time, so Mays could earn a roster spot by showing some of his power and strength in the preseason, and he could potentially be Zeke’s long-term backup.


Defense UDFA #1: Trey Hendrickson, DE/DT, Florida Atlantic (Sr./6’4"/275)

The Cowboys know that it’s always good to have as many pass-rushers as possible, and Hendrickson knows how to get after the quarterback, with 29.5 career sacks. He’s not explosive or dynamic, but he’s strong and knows how to use his hands well. He could compete for a roster spot as a pass-rusher in the rotation. Hendrickson can rush from the interior and also contribute on special teams.


Defense UDFA #2: Harvey Langi, MLB, BYU (rSr./6’2"/249)

The Cowboys don’t have a true MIKE linebacker on their roster, and Langi is an athletic, physical project worth developing. He played running back early in his career and doesn’t have much experience at linebacker, but he’s tough and as mean as they come. He needs time to develop his instincts, but he has upside as potential backup and special teams contributor.


Defense UDFA #3: Casey DeAndrade, FS/SS, New Hampshire (rSr./5’11"/216)

Barry Church and JJ Wilcox have both played very well this year and might command big paydays and the Cowboys should only re-sign one of them. DeAndrade is highly productive player who is athletic, tough as nails, and instinctive. DeAndrade is a very good run defender with impressive ballskills in coverage. It wouldn’t be surprising if DeAndrade earned himself a roster spot with special teams production and play in the preseason.


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