Cowboys Mock Draft 9.0: Six picks will do the trick (full seven-round mock with trades)

For the last several weeks, we’ve been playing around with some trades but that’s because the majority of us don’t really see the Cowboys picking 10 players. So, for this mock, we’re going to look at a few more trades. However, we’re going to stand pat in the first round and explore trades that can help the Cowboys get better while unloading some later picks that would have a hard time making the roster.

Though we’re all still quite uncertain what the Cowboys will do in the first round, we could very well see something similar to last season. Ask yourself two questions. 1. Where do the Cowboys have their biggest question marks? 2. Where can the Cowboys get true value out of their first pick? With that said, let’s make another mockery of this 2018 NFL Draft.

Pick 19: Cowboys select James Daniels, OL, Iowa (Brugler: 18th)

Analysis: This is a solid pick for the Cowboys as they plug in Daniels at their left guard spot and keep La’el Collins from making yet another move. Daniels has the athleticism and second-level blocking ability to be an outstanding zone blocking guard. This pick will also return the Cowboys to having perhaps the scariest offensive line in all of pro football.

Though some folks are critical of spending another high pick on the offensive line, the Cowboys identity is running the football behind the road graders. This is a very high-value pick for the Cowboys as Daniels will play all the offensive snaps.

Pick 50: Cowboys select Nathan Shepherd, Fort Hays State (Brugler: 55th)

Analysis: One of Dane Brugler’s pet cats here and someone that the Cowboys spent extensive time working out. He may be a little bit raw but he can contribute immediately as a pass-rushing presence inside. Though he’s going to be a 25-year old rookie, he’s a plus athlete that was literally manhandling his opponents last season. Shepherd is a very self aware player that already improved on areas that many believed he needed to work on.

If the Cowboys are going to beef up the defensive line, they want a guy that can take on doubles but give them more pass rush, that’s Shepherd.

Pick 81: Cowboys select Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis (Brugler: 60th)

Analysis: This is a pick that could become a reality and Dallas would be thrilled to see a great receiver pushed to them in the third round due to such a deep class. Miller is such a great salesman on his routes and has become a top-notch route-runner at the college level. He’s also got smooth hands that you can see on display as he plucks the ball with ease along the sidelines.

His best traits that the Cowboys are going to love is that he’s a scrambling quarterback’s best friend, he’s always working back to his signal-caller and can get open early or late. Miller sometimes does a little too much wasted movement with his arms but he’s one strong receiver, putting up 22 reps on the bench. He’s very much an underrated favorite that could fall into the third round but that’s just the way the draft goes.

***TRADE ALERT**

The Cowboys see a favorite of theirs still on the board as we get towards the closing picks in the third round. Dallas places a call to the Houston Texans sending picks 116 + 137 + 208 + 2019 conditional seventh ( approx. 109-110 points) for pick 98 (108 points)

Pick 98 (From HOU): Cowboys select Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa (Brugler: 93rd)

Analysis: The Cowboys are certainly looking for a linebacker for the middle of their defense as part of the rotation with their two presumed starters in Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith. Jewell may have run a slow 40 but his play speed is much faster and you can put his instincts up against any of the linebackers in round one, he’s that aware of the game. He’s not getting the credit he deserves for the type of player he truly is, he just sees everything and is usually the first guy to the ball carrier.

***TRADE ALERT***

Dallas may have traded away their fourth round picks but they’re not wasting any time and going for it in this mock. They send picks 171 + 192+ 193 (50.6 points) to Kansas City for pick 122 in the fourth round.

Pick 122 (From KC): Cowboys select Tarvarious Moore, FS, Southern Miss (Brugler: —)

Analysis: He’s BTB’s pet cat and at some point we have to talk a pick into existence like some of us did with Xavier Woods last season. Moore is a player that the Cowboys have shown interest in and he’s got blazing speed for a free safety. His athletic profile is impressive but when you watch his performances at Southern Miss, it makes you wonder how he was missed until so late in this process.

The Cowboys under Kris Richard are looking for an aggressive yet finely tuned secondary, Moore will be a very great grab as he will compete for a starting role faster than many may think.

Pick 236: Cowboys select Vyncint Smith, WR, Limestone (Brugler:—)

Analysis: Here in the seventh round, the Cowboys decide to double up on receivers and snag a guy rather than fight with free agency. Smith has blazing 4.3 speed but he’s also got great size at 6’3, 195 lbs. Last season, he caught 49 passes for 849 yards, which is an average over 17 yards per catch. The Cowboys could use his size and speed in a multitude of ways on this offense.

Don’t forget to join us next week for our Mock 10.0: The Finale right before yours truly heads off to AT&T Stadium for the festivities!