Cowboys 2018 draft: Mel Kiper, Jr. & Todd McShay two-round mock draft

Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay have published a combined two-round mock draft. Of course, it’s really just a two-round mock draft from each guy smashed together into one article, but let’s take a look.

We’ll start with Kiper. At pick #19 he has the Cowboys picking a familiar pick.

Kiper: Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama

Evans could replace Anthony Hitchens at middle linebacker and help rush the passer on third downs.

Either Kiper has heard some kind of inside rumor, or he’s just sticking to his guns because he makes this same pick for Dallas in almost everyone of his mock drafts. I’m higher on Evans than most of the Cowboys fanbase and think that linebacker is a huge need. Leighton Vander Esch seems to be the choice of most of the Cowboys fans if Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds are gone and the Cowboys go linebacker, and sure enough Vander Esch was available at this pick. Kiper could have also gone with guys like Calvin Ridley, Isaiah Wynn, Will Hernandez, Taven Bryan, D.J. Moore, James Daniels or Harold Landry.

On to McShay at the Cowboys pick at #19:

McShay: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida

An interior pass-rusher with his best football ahead of him, Bryan has elite first-step quickness. He’d fit well in a D-line rotation in Dallas.

Bryan is starting to get more play in mock drafts recently and the Cowboys are making him one of their 30 pre-draft visitors. He seems like he could be a combo DT, he might want to pack on some more weight if he’s going to anchor down at the 1-tech, but Rod Marinelli does like his interior guys smaller than most. Players McShay passed on include many of the same guys Kiper passed on.

Kiper at pick #50:

Kiper: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State

I thought about tight end in Round 1 for Dallas, which needs to plan for a future without soon-to-be 36-year-old Jason Witten. Gesicki isn’t much of a blocker at this point, but he has the skill set of a 6-5 slot receiver.

I’m very skeptical that the Cowboys will spend a high draft pick on tight end because Witten will be available this year and they still want to see what they have in Rico Gathers. Kiper could have had G/C Billy Price from Ohio State here which would have been a perfect time to take a shot at a guard of the future. He could have also had his pick of a trio of wide receivers including Courtland Sutton, James Washington or Anthony Miller.

Kiper’s draft of Rashaan Evans and Mike Gesicki would rank about a D in my book.

McShay’s pick at #50:

McShay: Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis

With Dez Bryant’s Cowboys future up in the air, Dak Prescott needs playmakers on the outside.

We know the Cowboys are on the wide receiver hunt, so this pick makes a lot of sense here. Miller is an interesting talent that is worth the pick at this point in the draft. McShay took Miller over fellow wide receivers Courtland Sutton and James Washington. Defensive end Arden Key was still on the board here and could have been a value pick.

Overall, McShay’s draft of Taven Bryan and Anthony Miller would rank a B+.

Okay, over to you BTB. Hit the comments on these potential two-round drafts.