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It’s that time of year. Mock drafts are coming fast and furious, so we’ll be tracking them on the regular to see what people are thinking about the Dallas Cowboys. It’s early in the process, and we still haven't hit free agency which can instantly change the needs of a team. The Cowboys could bring in players at a position of need, or they could let players go that will require replacement. Still, it’s not too early to get a read on the mock draft landscape as it stands today.
For the Cowboys, that means one name - Grant Delpit. Out of the 10 mock drafts that we surveyed, Delpit was the choice of seven of them. This is an interesting choice for the Cowboys. Obviously Dallas can use safety help and almost everyone realizes it. The question is will the Cowboys finally use some real resources to solve the problem? They passed on signing/trading for Earl Thomas, the weren’t ready to pull the trigger on a Jamal Adams trade (rightfully so at the price the Jets were asking), and they passed on a group of talented safeties in last year’s draft to take Trysten Hill, which hasn’t panned out so far.
Will this be the year they spend a high draft pick to get a play-making safety? These guys think so.
17 Dallas Cowboys — Grant Delpit, S, LSU (15)
2019 season stats: 2 INTs, 7 passes defended, 65 total tackles
If the Cowboys can’t trade for Jets safety Jamal Adams, beefing up the secondary with Delpit, who didn’t miss a tackle in the final three games of the season vs Georgia, Oklahoma, and Clemson.
17. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The Cowboys need an upgrade at free safety to get better at covering backs and tight ends. Delpit flies around the field, stopping the run like an extra linebacker and making big plays on the ball in downfield coverage. He plays like the Chargers’ Derwin James with tremendous hybrid size (6-3, 203 pounds) for the position.
17. DALLAS COWBOYS — S GRANT DELPIT, LSU
We’ve talked a lot about his missed tackle problem, but when it mattered most, Delpit wrapped up admirably. In the conference championship and through the playoffs, Delpit made 10 tackles and didn’t miss a single one.
17. Cowboys — Grant Delpit, S, LSU: Dallas’ dalliance with the Jets on a potential trade for Jamal Adams showed the team had interest in adding a playmaker at safety, so why not move down the line to the next LSU product? Delpit’s range would come in handy for a secondary that will be under pressure to find the ball more often in 2020.
Round 1 - Pick 17
Grant Delpit S
LSU • JR • 6’3” / 203 LBS
Some are concerned with the play of Delpit during his senior season, and that is warranted. However, he battled an ankle injury and it feels as though another unnecessary Derwin James-type slide could play out.
17. Dallas Cowboys
MOCK DRAFT PICK WILL BE: GRANT DELPIT, S LSU
Other Realistic Options: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE/LB Penn State; Henry Ruggs, WR Alabama
Biggest Team Need: Defensive Back
The Cowboys can go a whole slew of different ways with this. They need a difference-making leader in the secondary, and that’s Delpit.
17. Cowboys - Grant Delpit S, LSU
The Dallas Cowboys were in on Jamal Adams at the trade deadline, and Grant Delpit offers a versatile skill set like that of Adams. He can win as one-high safety, deep zones, man coverage and play forward against the run and quick game.
There are some other projections besides Delpit. Let’s check in on a few.
17. Dallas Cowboys: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
While Epenesa’s measurables won’t jump off the page, he was highly productive in college and can create pressure with his strength and effort. He’d be a nice fit alongside Demarcus Lawrence, especially if Robert Quinn leaves in free agency.
17) Dallas Cowboys: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Dallas could lose Byron Jones to free agency, and must continue to build out the secondary. Fulton has elite ball skills and is an ideal fit in a man-coverage defense.
17. Dallas Cowboys: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
What happens to free agent defensive back Byron Jones will define what the Cowboys do in the draft. If he leaves, the Cowboys could find another big cornerback in Diggs.
It’s interesting that all 10 mock drafts have the Cowboys going defense, and nine of the 10 have the Cowboys adding to their secondary.
What’s your call BTB? Is Delpit the pick the Cowboys should make if he’s available at #17? If not, what direction should they go?