Todd McShay two-round mock draft: Cowboys feeling defensive about their roster

Some people subscribe to the “don’t over-think it” school. You got a problem, take the direct route to solving it and be done with it. There is a certain simplicity to it that appeals. But is it a good method for drafting NFL players?

Whether intentional or not, the latest mock draft from Todd McShay, as far as it concerns the Cowboys, seems to fall into the “don’t over-think it” school. This mock comes after the first wave of free agency when you can really see what the holes on a team’s roster are likely to be. The Cowboys two biggest losses in free agency were Byron Jones and Robert Quinn.

Jones was undoubtedly the Cowboys best cornerback and left to sign a deal that puts him at the top of the scale for corners. The Cowboys didn’t really replace him, although they did re-sign Anthony Brown who provides some stability. Robert Quinn took his 11.5 team-leading sack total to Chicago, and while the Cowboys did improve their defensive line in free agency, they still have a hole at right end.

So let’s not over-think it and go ahead and plug those holes. For the Cowboys first pick:

17. Dallas Cowboys

CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

Byron Jones is officially headed elsewhere, and that Dallas secondary managed just seven interceptions in 2019 (tied with Arizona and Detroit for fewest in the NFL). Enter Henderson, who is an athletic playmaker in coverage with smooth, 4.39 speed.

This is not a surprise as Henderson has been connected with the Cowboys for a while now. The real issue for Dallas, should Henderson be a player they are targeting, is if he even makes it to pick #17. There have been some mocks where Henderson has squeezed into the top 10 picks.

Now for the Cowboys second-round pick:

51. Dallas Cowboys

Josh Uche, DE, Michigan

Robert Quinn’s absence leaves a hole opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. Uche had 8.5 sacks last season at Michigan.

A defensive end from Michigan? Hopefully this one would turn out better than the last Cowboys defensive end from Michigan taken high in the draft. With Quinn gone, the right end position is open for the Cowboys. Sure, they could fit Tyrone Crawford in there, or maybe Dorance Armstrong takes a hug leap forward, but those don’t feel like winning plans.

The Cowboys are hoping that Randy Gregory can return in 2020, and that he still has the skills he’s shown when he has been on the roster. But the “don’t over-think” school says let’s just draft a guy to play there.

How do you see this mock draft, BTB?