Cowboys Mock Draft 5.0: A final seven-round mock for those aboard #TeamTradeDown

This will be the final mock for BTB as the excitement hits a fever point just before the real deal begins this week. It’s primetime lying season and we’ve seen plenty relative to the Cowboys. Will they or won’t they go after a linebacker? Will the Cowboys’ top targets be wiped out by the time they are on the clock? Can Dallas find a partner to trade down with and pick up an extra pick if they are wiped out? Well, in the finale, my colleague Connor Livesay and I decide to give it a go.

(Note: For trade back purposes, the PFF Mock Draft Simulation Module was utilized for this exercise, we also used DraftTek’s Trade Value Chart)

FIRST ROUND

With C.J. Henderson and K’Lavon Chaisson off the board by 17, the Cowboys aren’t loving their options. Thankfully, the Baltimore Ravens are interested in moving up:

DAL receives: Pick 28, Pick 60 (960 points)

BAL receives: Pick 17, Pick 179 (968.6 points)

PICK 28 (From BAL)

Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

Why it makes sense: Whether you believe all the talk about linebacker or not, all this smoke has to lead to a little fire, right? Kenneth Murray will be a nice addition to a multiple front defense that the Cowboys seem ready to install. Whether the Cowboys might be suffering buyer’s remorse for Jaylon Smith’s contract or they just want to have Smith rush the passer, Murray can step in early and impact the defense. He’s a tone-setter, an aggressive and physical defender with incredible range. The positional value is not there at 17 but at 28, this pick feels much better.

Connor’s Scouting Report: While it’s unlikely the Cowboys would consider Kenneth Murray at 17th overall, it sounds as if he’s the ideal trade-back candidate. Murray is an athletic, physical linebacker that has some outside/inside versatility. Murray still has a bunch of developing to do, so this would be more of a projection than a sure-thing. Still, the Cowboys are doing their homework on these linebackers, and Murray’s ceiling is one of the highest in this class.

SECOND ROUND

PICK 51

Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

Why it makes sense: Being able to land a solid press man cornerback like Damon Arnette in the middle of the second round is a nice win for the Cowboys. Arnette is an ascending player coming off his best year in 2019. Though he still has plenty to prove, the improvement Arnette made from 2017 to 2019 is exponential. The Cowboys need a good cover guy on the perimeter and though Arnette isn’t elite, he’s got enough to start right away alongside Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis. Though inconsistent at times, his closing abilities and ball production will endear him to his coaches early while he grows on the job.

Connor’s Scouting Report: In terms of per coverage ability, Damon Arnette has some of the better tape in this class. Arnette gets overshadowed by his teammate Jeff Okudah, and has some off the field concerns, but the pure coverage skills makes him extremely intriguing. Arnette is very physical at the line of scrimmage, throughout the route-stem, and at the catch point. The penalty threat is there at the next level, but you’d rather young corners be too aggressive, than too passive coming into the league.

PICK 60

Terrell Burgess, S, Utah

Why it makes sense: The Cowboys are looking to transform their defense into one that has scheme versatility. Terrell Burgess is a one-year starter that converted to safety from cornerback, his coverage abilities are outstanding, and he’s incredibly intelligent on how to defend deep zones. The one drawback is the lack of ball production but he’s shown all the traits to become that opportunistic player on the back end. Burgess has drawn some favorable comparisons to Tyrann Mathieu. He can literally be plugged in at any position in the backfield and hold his own. The Dallas defense needs more guys like Terrell Burgess.

Connor’s Scouting Report: Terrell Burgess is one of my favorite players in this class, and an excellent value at 82 overall. Burgess is a do-it-all defender that can tackle, cover, and play multiple spots for a defense. Burgess has the potential to play FS, SS, and nickel corner, and even played some boundary cornerback at Utah. Adding a player of Burgess’ caliber this late in the draft would be a steal for the Cowboys.

THIRD ROUND

PICK 82

DaVon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State

Why it makes sense: With struggles to stop the run when it mattered most, against good teams, Dallas will complete the upgrading process with this selection of Davon Hamilton. Playing behind Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe will allow him to be groomed by two of the NFL’s better interior defenders in the past decade. Hamilton will get snaps early though due to his immense power at the point of attack. The Cowboys did enough to afford them the opportunity to wait on defensive tackle but this addition is tremendous value in the third round.

Connor’s Scouting Report: DaVon Hamilton would be another example of the Cowboys showing value to a position they used to ignore. Hamilton is your prototypical nose tackle, that plays with violent hands and some quickness to his game. Hamilton is likely a two-down space eating in year one, but I do think he offers some pass rush ability on early downs with his quickness, power, and hand-technique.

FOURTH ROUND

TRADE ALERT!

DAL receives: Pick 132, Pick 155 (68.2 Points)

MIN receives: Pick 123 (49 Points)

PICK 132 (FROM MIN)

Collin Johnson, WR, Texas

Why it makes sense: Dallas had to pivot when most of the great options for the slot were long gone here. Collin Johnson is still a solid prospect with upside to become a decent X receiver in the pros. The Cowboys will know exactly what they are getting in Johnson and he’s a player that knows exactly who he is, and how to win his matchups. The contortion abilities combined with a masterful sense of sideline awareness, Johnson is a receiver that can carve out a role in Mike McCarthy’s offense.

Connor’s Scouting Report: While we suspect the Cowboys will add a slot receiver type in this draft, we shouldn’t rule out the possibility of them looking into an X-type that will allow Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup to move around a little bit in McCarthy’s new offense. Collin Johnson offers excellent size, and is a good athlete for a receiver of his size. Johnson wins with his size, long strides when stretching the field vertically, and catch radius. He will need to improve his route running and releases if he wants to be more than a WR3/WR4 in the Cowboys offense though.

FIFTH ROUND

PICK 155 (From MIN)

Javelin Guidry, CB, Utah

Why it makes sense: How confident is Mike Nolan in his abilities to develop a guy? Guidry will need a ton of work but there is one elite thing he has that cannot be matched: SPEED! Guidry’s quickness is absolutely astounding to watch and if he can pick up on the route anticipation and other nuances of playing the position, what a steal he could be.

Connor’s Scouting Report: Coming out of Utah, Guidry is a much better athlete than he is defensive back. The speed and athleticism he offers as nickel corner and special teamer gives him some quality value on day three, but he has a lot of work to do in terms of his technique, instincts, and footwork before he can be relied on as a defensive contributor.

PICK 164

Jonathan Garvin, DE, Miami

Why it makes sense: Sometimes a draft just doesn’t shake the way you want it to and the Cowboys feel that here at edge rusher. Without being able to land their guy in Chaisson or not being in position to nail it down in rounds two or three, they need to make chicken salad out of Garvin in round five. Garvin has the size, he’s shown elite flashes of burst and pass rush abilities but he needs someone to flip his switch. The effort isn’t always there and he needs to get into the weight room to add strength. Another upside pick here that the Cowboys are hoping to develop.

Connor’s Scouting Report: This late in the draft, teams are drafting on traits, both athletic and physical, and Jonathan Garvin fits that mold. You like the quickness, length and burst he plays with off the edge, but he’s still yet to put it all together. He has the size and the athleticism, but the technique, run defense, and effort needs to be improved.

SEVENTH ROUND

PICK 231

Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford

Why it makes sense: A traits pick all the way for Mike McCarthy’s offense as Parkinson is that big target with good hands that dominated the seam. Why he will wait to hear his name called is simply because he’s a liability as a blocker. Like some of the NFL’s pass catching tight ends, Parkinson doesn’t seem interested in inline blocking assignments. Still, his mismatch potential and knowledge for beating up teams on bench and crossing patterns will give an offense more ways to win on Sunday.

Connor’s Scouting Report: After signing Blake Jarwin earlier in the offseason, the Cowboys continued to do plenty of work on this tight end class. Parkinson offers excellent size, and tested extremely well for a guy with his physical traits. Parkinson has to become a more consistent route runner, and needs to improve his technique as a blocker, but in terms of traits and value in the seventh round, it’s hard to pass on the upside.

Last but certainly not least, how about a grade for the trade?

Michael: This is a strange draft because with the current uncertainty, trading back may become more difficult than most years. Here’s to hoping the quarterbacks or offensive tackles can help Dallas get more value without having to dangle a comp pick to trade back but it’s not the worst that could happen. If the Cowboys need to bail at 17, this is a very plausible way they find a trading partner. B-

Connor: While I’m in the camp of sticking at pick 17, I love the player they picked up with the additional second-round pick, and I don’t hate the player they landed at 28th overall. This mock draft is as realistic as it gets, and that’s what this should be about this close to draft day. C+