/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68798223/1178155906.0.jpg)
Super Bowl completed? Check. Mock draft season in full swing? Check.
Yes, we are barreling at top velocity into mock draft season. That time of year where everyone is projecting how the NFL draft will go, but very few are correct. Still, the aggregate of mock drafts can be useful to see how things could shake out, and there are also some mock drafters that seem to do better than others.
We like to track the guys over at ESPN, Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, because we know they are being fed information, even if some of it turns out to be smoke screens, from NFL sources.
Today, we have a brand new Todd McShay mock draft.
This one allows trades and the good news is that teams are trading up for the opportunity to draft a signal-caller. The bad news, at least for those in the “trade down” camp for the Cowboys, is that none of the trades involve the ‘Boys. Still, having a bunch of quarterbacks go early helps push down players the Cowboys may be interested in.
After having four quarterbacks go with the first four picks - Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Justin Fields - we got to the other positions.
For the Cowboys at pick #10, we have a familiar name.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Big D needs help on D. Last year’s second-rounder, Trevon Diggs, looks like a solid find for the Cowboys, but that secondary is still problematic — especially now that Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis could be headed elsewhere in free agency. The Cowboys allowed 34 passing touchdowns this season, tied for the third-most in the NFL. Farley (another opt-out) is a ball hawk who could turn some of those TD passes into interceptions.
This is becoming a very popular pick and it’s hard to argue with it given the Cowboys’ needs. Outside of the aforementioned Diggs and Anthony Brown, the cupboard is bare at corner for the Cowboys. Free agents Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are possibilities to return, but likely only one if any. Between now and the draft the Cowboys could raid the free agent market for a corner, but they still might want to get a young stud at the corner spot and Farley fits the bill.
Patrick Surtain is the other possibility in terms of top corners, but in this draft, like in many others, he goes at #9 to the Denver Broncos. In this mock, the Cowboys would pass on TE Kyle Pitts (#11 to the New York Giants), Rashawn Slater (#13 to the Los Angeles Chargers) and Micah Parsons (#15 to the New England Patriots).
Farley makes sense, but Pitts could be a remarkable talent that makes everyone wonder why teams passed on him 10 years from now. Slater could solve the depth/starter issues along the offensive line as he has talent and versatility. Parsons represents what may be the premier defensive talent in the draft although he doesn’t play a premier position.
What’s your call on this draft, BTB?