Way-too-early 2022 Dallas Cowboys three-round mock draft

How early is too early to start doing mock drafts? Never is the answer and the only one that is acceptable. With that in mind let’s knock out a way-too-early 2022 three-round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys.

For this exercise we will be using Pro Football Network’s recently updated mock draft simulator. It’s worth mentioning there’s no way of knowing where these 2022 prospects will end up getting selected, but that doesn’t make it any less fun.

Let’s get to it, shall we!?

Round 1, Pick 19 - DT DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M

Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys have drafted four defensive tackles in the last three years and two of those in the 2021 NFL Draft alone. But, not a single one of them comes anywhere close to being as talented or has as much potential as DeMarvin Leal.

The 6’4”, 290-pound Texas A&M DT is the consensus top-ranked player at the position and is as close to a surefire Top 10 pick as there is right now. For the Cowboys to land him at 19th overall would be an absolute steal. He a wrecking-ball disruptor in the trenches who has the ability to impact the outcome of a game all by himself.

It’s highly unlikely this will happen, though, considering the Cowboys haven’t drafted a DT in the first-round sense they selected Russell Maryland first overall in 1991. But, Leal is absolutely deserving of being selected so highly and would immediately upgrade Dallas’ defensive front. A guy can dream, right!?

Round 2, Pick 51 - EDGE Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati

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Randy Gregory’s entering a contract year and will become a free agent after the conclusion of the 2021 season. Right now, the Cowboys don’t have anyone on the roster capable of stepping in and playing opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. Myjai Sanders has the potential of being such a player.

The 6’5”, 258-pound Cincinnati pass rusher reminds you a little bit of Randy Gregory. He possesses the same kind of get off, length, and physical build without the same kind of character concerns. He could be exactly the kind of DE Dan Quinn is looking for and has the skill set to be a plug-and-play player as a rookie.

Defensive end is definitely a team need for the Cowboys next year and as such could be in play for them in the first round. That’s where Sanders could end up being selected, but for now we’ll mock him to Dallas in the second. At No. 51 he would be yet another steal for the Cowboys.

Round 3, Pick 83 - S Demani Richardson, Texas A&M

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Okay, this is a little bit of a cheat because Demani Richardson isn’t currently included in PFN’s mock draft simulator, but he should be. He’ll just be a junior this year at Texas A&M and as such may or may not enter the 2022 NFL Draft. After the type of season we’re projecting he should enter as an underclassman.

I’d currently rank Richardson right outside the Top 50 prospects in 2022, but with a strong season this year his draft stock could skyrocket. Right now, he’s a solid second- or third- round pick and a perfect fit with the Cowboys. And at 6’1”, 210 pounds, he has the prototypical size Dan Quinn prefers and the talent as well.

Safety is going to be another position of need next year for the Cowboys and drafting Richardson would go a long ways in solidifying the unit for years to come. He is a plug-and-play free safety, but is capable of playing in and around the line of scrimmage as a strong safety as well. He’d be an excellent addition to Dallas’ secondary.