2016 1/4 Season Mock

[KingintheNorth]

Some of my “rules”:
• I use GBNReport for draft order. They currently have us with the 12th pick.
• I use CBSSports.com (NFLDraftScout.com) for prospect rankings.
• I will assume that all conditions of our traded draft picks were met.

• 5th round pick to Oakland (Brice Butler trade)
• 6th round pick to San Francisco (Geoff Swaim trade)
• 7th round pick to Seattle (Christine Michael trade)
• 6th round pick from Oakland (Bruce Butler trade)

• I realize we will be receive compensatory picks but will not include those in mocks until they are announced.

2016 Picks

1(12) Myles Jack OLB 6-1/232 UCLA

• 12th might seem high for an injured player but Jack is an impact player who is expected to be healthy by the combine. He actually just dropped out of UCLA to focus on rehabbing and preparing for the draft. The Cowboys missed Ryan Shazier by one pick in 2014 and were rumored to want Shaq Thompson last year; Jack is a better version of both those players. With Rolando McClain and Kyle Wilber as free agents and injury concerns with Sean Lee, the Cowboys will find a spot for Jack.

2(43) Emmanuel Ogbah DE 6-4/275 Oklahoma State

• Great value pick here, Ogbah also fills a need at DE. Greg Hardy and Jeremey Mincey are free agents, so you can expect Ogbah to split time with Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory.

3(75) Braxton Miller WR 6-1/215 Ohio State

• For years, I’ve wanted that explosive 2nd WR in the Percy Harvin-Tavon Austin-Brandon Cooks mold, who can turn little plays into big plays, as well as opening up the other side of the field for Dez. Miller is a 4.3 40 guy and unlike other QB projects, he’s already spent a year learning the WR spot.

4(107) William Jackson III CB 6-0/185 Houston

• Morris Claiborne and Corey White are free agents and Brandon Carr is set to have a $13.8M cap hit next year, so CB is going to be a need. I’m also not drinking the Tyler Patmon Kool-Aid. Jackson is an underrated prospect from the AAC who can come in and develop.

6(178) Kevin Byard SS 5-11/226 Middle Tennessee

• Another strong safety? Unlike Church and Heath, Byard is a playmaking machine. He has 17 career interceptions, 4 of which he has brought back to the house. He also return kicks and punts for the Blue Raiders, including a 76-yard punt return for TD last season.

 

[Sydla]

Jack just withdrew from UCLA so he could focus on the NFL and rehabbing. It shouldn't but that kind of rubs me the wrong way. Quits on his team?

Miller is a total project and awould be a total reach IMO. After his first game where he had that long TD, he's caught 4 balls for like 45 yards in OSU's last three games. Pass (unless the light bulb goes on for him the rest of the season).

 

[KingintheNorth]

I don't think there was any doubt Jack was going pro after this season. He was out for the year so I'm not really seeing how he quit on the team. Jack decided to spend all of his time on rehab and draft preparation, rather than a full academic class load.

The second Tyron Smith declared for the draft he dropped all of his classes at SC and focused on the draft.

 

[RS12]

No real complaints and I do think Jack is a difference maker. Would like to see a QB and RB somewhere.

 

[KingintheNorth]

No real complaints and I do think Jack is a difference maker. Would like to see a QB and RB somewhere.

Was very close to taking Ezekiel Elliot in the 1st, but felt Jack was the better player.

I wanted a QB too but would have had to reach for one. According to the rankings, I reached for Jack (deservedly so IMO) and Miller (calculated gamble) but couldn't bring myself to reach for a QB, which I think is a draft day sin.

 

[Sydla]

I don't think there was any doubt Jack was going pro after this season. He was out for the year so I'm not really seeing how he quit on the team. Jack decided to spend all of his time on rehab and draft preparation, rather than a full academic class load.

The second Tyron Smith declared for the draft he dropped all of his classes at SC and focused on the draft.

I believe Smith actually finished the fall semester but then didn't enroll for the spring, which isn't that unusual. Smith declared on December 10, 2010 and USC was in the midst of exams at that time. Jack just started his first semester two weeks ago.

You can bet your *** that some teams will question him on it.

My issue with Jack is that for all his talent, he's kind of a knucklehead. Great talent but does dumb things on the field. For example, I watched the UVA-UCLA game and he had three really stupid personal foul penalties in the game - late hits, etc. Now he gets hurt, drops out? I suspect his class load wasn't all that grueling and it gives him a chance to still work out and rehab and stay with his team.

Rubs me the wrong way I guess.

 

[cowboyuptx]

I'll only comment on the positions that were selected.... I'm for the strategy of selecting the BPA, but with an emphasis on certain positions.

With the first-round pick, LB wouldn't be first on my list of wants or needs, but if it were an elite level talent that was practically a cant miss, then I could go along with that. DE/DT would be my top wish, assuming there was one available who was truly worth selecting at that pick. I wouldn't mind a FS/SS with our first pick either, but I would only do it if we felt he was an elite pro-ready prospect. I don't really want a RB in the first-round, there's not very many that end up being worth that first-round pick, Felix Jones sure wasn't.

With the second-round pick, this is where I'd ideally be shooting for a RB, hopeful to find the Jamal Charles of the 2016 draft. But if there wasn't a RB truly worth selecting, then I would go DT/DE or LB. I don't mind if we pick DL with our first two picks.

You have us selecting a WR in the 3rd round, but no RB? I would not be happy if we don't draft a RB in 2016!

I just want us to draft heavy on the DL, and on defense in general. I only want to see one offensive draft pick, and that's a RB.

 

[kiheikiwi]

I believe Smith actually finished the fall semester but then didn't enroll for the spring, which isn't that unusual. Smith declared on December 10, 2010 and USC was in the midst of exams at that time. Jack just started his first semester two weeks ago.

You can bet your *** that some teams will question him on it.

My issue with Jack is that for all his talent, he's kind of a knucklehead. Great talent but does dumb things on the field. For example, I watched the UVA-UCLA game and he had three really stupid personal foul penalties in the game - late hits, etc. Now he gets hurt, drops out? I suspect his class load wasn't all that grueling and it gives him a chance to still work out and rehab and stay with his team.

Rubs me the wrong way I guess.

Thought I heard he has a torn Meniscus in his knee. So not dropping out. Would take him in a heart beat. We are really gonna be up against it in this next draft, thought we did a pretty admirable job in this years draft. But man, how many years in a row can we all call for DT's, FS, Romo's eventual replacement only for the FO to do nothing. Oh, and we need a feature back. Let alone WR and CB. Can we get 3 or 4 first round picks please : )

 

[ghst187]

Was very close to taking Ezekiel Elliot in the 1st, but felt Jack was the better player.

I wanted a QB too but would have had to reach for one. According to the rankings, I reached for Jack (deservedly so IMO) and Miller (calculated gamble) but couldn't bring myself to reach for a QB, which I think is a draft day sin.

passing on Elliot when RB should be our #1 need going into the draft next year....?
I'd actually say we should pay to keep the goods we have like Hardy (if possible), Carr (or Oscan), and Claiborne (if he keeps his current level of play) and go hard after weapons...
RB, WR, QB, KR/PR probably in that order.

 

[darthseinfeld]

passing on Elliot when RB should be our #1 need going into the draft next year....?
I'd actually say we should pay to keep the goods we have like Hardy (if possible), Carr (or Oscan), and Claiborne (if he keeps his current level of play) and go hard after weapons...
RB, WR, QB, KR/PR probably in that order.

I agree. This stretch has really exposed how week we are at skill positions

 

[RandyOh]

passing on Elliot when RB should be our #1 need going into the draft next year....?
I'd actually say we should pay to keep the goods we have like Hardy (if possible), Carr (or Oscan), and Claiborne (if he keeps his current level of play) and go hard after weapons...
RB, WR, QB, KR/PR probably in that order.

I agree. I don't see a need to go defense heavy this year like some want.Take a RB and WR (either order) in rounds 1 and 2 and i still want to try to trade for Zach Mettenberger.

 

[Sydla]

Thought I heard he has a torn Meniscus in his knee. So not dropping out. Would take him in a heart beat. We are really gonna be up against it in this next draft, thought we did a pretty admirable job in this years draft. But man, how many years in a row can we all call for DT's, FS, Romo's eventual replacement only for the FO to do nothing. Oh, and we need a feature back. Let alone WR and CB. Can we get 3 or 4 first round picks please : )

The news articles are saying he's dropping out.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I don't see a need to go defense heavy this year like some want.Take a RB and WR (either order) in rounds 1 and 2 and i still want to try to trade for Zach Mettenberger.

I can't understand how Cowboy fans can watch this defense and not want mass improvements. We also have 9 defensive free agents, 10 if you count Brando Carr, who is a likely cap casualty with a $13.817M cap hit next season.

I too want a:
QB (but don't want to reach or trade up for one)
RB (if Christine Michael doesn't work out)
and a WR

but more than anything I want to give Romo a fighting chance. The defense has to improve or else we are asking him to make 4th quarter comebacks every single week.

 

[RandyOh]

I can't understand how Cowboy fans can watch this defense and not want mass improvements. We also have 9 defensive free agents, 10 if you count Brando Carr, who is a likely cap casualty with a $13.817M cap hit next season.

I too want a:
QB (but don't want to reach or trade up for one)
RB (if Christine Michael doesn't work out)
and a WR

but more than anything I want to give Romo a fighting chance. The defense has to improve or else we are asking him to make 4th quarter comebacks every single week.

I understand that the defense has been very disappointing so far this year but i want to see what we do with Hardy and RoMac before i totally give up on our defense. If our D is still trash with those 2 defensive Titans playing then yes lets rebuild our front 7.

So far this season has really highlighted how piss poor our skill position players are and just how amazing Romo, Dez, and Witten really are. At this point i just want our 1st and 2nd used on a RB and a WR that will punish defenses for strickly focusing on Dez & Witten all game. I would rather go back to dominating time of possession then building a star studded defense. Jets and Bills have amazing defenses but they are still trash teams.

 

[Macnalty]

I can't understand how Cowboy fans can watch this defense and not want mass improvements. We also have 9 defensive free agents, 10 if you count Brando Carr, who is a likely cap casualty with a $13.817M cap hit next season.

I too want a:
QB (but don't want to reach or trade up for one)
RB (if Christine Michael doesn't work out)
and a WR

but more than anything I want to give Romo a fighting chance. The defense has to improve or else we are asking him to make 4th quarter comebacks every single week.

I agree completely if Romo is vertical and playing well we need to maximise his stay. Now whether that is weapons for the offense, or berserkers for the defense is the question, and which one makes the team better in the short run of the vertical Tony. The whole goal is a SB chance the window Jason and Tony is almost past.

 

[bodi]

you got to start somewhere - good picks - don't think 1 an 2 will be there for us

 

[Sydla]

After watching the last two games.......... find me a S in there somewhere. Church is awful and they don't seem inclined to make Jones a full time S at this time.

 

[RandyOh]

After watching the last two games.......... find me a S in there somewhere. Church is awful and they don't seem inclined to make Jones a full time S at this time.

I wouldnt be surprised if he is our free safety next year but yeah our safety play has been horrible. Sad thing is Wilcox looked he like improved so much week 1 against the Giants.

 

[VACowboy]

I really hope we're picking a lot lower, but if it is 12, there will be lots of options. I believe in a fairly strict BPA approach, but a couple players who have caught my eye are Zeke Elliot and Laquon Treadwell. If Robert Nkemdiche is there, I don't pass.

Another guy who's impressed me is Jeremy Cash. He's the playmaking safety we desperately need.

 

[KingintheNorth]

If Robert Nkemdiche is there, I don't pass.

1000% agree with you. Aaron Donald Part 2.

Another guy who's impressed me is Jeremy Cash. He's the playmaking safety we desperately need.

I really like Cash as well. He's more of a strong safety but he's an upgrade over what we have now.