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The NFL and college football are a tad more than halfway through their respective seasons—therefore, we have a clearer picture as to what teams' needs are, along with a baseline evaluation of some of the draft-eligible college football players.
Before we take a look at some potential draft picks, let's take a look at some of the Cowboys' needs.
Needs
The first need that jumps out at you when you look at Dallas is the absence of an effective No. 2 quarterback who can be groomed to take over for Tony Romo. Brandon Weeden showed his ineffectiveness against the Cardinals and proved that he is not someone who can be trusted to get the Cowboys through a couple-game stretch without Romo. Dustin Vaughan is the No. 3 quarterback and the team's developmental player. He has some of the tools—like arm talent—that make you believe he could become a starter one day, but he has a very long road ahead of him to make it there.
When you look at Romo's contract and injury history, it appears as though he probably only has one or two years left as an effective starter for the Cowboys. This means the Cowboys need to invest in finding a quarterback before the 2016 season, or they may be stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Another need for the Cowboys is an impactful edge-rusher opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, who showed glimpses of his dynamic pass-rush ability against the Cardinals. With George Selvie and Anthony Spencer scheduled to become unrestricted free agents, per Spotrac.com, the Cowboys will be very thin at the defensive end position. Even if they bring back one or both of them, the Cowboys still need a player who can consistently get pressure off the edge (and neither Spencer nor Selvie have shown the ability to do that this year).
Also, the Cowboys are in desperate need of a safety who is comfortable as a single-high safety. Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox have both shown their adeptness when it comes to playing inside the box, but both struggle when they play the deep middle zone in both Cover 1 and Cover 3. However, finding a good single-high safety is one of the hardest things to do in the NFL. In fact, it is something that only a handful of teams have.
With Doug Free's contract being up at the end of the season, the Cowboys will probably also look at right tackles. The Cowboys have bolstered their offensive line through the draft in the first round in three of the last four NFL drafts. While they probably won't do it in the first round again, it shouldn't be a shock if they use a mid-round pick on a player who has the ability to be—or develop into—a starter at right tackle for them.
The next Cowboys need is one that has generated a lot of talk among fans and analysts alike. That talk has focused on the Cowboys' need of a running back if DeMarco Murray walks after this season. Without delving too much into whether the Cowboys should re-sign Murray or not, there is a very real possibility that he will not be with the Cowboys in 2015.
Another need for the Cowboys is at the cornerback position. Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr are both under contract next season, but neither has shown the ability to be a productive cornerback in the Cowboys' current system. Sterling Moore is a great No. 3 or 4 cornerback, Tyler Patmon appears to have a great deal of potential and everyone should know by now that Orlando Scandrick is the best cornerback on the team (and one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league).
While it is unlikely that Claiborne will be gone next season because of his fully guaranteed year, Carr has a real chance of being a June 1 release, which means the Cowboys likely will need to draft or sign one more cornerback.
The last glaring hole on the Cowboys' roster is at the 1-technique defensive tackle position. Nick Hayden has shown that he is a capable rotational player, but he is not someone who should receive more than 20 snaps per game like he has been over the last two seasons for the Cowboys. Terrell McClain is really just a 3-technique masquerading as a 1-technique defensive tackle. Meanwhile, Ken Bishop should be able to develop into a solid rotational player at the 1-technique defensive tackle position.
Now, just because these are the Cowboys' biggest needs doesn't mean these are the positions that the Cowboys will take when the draft rolls around. Another big part of the draft is making strengths even stronger, as evidence by the Zack Martin and Devin Street selections. The Cowboys have also shown to have a high precedence concerning special teams ability, even if it isn't at a position of need.
Without further ado, let's take a look at who the Cowboys could select come draft time.
Disclaimer: The Cowboys draft slot comes from where they would pick if the draft were held today, which was calculated by Bleacher Report's Scott Carasik. Also, the number of Cowboys picks comes from Prosportstransactions.com. Furthermore, it is too early to know exactly where each player will end up, so there is a little projection being done here as to who will be available at each given pick. Finally, this is a midseason mock draft, so don't take it too seriously, please.
Round 1: DE/OLB Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington, 6'3", 246 lbs
With the Cowboys pick at No. 25 for this mock draft, Kikaha was the best player who would still likely be at this draft slot and be able to fill an immediate need. Kentucky's Alvin Dupree would be the ideal pick here, but at the moment it doesn't look like he will make it out of the top 20 picks.
Kikaha is a great pass-rusher who is not your typical speed- or power-rusher. He is a block-defeater, as he wins with hands and pass-rush techniques over any physical traits he has. Kikaha has enough initial quickness to stress an offensive tackle's pass set, while also having probably the deepest pass-rushing repertoire in the whole draft.
Because of Kikaha advanced knowledge of leverage, balance and hand usage, he will be able to bring an immediate impact as an edge-rusher for the Cowboys. Kikaha doesn't yet have the size to be able to hold up against the run on the edge, but there is no reason why he can't add a little bulk (just like DeMarcus Lawrence has done since being drafted).
Other considerations: Kentucky DE/OLB Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Washington CB Marcus Peters, Florida State CB P.J. Williams, Notre Dame DT Sheldon Day and Washington NT Danny Shelton.
Round 2: CB Senquez Golson, Mississippi State, 5'9", 176 lbs
As you can see, Senquez Golson is a very small and slight cornerback, which is the only reason he is available here. While it may be harder for smaller cornerbacks to succeed in the NFL, it is nowhere near impossible (as shown by San Diego Charger cornerback Brandon Flowers).
The best traits that Golson will bring to the Cowboys are his ball skills and instincts. The Cowboys haven't had a cornerback who has the instincts and the ball skills to make the opposing quarterback pay. He has an incredible nine interceptions thus far this year, but that is not because of luck.
He has fluid hips and skills at changing direction. This allows him to match up with almost any wide receiver out there.
In the Cowboys' scheme, you have to have cornerbacks who can tackle, and Golson fits that perfectly. He is not afraid to stick his nose in and make tackles regardless of who has the ball. He is fearless.
Some may believe that this is too high for a cornerback of Golson's size, but the opportunity to bring his playmaking ability to Dallas' defense is just too hard to pass up.
Other considerations: Louisville DE Lorenzo Mauldin, Missouri DE Markus Golden, Utah DE Nate Orchard, Oregon OT Jake Fisher, Notre Dame QB Everett Golson, Oklahoma DT Jordan Phillips.
Round 3: RB Duke Johnson, Miami, 5'9", 206 lbs
In this projection, we will go under the assumption that DeMarco Murray will be gone at the end of the season (this doesn't mean he will or should, it's just one possibility). Therefore, the Cowboys need a running back who can either be the lead running back or be a vital cog in a running back by committee.
With the selection of Duke Johnson, it means the Cowboys are taking the running back by committee option. Johnson is an electric running back with incredible lateral agility and short area explosion that allow him to make cuts that are rarely utilized in the NFL. His ability to cut on a dime and explode through a game makes him a terrific fit for the Cowboys' zone-blocking scheme.
There are questions about Johnson's long speed, but he makes up for it by his cutting and change of direction abilities. He is also a very capable player in pass protection, while also being a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Other Considerations: Boise State RB Jay Ajayi, South Carolina RB Mike Davis, Fresno State FS Derron Smith, Indiana RB Tevin Coleman, Harvard DE/OLB Zach Hodges.
Round 4: OT Daryl Williams, Oklahoma, 6'6", 329 lbs
With the potential loss of Doug Free, the Cowboys need to bring in someone to compete with Jermey Parnell and Darrion Weems as the starting right tackle or back swing tackle (if Free returns). A great potential replacement for Free could be Oklahoma's Daryl Williams.
Williams is an absolutely massive tackle who has incredible length and strength to help him compensate for his poor balance at times. He is an absolute road grader in the run game and is ever-improving as a pass rusher. He can get off balance at times, but he compensates for it with a great punch and the strength to anchor on a defensive end.
Other Considerations: Mississippi State DE Preston Smith, Michigan DE Frank Clark, Florida State OT Cameron Erving, Oklahoma OT/OG Tyrus Thompson.
Round 5: DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA 6'3", 270 lbs
This is where the Cowboys can get a real steal in the draft. The edge-rush class in the 2015 NFL draft is one of the deepest in recent memory. Much like the wide receiver class from a year ago, this means that quality players will get pushed down the board and become great values in the middle to late rounds.
Because of the vast amount of quality edge-rushers in this draft, the Cowboys have an opportunity to double dip and really sure up their defensive end position. Owamagbe Odighizuwa is the perfect player to shore up the Cowboys defensive end position, while also giving them great value in the middle of the draft.
Odighizuwa is a technician at defensive end, as he uses his length and hands to keep offensive tackles off his body so that he can separate and accelerate to the quarterback. He thrives as a run defender because of this. It allows him to set the edge extremely well. He has a wide array of hand-fighting techniques to disengage and get around offensive tackles.
He doesn't have the great speed or quickness that you would like, but he makes up for it was his use of leverage and hands.
Odighizuwa can step in right away as a rotational left defensive end and give the Cowboys solid impact and production for years to come.
Other Considerations: Nebraska WR Kenny Bell, UNLV WR Devante Davis, Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott, Northern Iowa DT Xavier Williams.
Round 7: OLB Zach Patt, Rice, 6'2", 240 lbs
Late in the draft, you are just looking at players who have "plus" traits and something to work with, while being able to contribute on special teams. This is exactly what Zach Patt is.
Patt is a player who lines up with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end as well as standing up as a linebacker. However, Patt's lack of size limits his ability to play as a defensive end in the NFL and is more conducive to a "Sam" linebacker role (in a similar vein to what Von Miller does in Denver).
Patt has the ability to set the edge in a 4-3 under defense where he will line up at the line of scrimmage as a "Sam" linebacker. He does a good job of firing his hands inside. He also has surprising bend around the edge that may lead some to believe he can play a little bit as a nickel edge rusher. While he hasn't received much buzz, he just recorded a five-sack performance that will surely get him on NFL radars.
Other considerations: Norfolk State DE Lynden Trail, Southeastern Louisiana Bryan Bennett, Louisville RB Michael Dyer.
Round 7: WR Kaelin Clay, Utah, 5'10", 193 lbs
Dwayne Harris is due to be a free agent after this year, which would leave a gaping hole at the two return spots for the Cowboys.
Luckily for the Cowboys, they can get a solid replacement late in the draft with Kaelin Clay. While he is listed as a wide receiver, his main contribution will be on a variety of special teams. He is the No. 1 punt returner and No. 10 kickoff returner in average return with four combined touchdowns, per ESPN stats and information.
Clay would give the Cowboys a dynamic return man at a fraction of what Dwayne Harris would cost the them. This is the type of move that savvy teams make as they free up salary cap space without losing much productivity.
Other considerations: UAB WR Jamarcus Nelson, South Alabama QB Brandon Bridge, Missouri RB Marcus Murphy.
Takeaways
In this mock draft, the Cowboys come away with two defensive ends, a cornerback, a running back, a right tackle, a "Sam" linebacker and a return specialist. Kikaha, Golson, Johnson and Williams can all step in and have immediate impacts, while Odighizuwa, Clay and Patt can be good reserve players who make most of their impact on special teams.
The one blaring need not addressed in this mock draft is quarterback. While it is still early, it appears as though this quarterback selection will be especially weak after Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. There is no reason to take a late round, developmental guy because the Cowboys already have that guy in Dustin Vaughan. If the Cowboys are going to take a quarterback, they need to do it early. However, it doesn't look like this is the draft to do it.
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