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Mockery IV will be no cookie-cutter mock draft, the Cowboys go for broke and come up winners. Let's see what's causing all this.
It's no secret that one of all of our favorite tools during draft season is the fine Fanspeak Mock Draft tool in which you can draft for your favorite team. They've been seemingly working out a lot of kinks since it's inception. They have been fantastic this offseason particularly with upgrading their boards to match what's out there.
Here at BTB, we typically use the CBS draft board as our guide to draft by. This week's mock is going to be an interesting one as it's no stranger to entertainment. The Cowboys have nine picks to start with including their compensatory picks in the fourth and sixth rounds. Since Mockery I, we haven't even dabbled with the possibility of a trade. That ends today as we have a crazy sequence of events that end up paying dividends in a big way. What if I told you that the Cowboys get a young quarterback while also following the 2005 model to rebuild their defensive line?
Round 1
As we begin the first round, the Cowboys were eyeing Jared Goff or Jalen Ramsey, Unfortunately, Goff is gone to the Browns and Ramsey to the Chargers. Suddenly, the phone rings and it's the Giants. New York wants Joey Bosa and badly. The Cowboys admittingly like Bosa but are willing to hear the offer.
The Giants offer picks 10 + 40 (1,800 points) for 4th overall (1,800 points)
Pick 10: Cowboys Select Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
Analysis: Dallas flirted with the options but Wentz is there at 10 and it's too good to pass up. We're talking about a guy who is getting comparable praise to Andrew Luck. With Tony Romo looking to a possible plate over the collarbone and their need for the future, it's just time to pull the trigger on the position. They loved what they saw from him at the Senior Bowl and didn't want to show their hand at the Combine. Wentz has the right combination of size, arm strength, athleticism, and accuracy. Put those traits with a very intelligent, high football acumen leader and you got something to work with.
The Cowboys are happy to have a quarterback but that doesn't make them content. Dallas wants back into the first round, eyeing potentially Ezekiel Elliott who is sliding, Eli Apple, or a defensive end. They place a call to the Super Bowl-winning Broncos:
Dallas offers picks 34 + 99 (664 points) for Denver's 31st (600 points)
The Broncos accept and the Cowboys are absolutely thrilled with who's there at 31.
Steelers select Eli Apple at 25
Seahawks select Ezekiel Elliot at 26
Cardinals select Jonathan Bullard at 29
Pick 31 (From DEN): Cowboys select Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
Analysis: Wow, despite his owning up to the record at the Combine, Spence falls nine spots to 31. The Cowboys sans Randy Gregory for four weeks really need some defensive line help. Sure, Spence had some drug issues that got him dismissed from Ohio State. However, unlike Gregory, Spence has been clean ever since. It's a risk Dallas is willing to take to get the very best pure pass rusher in this class, though it'll certainly come with some backlash. Like Gregory, Spence will need some help in run support and is still a bit unfinished, but he adds an instant rush to the lineup.
Round 2
Pick 40 (From NYG): Cowboys select Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
Analysis: Dallas gets a defensive tackle that Rod Marinelli really liked coaching in the Senior Bowl. He penetrates the pocket with strength and can give blockers more than they can handle. Vernon plays with a ton of intensity and gives his all for all four quarters. His motor is outstanding and he has played every position on the line. The Cowboys need more athletic rushers at the point of attack, Butler fits that mold.
Back-to-back upgrades to the defensive line are too good for a pass-rush needy team like Dallas.
Round 3
Pick 67: Cowboys select Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana
Analysis: This kid fought his heart out at the Senior Bowl and has all the skills to make it as a starting cornerback at the next level. He's a tough competitor with a phenomenal wingspan, though he will certainly need to add some bulk in his rookie offseason.
Miller is an aggressive run defender and is tall with great length and passion. He understands the game of football and loves it. He's fiery and also knows how to make a play or two (11 interceptions, 33 PBUs, and two blocked kicks on special teams). The Cowboys are getting a really good player with a high football acumen.
Round 4
Pick 137: Cowboys select C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
Analysis: After playing mostly wide receiver and safety, the Irish decided to throw him in at running back for the first time last offseason. Let's just say that he was a quick learner. Due to injury, Prosise became the starter and led the team with 1,029 rushing yards on 157 carries with a 6.6 yard per carry average.
Despite never having played the position before, Prosise showed that he was a natural body at the position and added 11 rushing touchdowns for the Irish. He's got tremendous vision, body strength, and agility. He's a very fluid runner and has the cutting ability of an NFL prospect with the patience to see and deliver.
Round 6
Pick 192: Cowboys select KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame
Analysis: Back-to-back Irishmen for the Cowboys. Russell started his collegiate career off quickly and became Notre Dame's best cornerback. He's got the build of an NFL corner but had some concerns. He was academically suspended in 2014 and broke his right tibia in November of 2015.
He's equally comfortable in press and zone coverage and has all the skills to project as a starting cornerback in the NFL. If he checks all the boxes for coaches during his interview process, this is a very talented player that could be a comeback story in the making. He must convince the toughest critics, but a flyer on a highly talented corner in the sixth is not worthy of ridicule.
Pick 212: Cowboys select Matt Judon, DE, Grand Valley State
Analysis: Go ask the Duckman what he thinks about Judon. He absolutely dominated DII Football but teams certainly need to see what he can do against better competition. He's got the burst, speed, build, and bend of an NFL-caliber defensive end. He's got great flexibility and a history of production leading the nation (at any level) with 20 sacks in 2015. He is a well-coordinated athlete with the ability to excel with more development.
Pick 216: Cowboys select Travis Feeney, OLB, Washington
Analysis: Interestingly enough, Feeney played a position that the Huskies refer to as the Buck. It's similar to a Sam linebacker but involves a little more rushing the passer and coverage duties. Due to his impressive speed and size (6'4, 225 lbs), Feeney was perhaps the best overall athlete the Huskies had. He's impressive to watch because there aren't a lot of guys his size with that speed to close in and make the tackle.
Pick 217: Cowboys select Jalin Marshall, WR, Ohio State
Analysis: He received All Big-Ten Honorable Mention honors as a punt and kick returner. Marshall has some great hands and speed but he's just not the sum of all his parts. Many wonder why he's coming out as a redshirt sophomore but the talent is evident. He joins a long list of Buckeyes trying to make their way in the NFL, some scouts believe that he will regret that decision. At best right now, he's a fourth receiver but has the potential to be much more if developed correctly. Maybe a good receivers coach like Derek Dooley can help him realize his potential.
If all goes well, this would certainly be considered one of those drafts that defined the future of the team, as they were able to do a lot of depth chart defining moves. Like 2005, they may have a crowded defensive line, but the more competition the better. This shows the Cowboys are committed to competing while keeping a watchful and cautious eye on the future.
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