News: BTB: Mike Mayock’s Latest Top 5 Position Rankings For The 2017 Draft

[NewsBot]

Draft guru Mike Mayock updates his Top 5 position rankings.

Mike Mayock is a draft expert that many people trust, so it’s always good to check in on his position rankings for draft prospects. Today he released his third iteration of position rankings for the 2017 draft season. You can check out his first rankings here, and his second rankings here.

Since the Cowboys appear to be locked into drafting someone on defense, specifically an edge rusher or a defensive back, we’ll examine those rankings.

Edge rusher

1. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

2. Solomon Thomas, Stanford

3. Derek Barnett, Tennessee

4. Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

5. Charles Harris, Missouri

Rise: Harris (NR)

Fall: Tim Williams, Alabama (5)
​

Not a whole lot of movement here, only Charles Harris moving ahead of Tim Williams and claiming the fifth spot. Garrett, Thomas and most likely Barnett will be gone long before the Cowboys get on the board at #28, so if you believe in Mayock’s rankings, Takkarist McKinley should be the target, then Charles Harris. The argument for McKinley can be found here, and the one for Harris here. Notably, Taco Charlton doesn’t make Mayock’s list.

Cornerback

1. Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

2. Gareon Conley, Ohio State

3. Marlon Humphrey, Alabama

4. Tre'Davious White, LSU

T-5. Adoree' Jackson, USC

T-5. Kevin King, Washington

Rise: Conley (4), White (NR), Jackson (previously No. 1 in special exceptions)

Fall: Humphrey (2), King (3), Fabian Moreau, UCLA (5, added to special exceptions)
​

This is the position that is driving everyone crazy because after Marshon Lattimore, no one can agree on the next set of corners. Mayock likes Conley who we have discussed many times on these pages. Humphrey didn’t make the Cowboys pre-draft visitors list so he’s kind of been written out of the Cowboys plans by outside observers. White, Jackson and King have all been invited to Dallas, so along with Conley there’s a group the Cowboys could be looking at with pick #28.

Nickel

1. Budda Baker, Washington

2. Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado

3. Jourdan Lewis, Michigan

4. Desmond King, Iowa

5. Damontae Kazee, San Diego State
​

This is an interesting category. Budda Baker has been listed mainly as a safety and someone many Cowboys fans have liked for a long time. Awuzie is a name that is rising in many circles.

Safety

1. Jamal Adams, LSU

2. Malik Hooker, Ohio State

3. Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

4. Obi Melifonwu, Connecticut

5. Marcus Williams, Utah

Rise: Adams (2), Hooker (3)

Fall: Peppers (1), Marcus Maye, Florida (T-5)
​

Safety is a position the Cowboys also need help at, but it’s uncertain if they view it as a position they need in the early rounds. If you go by their pre-draft visits, only Melifonwu is on their radar in round one or two. They have looked at a lot of safeties that fall into the mid-to-later round range.

Continue reading...