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We look at six options for the Cowboys first three rounds of the 2017 draft, and then decide which is the best.
As we’re turning the corner and steering directly toward the NFL Draft next Thursday, we decided to get some of the front-page writers involved in a Mock-Off if you will. Each writer was asked to give their picks at 28, 60, and 92. Some of the answers may surprise you but to quote Jerry Jones; “that’s just the way draft go.”
Let it be known that only 32 picks will occur in the first round, followed by 32 more in the second. If you polled most draftniks, they would have anywhere from 40-45 guys that won’t make it out of the first round. There seems to be a discrepancy in the mathematics of that equation. Perhaps the best card that the Cowboys will be able to play off of is the fact that this draft offers up so much depth.
Anyone that tell you they know how this draft will shake out is sadly mistaken. At some point, these quarterbacks will factor in and that will push players down to the Cowboys. The tackle class resembles a shallow kiddie pool and that’s going to push some players down to the Cowboys. No two teams evaluate these players the same way. That’s why it’s not out of the question to see guys rise and fall despite what the draft gurus say. And with that, keep an open mind, away we go:
Tom Ryle:
28: Kevin King, CB, Washington
60: T.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
92: Desmond King, FS, Iowa
Analysis: All are higher on the CBS board than where I pick, but given the uncertainty of how things will actually shake out, it is not completely a fantasy for it to shake out this way, and get the major defensive issues all addressed in the first three rounds. As for Watt at 60, He's a great case for one who is all over the place. I've seen some say he makes it into 3rd. I think it was Landon on our BTB podcast who talked about going through the list of players who wouldn't make it to 28 and said he came up with like 40 names.
Joseph.Hatz:
Trade 28 (660 pts) to Arizona who trades back into the 1st for a QB for 45 (450 pts) and 77 (205 pts).
45: Chidobe Awuzie, CB Colorado
60: Tarell Basham, DE Ohio
77: Josh Jones, S NC State
92: DeMarcus Walker, DE/DT Florida St.
Analysis: Ideally, I'd like to trade down into the early to mid 2nd due to the depth on the defensive side of the ball, particularly at cornerback. For me, Awuzie is one of the most complete corners in the draft with his ability to play outside, in the slot, tackle, and blitz. I also think Basham is perhaps the most complete defensive end outside of Myles Garrett and Solomon Thomas. At 270 with strong hands, he's stout against the run while also providing more speed off the edge than he's given credit for. He isn't one of these 245-250 lb guys who just fly off the edge but he did run a 4.70 40 at 270 lbs, compared to 4.69 for T.J. Watt at 252 and 4.65 for Tyus Bowser at 247.
Josh Jones is an athletic freak at safety who produced in college and has shown the versatility to play in the box as well as deep, while DeMarcus Walker provides depth on the defensive line and gives the Cowboys a potentially devastating interior pass-rusher in nickel/dime with his quickness and advanced swim move.
Dawn Macelli:
28. Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
60. TJ Watt, DE Wisconsin
92. Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
Analysis: This is far from 'perfect' in my estimation. From a personal standpoint, I would be looking for a pass rush first, but I suspect Dallas would rather get another year's worth of development at corner this year and go edge rush in the first in 2018. Fans will not be disappointed as Conley delivers what we expected from "Pick 6" a few years back. The follow-up of TJ Watt will be a popular selection with many fans although he will never be his big brother. In the third, I am torn between some SEC safeties, but Eddie Jackson looks to have the most upside in my opinion.
Danny Phantom:
28. Takkarist McKinley (shocker), DE, UCLA
60. Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
92. Desmond King, FS, Iowa
Analysis: My love for Takk is well documented. If it’s edge rusher in the first, cornerback is the likely target at 60. I really want one of those injured corners (Sidney or Fabian), but I don't know when the right time would be to pull the trigger on them. I think we'd convert King to safety.
Michael Sisemore:
Trade pick 28 (660 points) to New Orleans Saints for picks 32+ 103 (678 points, 103 is 3rd round Comp. pick)
32. T.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
60: Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
92: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
103: Xavier Woods, S, Louisiana Tech
Analysis: Huge fan on T.J. Watt here and it has nothing to do with his name. I like the kid’s passion and relentless effort. He’s that high motor guy that’s only going to get better with more seasoning. I certainly see him as a future 10+ sack guy. Moreau has a pectoral injury but it’s not going to keep him out of camp, why not get that first round cornerback at 60? Given the wealth of wide receiver talent in the NFC East, it would be nice to add a more dynamic player at that position. Shuster can do a lot of things for this team. Woods is one of my favorite safety prospects and his tape shows a guy that’s ready for the NFL, he’s a hunter in the secondary.
One.Cool.Customer:
28. Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
60. Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
92. Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State
Analysis: I believe the Cowboys want to draft a pass rusher in the first, but the two guys they like, Taco Charlton and Takkarist McKinley, go early, leaving only pass rushers with a second-round grade on their board. But they will have corners with a first-round grade left on their board, one of which could be Gareon Conley (or Marlon Humphrey, or Chidobe Awuzie). At the bottom of the second, all the second tier pass rushers like T.J. Watt, Tyus Bowser, Carl Lawson, and Jordan Willis will be gone, so they go back to the cornerback well. Moreau may easily have a first-round grade on their board, and his injury drops him to the bottom of the second, where the Cowboys are happy to get him. At the bottom of the third, the Cowboys go looking for pass rush help, and will likely have to decide between players like Derek Rivers, Daeshon Hall, or Tanoh Kpassagnon, though at this point, there could easily be players at other positions left on their board with higher grades.
We’ll let the BTB community decide - who has the best three-round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys and why?
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