Cowboys Mock V2.0 W/Analysis

I really never expected J.J. Watts to be a fan favorite right now. Even for a DE pick he is not flashy or sexy but what he is seems to be everything this team needs. He is high character, a leader, has a non stop motor and is simply a football player. He's not going to put up 8-10 sacks a year but he's going to give 110% every play and you can stick him at DE from day 1 and forget about him. He's going to do what is asked of him, he's going to play with in the scheme and he's going to make players around him better.

Simply put, he is a 10 year starter, a foundation of a defense, a locker room leader and one of those players that will always be respected but never truly appreciated till you don't have him.
 
41gy#;3852483 said:
That is a real good analysis, but trading down and drafting J.J. Watt isn't a good move, imo. Watt isn't explosive or athletic enough, imo. If the Patriots like Cameron Jordan that much and are willing to trade up to get him, then, if you go DE, you should consider going that route. Look at late rising junior Jerod Mayo, an All Pro. They took him at 10. If they are willing to move to 9 and take Jordan and you want a DE, then, that should make you pause.

Jordan is the more explosive player, but I would remind people in the war room that my guy Smith blocked him (especially in the running game/as a 19 year old junior), is 20 years old and has the upside that Jordan really doesn't have. Smith replaces the weakest player on the offensive line immediately and gives you a fighting chance at LT if Free walks or gets hurt. Plus, you get the best offensive linemen in the draft, imo. You don't have to sweat out the second round.

You have some good players, and I like Sherrod. However, supply and demand will most likely have him drafted in round 1. Those OTs are going to all rise. If you pick a real impact player at 9, you are still looking at a really good OL or CB option in round 2. If Danny Watkins falls to 40, he could replace Kyle Kosier on most NFL teams.

I'd just stay at 9 and draft Tyron Smith who has Pro Bowl potential and has the potential to be a dominate player in pass protection and run blocking. Dallas needs difference makers up front, and Smith has difference maker written all over him. Felix Jones would really benefit from his athleticism in the running game. Jason Witten would get to go out for passes more. Romo and the passing game benefits. For Felix Jones, Power O (see his 73 yard TD in wildcard game), sweeps, toss right, screens, and stretches would open up for Jones to the right. (See Colombo block 2 guys on Jones' 33 yard TD against the Bengals in 2008). Colombo can't block anyone, anymore. He has no pop. He can't move. He's done.

Plus, Tyron Smith can pull along the line and do the blocking that Davis can't do on a consistent basis, especially on the goal-line. Smith could anchor your line for the next 12 years. Hudson Houck is a USC guy, so I have a glimmer of hope.

There really is no excuse for Mark Colombo to be penciled in as a starter. If that truly is the case, it's going to be a long, long, long year. He should have been replaced in the 2009 draft, and I can't believe the Cowboys would even consider it. It's foolish. The Packers dynasty has already been launched. The Giants, Eagles, and Commanders are going to address their offensive lines in this draft. The Eagles and Giants need OTs. Dallas' starters will average 33 next year on that line. It could get ugly. I'll say it will get ugly if they stand pat. Can you imagine the heat that organization will take if they don't do something? You can start at 9 by taking the best OT in the draft.

Number 9 is going to be a significantly better player than Watt, and I'd take that guy.

If the Cowboys get to round 2 and the top OT prospects are gone, they are going to pay big time on the field, imo.

If Doug Free goes down (assuming he is resigned), this team is done. Smith gives you a fighting chance at LT his rookie year. The RT has been done since his last major leg injury. Colombo was never a dominant player to begin with, and he has given up many QB hits.

I like Sherrod, because he can play LT. However, he's not as talented as Smith, and giving up Smith for J.J. Watt isn't going to cut it for me. That is just my opinion.

You would be better off just staying at 9. That should be an impact player for the Cowboys. Just let round 2 fall to you. That is going to be a really good player, too. OL, CB, WR (Perhaps the DE from Ohio State)

Your two best points are about Columbo still being here (why?) and if Free goes down (frightening). I would be hard pressed to pass on Quinn at 9 but I do think Smith ends up a franchise LT. What do you think about Brewer in the 2nd?
 
SDogo;3852522 said:
I really never expected J.J. Watts to be a fan favorite right now. Even for a DE pick he is not flashy or sexy but what he is seems to be everything this team needs. He is high character, a leader, has a non stop motor and is simply a football player. He's not going to put up 8-10 sacks a year but he's going to give 110% every play and you can stick him at DE from day 1 and forget about him. He's going to do what is asked of him, he's going to play with in the scheme and he's going to make players around him better.

Simply put, he is a 10 year starter, a foundation of a defense, a locker room leader and one of those players that will always be respected but never truly appreciated till you don't have him.

:hammer:

Guys like Sean Lee and J.J. Watt are exactly what this team needs right now.
 
I like what you've done but I cannot for the life of me see Sherrod falling into the 2nd. I know there are rumblings but I just don't see how it could happen. If it did and we got him, I would fat-kid-with-cake happy about it.
 
SDogo;3852522 said:
I really never expected J.J. Watts to be a fan favorite right now. Even for a DE pick he is not flashy or sexy but what he is seems to be everything this team needs. He is high character, a leader, has a non stop motor and is simply a football player. He's not going to put up 8-10 sacks a year but he's going to give 110% every play and you can stick him at DE from day 1 and forget about him. He's going to do what is asked of him, he's going to play with in the scheme and he's going to make players around him better.

Simply put, he is a 10 year starter, a foundation of a defense, a locker room leader and one of those players that will always be respected but never truly appreciated till you don't have him.

So, he's Spears?
 
SDojo,

Thanks for your post. I'm going to link to your personal draft blog off the blog I'm starting.

Is JJ Watts the defensive player that's most on the rise this year? I don't think anyone was touting his name back in September/October.
 
burmafrd;3852482 said:
The Pats D has been soft for several years. BB is a defense first guy so that has got to be working on his hemorhoids. If they trade up they will be looking for Defense-and they need a guy that can really get to the passer. I also see a possibility of them going after one of the top WRs since they found out what happens to their smurf WRs vs a physical secondary. And they are still looking for a real RB.

so they are looking for 3 guys

pass rusher
RB
WR

:lmao:

dumb post of the day

hold it Idgit is not far benind you

So, he's Spears?
 
Question about Sherrod:

Can he play right tackle? I've read that he's the athletic, finesse type that's more suited for a left tackle, and we may already have that guy in Doug Free. I'd love to get a young, mauler like Gabe Carimi, but I would take Sherrod in a heartbeat in the 2nd.
 
Love the mock and would be elated if it falls this way. Only two things I do not see happening. I do not think that Sherrod and Wilson will fall to where you have them projected. If they do, then they are definitely a steal. I am not really a big fan of Wilson either but that mostly because I don't know much about him other than what people have said. You know more people in the business than me so Sherrod and Wilson may fall. Great job. Hope it turns out this way because this would be awesome.
 
No joke, Cecil Shorts reminds me of a young Zuriel Smith.

I'll take a Zuriel Smith type of player in the 5th anyday
 
SDogo;3852522 said:
I really never expected J.J. Watts to be a fan favorite right now. Even for a DE pick he is not flashy or sexy but what he is seems to be everything this team needs. He is high character, a leader, has a non stop motor and is simply a football player. He's not going to put up 8-10 sacks a year but he's going to give 110% every play and you can stick him at DE from day 1 and forget about him. He's going to do what is asked of him, he's going to play with in the scheme and he's going to make players around him better.

Simply put, he is a 10 year starter, a foundation of a defense, a locker room leader and one of those players that will always be respected but never truly appreciated till you don't have him.

JJ Watt, Jay Ratliff, Marcus Spears.

DIRTY!
 
TheSport78;3852629 said:
Question about Sherrod:

Can he play right tackle? I've read that he's the athletic, finesse type that's more suited for a left tackle, and we may already have that guy in Doug Free. I'd love to get a young, mauler like Gabe Carimi, but I would take Sherrod in a heartbeat in the 2nd.

Doug Free played well at ROT last year in Columbo's absence and with the top LOT still on the board, why not have the flexibility of 2 athletic young bookends that are interchangeable

Sherrod has the quickest feet and best natural athleticism of the top-tier tackles, and the Cowboys sorely need those characteristics up front

Strengths:
Ideal height and good bulk with large hands
Quick and agile with above average athleticism
Light on feet. Able to slide and mirror laterall
Good footwork, balance and body control
Technically sound and uses his hands well
Understands positioning and angles
Great pass blocker and can protect the edge
Does a solid job in the run game as a drive blocker
Effective in space and can get to the second level
Smart with excellent instincts and awareness
Mature, hard working and a leader
Is tough and has proven to be durable]
Tons of experience versus top competition

The type who does everything well but nothing great --- Possesses both the physical tools and intangibles that you look for in a left tackle prospect --- Not particularly flashy but very consistent and arguably the best all - around blocker in this class

well he will not last until the second - hell he won't even see 25 - the top three will be gone by 25 - IMO
 
rash;3852640 said:
No joke, Cecil Shorts reminds me of a young Zuriel Smith.

I'll take a Zuriel Smith type of player in the 5th anyday

and why ?

Smith played for the Dallas Cowboys from 2003–2005, and has career statistics of three receptions for 46 yards (15.3 avg), 23 kickoff returns for 495 yards (21.5 avg), and 30 punt returns for 212 yards (7.1 avg).

I rather have R Johnson
 
UnoDallas;3852625 said:
dumb post of the day

hold it Idgit is not far benind you

So, he's Spears?

You really nailed me there. Walked right into it.
 
SDogo;3852522 said:
I really never expected J.J. Watts to be a fan favorite right now. Even for a DE pick he is not flashy or sexy but what he is seems to be everything this team needs. He is high character, a leader, has a non stop motor and is simply a football player. He's not going to put up 8-10 sacks a year but he's going to give 110% every play and you can stick him at DE from day 1 and forget about him. He's going to do what is asked of him, he's going to play with in the scheme and he's going to make players around him better.

Simply put, he is a 10 year starter, a foundation of a defense, a locker room leader and one of those players that will always be respected but never truly appreciated till you don't have him.

I could not agree more. Outstanding post. :bow:
 
SDogo;3852522 said:
I really never expected J.J. Watts to be a fan favorite right now. Even for a DE pick he is not flashy or sexy but what he is seems to be everything this team needs. He is high character, a leader, has a non stop motor and is simply a football player. He's not going to put up 8-10 sacks a year but he's going to give 110% every play and you can stick him at DE from day 1 and forget about him. He's going to do what is asked of him, he's going to play with in the scheme and he's going to make players around him better.

Simply put, he is a 10 year starter, a foundation of a defense, a locker room leader and one of those players that will always be respected but never truly appreciated till you don't have him.

He is a favorite of mine. His mentality reminds me of a defensive version of Jason Witten (or a much better Brady James). He has the right attitude, plays hard every down and is a student of the game. He will never be the sexiest name, but he will be a top tier player for many years. If they somehow retain Spears, that would be one heck of a defensive front.
 
UnoDallas;3852654 said:
Doug Free played well at ROT last year in Columbo's absence and with the top LOT still on the board, why not have the flexibility of 2 athletic young bookends that are interchangeable

Sherrod has the quickest feet and best natural athleticism of the top-tier tackles, and the Cowboys sorely need those characteristics up front

Strengths:
Ideal height and good bulk with large hands
Quick and agile with above average athleticism
Light on feet. Able to slide and mirror laterall
Good footwork, balance and body control
Technically sound and uses his hands well
Understands positioning and angles
Great pass blocker and can protect the edge
Does a solid job in the run game as a drive blocker
Effective in space and can get to the second level
Smart with excellent instincts and awareness
Mature, hard working and a leader
Is tough and has proven to be durable]
Tons of experience versus top competition

The type who does everything well but nothing great --- Possesses both the physical tools and intangibles that you look for in a left tackle prospect --- Not particularly flashy but very consistent and arguably the best all - around blocker in this class

well he will not last until the second - hell he won't even see 25 - the top three will be gone by 25 - IMO

i get what you're saying and I would love to have Free and Sherrod as our tackles for the next 8 years. Couldn't this happen though:

We re-sign Free to "left tackle money" before the draft; let's say a 5 year deal worth 45 million?

Then we draft Sherrod in the 2nd round and we find throughout training camp, that Sherrod is much better suited for the left side, but we just paid Free left tackle money and now we would have to move Free back to the right side, while paying him left tackle money.

I just hope Sherrod can play right tackle!
 

Cowboys Pick'em

DAL @ GB
Oct 18, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Make your pick
82 member(s) have picked so far. Picks are revealed at kickoff.
+ 1 more games to pick this week
Season leaders
🥇 Skafko Skafko 65
🥈 TheSport78 TheSport78 55
🥉 SlammedZero SlammedZero 50
🥉 Homer Homer 50
🥉 12+88=7 12+88=7 50

Survivor Pool

48 of 63 still standing
Week 6 · last kickoff Oct 19, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Join the pool
Most picked (locked games)
LAR ARI 24%
IND TEN 14%
CAR @PHI 11%

Forum statistics

Threads
476,590
Messages
14,702,950
Members
24,234
Latest member
Justdatruth
Back
Top