Jumbo Mock results w/trades

[Jumbo075]

I've run a few mock simulations, and I still don't believe that the simulations are correct, but here are the latest results.

Pick #26 - RB Bijan Robinson, Texas

I still have a hard time believing that Bijan Robinson will fall to the Cowboys in the first round. You have to believe that someone would trade up ahead of the Cowboys for him. But he keeps showing up in the simulations. Robinson is far and away the biggest impact player for the Cowboys in this draft if he falls to the Cowboys. I just don't trust that Tony Pollard will be healed and back to form in time for the 2023 season. We saw what happened last year to Michael Gallup's production coming off of an injury, and it could happen to Pollard this year. Having said that, Ronald Jones was the 38th overall pick just 5 years ago, and he's got plenty left in the tank at age 25, since he split time in both Tampa Bay and last year in Kansas City. But both Jones and Pollard are on one-year contracts. Picking Robinson pairs Dak with a premier running back for at least the next 5-6 years, which has proven to be important for Dak's efficiency. Jones can be the goal-line back in 2023, and picking Robinson allows the Cowboys to breath easy about the running game in 2023. Picking Robinson extends the championship window for the Cowboys.​

Pick #58 - LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson

Simpson has blazing speed, clocking a 4.43 time in the 40 yard dash. While he needs some development, he can play both inside and outside, and can be coached up for improvement. Simpson has traits that cannot be taught and will be a good addition at linebacker. Two years down the line, you could see a starting LB pairing of Damone Clark in the middle, and Simpson on the outside. In the meantime, he can be the 3rd linebacker when the Cowboys are not playing nickel. His speed allows him to cover tightends down the field, and he can close quickly on ball carriers. This isn't a flashy pick, but Simpson can be a good starter for a long time in the NFL.​

Pick #90 - WR Cedrick Tillman, Tennessee

The Cowboys want to pick a WR in this draft, and Tillman is a tall, big bodied receiver who may have fall in the draft due to injuries in his senior year at Tennessee. Tillman could have let an ankle injury side-line his entire senior season, but had surgery to come back and play for the team, so his production was down from his junior season, when he had monster games against both Georgia and Alabama. Without the injuries, Tillman would likely be a late 1st or early 2nd round selection, so getting him in the 3rd round is a steal for the Cowboys. Lance Zierlein has Tillman being picked #31 by the Chiefs in his mock draft, so getting him at #90 is great value.​

TRADE ALERT: Cowboys trade pick 129 to Chiefs for pick 134 and a couple of 2024 Draft picks.

The Cowboys don't have any clear targets at #129 that won't still be available 5 picks later, so they pick up a little draft capital for next year at virtually no cost.​

Pick #134 OG Andrew Voorhees, USC

Voorhees was a first-team All-American at the Guard position in college. He tore his ACL during the NFL scouting combine, which is going to drop him from being in consideration for a late 1st, or 2nd round pick this year. But the Cowboys can stash him on the NFI list for a year, while he works with Cowboys doctors and trainers to rehabilitate his knee, and the reward is a plug and play starter for the next 10 years at offensive guard. Voorhees can benefit from coaching, but he was a 5-year starter in college, and is a good run-blocker to open holes for Robinson in future seasons. Voorhees is a great value pick for the Cowboys, similar to LB Damone Clark from last year.​

Pick # 169 CB/S Cameron Mitchell, Northwestern

Mitchell is more suited to play the slot than the outside, but he's another DB with position flex. Very strong at the point of attack in run support, and has good hand chopping ability to break up passes. He may play the slot, or develop into an in-the-box safety. His ability to play on special teams gives him immediate value, and he has long-term potential for the Cowboys to develop.​

Pick # 212 S Jay Ward, LSU

Ward has good leadership ability. Although he played cornerback at LSU, he doesn't have the speed to be an NFL CB, and is more suited to play safety. He takes good angles in run and pass support, and he has very good special teams ability, having blocked 2 kicks in college. Worth case scenario is the Cowboys get a very good special teams player who can replace some of the veterans on the team.​

Pick #244 LB Dee Winters, TCU

After losing Luke Gifford to the Titans, the Cowboys need to rebuild depth in the linebacking corps. Winters was 1st team All-Big 12 in his senior season, and has very good speed. He plays both inside and outside, although he's more suited to the Will linebacker position.​

Analysis:

Positives - In their first 4 picks, the Cowboys pick up a top 10 talent in Bijan Robinson, and two players (Tillman & Voorhees) who likely would be borderline 1st/2nd round picks that dropped in the draft due to injuries, and can become full-time starters in the future. Their 2nd round pick, Simpson is projected to be a starting NFL LB. Having already gotten two starters in Cooks and Gilmore with their 5th round pick, the Cowboys can come away from this draft with 3 immediate starter, and 3 future starters. By filling in their needs prior to the draft, the Cowboys get very good value in their first 4 rounds, which is excellent use of draft capital.​

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Negatives: The Cowboys did not pick up immediate help on the defensive line, and their OG pick won't be ready to play in 2023. In addition to resigning Hankins, they will likely need to get another veteran interior Defensive Tackle in free agency after the draft. They also failed to add a player to their TE room, and didn't pick up a back-up QB prospect. But the Cowboys already planned for the loss of Dalton Schultz by drafting Ferguson last season. So, now is the time for Ferguson to live up to the high praise he received from Travis Kelce. https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...high-praise-travis-kelce-super-bowl-tight-end. The Cowboys were linked to three QB's in the pre-draft process, but all were picked in the draft. Perhaps the Cowboys could have traded a pick from next year to get back into the draft to select one of the QB's they were looking at.​