Risen Star
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Machota thinks McCarthy may have let us know our draft priorities when he said this to the media a couple of days ago.
"You got to be in tune with the climate of the National Football League,” he said from the league’s annual meetings in Phoenix. “I think we all recognize that the defensive line play, I know during my time in the league, I think it’s at a historical high. The value that’s put into the D-line play, as far as from the draft and free agency, that’s a priority position. You’ve seen the good defensive lines that have the six- or seven-man rotation, they’re getting it to eight to 10. Just look at our division alone. You have to pay close attention to that.”
So he used this thinking for this mock using the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator.
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First round, No. 26
Nolan Smith, DE, Georgia
Bijan Robinson was long gone by pick No. 26, going at No. 10 to the Philadelphia Eagles. TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston, Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks and Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid were the three picks selected right before the Cowboys went on the clock. So Dallas’ pick came down to Smith, Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer, Georgia TE Darnell Washington, Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence and Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey.
Smith was the pick because it gives defensive coordinator Dan Quinn a potentially huge weapon to mix and match up front with Parsons but also drop into coverage. Smith can impact the game on every down. If Quinn wasn’t the DC, this might not be the pick. But judging by how he has utilized players like Parsons, Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse, if Smith is there at 26, this would make a lot of sense for the Cowboys.
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Second round, No. 58
Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
As the second round was unfolding, three players who would’ve been great for the Cowboys were sliding: TCU interior offensive lineman Steve Avila, Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Smith. Avila and Gibbs went a few picks before Dallas was on the clock. The only other player in the conversation here was Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald. But after grabbing Smith in the first round, this was an easy choice. Dallas brought back Hankins for another year, and Watkins might also return for another year, but the Cowboys need a big impact player in the middle for several years to come and the 6-foot-3, 323-pound Smith would fit well. The Cowboys defensive line would be in great shape for the foreseeable future if these were their first two picks.
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Third round, No. 90
Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Other notable players still available at No. 90 were Texas A&M RB Devon Achane, South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft and Iowa TE Sam LaPorta. The Athletic’s most recent big board had Charbonnet ranked No. 62, so this seemed like a good value. He also fits a need for the Cowboys. While talking to reporters at the league meetings this week, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said, “In a perfect world, you’d find a big, physical back that could complement Tony (Pollard).” At 6-0, 214 pounds, Charbonnet would probably be a better complement to Pollard than the 5-8 1/2, 188-pound Achane.
“Where he really excels is the vision, the way he reads the field,” Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s NFL Draft expert, said earlier this week about Charbonnet. “He sets up blocks exceptionally well. He consistently picked up positive yardage. He absorbs contact well. His balance is outstanding. … After contact this year, he averaged 4.2 yards per carry. That really says a lot about his ability to maximize each run. And he’s a very reliable pass catcher. He’s a guy that can stay on the field in any situation. He’s a really reliable player who I think would make sense to pair him with a guy like Pollard.”
Passing on the tight ends wasn’t easy, but the depth at the position meant there probably would still be a solid option available in the fourth or fifth rounds.
"You got to be in tune with the climate of the National Football League,” he said from the league’s annual meetings in Phoenix. “I think we all recognize that the defensive line play, I know during my time in the league, I think it’s at a historical high. The value that’s put into the D-line play, as far as from the draft and free agency, that’s a priority position. You’ve seen the good defensive lines that have the six- or seven-man rotation, they’re getting it to eight to 10. Just look at our division alone. You have to pay close attention to that.”
So he used this thinking for this mock using the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator.
-
First round, No. 26
Nolan Smith, DE, Georgia
Bijan Robinson was long gone by pick No. 26, going at No. 10 to the Philadelphia Eagles. TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston, Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks and Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid were the three picks selected right before the Cowboys went on the clock. So Dallas’ pick came down to Smith, Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer, Georgia TE Darnell Washington, Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence and Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey.
Smith was the pick because it gives defensive coordinator Dan Quinn a potentially huge weapon to mix and match up front with Parsons but also drop into coverage. Smith can impact the game on every down. If Quinn wasn’t the DC, this might not be the pick. But judging by how he has utilized players like Parsons, Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse, if Smith is there at 26, this would make a lot of sense for the Cowboys.
-
Second round, No. 58
Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
As the second round was unfolding, three players who would’ve been great for the Cowboys were sliding: TCU interior offensive lineman Steve Avila, Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Smith. Avila and Gibbs went a few picks before Dallas was on the clock. The only other player in the conversation here was Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald. But after grabbing Smith in the first round, this was an easy choice. Dallas brought back Hankins for another year, and Watkins might also return for another year, but the Cowboys need a big impact player in the middle for several years to come and the 6-foot-3, 323-pound Smith would fit well. The Cowboys defensive line would be in great shape for the foreseeable future if these were their first two picks.
-
Third round, No. 90
Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Other notable players still available at No. 90 were Texas A&M RB Devon Achane, South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft and Iowa TE Sam LaPorta. The Athletic’s most recent big board had Charbonnet ranked No. 62, so this seemed like a good value. He also fits a need for the Cowboys. While talking to reporters at the league meetings this week, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said, “In a perfect world, you’d find a big, physical back that could complement Tony (Pollard).” At 6-0, 214 pounds, Charbonnet would probably be a better complement to Pollard than the 5-8 1/2, 188-pound Achane.
“Where he really excels is the vision, the way he reads the field,” Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s NFL Draft expert, said earlier this week about Charbonnet. “He sets up blocks exceptionally well. He consistently picked up positive yardage. He absorbs contact well. His balance is outstanding. … After contact this year, he averaged 4.2 yards per carry. That really says a lot about his ability to maximize each run. And he’s a very reliable pass catcher. He’s a guy that can stay on the field in any situation. He’s a really reliable player who I think would make sense to pair him with a guy like Pollard.”
Passing on the tight ends wasn’t easy, but the depth at the position meant there probably would still be a solid option available in the fourth or fifth rounds.
