Dallas Cowboys “Way Too Early” Mock Draft Part 2 | Rounds 4 - 7
Alright, alright, alright. Cowboys nation! We are back to finish this “far too early mock draft”. I am picking up right where I left off and going to be selecting players in rounds 4 to 7 using PFF.com’s Mock Draft Simulator. If you are looking to check out my previous blog post of rounds one to three, look no further and click this link!
If you're more of a visual YouTube type, I also have you covered with a link to our video version:
(Note: As much as I would love to get my freak on and go buck wild with trades, I’m going to only use the picks the Dallas Cowboys currently hold)
Round 4, Pick 129
This is the tough part about doing a mock draft this far away from the actual draft and free agency. I don’t know what the Cowboys are planning to do with certain players. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard could either a) both be on the team or b) both not be on the team. News has come out saying Zeke is willing to take a pay cut, and TP20 is going to get franchised, yet I still like a certain RB on my board at this time. Even if Zeke/Tony are on the team, this selection could benefit us in a year or two.
This draft class is full of great RB depth, and everyone could probably argue for their favorite guy being the best choice. The RB I have my eye on reminds me of the Dallas Cowboys single season rushing leader. No, not Emmitt Smith, Tony Dorsette or Ezekiel Elliott. He reminds me of DeMarco Murray.
Pick, DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
Power, vision, tenacity and size. All traits to love in a RB. Yes, you could still argue this is too high to draft a RB. I just really see something in McBride. His tape speaks to me. At 5’11 215lbs McBride looks like your prototypical RB. Can he sometimes be a little too upright when he's running, yes, but the dude can flat out ball. Rushing for 1,713 yards and 19 tugs in 2022, McBride showed he had a nose for the endzone. Don’t get me wrong, he will never dazzle you with speed or agility, but he’ll make up for it in grittiness. Which we love at Cowboys CanFan. If we end up parting ways with Zeke, I think DeWayne could step in from day one and do a decent job at filling his shoes.
Round 5, Pick 163
This is where the draft can make or break a team in the long term. Finding gems in the later rounds. Whether it be a player like Anthony Brown in the 6th, or DaRon “Not so” Bland in the 5th. These gold mines can help lift a team to a Super Bowl. Here is where you start relying on your big board and scouting department. I am positive the Cowboys big board is going to be very different from mine (haha), but here I go! I’m going to let PFF do a lot of the heavy lifting here, and select mostly on a BPA (best player available) approach more than a position dependent.
Personally, I was looking for a defensive interior linemen around this spot, and if I was trading back instead of using the picks that are set, it could happen. That’s not the case though and with a prospect ranked at 146, and us drafting at 163, it becomes a game of numbers and value. I also don’t hate building some more quality depth on the OL. This next player is not ready to start in the NFL, although he has every physical trait necessary to be successful at the next level.
Pick: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
Round 5 is where I start looking at a player's build and fundamentals. No one is expecting an OT from Maryland to start from his first day at the star. Dallas has been very good at evaluating offensive linemen in recent years. What sticks out to me with Jaelyn is his size and arm length. Standing at 6’6” 315lbs he has the tools necessary to compete to be a swing tackle in the NFL and could be a very nice depth piece for the Cowboys going forward. With his strength being a menacing run blocker, he would have to work on his pass protection game to really be taken seriously as an every down starter.
Round 5, Pick 170 (c)
I’ll be 100% transparent, I am getting to the depths of the draft where the familiar names are starting to be fewer and far between. I have an internal battle happening inside myself to take the highest ranked player on the board (allowing me to boast about my final draft grade) yet PFF may condemn me for ever doing another draft if I don’t take their recommendation and draft a defensive interior linemen. PFF…you get your way.
Pick, Fabien Lovett, DI, Florida State
Like I said, this is more of a need than a want. Should the Cowboys target DI earlier than pick 170? Perhaps. With as many picks in the fifth round as the Cowboys have, you just hope at least one hits. Lovett is not the answer to the issues Dallas has had in the middle of the defense for as long as us fans can remember. Although he could be a piece that adapts, learns and conquers long term in the NFL the odds are against him. His production in college was very sub par, and this could end up being a reach at a position of need.
Round 5, 176(c)
Would it be nice to find a starter this late into the draft, totally, but most of the time that isn’t the case. Deeper into these late rounds finding someone who makes the final 53 man roster is impressive. To do that, the selections will have to be able to make an impact on special teams. Looking for physical, gutsy players at this pick.
Pick, Chamarri Conner, S, Virginia Tech
His stats aren’t going to jump off the sheet at you, Conner will make his money being a great leader while being physical and consistent. Walking around at 6’ 205lbs, Conner will bring the mindset to the special team unit that coaches love. Not the fastest guy on the field, although his competitive toughness will drive him to another level making him able to compete with overall better athletes. I am not trying to knock his athletic ability, he just can sometimes look stiff. His mindset can overcome this.
***I LIED!!!! TRADE ALERT!!!!!!!!***
Round 5, 177(c) from the Vikings
Lets see if we can strike gold with this pick, I am going full athlete. Looking for the fastest, most agile player left in the draft.
Pick, DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
Looking for speed, and pure athleticism at this spot, and I believe I found it. DJ Turner could possibly be one of the best athletes in the whole draft and a steal this late. Not only does he provide more depth at CB, he gives another dynamic athlete who could field punts/kickoffs in the case of Turpin being injured. Turner is believed to be one of the top man to man cover corners in the draft, and some websites even have him projected to be a CB2 in his rookie year. His size and length could make teams shy away, but with a projected 4.28 40 yard dash, I could not resist.
What do you think Cowboys Nation?
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@CowboysCanFan
