The Dallas Cowboys cannot afford to waste any draft picks, despite their recent misuse of their fourth round picks. Some internal data must have told the front office that it’s better to use those selections on currently disappointing young veterans than rookies out of school. The team used their 2024 fourth rounder to acquire QB Trey Lance who hasn’t seen any significant action in two seasons and is going to be a free agent in 2025 after originally being selected third overall by the San Francisco 49ers.
Earlier this season, the club sent away their 2025 fourth rounder to bring in WR Jonathan Mingo, who has yet to show any serious ceiling in his handful of games. We can’t fix that in real life, but in the mock draft world, we can work to correct such errors by trading back.
The Cowboys are going to have plenty of holes to fill this coming offseason, and the biggest might be the replacement of Zack Martin, who has hinted at retirement and is now out for the year with an ankle injury. His decision will likely include consideration of the new coaching staff and blocking scheme, as he’s had two down years under Mike Solari. In this mock, we assume he’s calling it a Hall-of-Fame career.
Other considerations are the departure of WR Brandin Cooks, DT Osa Odighizuwa and other needs. Here’s a look at a four-round mock draft conducted on Pro Football Focus.
Cowboys pick at No. 13
The current draft order projection for Week 14 is that the Cowboys’ 5-7 record places them 13th in the first-round draft order.
Cowboys Team Needs
Sep 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones on the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat New Orleans 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas has needs all over the place, and as always will have to balance their free agent moves… ahaha just kidding. They’ll need to balance their availability projections. If they need to fill two positions pretty equally, and one is top heavy and the other is deep, it’s probably a better decision to grab the prospect from the top-heavy position.
Dallas is in need of a running back, wideout, defensive end, and defensive tackle. They could also potentially need safety help, depending on if they give the youngsters a chance to show their worth, along with linebacker depth. And as explained above, QB shouldn’t be ruled out if one who they think is special is staring them in the face.
Top 12 picks ahead of Dallas
BOULDER, COLORADO – APRIL 27: Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes warms-up prior to their spring game at Folsom Field on April 27, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
- Jacksonville Jaguars : WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
- Las Vegas Raiders: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
- New York Giants: DT Mason Graham, Michigan
- New England Patriots: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- Carolina Panthers: DE Abdul Carter, Penn State
- New York Jets: Safety Malaki Starks, Georgia
- Tennessee Titans: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
- Cleveland Browns: T Wil Campbell, LSU
- New Orleans Saints: Edge Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
- Cincinnati Bengals: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
- Chicago Bears: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
- Miami Dolphins: OT Kelvin Banks, Jr., Texas
1.13:
Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Simmons (71) blocks Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
With the departure of Martin, the Cowboys look to immediately replace him with a midwest tackle they’ll shift inside. Hopefully similar results as their 2014 choice ensue. Simmons stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 310 pounds, and is a monster whose minimal deficits will be mitigated on the interior and wealth of talents put to greater use. Simmons has missed time this season after knee surgery, but the power and athleticism he showed will make him an easy first-round selection if his medicals are cleared.
Trade Down: New England Patriots
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots wanted to package their two third-round picks to move up into the second round and Dallas jumped at the chance to demand an early fourth rounder as well, in exchange for including their own fifth rounder.
Cowboys receive 3.68, 3.83, 4.105
Patriots receive 2.45, 5.149
Cowboys Mock Draft 5.0 Complete Haul
Sep 30, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Utah State Aggies wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) runs the ball for a touchdown against the UConn Huskies in the second half at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
1.13 OG Josh Simmons, Ohio State
3.68 WR Jalen Royals, Utah State
3.77 DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
3.83 DT Deone Walker, Kentucky
4.105 RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
