Dallas Cowboys 7-round NFL Mock Draft
The Dallas Cowboys are coming into the 2020 NFL Draft with some glaring needs on the defensive side of the ball. With the departure of big names like Byron Jones and Jeff Heath, the team will likely focus on rookies that can add to what they have done during the offseason. In rare fashion, Jerry Jones has been incredibly busy during free agency this year. He has added veteran names like Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, Aldon Smith, and HaHa Clinton-Dix to dry to bolster the defense and defensive line. In this 7-round NFL mock draft, I will look at who the team should consider to be able to compete for a potential Super Bowl this season.
Using the brand new Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator, I was able to evaluate exactly where some guys might fall and where there can be some shakeup. This simulator includes trades, and I will keep them in mind when making my selections.
Three Round NFL Mock Draft: How many QBs will go in the first round?
Round One, Pick 23: Jeff Gladney, CB TCU
With the three top cornerbacks coming off the board earlier, the Cowboys opted to trade back with New England. Moving back six spots and adding pick 87, 125, and 230 to their arsenal. Sitting there at 23 was TCU CB Jeff Gladney.
Replacing the talent and skill that Byron Jones brought to the table is going to be difficult, by Gladney is a step in the right direction. He is a four-year starter who earned first-team All-Big 12 honors last season. He made 31 tackles with one interception and a career-high 14 pass breakups as a senior in 2019.
Gladney is my third-ranked CB in this draft. I would have preferred getting Henderson or Diggs at 17, but Gladney is a good consolation prize.
Round Two, Pick 51: Kyle Dugger, S Lenoir-Rhyme
In every single mock draft that I have done so far, I somehow always find myself selecting Kyle Dugger in the middle of the second round. The small school prospect is an elite talent in my mind and will be perfect with newly signed Clinton-Dix.
Even though he is a good offseason signing, I don’t believe Clinton-Dix is the long term answer for Dallas at the safety position. Dugger is young and talented and will compete for a starting spot right away. In his senior season, he had 31 tackles, four passes defended, and two picks, one of which he returned for a score. In his entire career with Lenoir-Rhyne, he totaled 237 tackles in 42 games with 10 interceptions.
Round Three, Pick 82: Neville Gallimore, DT Oklahoma
The Cowboys need to add another EDGE rusher to continue the transformation of their defensive line. Bringing in the big-bodied Neville Gallimore from Oklahoma will accomplish just that. With Aldon Smith and Dontarie Poe now a part of the team, this defensive line could push to be considered the best in the NFL.
During his senior season, Gallimore made 30 tackles (7.5 for loss) with four sacks and two forced fumbles. He has the ability to get to the QB and will cause trouble for offensive lines.
Round Three, Pick 87: Devin Duvernay, WR Texas
With their second pick in the third round, the Cowboys bring in Devin Duvernay out of Texas. This might be my favorite pick of the Cowboys 7-round NFL mock draft. Duvernay is a talented wide receiver who I think should be going fringe round one or beginning of round two.
In all of the offseason mayhem, people forget that the Cowboys also lost Randall Cobb. Cobb had arguably one of his best seasons in his career with Dallas and was important in the slot. Well, Duvernay is made to play in the slot and is most effective when he lines up there. Last year, led the conference with 106 receptions for 1,386 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He will replace Cobb and is actually better at turning down-field after a catch.
Adding Duvernay to an already stacked offense with Amari Cooper, Blake Jarwin, Michael Gallup, and Ezekiel Elliott will make sure Dak Prescott has another impressive year.
Round Four, Pick 123: Keith Ismael, C San Diego State
I know that the surprise retirement of Travis Frederick will make most fans think that the Cowboys will look to fill this role sooner. However, Dallas drafted a second center last season in Connor McGovern. Hopefully, he will be able to grow this offseason. However, Dallas will still need to add some depth and that is what they will find in the fourth round with Keith Ismael.
Ismael was the definition of reliable for the San Diego State Aztecs and has the talent to compete for a starting position at the next level. He will need to be coached up but should add a much- needed element of depth at the position.
Round Four, Pick 125: Hunter Bryant, TE Washington
With the extension of Blake Jarwin, the Cowboys showed that they believe in him as their next TE. However, they still need to add another one with the departure of Jason Witten. Hunter Bryant is my top TE prospect, and I think that he could even be the first off of the board come draft day. His stock has done nothing but rise since the NFL Combine.
Pro Football Network’s Draft Analyst said it best, “Bryant plays the position like a receiver, and he’s what the league wants at the position these days”. Bryant will become a huge part of any passing game he is a part of. If Dallas can add him to their roster, they would have one-two punch similar to Philidelphia with Ertz and Goedert.
Round Five, Pick 154: Anthony Gordon, QB Washington State
The Cowboys make another trade in this version of the 7-round NFL mock draft with Miami. Dallas sends their pick 164 and their second seventh-round pick with a sixth-round pick in 2021 to move up ten spots.
Why move up you might ask? Because behind Dak Prescott, the Cowboys need another QB. Anthony Gordon is the last prospect in this tier of quarterbacks before I see a severe drop-off. The Cowboys have yet to sign Prescott to a long-term deal and decided to use the franchise tag on him this season.
As much as I doubt that Prescott and Dallas will have the kind of falling out that Cousins and Washington had, you still need a back-up plan. Gordon is a strong-arm passer and had an impressive senior season. He was named second-team All-Pac-12 after leading the country with 689 pass attempts, 493 completions (ranking fourth in the FBS with a 71.6 completion percentage) and finishing second to Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow for the national lead in passing yards (5,579) and touchdowns (48, with 16 interceptions) in 13 starts.
Gordon will more than likely sit behind Prescott this year, but he could develop into a starter one day. Even if it is not with Dallas, he could become a viable asset for the team.
See Where Anthony Gordon Lands In Our 2020 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
Round Five, Pick 179: Terence Steele, OT Texas Tech
At the end of the fifth round, the Cowboys add a depth piece with Terence Steele from Texas Tech. Steele will not make an immediate impact this season with Tyron Smith still holding things down on the left side and La’el Collins quietly becoming one of the best right tackles in the entire NFL. Behind them, they have veteran Cam Fleming, who has been on the field often as Smith has been battling injuries in recent seasons.
However, the Cowboys know how important it is to have depth on the offensive line, especially when you have your franchise quarterback playing on a one year deal. Steele is the king of big body prospect who will need a bit of time to develop but will learn behind the current Cowboys o-line.
Round Seven, Pick 230: Bravvion Roy, DT Baylor
With the last pick in the Dallas Cowboys 7-round NFL mock draft, I selected another defensive player in Bravvion Roy out of Baylor. Dallas needed to add another nose tackle to their roster and Roy will be exactly what the doctor ordered.
In his last season with Baylor, Roy made 61 tackles (13 for loss) with 5.5 sacks. He has the ability to rush the passer but excels at stuffing the run. His injury history will cause him to fall in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he will be a steal in the seventh round.
