Staff writers reveal Cowboys 7-Round Mock

It’s Draft Day! Finally, we don’t have to wait any longer to see what’s going to happen in the NFL Draft.

The Cowboys currently have 10 picks, including No. 12 overall. Do the Cowboys get that star wide receiver to play opposite of CeeDee Lamb? Do they get a running back to bolster the running game? What about another first-round O-lineman?

The Cowboys’ staff writers announced their annual 7-round mock draft, trying to predict all 12 of the picks. This does not include any potential trades although we all know it’s bound to happen with the Cowboys when they get into the War Room.

But here are the picks for now. Let’s see who can come up with the best draft:

  • 1(12): Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
  • 2(44): Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
  • 3(76): Deone Walker, NT, Kentucky
  • 5(149): Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
  • 5(174): Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
  • 6(204): Elijah Roberts, EDGE, SMU
  • 6(211): Joshua Gray, OL, Oregon State
  • 7(217): Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks, RB, USC
  • 7(239): Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville
  • 7(247): Shemar James, LB, Florida
  • Analysis: Ashton Jeanty was taken at No. 10 by the Bears and, as such, I was faced with McMillan or Matthew Golden and, for my money, I’ve leaned throughout the entire offseason to thought of just how perfectly complementary the former would be with CeeDee Lamb — similar to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in Philadelphia. To my wildly pleasant surprise, Hampton was still available, without a trade up, and he will serve as both now and later at the running back position, no matter who wins the right to play in tandem with him in 2025. Walker is massive and gives me a possible impact player who can instantly boost the impact at nose tackle and especially when Mazi Smith needs a breather, while Riley helps solve the question of who’ll step into nickel corner duties with Jourdan Lewis now gone.

From there, it was impossible to pass up on Roberts at the edge, in what felt like steal of a pick in the sixth, and Gray’s versatility to help solidify OL depth just felt right to close out the sixth. My seventh-round picks include double downs on high-ceiling guys at RB and WR, along with a linebacker to help that unit going forward, and each of them would likely be gone in high-priority undrafted free agency; so spending a seventh on their abilities was a no-brainer for me. Flip the bat if this is your draft haul, Dallas.

  • 1 (12) – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
  • 2 (44) – Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
  • 3 (76) – Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
  • 5 (149) – Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
  • 5 (174) – Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
  • 6 (204) – Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State
  • 6 (211) – Luke Kandra, OG, Cincinnati
  • 7 (217) – Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia
  • 7 (239) – Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State
  • 7 (247) – Seth Henigan, QB, Memphis

Analysis: No trades for me in this scenario, but if the Cowboys can, I would guess they will look to move back and pick up some more capital, and maybe even package some later round picks to try and get their fourth rounder back. If they hold still and the first three picks fall this way for the Cowboys, I think they shore up a lot of the needs they’ve got on the roster pretty quickly. Golden is still scratching the surface of what he can do as a wide receiver, Alexander can fit at multiple spots on the defensive line, and Mukuba is a versatile defensive back with a knack for the football that doesn’t necessarily have to play safety. Then on day three, Will McClay and co. get to go to work where they’ve been at their best, which is finding depth in the class. I like double dips at cornerback and defensive tackle because the Cowboys need the bodies at those spots. Black has the tools to compete for a role at corner on the outside, and I think that Martin, Stackhouse and Kandra have the potential to benefit a lot from this coaching staff’s development.

  • 1 (12) – Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
  • 2 (44) – Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
  • 3 (76) – Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
  • 5 (149) – Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota
  • 5 (174) – Arian Smith, WR, Georgia
  • 6 (204) – Teddye Buchanan, LB, California
  • 6 (211) – Que Robinson, DE, Alabama
  • 7 (217) – Elijah Ponder, DE, Cal-Poly
  • 7 (239) – Tommy Akingbesote, DE, Maryland
  • 7 (247) – Isaac Teslaa, WR, Arkansas

Analysis: The Cowboys have had two press conferences in the last few months retiring some of the greatest offensive linemen in team history. So, why not replace that in the first round? I’ve been standing on the table to draft an offensive lineman in the first round again. So Booker would fit right in and help the running game immediately. And Judkins would be a great addition in the second round, if he makes it that far to No. 44. In the third round, I went with receiver in Kyle Williams, who is one of the fastest receivers in the draft. Walley is probably not going to make it to the fifth but don’t be surprised if the Cowboys wind up back in the fourth round. The Arian Smith pick might be a reach but I’ve always said I want that “track-guy” playing wide receiver and Smith fits the bill. In the sixth and seventh round, the Cowboys go for a lot more defensive help with tackles and linebackers. Of course, I had to end it with an Arkansas player in Teslaa, although I’d be fine if it was his college teammate, Andrew Armstrong.

  • 1 (12): Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
  • 2 (44): TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
  • 3 (76): Shemar Turner, IDL, Texas A&M
  • 5 (149): Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
  • 5 (174): Caleb Rogers, OT, Texas Tech
  • 6 (204): Jackson Slater, IOL, Sacramento State
  • 6 (211): Shemar James, LB, Florida
  • 7 (217): Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
  • 7 (239): Ahmed Hassanein, Edge, Boise State
  • 7 (247): Kitan Crawford, DS, Nevada

Analysis: I’ve gone back and forth between McMillan being available for the Cowboys at 12, or Dallas having to address wide receiver elsewhere. I’m choosing to stay positive as I believe their top-ranked wide receiver will be available in the first round. Because of this, the Cowboys can still take the most value in their positions of need. Like taking a running back in the second round. Henderson feels like a possible selection, but if he’s not available, don’t be surprised if they go with his Ohio State teammate Quinshon Judkins.

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