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Dallas Cowboys: Mocking Mel Kiper’s Mock Draft 2.0

By Steven Mullenax

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Longtime NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has the Dallas Cowboys looking defensive in the 2018 NFL Draft. But is it the right choice for America’s Team?

You know the NFL offseason is in full swing because the internet is swamped with mock drafts right now. Everyone seems to have an opinion as to what the Dallas Cowboys will and should do with the 19th overall selection in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft.

Team needs seem to argue for the selection of a wide receiver, defensive tackle or even another first round offensive lineman. But talent often supersedes need in the higher rounds of the draft, and 2018 should be no exception. If an ultra-talented player falls into your lap, regardless of his position, history dictates you should select him.

I’m not sure that’s the case when it comes to the latest Cowboys first round selection in Mel Kiper Jr.’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0. The longtime draft guru envisions Dallas selecting Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans. But is Evans the best pick for the Cowboys?

"“I almost went with a tight end here, as South Carolina’s Hayden Hurst reminds me of a young Jason Witten, who can’t play forever,” wrote Kiper for ESPN.com. “But middle linebacker is another need, especially if Dallas can’t retain free agent Anthony Hitchens, and [Rashaan] Evans could play there or be insurance for Sean Lee, who will be 32 when the 2018 season begins and has struggled with injuries in his career.”"

Most mocks seem to have Evans getting drafted in the second round, with linebackers like Georgia’s Roquan Smith and Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds. Both prospects I believe are better than Evans. 

But head coach Jason Garrett has ties with Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Garrett was given his first NFL coaching job by Saban, then-coach of the Miami Dolphins, back in 2005. Their relationship is believed to be part of the reason the Cowboys traded for middle linebacker Rolando McClain back in 2014. So, I can connect the dots to Evans.

Although I agree the Cowboys need to start grooming a replacement for two-time Pro Bowler Sean Lee, I’m not sure the first round is the place to find him. At least not this year.

Next: Zeke’s sliding numbers make guard a top priority

But the Dallas Cowboys biggest issue with bringing in a linebacker like Evans is the existence of Jaylon Smith, who is already on the roster. Smith defied expectations in 2017 after being redshirted a year rehabbing from a devastating knee injury. The former second rounder appears on the brink of being the Cowboys’ starter at middle linebacker in 2018. How does bringing in a rookie linebacker, with first round expectations, help Smith’s development?

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