Will the Dallas Cowboys move up in the NFL draft?

With ten picks in the upcoming NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys have a multitude of options. Could moving up be in the stars for them come draft night?

On Sunday, I released my first complete seven round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys. In my mock, I have the Cowboys addressing defensive needs early an often. Three of the first four selections, in fact, are defensive players.

While I did have a few trades involving the ten picks Dallas currently owns, none of those trades had the Cowboys moving up in round one.

Today, we’ll take a look at three players I think the Cowboys worth moving up to draft. Should these three be around longer than expected, Dallas should pick up the phone.

Before we get into that, however, let’s take a look at what the price of doing business.

Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson was instrumental in creating a method in which to determine the value of a draft pick. Since then, the formula has been tweaked slightly.

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Thanks to www.drafttek.com, here is the value of every upcoming pick in this year’s draft.

Depending on you are comfortable giving up, this helps get you an idea of how the conversation would even start. The Cowboys total draft capital is 1610.6. That means that you can forget moving into the top five if you’re a Cowboys fan.

Unless Dallas gives up a prominent player or future number one pick, that option is out.

A realistic sweet spot for Dallas fans to start getting their hopes up is when the Miami Dolphins are on the clock. Since the 11^th overall pick is worth 1,250, it’s still going to cost the Cowboys a pretty penny.

Any move from 19 up to the 11-13 range is likely going to mean the Cowboys give up their second round pick. For a first AND a second, you better be getting a bona fide, can’t miss star.

Aside from the quarterbacks, there are few of those guys in this draft.

In my book, there are two players worthy of calling Miami or Buffalo over if they are still on the board.

Florida State safety Derwin James is definitely a “can’t miss” prospect. Draft evaluators have his floor at Eric Berry and his ceiling in the Ed Reed stratosphere. I’m not sure how or why he would ever be available at 11^th overall but if he is, you make that move every time.

The other sure fire superstar in this draft is Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. At 6’5,” 253 lbs., he ran a 4.54-forty yard dash so he has all the size and speed you need. As for production, in two seasons, he compiled 202 tackles, 30.5 for loss, 10 sacks, five passes defended and one interception.

Injury will be the only reason for keeping these two off multiple All-Pro teams and 10+ year dominant careers.

Depending on the how the draft shakes down will determine if Dallas should move up for anyone else. There are about six guys that I think Dallas should heavily consider at 19, but few they should move up to draft.

If there is one other guy, I’d give a few later picks along with 19 to get it would be Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea.

Vea’s greatest asset would be what he would do for everyone else. At almost 350 lbs. and with quick feet and devastating power, Vea would get double teams. Leaving guys like David Irving and Maliek Collins one-on-one could wreak havoc. It would also free up Jaylon Smith and Sean Lee to make more plays in the run game.

For that to happen, however, he would need to slide to Baltimore at 16. Dallas’ first, fourth (116) and fifth (171) round selections could make it happen.

Next: Cowboys Post-Free Agency 7-round mock draft

Outside of those three scenarios, I think the Dallas Cowboys are in a good position here. With as many as five quarterbacks possibly going in the top 20, a stellar defender should be available. Patience will pay off but temptation may take over if Derwin James, Tremaine Edmunds or Vita Vea slip.

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