Dallas Cowboys: A best player available mock draft to fill needs

On day three, the Dallas Cowboys select…

With the 123rd pick of the NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. from Kentucky.  I thought it interesting to replace the Cowboys former Kentucky slot receiver who once was a quarterback with someone from the same school who once was a quarterback.

With the 130th pick of the 2020 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select edge rusher Jabari Zuniga from Florida. He is a high-risk with high-reward defensive end. An injury curtailed his senior season but he was a multi-year starter in the SEC.

With the 158th pick of the 2020 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence from LSU. The defensive tackle was a team captain in 2017 but comes with an injury history that limited his production in college.

With the 179th pick of the 2020 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select safety Tanner Muse from Clemson. Muse was a special team ace and starting safety for the 2018 National Champions.

With the 208th pick of the 2020 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select edge rusher Jason Strowbridge from North Carolina. He was a multi-year starter in the ACC.  Strowbridge blocked four kicks over the last three years.

With the 231st pick of the 2020 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select linebacker Shaquille Quarterman from Miami (FL). The Cowboys almost always select a linebacker for special teams versatility. Quarterman was a four-year starter in the ACC.

With the 236th pick of the 2020 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select corner Dane Jackson from Pittsburgh. Yet another multi-year starter from a Power Five conference.

I totaled 12 picks over the seven round draft. All 12 picks were multi-year starters from Power Five conferences. Four of the picks were collegiate National Champions.

Nine picks were on the defensive side of the ball with three edge rushers, two safeties, two corners, a defensive tackle, and a linebacker. A quarterback, center and slot receiver were on the offensive side checking off all the needs identified prior to the draft.

While my 12 player mock draft is far from normal from recent Cowboys drafts where they have stayed close to their original picks, I think it is essential for Dallas to return to their early 1990’s roots by being active with draft trades to fill the rank and file with players on cost advantageous rookie contracts. Will new coach Mike McCarthy and his 12 person analytics team have this impact in the draft?