Cowboys mock draft: Dallas beefs up defense with all 9 picks and trades

The defense for the Dallas Cowboys drastically improved last season largely due to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. This year, the defense lost a big piece in Randy Gregory, and they do have some gaps to fill. Earlier this week, I did a hypothetical version of a mock draft that was offensive-focused. In each round, I looked to see what kind of offensive talent would be available to Dallas at each round. This time we will do the opposite, looking at only defensive talent throughout each round.

The Cowboys used eight of their 11 draft picks last season on the defense, including their first six picks who were all from the first four rounds. After the defense struggled mightily in 2020, it was necessary and paid off big time.

Obviously, their best pick came at pick 12. After trading back with the Eagles, the Cowboys landed superstar Micah Parsons. They also managed to take other players who had immediate impacts. Five of their eight defensive additions had at least 300 snaps last season. A notable name who missed the 300 mark, Jabril Cox, missed much of the season due to a torn ACL. If he were healthy, he was well on pace to pass 300 snaps.

The other names with such snaps include Parsons, cornerbacks Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, and defensive end Chauncey Gholston. America’s Team will likely continue to add young defensive talent in the draft with holes at defensive line and linebacker. Even the secondary could use more help.

In this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine to simulate the draft. I address the defense with each pick of the draft to highlight players in each round the Cowboys could target.

A Dallas Cowboys hypothetical defense only 7-round 2022 NFL mock draft

Round 1, Pick 24: LB Devin Lloyd

If there was one player in the draft most comparable to Micah Parsons, it’s Utah Ute Devin Lloyd. Lloyd had a very impressive 2021 season in which he showcased an ability to be disruptive in every aspect of the defense. What pops off the page the most is his pass-rushing ability for a linebacker. The Utah product finished with seven sacks, seven QB hits, and 16 hurries on 165 pass-rushing snaps.

Aside from his pass-rushing skills, Lloyd is known as one of the most sure-handed tacklers in college football. He finished the season with 111 tackles, 56 stops, 22 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.

The Utah star also improved his pass coverage considerably last season. He ended up with four interceptions (two of them for touchdowns), six pass deflections, and held quarterbacks to a 53.9 passer rating when targeted.

Lloyd would immediately be able to start at either outside linebacker position and provide more flexibility for Parsons to pass rush or play the opposite side of Lloyd. Adding someone of his caliber could really help elevate this defense’s potential to another level.

Other notable prospects available: LB Nakobe Dean, EDGE Boye Mafe, S Jaquan Brisker