Mock drafts in January are mostly a learning tool to get familiar with the players who could potentially be picked in Round 1. The best mock drafters will usually nail 22 or 23 of the names who wind up being picked in Round 1 and will often only match a handful of players and teams together.
However, Mel Kiper Jr. has a pretty good track record of nailing the Dallas Cowboys' picks in Round 1, even in his initial mock drafts in January. Obviously, that doesn’t mean a ton, but it is noteworthy from one of the draft’s most important names.
So, who does Kiper have the Cowboys selecting in his first mock draft of the year? Let’s dive into his picks:
Mel Kiper has the Cowboys taking big risks in Round 1
The Cowboys aren’t afraid to take a risk in Round 1, whether that be by positional value (RB, LB, OG) or players from small schools (Tulsa, Boise State, etc). And selecting a linebacker at pick No. 12 would usually qualify as a risk. But not this year.
In his first mock draft of the year, Kiper had the Cowboys selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with their first selection. Styles is one of the best overall prospects in this class, and despite the lack of positional value, it’s why so many fans would be thrilled with the pick in Round 1.
Here is a snippet of Kiper’s thoughts on the pick and why he would make sense for Dallas at No. 12:
"Dallas could really use an impact player in the middle of the defense. Styles is a former safety, and it's no surprise once you see his speed. He can close on ball carriers and pass catchers in a flash. With 174 tackles over the past two seasons, he's a top-10 prospect for me."
Styles has been a common match with Dallas in Round 1 of mock drafts so far, and we should expect that to continue moving forward. But pick No. 20 is where things get really interesting for the Cowboys. They desperately need a cornerback to pair with Daron Bland, but the value might be better at defensive end.
Instead of taking a player like Cashius Howell at No. 20, Kiper opted for a much bigger risk in Round 1. He had the Cowboys selecting Akheem Mesidor, a defensive end from Miami, with their second first-round pick. Here is a snippet of what Kiper had to say about his fit in Dallas:
"Mesidor has battled injuries, but his toolbox is full. His bend, burst and power could help the Cowboys recapture some of the pass-rush juice they lost when they traded Micah Parsons in August. Mesidor can get into the backfield quickly and finish, registering 17.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles this past season."
Kiper isn’t wrong that Mesidor is one of the most productive pass rushers in the draft and he was a dominant force throughout the college football playoffs. But as Kiper mentioned, he’s dealt with injuries and because of that, he will be 25 during his rookie season, which is a massive concern.
However, with the Cowboys likely in a win-now window during the prime of Dak Prescott’s career, maybe the age of Mesidor won’t bother them. They need impact players right now and if Mesidor were fully healthy and 22, he would be a top-10 pick in this draft.
But is this still too rich of a spot for a player of his age and injury history? We could debate that until we are blue in the face, but the combination of Styles and Mesidor would instantly recharge this defense and give them a significant boost right away.
Mel Kiper Jr. has a pretty good knack of knowing where the Cowboys are going to go in the NFL Draft. And if Dallas decides to go in this direction, it would be a risky approach, but a fascinating one nonetheless.
And frankly, the Cowboys are going to need to do a lot of bold things if they want to get back to being competitive in the NFC. A draft like this might be exactly what they need to return to relevance.