The Cowboys have made it clear that if the current regime wants to remain in Dallas, they’ll have to prove the wild-card loss to Green Bay was a fluke. The front office isn’t extending anyone (at least not yet), from the staff to the players, and haven’t added any outsiders of note. So how does this strategy play out in the draft?
In our latest seven-round mock draft, run through Pro Football Focus’ simulator, we explore the concept of how difficult it is to draft players for a regime that doesn’t have job security. The Cowboys will likely avoid having to select prospects who favor one system over another, or fit in a depth chart that might be totally revamped in the near future. What does that look like? Here’s one iteration that includes bailing on the first round to gain more picks, only to find a consideration at No. 24 still sitting there in the second round.
Cowboys send: 1.24
Texans send: 2.42, 2.59
Dallas considered drafting Jackson Powers-Johnson, Zach Frazier and Chop Robinson here. The Texans come up to draft Iowa CB Cooper DeJean.
Cowboys send: 2.42
Steelers send: 2.51, 3.98
The Steelers come up to grab Georgia WR Ladd McConkey.
Somehow Zach Frazier makes it down to the Cowboys’ third first pick and we’ll take it. The West Virginia center is an immediate starter and allows the Cowboys to have actual depth along the interior as they rebuild the offensive line.
Cowboys send: 2.56, 7.233
Chiefs send: 2.64, 4.131, 2025 4th
The Chiefs move up in order to grab WR Ricky Pearsall out of Florida.
Grabbing Bijan Robinson in 2023 was always a pipe dream, but his understudy could realistically make his way to this spot. It’s not a certainty he’ll make it, but Dallas is looking for players who can make an immediate impact and the Texas runner certainly has game-changing ability and a depth chart that doesn’t offer much resistance.
The Cowboys are going to take the interior of their defensive line a lot more seriously here. Adding Sweat to a hopefully improved Mazi Smith gives them a ton of space eaters in the middle. Deploying both in a rotation and alongside each other should allow linebackers to stay clean and force all runs towards the edges.
Mahogany is a run-game mauler and while he does have some work to do in pass pro, he certainly seems capable of getting the job done as an immediate starter in between Tyler Smith and the new center. If TJ Bass is the real deal, Mahogany will be depth until Zack Martin walks away.
Cowing is a diminuitive speedster who is in the Hollywood Brown mold.
Christian McCaffrey light.
6.216: Temple linebacker Jordan Magee
7.244: Georgia State linebacker Jontrey Hunter
