In just one month, the NFL Draft will open in Detroit, Michigan, with 32 teams looking to add key players to their rosters.
The Cowboys currently have needs at linebacker, running back, and wide receiver, as well as on the offensive and defensive lines. How the Cowboys prioritize these needs over the next three days will be a big focus of the draft.
In the first first-round mock draft by DallasCowboys.com, the Cowboys traded back the No. 1 pick to alleviate that need by acquiring an additional third-round pick. Additionally, another team in the NFC East made a big trade to acquire one of the top defensive players in the draft.
No.1 – Chicago – QB Caleb Williams (USC) – Surprises happen in the draft, but perhaps none are as shocking as Caleb Williams not being selected by Chicago with the first pick. He has the arm talent, mobility, and pocket presence to be the Bears' long-term answer… finally.
2nd place – Washington – QB Jayden Daniels (LSU) – With the managers adding Austin Ekeler, pairing him with a mobile quarterback like Jaden Daniels will only expand the offense into multiple types of dangerous attacks.
3rd place – New England – QB Drake Maye (North Carolina State) – With Jerod Mayo taking on the task of finding the Patriots' next long-term solution at quarterback, he remains at No. 3 and one of the most “sure-fire” quarterback candidates we've seen in recent years. We have acquired one person, Drake May. .
4th place – Arizona – WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State University) – The Cardinals are considering a potential trade, but ultimately fell back on drafting one of the best receiver prospects of the past decade to provide another weapon for Kyler Murray.
5th – Minnesota (scheduled trade with Chargers) – QB JJ McCarthy (Michigan) –The Vikings don't have many picks in the draft to address their needs, but they have put together a deal that includes a future pick to take JJ McCarthy in place of Kirk Cousins.
6th place – New York Giants – WR Malik Nabers (LSU) – The Giants have been desperately looking for a pass-catching weapon to change things up since the decline of Odell Beckham Jr., and they decided to use another LSU product to solve that problem.
7th place – Tennessee – OT Joe Alt (University of Notre Dame) – Incorporating 2023 first-round picks Peter Skoronski and Joe Alt into the Titans' offense could help build a wall up front for a bright future in Nashville.
No. 8 – Atlanta – EDGE Dallas Turner (Alabama) – Atlanta has had a lot of changes this offseason, but they still need an elite pass rusher to attack the quarterback. They get one of the best in the draft in Dallas Turner.
9th Place – Chicago – EDGE Jared Verse (Florida) – The Bears have a lot of fun options to play at No. 9, but here they decided to put a strength-based pass rusher on the line opposite Montez Sweat.
No. 10 – NY Jets – TE Brock Bowers (Georgia) – The Jets are doing everything they can to make the most of the Aaron Rodgers era and acquire the likes of Tyron Smith and Mike Williams in free agency, and they could take another step in that direction with another weapon in Brock Bowers. I took a step.
11th – LA Chargers (scheduled trade with Vikings) – OT Talese Fuaga (Oregon) – Last season, the Chargers' offensive line was rotten at times. They acquired Taliese Fuaga, one of the top tackles in the draft, to keep him on the West Coast.
No. 12 – Philadelphia (scheduled trade with Denver) – CB Kunyon Mitchell (Toledo) – Philadelphia is a team that is never afraid to be aggressive on draft day, and in this scenario they would give one of their second round picks to Denver (who currently has no second round picks). , they will be taking the best cornerback in the draft. draft.
No. 13 – Las Vegas Raiders – CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama) – The Raiders are a very unpredictable team in the first round, but solidifying their need for a cornerback of Terion Arnold's caliber makes too much sense to pass up.
No.14 – New Orleans – WR Roma Odunze (Washington) – While this slide wasn't about Roma Odunze and more about the team drafting before New Orleans, the Saints are looking to add dynamic players opposite Chris Olave to revitalize an offense that has been stagnant since 2023. Added new weapons.
No. 15 – Indianapolis – CB Nate Wiggins (Clemson) – Colts fans will be upset to see Mitchell and Arnold go before 3 p.m., but acquiring Nate Wiggins would bring just as much intrigue. Despite the tight spot, Wiggins' coverage ability will make Indy the opening day starter.
No. 16 – Seattle – OT Olu Fashanu (Penn State University) – Acquiring an elite tackle like Olu Fashanu at 16 years old is a rare opportunity, and while Seattle could use more defensive help, acquiring a Penn State player… Helps protect aging quarterbacks.
No. 17 – Jacksonville – DT Byron Murphy II (Texas) – The depth of Jacksonville's interior defensive line would intimidate adults, and so will Byron Murphy II.
No. 18 – Cincinnati – OT JC Latham (Alabama) – Protecting one of the league's best players was imperative for Cincinnati after two season-ending injuries in manager Joe Burrow's first five seasons. JC Latham quickly softens it.
No. 19 – LA Rams – EDGE Laiatu Latu (UCLA) – With the retirement of Aaron Donald, the Rams may be tempted to go to the interior defensive line with this pick, but the rise of Coby Turner last season meant they could add an edge weapon like Laiatu Latu to him. It would be equally ideal to keep him in the City of Angels.
No. 20 – Pittsburgh – OT Troy Fautanu (Washington) – Few players of Troy Fautanu's size have displayed the athleticism he displayed at the combine. That's exactly what Russell Wilson/Justin Fields needs up front for long-term success.
No. 21 – Miami – C Graham Burton (Duke) – The more you hear about Graham Burton, the more you learn about his intelligence and the repertoire he has to play in the NFL. Miami will value Jackson Powers-Johnson here, but I expect them to select Barton.
No. 22 – Denver (scheduled trade with Eagles) – QB Bo Nix (Oregon) – This is natural, right? If there was a vibe pick, this would be it. Nix may not be a first-round talent, but Sean Payton's quarterback history is a near-symmetrical mirror of what Bo Nix brings to the next level.
23rd – LA Chargers (scheduled trade with Vikings) WR Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU) – Having a new weapon for Justin Herbert after moving on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will be crucial to Jim Harbaugh's first-year success. Adding 4.34 speed to the outside of Brian Thomas Jr. does just that.
No. 24 – Baltimore (scheduled trade with Cowboys) – CB Cooper DeJean (Iowa) – Seeing an opportunity to get ahead of a corner-strapped team where the Cowboys could use additional draft capital, the Ravens sent No. 30 and No. 94 to Dallas for a more versatile and reliable defensive back. We acquired one person in the draft. Cooper Dejan.
No. 25 – Green Bay – OT Amarius Mims (Georgia) – After releasing David Bakhtiari in the offseason, the Packers are working to find his immediate replacement by drafting Amarius Mims.
No. 26 – Tampa Bay – DT Jazan Newton (Illinois) – The Buccaneers have been quietly building a young, athletic defensive line, and adding Jarzan Newton to that team will only strengthen that.
No. 27 – Arizona – CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama) – With their second first-round pick, the Cardinals took a big step toward solving their secondary problem by acquiring a high-ceiling cornerback in Kool-Aid McKinstry.
No.28 – Buffalo – EDGE Darius Robinson (Missouri) – The Bills need help at the safety position, and while Tyler Nubin could be a legitimate option here, adding defensive versatility up front in Darius Robinson might be a more valuable choice. unknown.
No. 29 – Detroit – EDGE Chop Robinson (Penn State University) – The Lions did what they needed to do offensively in the 2023 draft, but now they're looking to address some needs defensively. Add Chop Robinson to the role opposite Aidan Hutchinson and you've got exactly that.
No. 30 – Dallas Cowboys (scheduled trade with Ravens) – OT Jordan Morgan (Arizona) – Realizing that they need more than just a pick going into the draft, Dallas moves down six spots to acquire another top-100 pick. The Cowboys still have an experienced and versatile offensive lineman at 30 years old, as Jordan Morgan could be in the building and provide a combination with Tyler Smith at left tackle or left guard. Looks like it's going to fall on them.
No. 31 – San Francisco – C Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon State) – After the combine, there wasn't as much optimism about Jackson Powers-Johnson finishing in the top 20 as there was at the Senior Bowl. He's still in the first round on a team that needs offensive reinforcements.
No.32 – Kansas City – WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas) – Even with the addition of Marquise Brown this offseason, the Chiefs could use another weapon on offense for Patrick Mahomes. Adonai Mitchell gives the Chiefs the reliable red zone presence and possession skills that Kansas City sorely needed during the mid-season slump in 2023.
