There’s a bright side to not finishing up all my perfect drafts before the actual draft started. Here, at the end of the first round, I can factor in who was selected in the first round and then shake up who I select for each team the rest of the way. It’s been an offseason of disertion for the Dallas Cowboys as they lost their entire starting secondary to free agency, so there’s no question that should be the focus in their draft plans. Luckily for the Cowboys, they likely drafted a dynasty last season completely by accident. They need some key pieces, but this isn’t an unsolvable problem. The areas they need to focus on have a deep level of talent in this draft.
The only free agent the Cowboys brought in was cornerback Nolan Carroll and still have Orlando Scandrick, who really came on strong at the end of last season. By my accounting that still means they need to add another potential starting corner and starting safety. That’s what they need to target on day two of the NFL draft.
To see all 32 perfect NFL drafts, click here.
Round 1, Pick 28: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
2016: 40 tackles, 13.5 for a loss, 10 sacks, two passes defended
Who I had them taking: Cordrea Tankersly, CB, Clemson
2016: 52 tackles, six for a loss, four interceptions, 11 passes defended
Charlton is a solid pick and definitely fills a need the Cowboys have for an edge rusher. They lucked out that Tankersly didn’t get grabbed in the first round and there’s a chance he could still be there when they pick late in the second. I’ve seen Tankersly all over the place in mock drafts, but there’s no question to me this kid, at 6-1 and 200 pounds, is a day one NFL starter. He’s been a lockdown corner in Clemson’s secondary for the last two seasons and played in all four, facing off against some of the best offensive talent in the country. And that’s not just in the SEC, but in two straight College Football Playoff runs.
Charlton will be a day one starter for the Cowboys and probably produce in the seven-to-eight sacks range as a rookie.
Round 2, Pick 60: Josh Jones, Safety, NC State
2016: 109 tackles, four for a loss, one sack, three interceptions, eight passes defended, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble
Tankersly may start the season in the slot, but Jones is will be starting opposite Byron Jones in the Cowboys defensive backfield. Like Tankersly, Jones has excelled against the high-powered offenses of the ACC and already faced two of the top quarterbacks coming out in this draft.
Round 3, Pick 92: Davon Godchaux, DT, LSU
2016: 38 62 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, 6.5 sacks, one pass defense, two fumble recoveries
The Cowboys have solid starters at defensive tackle with Stephen Pea and Maliek Collins. Cedric Thornton is a decent back up too, but after him they have no one ready to step in. Godchaux can be a rotational player as a rookie and develop into a starter when the team decided to move on from their older defensive linemen.
Round 4, Pick 133: Delano Hill, Safety, Michigan
2016: 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, three interceptions, one defensive touchdown, three passes defended, one forced fumble
With the Joneses (Byron and John) slated in as starters, Hill enters the rotation as a reserve and special teams player, as well as a potential nickle or dime defensive back.
Round 6, Pick 211: Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State
2016: 32 catches, 402 yards, seven touchdown
Brown is the only offensive player I have the Cowboys selecting. Brown is 6-2 and 218 pounds and a guy that won’t be expected to contribute much on a full wideout roster. When he does, his athleticism should get him on the field as a rotational fourth guy, especially going deep.
Round 7, Pick 228: Aarion Penton, CB, Missouri
2016: 43 tackles, 0.5 for a loss, five interceptions, one defensive touchdown, 12 passes defended
Penton adds much-needed depth after a stellar career at Mizzou. With those numbers, the 5-10, 190-pound Penton should be ranked much higher than the seventh round, especially considering he did it against SEC opponents.
Round 7, Pick 246: Marquez White, CB, Florida State
2016: 25 tackles,two for a loss, two interceptions, four passes defended
Any depth issues the Cowboys had coming in should be solved with this draft. They’ll shore up their defenisve front with Charlton and Godchaux, and with White adds another body a quick-developing prospect to the defensive backfield.
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
