2017 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys End-of-March 7-Round Mock Draft

After losing key pieces in free agency, the Dallas Cowboys focus heavily on their defense in the 2017 NFL Draft in this seven-round mock draft.

Defense should be the key for the Dallas Cowboys to keep adding to their already successful roster. Last year in the first round, the Cowboys drafted running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick, and then in the fourth round they hit the jackpot and selected quarterback Dak Prescott to shore up their offense.

Even with the Cowboys still needing just a little more depth on the offensive side of the football, there is still the fact the defensive backfield needs work. And the rest of the defense could use some help as well. Thankfully, the 2017 NFL Draft has some talented players from the collegiate level ready to make their name in the NFL. As for the Cowboys, they are only a few players away from being even better than they were one season ago.

To get further than the Divisional Round of the NFL postseason, the Cowboys must make it a point to draft more defense, beginning with the first round. They should be able to find a safety or impact edge rusher with the 28th overall selection in the draft and from there continue to draft the best available defensive player for the next couple rounds as well.

As well as they drafted in recent years for the offensive side of the football by building their offensive line and selecting solid players at the skilled positions, it is now the time to replace that defensively. The Cowboys need to get the depth required for that unit to keep up with the already explosive offense.

Here is a defensive-minded seven-round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys, looking at value and needs at the end of March.

Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan defensive end Taco Charlton speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1: Taco Charlton, DE – Michigan

As much as the Dallas Cowboys need help with their secondary to build around Byron Jones, Anthony Brown and Nolan Carroll, the defensive line is most important in this first round, because they really need to add to a pass rush that wasn't up to par with how the offense played last season.

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Here is where Taco Charlton of Michigan can come in and be one of the defensive ends the Cowboys need to put pressure on the quarterback. Mel Kiper of ESPN.com believes this 28th overall pick could be Charlton's Michigan teammate, Jabrill Peppers, as the Cowboys could use an athletic safety on their roster as well.

Though Peppers is a great athlete, Charlton is more of a sure thing at defensive end, and that is what the Cowboys need right now—a defensive end who can cause some havoc to a offense, as that wasn't the case when the Cowboys were one-and-done in the playoffs last year.

While at Michigan this past season, Charlton recorded at least one sack in each of his final four games, including a game against Ohio State where he totaled nine tackles and 2.5 sacks in the double-overtime loss to the Buckeyes. For the season, he had three games of at least 1.5 sacks. Charlton will become an even better player under the coaching of defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who has done wonders with a defense that overachieved last season.

Charlton is an excellent fit for the Cowboys this late in the 2017 NFL Draft, but whether he will even be available this far down the line is the biggest question, not whether he is good enough to play in the NFL.

Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Josh Jones goes through workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2: Josh Jones, S – NC State

Though he could be off the board by the time the Cowboys make their second-round selection, a player to watch this round is Josh Jones of North Carolina State. The 6-1, 220-pound safety ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and had the same time at his Pro Day as well. His vertical jump comes in at 37.5 inches, and he had 20 reps on the bench press at the combine too.

Jones is an excellent athlete, plain and simple, and his numbers prove he's good at safety, too. Jones had six games of 10 or more tackles and even recorded a sack against Wake Forest. He also totaled two interceptions this past season. All-in-all Jones still has some aspects of his game that will need to be worked on, but if the Cowboys can land Jones at safety in the second round, this would be a good spot to fill a need.

That said, lately the second-round choice has been a spot where they've selected the player they felt was the "best available," and the player doesn't spend any time on the field, whether it be due to a previous injury or off-the-field problems. USA Today's Jess Root of Cards Wire has reported that the Arizona Cardinals have shown interest in Jones as well, so the Cowboys might have to move up in the second round if they want to draft who will most likely be the best safety available in the second round.

The Cowboys lost a lot this free agency period from their defensive backfield. This year, they need to build that part of the roster up and make it better than before, because this draft should be all about building a defense to match their high-powered offense.

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) returns an interception for a touchdown during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3: Ryan Anderson, LB – Alabama

There are still questions with the overall health of Jaylon Smith, who didn't play a single snap for the Cowboys last season. There is also the fact Sean Lee isn't as young as he once was. And Rolando McClain has so many off-the-field issues, he's already suspended for most of this upcoming season, and it is unlikely he'll be back with the team.

That leaves the Cowboys with some depth issues that can begin to be fixed with the addition of a player like Ryan Anderson from Alabama. At 6-2 and 253 pounds, Anderson provides a nice frame to play linebacker in the NFL. With that, the Alabama junior comes from a program that not only has great tradition, but played at a very high and intense level during his tenure with the Crimson Tide.

Anderson ran a 4.78-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and, in his final collegiate game in the College Football Playoff National Championship game, totaled seven tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Against Auburn in late November, he totaled six tackles and one sack. For his final collegiate season, Anderson collected 8.5 sacks and one interception, with the interception being a pick six against the Washington Huskies in the Peach Bowl.

He has the athleticism to make a difference on the Cowboys defense. He won't have to be the best linebacker on the field, but if he can be paired up with Lee and Smith if they can be on the field with Anderson, the defense of the Cowboys would improve instantly for the 2017 season.

Oct 15, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Noah Brown (80) is tackled with the football during the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4: Noah Brown, WR – Ohio State

Though the Cowboys have been focusing on defense in this mock draft for the first three rounds, they still could use some more depth on the offensive side at wide receiver. If the Cowboys are looking for a player they can groom at the position, and one who they don't need to be a star from the start, then they should take a look at Noah Brown in the fourth round.

Brown is still a big question mark, but if there is a team that is willing to take a risk in the draft on players, it is the Cowboys. Senior writer Ben Axelrod of Landof10.com wrote the following about Brown and his ability to play in the NFL:

Brown didn't run a 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but did have a time of 4.57 seconds at the Ohio State Pro Day, along with a 4.33s shuttle run and 7.07s 3-cone drill.

What is very intriguing about Brown is his upside and the potential he brings to an offense. He played well in his final collegiate season wth 32 receptions for 402 yards and seven touchdowns. Four of those scores came against the Oklahoma Sooners in Week 3, while he also scored touchdowns against Bowling Green, Wisconsin and Nebraska.

For his final season, Brown averaged12.6 yards per reception. There is so much unknown with Brown, but if the Cowboys feel like rolling the dice a little bit on an athletic player who has little experience playing wide receiver but has potential, Brown could be the No. 2 wide receiver they need—or the wide receiver who can add depth to the offense.

Nov 14, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Josh Carraway (94) during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Horned Frogs defeats the Jayhawks 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Round 5: Josh Carraway, DE – TCU

Again, this is a pick for depth on the defensive line for the Cowboys. Because let's face the facts, they need it. Carraway is a product of TCU, where the 6-3, 242-pound senior defensive end totaled eight sacks and 25 tackles, with 11 of those going for a loss. In his four years at TCU, Carraway totaled 18 sacks and 26.5 tackles for a loss, with 21.5 of those tackles for loss going the past two seasons and 16 of the 18 sacks being collected the past two seasons as well.

Again, this is a pick based on athleticism, and according to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Carraway has the ability to eventually play at the NFL level:

This is a pick for the future, but he can still most likely play in some sort of rotation at the defensive line for the Cowboys, especially with a defensive coordinator like Rod Marinelli being in charge of the defense.

Carraway ran a 4.74-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, plus he had 25 reps on the bench press and a 29.5-inch vertical jump. What is intriguing about a player like Carraway is the fact of the potential he brings as a fifth-round selection. He could end up not meaning a whole lot to the Dallas defense. But again, Carraway could become a part of a Cowboys defensive unit that could have great depth because of this draft that needs to have a main focus of defense.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6: Marquez White, CB – Florida State

This past season with Florida State, Marquez White snagged two of his four career interceptions while totaling 25 tackles (two for a loss) and four passes defensed. The 6-0 cornerback gained his two interceptions this past season against Boston College and Florida in two of the final four games of the season.

Last season, the Cowboys drafted Anthony Brown in the sixth round out of Purdue. Due to injuries, he saw playing time for the Cowboys, becoming a player they'll look to add more to their overall play this upcoming season. White can become that player, too. If you look back at his games with FSU,  teams didn't challenge him very often, resulting in the lack of interceptions. But he's still skilled enough to have a good chance of success in the NFL. At his Pro Day, WRUF.com reported that White "excelled at secondary drills."

White provides the Cowboys with speed they could use on their defense, especially against the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and now Brandon Marshall of the New York Giants. The more the Cowboys can offer at cornerback, the better. And with the addition of White, they will get a player who could really help build up a defensive backfield that lacked last season, plus replace players who left via free agency.

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee-Chattanooga offensive lineman Corey Levin speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7: Corey Levin, OG – Chattanooga

With La'el Collins in the starting lineup and with Chaz Green being injured last season—plus with Doug Free retiring—the Cowboys could use some more depth on their all-important offensive line. Here is where Corey Levin of Chattanooga comes into the discussion. Levin is said by CBS Sports to have played 27 games at left guard and 23 games at left tackle during his collegiate career.

In terms of his physical abilities, though, Levin's CBS Sports Draft Profile says this:

What could be of interest to the Cowboys is having a player who can play three different positions on the offense. And unless there is an injury, he could have time to work at becoming the versatile lineman the Cowboys could use.

It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for the Cowboys to draft an offensive lineman late in this draft. With this franchise, they always seem to have a surprise or two during the NFL Draft and Levin could be just that, in addition to being a useful chess piece.