Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft: Seven Round Mock 1.0

Need and value come together harmoniously for the Dallas Cowboys with this full seven round mock draft based on current projections and rankings.

With the season officially over, it is time to dive head first into the Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft.

I have been watching game film, at least two full games for each prospect I have evaluated, for the past six weeks already and I have a great feel for the defensive ends, cornerbacks, safeties, and wide receivers in this draft.

Granted, I still have a long ways to go before I have a solid grasp on the draft class as a whole, and the NFL Scouting Combine is still a few weeks away.

The best draft analysts and scouts don’t base their rankings on what a player can do in spandex and tennis shoes. However, using the combine to either confirm the athleticism/talent you saw on tape, or to make you go and re-evaluate the tape to see how the athleticism translates to football, is what the best draft gurus do.

A lot is going to change over the next 10 or so weeks as far as projections and rankings go but I want to give Cowboys Nation some different names to look at for positions of need and where value is throughout the draft.

I will try and address different positions at different places throughout the draft in the upcoming mocks until we get closer to late April where the draft projections and expectations will be closer to finalized.

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Round 1 (28th overall)

Adoree Jackson- Cornerback- USC

Jackson is an electric athlete that is capable of running and competing with elite wide receivers. He is also a dynamic returner that could provide some splash plays to flip field position. He won the 2016 Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the best defensive back in college football. He mirrors receivers downfield and has tremendous ball skills. Adoree was also able to contribute on offense with several impressive catches on his college highlight reel.

Round 2 (60th overall)

Carl Lawson- Defensive End- Auburn

Lawson is a powerful, explosive pass rusher that is a bit short at 6’2″ but he makes up for that by using great arm extension to shock blockers and free himself to make plays. He sets the edge in the running game and has the ability to provide some major juice to the Cowboys pass rush. Depth in this draft at defensive end help Lawson survive long enough to get the call from Mr. Jones.

Round 3 (92nd overall)

Obi Melifonwu- Safety- UCONN

Melifonwu is a 6’3″, 225 pound safety that moves as smoothly as a cornerback. He is a willing tackler that can really lay a big hit. He is probably going to light up the combine and shoot up the boards, but for now he is a great pick in the third round. Think of a more athletic Kam Chancellor next to Byron Jones at strong safety.

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Round 4 (132nd overall)

Rasul Douglas- Cornerback- West Virginia

Douglas exploded onto the college football scene in 2016, recording eight interceptions and breaking up 8 passes on the year. He has great size as a corner at 6’2″ and 203 pounds, and has proven to be able to make plays on the ball. Douglas is likely to be hiding in the middle rounds in a cornerback-laden draft class.

Round 6 (212th overall)

Keionta Davis- Defensive End- Chattanooga

Davis is a small school player that has the ideal NFL skill set to play defensive end. At 6’3″ and 270 pounds, he has the size to hold up in the run game and plays with a mean streak. Keionta has the quickness off the edge and polished pass rush moves that will make him a steal on day three of the draft.

Round 7 (231st overall)

Chad Williams- Wide Receiver- Grambling

Chad Williams is another late round steal as a small school product. Williams is a 6’3″ 195 pound receiver that is a natural pass catcher. He snatches the ball away from his body and has the speed to separate from defenders and make plays.

Round 7 (249th overall)

Nick DeLuca- Linebacker- North Dakota State

DeLuca is a 6’3″ 245 pound linebacker that has a nose for the football. If he didn’t suffer a season ending shoulder injury that required surgery, DeLuca is likely a mid-round pick instead of surviving to the 7th to be selected by the Dallas Cowboys. He will be a great special teamer and provide depth at strong side and middle linebacker.