For the first time in 2020, the Dallascowboys.com Draft Show crew played GM and put together a simulation of the first 32 picks in the NFL Draft. In this mock draft, there were no trades allowed (no matter how much the hosts wanted them) and every four picks were rotated between the four co-hosts.
Dallascowboys.com's David Helman was tabbed with the responsibility of the Cowboys' pick at 17, where he used the first-round selection to address a glaring need, even with some of the best options already off the board.
With all of the hype around the wide receiver draft class this offseason, there isn't a whole lot of surprise that teams loaded up on the position early. Over the 32 picks made, there were a total of seven wide outs off the board and all came outside of the top 10.
The top three quarterbacks went early in the round (three went in the first six picks) but only one other signal caller was taken afterwards, as Jordan Love was selected in at pick 23 by the New England Patriots. Here is a summary of the first Dallas Cowboys Draft Show mock draft, presented by Miller Lite:
- 1st – Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow – QB, LSU
- 2nd – Washington Redskins: Chase Young – Edge, Ohio State
- 3rd – Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah – CB, Ohio State
While Jeff Cavanaugh almost fell out of his chair in wanting the ability to trade down this pick and switch spots with the Dolphins, who would be securing Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa. But since there were no trades allowed, the obvious pick here would be Okudah. The clear choice for most talented corner in the class for a team that needs help defensively and especially in the secondary following the departure of corner Darius Slay.
- 4th – New York Giants: Isaiah Simmons – LB, Clemson
- 5th – Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa – QB, Alabama
- 6th – Justin Herbert: Justin Herbert – QB, Oregon
- 7th – Carolina Panthers: Derrcik Brown – DT, Auburn
- 8th – Arizona Cardinals: Tristan Wirfs – OT, Iowa
- 9th – Jacksonville Jaguars: C.J. Henderson – CB, Florida
One of the most talked about targets for the Cowboys all offseason went off the board early as the Jaguars snagged him in the top 10. Helman described Henderson as the top value pick outside of offensive tackle at this spot and with a premiere talent at a high-value position. "We may be kidding ourselves talking about C.J. Henderson as an option for the Cowboys," Helman said.
- 10th – Cleveland Browns: Jedrick Wills – OT, Alabama
- 11th – New York Jets: Ceedee Lamb – WR, Oklahoma
- 12th – Las Vegas Raiders: Jerry Jeudy – WR, Alabama
- 13th – San Francisco 49ers: Makhi Becton – OT, Louisville
- 14th – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Henry Ruggs III – WR, Alabama
- 15th – Denver Broncos: Jalen Reagor – WR, TCU
After flipping from the original pick of Andrew Thomas (OT, Georgia), Cavanaugh instead continued a run of wide receiver adding a speedster to help out Drew Lock in the mile-high city. With Tampa Bay starting a "Team Forty-Burger" of their own with Ruggs III, the Broncos were left with the TCU product that Cavanaugh has been high on all offseason. Helman and KT really thought this was a spot that this was spot for Jordan Love to fall, stating that they aren't so sure that Denver is out of the free agent market.
- 16th – Atlanta Falcons: Javon Kinlaw – DT, South Carolina
- 17th – Dallas Cowboys: K'Lavon Chaisson – EDGE, LSU
In Helman's own words, "You guys really made this easy on me." With talented targets like Kinlaw, Henderson, and the top four wide receivers all off the board, Helman elected to go with Chaisson. The reasoning for the pick was his ceiling, and the Cowboys need at the edge spot following the departure of Robert Quinn and the uncertainty around Randy Gregory's potential return. Helman also mentioned that he firmly believed that the LSU product was the best player available, regardless of position.
- 18th – Miami Dolphins: Josh Jones – OT, Houston
- 19th – Las Vegas Raiders: Trevon Diggs – CB, Alabama
- 20th – Jacksonville Jaguars: Kenneth Murray – LB, Oklahoma
- 21st – Philadelphia Eagles: Patrick Queen – LB, LSU
- 22nd – Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson – WR, LSU
With the departure of Stefon Diggs to Buffalo, there is an obvious need at wide out in Minnesota. Adam Thielen has had some injury issues in the past, but there is an opportunity to add a burner in the slot position is there with a guy like Jefferson. The top receiver in college football in slot receptions and slot yards in 2019, the Louisiana native has borderline first-round talent. Even though this may be a bit of a reach at this spot, KT believed this would just be too good of a fit to pass up for the Vikings.
- 23rd – New England Patriots: Jordan Love – QB, Utah State
- 24th – New Orleans Saints: Grant Delpit – S, LSU
- 25th – Minnesota Vikings: Yeter Gross-Matos – EDGE, Penn State
- 26th – Miami Dolphins: A.J. Epenesa – EDGE, Iowa
- 27th – Seattle Seahawks: Kristian Fulton – CB, LSU
- 28th – Baltimore Ravens: Zach Baun – LB, Wisconsin
A value pick of all value picks, even in the first round. A team that had the MVP from a year ago in Lamar Jackson and were the top seeds in the AFC just gets richer with the selection of Baun. A bendy edge rusher that has recently gained some steam with draft experts that see him as a Top-20 player in the draft. While being a bit undersized, Baltimore needs help in the middle of the defense and on the edge. Baun could help with both areas immediately for sure.
- 29th – Tennessee Titans: Austin Jackson – OT, USC
- 30th – Green Bay Packers: Tee Higgins – WR, Clemson
- 31st – San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Mims – WR, Baylor
- 32nd – Kansas City Chiefs: A.J. Terrell – CB, Alabama
Watch the entire episode of The Draft Show, presented by Miller Lite here:
