Staff Writers Give Their "Two Cents" With Cowboys' Personalized Mock Draft

IRVING, Texas– It's less than two weeks until the 2016 NFL Draft, and the pecking order just got thrown into disarray by a blockbuster trade.

With the Los Angeles Rams trading up to No. 1 overall on Thursday, it's anyone's guess how the rest of the draft order shakes out behind them. With a quarterback likely taking the top spot, what does that mean for the Cowboys' pick at No. 4?

The staff of DallasCowboys.com – Bryan Broaddus, Nick Eatman, David Helman and Rob Phillips – will try their best to answer that question with their second seven-round mock draft of the year.

Bryan Broaddus: If Jalen Ramsey is not on the board then this selection is likely to come down to Joey Bosa or Ezekiel Elliott. Last time we did this exercise I gave the Cowboys Elliott so I will roll with Bosa this time. Derrick Henry will make it through the first round and there will be a decision here between him and a safety or receiver – this time he is my guy. Tyler Boyd is as steady as they come. Hassan Ridgeway can play any of the defensive line positions. Jacoby Brissett is in that second wave of quarterbacks. His size and arm talent are too much to pass up. Cory James played in 4-3/3-4 schemes at Colorado State and was very productive. Change of direction is impressive. Jeremiah McKinnon can play out of the slot and he is very good down the field. Rolan Milligan plays with range and is a finisher. When on the move he can cover some ground. Rashard Robinson might be one of the most talented cornerbacks in this draft when you study his tape. His off the field issues are there but worth a shot in the 6th round so you don't have to fight for him as an undrafted free agent.  

David Helman:It's no guarantee, but the Rams' big move up to No. 1 might just drive Jalen Ramsey down the draft board. Los Angeles will take one of the big two quarterbacks, and the Cowboys need Cleveland to either draft the other or trade to a team that will. From there, I'd guess San Diego drafts Laremy Tunsil, leaving Ramsey – arguably the best talent in the entire draft – as the No. 4 overall pick. I like Dodd because he's got the ability to rush the passer, but he also has the size and power to hold up against the run. The Cowboys get their running back of the future in Prosise, who they liked enough to bring to Valley Ranch. I'm not thrilled about waiting until the fourth round to grab Allen, but that's the way the board broke. Allen has experience and intangibles that give cause for optimism. Cyrus Jones gives you a nickel corner of the future if Orlando Scandrick wants to play on the outside – not to mention he's a dynamic returner. It's a gamble, but why not risk an inexpensive pick on Gathers. If he's athletic to be an All-American power forward, he may have a future at tight end.

Nick Eatman: For right now, this is what just seems to make sense. I think it could change before the draft, but the Rams trade probably opens up a position player and pushes Ramsey down to the Cowboys. Maybe it's Laremy Tunsil, but something tells me the clear-cut No. 1 pick a few days ago just doesn't drop to No. 4 because of one trade. I stuck with Fuller because he's got the blazing speed and I switched Arkansas running backs from Alex Collins to Williams, but had to move up a round. Kwiatkoski has great instincts and finds the ball, which could make him an immediate special teams player. Drango and Williams add some versatility, as does Boykin, who could be this year's version of Patrick Crayton, if he could develop into a receiver.
[embeddedad0]
Rob Phillips:The top-five dynamic may have shifted with the Rams now picking No. 1, but I'm sticking with Bosa to the Cowboys as my mock No. 4. He still makes the most sense to me in terms of filling the biggest need on the roster. The Cowboys have taken steps to address their defensive line in free agency, but they need another pressure player, and Bosa has the motor needed to play for Rod Marinelli. I'm also sticking with a cornerback in the second round, but this time it's Howard instead of William Jackson III, who seems to be rising into the first-round conversation in various mock drafts. In Rounds 3 and 4 I addressed offensive depth needs at running back and wide receiver again. In Round 6, Driskel could develop into a primary backup for an NFL team over time.