Cowboys Mock Draft: Finding Prescott’s successor, refreshing OL, LB, RB
The biggest decision the Dallas Cowboys have to make this offeason is just how much they want to tie the foreseeable future to quarterback Dak Prescott. With eight seasons under his belt, Prescott is reaching the point of his career where the lack of playoff success for the organization has become a part of his personal narrative. Whether or not the club believes they can win with him directing the pirate ship or not, leads them to six options.
Only one option with Prescott, although it is by far the most likely conclusion, results in Dallas not drafting a successor in the next two drafts. That’s a multi-year extension. So in that vein, and knowing we have a dozen mocks to play with between now and the actual draft, playing out that scenario and seeing what the entire haul would look like is going to be our focus.
In this iteration, Dallas accepts a trade-back offer to ensure they have the same number of top-100 picks going to their other needs as well as a franchise QB successor.
Trade Back from No. 24
1.31: QB Michael Penix, Jr.
Penix has the strongest arm in the draft and also is one of the best processors of information, pre and post-snap, in this class. His lefty delivery is unique, flinging the ball with a flick of the wrist. He has some work to do, according to most evals, of improving his lower body to create even more torque. And although he’s mobile enough to get yardage with his legs, more often than not uses hi maneuverability to move around the pocket with his eyes still downfield.
Dak Prescott fallout
In this scenario, the Cowboys have Prescott as an in-house bridge to the future. This can play out a few different ways. More than likely, Prescott plays out the final year of his deal, and then Dallas hands the reigns over to Penix in 2025.
Perhaps the selection pisses Prescott off to the point that he not only considers waiving his no-trade clause, but demands it. Dallas could then shop Prescott, coming off a top-3 MVP candidate season, for a bounty of picks.
Also perhaps, but far less likely with the selection of a Round 1 QB, is the Drew Brees extension. This is where the two sides agree to a one-year extension, with both 2024 and 2025 guaranteed.
An even lower-likely scenario could see the Cowboys deciding to roll with Penix, cut Prescott and save the $29 million in base salary and split the dead money between 2024 and 2025.
Trade Up from 2.56
Cowboys send 2.56, 2025 4th, 2026 5th to Pittsburgh Steelers for 2.52, 6.198
Cowboys Receive:
2.52 = 380 points
6.198 = 12.2 points
TOTAL = 392.2 points
Steelers Receive:
2.56 = 340 points
’25 4th = ~35 points
’26 5th = ~15 points
TOTAL = ~390 points
2.52: Oregon Center Jackson Powers-Johnson
The Cowboys replace free agent Tyler Biadasz with the top center in the draft. Powers-Johnson has a ton of athleticism and a mean streak the pivot man must have in the NFL. The Ducks run a zone-based scheme, so he’s already familiar with working laterally and in conjunction with his teammates.
3.87: Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson
While the Cowboys hope Mazi Smith just had the usual first-year DT blues, they have to protect themselves from the 2023 first rounder being a bust. In steps Jackson, a 6-foot-2, 320 pound specimen full of explosion and athleticism. Jackson can actually play any of the interior DT positions, meaning if Smith develops, Dallas would actually have a true interior wall necessary to stopping opposing run games, but also with the ability to penetrate the backfield on passing down.
If he lasts as long as he did in this mock, the Cowboys would be wise to pull the trigger.
3.94: Oregon HB Bucky Irving
Irving just doesn’t go down and has the speed to turn small cracks into big gains. He’d be a perfect pick to pair with one of the bigger running backs in free agency, whichever one doesn’t land a stupid deal on the open market between Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry.
Just look at Irving’s highlight reel, it’s pretty enticing.
Trade Up from 5.171
Cowboys send 5.171, 5.174 to San Francisco 49ers for 4.132
Cowboys Receive:
4.132 = 40 points
TOTAL = 40 points
49ers Receive:
5.171 = 23 points
5.174 = 21.8 points
TOTAL = 44.8 points
4.132: Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg
NFL Draft Buzz Scouting Report
6.198: Texas LB Jaylan Ford
NFL Draft Buzz Scouting Report
Notes on drafting two linebackers
The Cowboys throw not one, but two picks at the linebacker situation. The club will obviously be signing a front-line player during free agency at the position. They will hopefully get a fully-recovered DeMarvion Overshown back but that’s no guarantee, so in this draft they double-dip at the linebacker spot in hopes of hitting on at least one who can play immediately.
Eichenberg and Ford are both high-ceiling possibilities at the position.
6.212: Washington RT Roger Rosengarten
Bringing in the lefty Penix’s blindside protector gives Dallas a potential replacement for Terence Steele if he doesn’t bounce back from the horrible 2023 campaign. Dallas will be able to escape that contract after 2024.
Meanwhile Rosengarten has some intriguing possibilities, and assuming they got along well at Washington, someone for Penix to go through the first-year process with. Holistic approaches to team building..
7.245: Maryland OL Delmar Glaze
Glaze has played both left and right tackle and is seen as someone capable of being a backup at any of the five positions. That kind of versatility could lead to a future sixth-man award; which isn’t officially a thing in the NFL but is highly coveted.
