NFL mock draft 1.0 -- Dallas Cowboys tap WR Jerry Jeudy; TCU has three first-rounders
The Dallas Cowboys are pretty much done with free agency, but before we dive into the initial Star-Telegram first-round mock draft, here’s a quick re-cap of what the team did during free agency.
The Cowboys re-signed several of their own players, led by receiver Amari Cooper’s five-year, $100 million deal. The Cowboys also added three new starters in defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, nose tackle Dontari Poe and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix while shoring up depth at tight end with Blake Bell and at cornerback with Maurice Canady. Dallas has also brought in kicker Greg Zuerlein to compete with Kai Forbath.
But no conversation about the Cowboys would be complete without a Dak Prescott update. Yes, the team did place the franchise tag on their star quarterback, however, both sides are still trying to execute a long-term contract extension, and they have until July 15 to get that done.
So with that out of the way, the team’s focus is now all about the 2020 NFL draft. So let’s get into it.
The Cowboys still have needs at defensive end, cornerback, receiver, safety and center, and they’re hoping to address those needs in next month’s draft. The strategy is always to take the best player available on the board. And when your first selection comes at 17, you are somewhat at the mercy — or luck — of what falls to you.
In this initial Star-Telegram first-round mock draft, the Cowboys are blessed with the fortune of having LSU edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson still on the board. He is a legitimate rusher and would fill a huge need.
But we’re also projecting Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to be sitting there — and he is ranked higher on the board. In fact, he may be the best receiver in the draft.
While the Cowboys might opt for Chaisson, there is no passing up Jeudy and the idea of what he might look like in the slot between Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
Delicious.
Here is the Star-Telegram’s mock draft that also projects that three TCU players being selected in the first round for the first time since 1939:
1. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14) – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU: They can start contract talks now. This has been a foregone conclusion for months. Burrow to the Bengals.
2. Washington Redskins (3-13) – Chase Young, DE, Ohio State: Washington continues to load up on Buckeyes and this one may be the best player in the draft.
3. Detroit Lions (3-12-1) – Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn: Matt Patricia continues to revamp the defense in Detroit with the draft’s best interior lineman.
4. New York Giants (4-12) – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama: Giants got their franchise QB last year, now they get the left tackle to protect him for years to come.
5. Miami Dolphins (5-11) – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama: Tanking for Tua has paid off. There are no questions about Tua’s talent, but the same can’t be said about his health.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11) – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon: The Chargers need a QB and Herbert is the best on left on the board. Don’t overthink it.
7. Carolina Panthers (5-11) – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa: The Panthers look to upgrade their line and Wirfs would replace Russell Okung, who is on a one-year deal.
8. Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1) –Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina: Kinlaw can play all spots along the defensive line and will make an immediate impact.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10) – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma: Lamb is the first receiver taken in the draft and highest receiver ever drafted from Oklahoma.
10. Cleveland Browns (6-10) – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State: The former South Grand Prairie star was born to play cornerback. Future All-Pro.
11. New York Jets (7-9) – Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson: The athletic and versatile defender is an absolute blur who can play all over field.
12. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville: One of the stars of the combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 5.1 seconds. Not bad at 364 pounds.
13. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) – Joshua Jones, OT, Houston: The former Indianapolis Colts’ pick will be used up front. (Jones will be 2020’s first pick from a Texas school.)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida: Dallas had hoped he would fall, but the position is too thin in the first round and he is too good to drop.
15. Denver Broncos (7-9) – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama: The Broncos continue to revamp their offense with the fastest receiver in the draft.
16. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) – Lloyd Cushenberry, C, LSU: He fills a need for the Falcons. The 6-foot-3, 312-pound center will anchor the middle of the line for years to come.
17. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama: No way did Dallas see Jeudy falling to 17. He’s too good to pass up, even if K’Lavon Chaisson is still on the board.
18. Miami Dolphins (5-11) – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia: The Dolphins got their QB, and with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pick, they’ll get their left tackle. Ain’t hard, folks.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) – K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU: The Raiders will use the Chicago Bears’ pick to select the second-best edge rusher in draft.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10) – A.J. Espinosa, DE, Iowa: Originally the LA Rams’ pick, the Jags will select a combine disappointment. But watch his tape. He can play.
21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU: The Eagles add to an already stout front seven on defense.
22. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU: The Vikes will use the Buffalo Bills’ pick to replace Stefon Diggs. And this TCU star fits the bill perfectly.
23. New England Patriots (12-4) – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Talk about big shoes to fill. The Pats take a shot at Tom Brady’s replacement with the talented Love.
24. New Orleans Saints (13-3) – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU: The addition of Jefferson to a receiving corps with Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders? Solid move.
25. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU: The former TCU star fills a huge need for the Vikings, who lost Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander in free agency.
26. Miami Dolphins (5-11) – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia: Miami also needs help with its ground game, and the Houston Texans’ pick will help land the best RB in the draft.
27. Seattle Seahawks (11-5) – Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State: The Seahawks are looking for pass-rush help, especially if they don’t re-sign Jadeveon Clowney.
28. Baltimore Ravens (14-2) – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma: The highly productive Murray lands in the perfect spot to continue the Ravens’ strong linebacker legacy.
29. Tennessee Titans (9-7) – Terrell Lewis, DE, Alabama: Pass-rush help is the need. The athletic Lewis is projected to improve after an injury-plagued college career.
30. Green Bay Packers (13-3) – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor: The explosive Mims, who ran the 40 in 4.38 seconds, gives Aaron Rogers a real threat opposite Davante Adams.
31. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU: The third Horned Frog to go in the first round will help fill a big need as they must replace DeForest Buckner.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin: Imagine this high-octane offense with the explosive Taylor (4.39 combine 40) added to the mix. Uh-oh.
This story was originally published March 29, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
