Final NFL mock draft 3.0 -- Trade viable but Dallas Cowboys get LSU’s K’lavon Chaisson
It’s all on the table for the Dallas Cowboys heading into the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, which begins Thursday at 7 p.m.
With the 17th overall pick, the Cowboys are at the mercy of the team’s picking in front of them and what’s left on the board.
Cornerback C.J. Henderson would be an ideal choice for the Cowboys at 17. They have yet to replace the team’s top cornerback, Byron Jones, who signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency.
But Henderson’s coverage skills are also coveted by teams in front of them. They likely would have to move up to get him and in the Star-Telegram’s final mock draft he is off the board when it’s the Cowboys turn to pick.
So if that’s the case, they will select LSU edge rusher K’lavon Chaisson to help fill a huge need there following the free-agent loss of Robert Quinn and his 11.5 sacks to the Chicago Bears.
In the event that Chaisson is also gone, look for the Cowboys to try to trade back in the first round to add a pick and still a quality player like Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell, Alabama safety Xavier McKinney, LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton or Alabama cornerback Trevn Duggs.
Locally, look for TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock and cornerback Jeff Gladney to also be selected in the first round, and receiver Jalen Reagor just missing out.
Here is the Star-Telegram’s third and final mock draft that now projects two TCU players being selected in the first round:
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) – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa: Jason Garrett is their new OC, but he’s following his old Cowboys’ playbook with a LT to protect the QB.
5. Miami Dolphins (5-11) – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama: Miami didn’t tank for Tua to play it safe now. They go all in on the best QB in the draft, despite injury concerns.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11) – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon: The Chargers have to get a future QB and they were going to take whatever one the Dolphins didn’t.
7. Carolina Panthers (5-11) – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama: The Panthers are a year away from getting their quarterback but they lock up their franchise left tackle.
8. Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1) – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia: The Cards got their franchise QB last year in Kyler Murray. Now they get him some long-term protection.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10) – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State: The Jags have traded away Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. They need help at cornerback, badly.
10. Cleveland Browns (6-10) – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson: The Browns add to their defense with the athletic and versatile Simmons who can play LB or FS.
11. New York Jets (7-9) – Ceedee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma: The Jets let Robby Anderson go in free agency and get a real No. 1 in the talented and explosive Lamb.
12. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama: The Raiders get the best route runner in the draft in Jeudy and hope he fares better there than Amari Cooper.
13. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) – Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina: The 49ers maintain the mantra of keeping what’s strong strong after dealing DeForest Buckner to Indy.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida: The Bucs have focused a lot on offense in free agency with Tom Brady. Now it’s time to help the defense.
15. Denver Broncos (7-9) – Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama: John Elway adds some juice to the offense with the fastest receiver in the draft.
16. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma: Atlanta get a productive tackler in Murray to bolster a defense that was 27th in points, 20th in yards.
17. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) – K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU: C.J. Henderson was off the board so the Cowboys opted for the second-best rusher in the draft.
18. Miami Dolphins (5-11) – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville: He ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 5.1 seconds at the combine. Now he will be rushed to protect Herbert.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU: As Dallas knows, D-line coach Rod Marinelli likes to draft defensive lineman. He’ll be the first Horned Frog selected.
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) – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson: The Vikes will use the Bills’ pick to replace Stefon Diggs. Higgs is the best contested-ball catcher in the draft.
23. New England Patriots (12-4) – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: The Patriots make a move to replace Brady with this talented, but raw developmental prospect.
24. New Orleans Saints (13-3) –Grant Delpit, FS, LSU: Delpit’s slide ends in a perfect spot as he stays at home in New Orleans and gets to play in front of family.
25. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) – Jeff Gladney, CB, LSU: The Vikings fill a much needed hole after losing Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander in free agency.
26. Miami Dolphins (5-11) – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor: The Dolphins got their quarterback and left tackle. Now they secure a No. 1 receiver in the explosive Mims.
27. Seattle Seahawks (11-5) – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU: The Seahawks continue to rebuild their Legion of Boom secondary. Fulton has a big upside.
28. Baltimore Ravens (14-2) – Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State: The Ravens get some pass rush help to match a strong defensive tackle haul in free agency.
29. Tennessee Titans (9-7) – A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson: The Titans get some much-needed secondary help on defense in Terrell who should have a long career.
30. Green Bay Packers (13-3) – Josh Jones, OT, Houston: A 45-game starter in college, Jones now has the honor of protecting Aaron Rodgers in the twilight of his career.
31. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia: A long and physical cornerback who is a willing tackler, built in the image of Richard Sherman.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama: The Chiefs finally invest in the cornerback position, hopefully upgrade the weakest spot on defense.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 8:00 PM.
