Will run on receivers in 1st round push walk-in starter at LG down to Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has made it clear.
He would be willing to trade up in the first-round of the 2022 NFL Draft for the right player.
Is he telling the truth? Or is that a smoke screen to the Cowboys’ real intentions of possibly staying at 24 or hoping to move back to gain extra draft capital?
This is the misinformation season, and Jones has long adhered to the motto, “Just ‘cause I said it doesn’t make it so.”
So as we sift through the weeds of the draft, which begins with the first round on April 28, it remains clear that the Cowboys’ biggest needs are at receiver, the offensive line and pass rusher.
What they do at 24 depends on what is left on the board after the teams in front of them make their picks, unless they trade up.
The draft is shaping up like there will be a run on receivers in the first round. It could push some quality offensive linemen down to the Cowboys, and the team would be more than happy to select Boston College guard Zion Johnson in the first round.
It is not a sexy pick, like a game-changing receiver, but he would fill the biggest need for a walk-in starter at left guard.
Here is the Star-Telegram’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 2.0:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan.
Hutchinson can do it all and is the safest top pick. Jaguars go with the explosive pass rusher.
2. Detroit Lions – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty.
The Jared Goff era in Detroit is in its final days. The Lions get their quarterback of the future.
3. Houston Texans – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama.
The Texans’ rebuild will be slow and methodical. They begin with the best tackle in the draft.
4. New York Jets – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati.
Long, rangy corner who did not give up a touchdown in coverage during his college career.
5. New York Giants – Kyle Hamilton, FS, Notre Dame.
The Giants are thin at safety, and Hamilton is the rare safety who can play deep, middle and box.
6. Carolina Panthers – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State.
The Panthers need a quarterback, but they start with with a punishing blocker who can anchor the line.
7. New York Giants (from Chicago) – Travon Walker, DE, Georgia.
This fast rising defensive tackle is the first of many first-round Bulldogs from the championship team.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon.
The rebuilding Falcons need help everywhere, and they get an explosive edge rusher with big upside.
9. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – Derek Stingley, CB, LSU.
The Pete Carroll era began with a defensive foundation. Stingley is a shutdown corner with NFL pedigree.
10. New York Jets (from Seattle) – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State.
The Jets got their franchise quarterback last year. They now get a massive offensive tackle to protect him.
11. Washington Commanders – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State.
The Commanders finally get an explosive complement to Terry McLaurin in the dynamic Garrett Wilson.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia.
A monstrous defender who offers elite run defense and the potential to impact the game as a pass rusher.
13. Houston Texans (from Cleveland) – Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State.
Texans coach Lovie Smith needs a pass rusher for his 4-3 defense. Johnson has rare speed and quickness off the edge.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson.
Booth is a press-zone corner who has a ball-hawk mentality as well as the physicality to be great in run support.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami) – Drake London, WR, USC.
One year after taking Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, the Eagles continue to upgrade the WR corps.
16. New Orleans (from Indianapolis through Philadelphia) – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama.
If not for a torn ACL, Jameson Williams would be the first WR off the board. Saints invest in the future.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Trevor Penning, OL, Northern Iowa.
Chargers go back-to-back years with first-round tackles, and Penning ran a 4.89 second 40-yard dash.
18. Philadelphia Eagles – George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue.
The Eagles need rush help after a paltry 29 sacks as a team in 2021. Karlaftis is a freakish athlete.
19. New Orleans Saints – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh.
The Saints made the massive trade up with the Eagles to get a quarterback. And Pickett is their guy.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia.
Wyatt is an explosive interior rusher who is just tapping his potential. Third Georgia DL picked in top 20.
21. New England Patriots – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington.
The Patriots find a first-round replacement for J.C. Jackson. McDuffie is a shutdown corner who does it all.
22. Green Bay Packers (from Las Vegas) – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State.
Receiver is a huge need after the loss of Davante Adams. The speedy Dotson can take the top off a defense.
23. Arizona Cardinals – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State.
The Cardinals lost Christian Kirk in free agency. Olave, a route-running specialist, is the perfect replacement.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College.
It’s not sexy, but Zion Johnson would fill the Cowboys’ biggest need as a walk-in starter at right guard.
25. Buffalo Bills – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida.
With Tre’Davious White coming off a serious knee injury, this future shutdown corner fills a huge need for the Bills.
26. Tennessee Titans – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah.
Titans get the draft’s best all-around linebacker in Lloyd, who can rush the pass rusher and stuff the run.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota.
Tampa Bay needs a rusher to replace Jason Pierre Paul. Mafe is a freak athlete who can get to the QB.
28. Green Bay Packers – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia.
Dean won’t wow you with size. But he is a playmaker and great leader, who could be the next Ray Lewis.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco through Miami) – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas.
Burks won’t replace Tyreek Hill. He is a game-breaker who can put the big play back in the Chiefs offense.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – Daxton Hill, S, Michigan.
The Chiefs need to bolster safety after letting Tyrann Mathieu and Daniel Sorensen walk. Hill can hit, run and cover.
31. Cincinnati Bengals – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington.
The Bengals have a need at cornerback and Gordon is a dynamic athlete who will be better in the NFL.
32. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams) – Lewis Cine, S, Georgia.
Detroit fills a long-standing need with Cine, who is the fourth first-rounder from the national champions’ defense.
This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 9:45 AM.
