2016 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys’ Early Seven-Round Mock

Dallas Cowboys' Early Seven-Round Mock Draft

With the Dallas Cowboys’ 2015 campaign nearing its merciful end, the team will start looking towards the offseason in hopes of improving on what has been a disastrous season. Although many of their struggles can be attributed to Tony Romo’s injury, there are plenty of areas the Cowboys must address in 2016.

That’s why I’ve put together a seven-round mock for Dallas, a team that desperately needs to make the most of its five current picks if it hopes to be in the playoff race next season.

FYI: The Cowboys traded away their fifth-, sixth- and seventh-round picks, and acquired a sixth-round pick from the Oakland Raiders.

With the Dallas Cowboys’ 2015 campaign nearing its merciful end, the team will start looking towards the offseason in hopes of improving on what has been a disastrous season. Although many of their struggles can be attributed to Tony Romo’s injury, there are plenty of areas the Cowboys must address in 2016.

That’s why I’ve put together a seven-round mock for Dallas, a team that desperately needs to make the most of its five current picks if it hopes to be in the playoff race next season.

FYI: The Cowboys traded away their fifth-, sixth- and seventh-round picks, and acquired a sixth-round pick from the Oakland Raiders.

Round 1: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida

Even after spending a first-round pick on a cornerback last year, it’s too tough for them to pass up on a true shutdown corner like Hargreaves. The Gators’ star has proven during his college career that he has the instincts, athleticism and ball skills to be a true playmaker at the next level, and Dallas can’t get enough players at a position that is always underwhelming for them.

Round 2: Devontae Booker, RB, Utah

Despite Darren McFadden’s impressive play as of late, the Cowboys need another playmaker in the backfield. While there are still some questions about Booker’s long-term value, he’s an outstanding talent with an excellent combination of toughness, speed and vision. As long as he can fix his fumbling issues, Booker would be a terrific addition for the Cowboys’ subpar running game.

Round 3: Travin Dural, WR, LSU

As we saw when Dez Bryant went down, the Cowboys don’t exactly have a surplus of wide receiver depth. Most of their backup players struggled to create separation, which didn’t help Dallas’ average backup quarterbacks. Terrance Williams is unreliable and Cole Beasley disappears at times, which is why adding a sparkplug like Dural here makes more than enough sense.

Round 4: Brandon Doughty, QB, Western Kentucky

As much as they probably don’t want to use a pick on a quarterback, it’s time for the Cowboys to invest in a legitimate backup behind the injury-prone Tony Romo. Doughty seems to get a lot of criticism for being in a pass-heavy offense, which bloats his stats. However, the arm and accuracy that he’s shown on tape is well worth the investment for a Dallas team that desperately needs depth under center.

Round 6 (via OAK): Joe Schmidt, ILB, Notre Dame

Somehow, the Cowboys seem pretty set along the defensive line right now, so looking for linebacker depth with the final of their five picks seems logical. Schmidt isn’t a supreme athlete or elite playmaker, but he’s a relentless defender who will give the Dallas defense and special teams everything he’s got. Schmidt seems like just the type of scrappy player that Jason Garrett would love to have on his team.