Perfect Picks 2023: Dallas Cowboys
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 1 - O'Cyrus Torrence (Offensive Guard, Florida)
The time has come for the Dallas Cowboys to move on from Tyron Smith at left tackle. While the 32-year-old may remain a Cowboy, his injury history means he cannot be depended on as a reliable piece of the offensive line. Tyler Smith was drafted last year as his eventual replacement, and if/when he moves across, there will be a need at guard.
While the Cowboys have plenty of needs, they have always focused on building a strong o-line. Torrence isn’t perfect, but he has a decently high floor simply due to his massive frame. It makes him a tricky proposition for defensive linemen. Sometimes things look messy and chaotic, but he has violent hands and a decent anchor. Remember, he made a big leap from Louisiana to the SEC for Florida, and you wouldn’t discount him making another jump in the pros.
Round 2 - JL Skinner (Safety, Boise State)
Jerry Jones recently stated that he felt pretty comfortable with the safety room, but should Donovan Wilson leave, reinforcements could be needed. Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse are solid starters, but if the right man was available to add to the group, the Cowboys could pull the trigger.
Skinner could be that guy. The most obvious thing about the Boise State safety is his length. At 6’4, he shows a fantastic ability to cover bigger receivers and tight ends. Since becoming a full-time starter in the last two years, he recorded a PFF grade of over 80 in coverage, allowing an NFL passer rating of only 40.1 in 2022. With seven career interceptions, he has an eye for the ball, something the Cowboys clearly value. Adding Skinner to a secondary already containing Trevon Diggs would cause opposing QBs significant problems.
Mid Round Gem - Jonathan Mingo (Wide Receiver, Ole Miss)
Jonathan Mingo is somewhat of an unheralded member of this year’s wide receiver class. That is more to do with the fact the he is solid and reliable rather than having an outstanding trait. He was an effective deep weapon for Ole Miss but doesn’t appear to be a blazer. He has good ball skills in tricky spots but is only decently sized at 6’1, 225lbs. That said, in the NFL you can reasonably expect him to be an effective second or third receiver.
For the Cowboys, that would be a welcome addition. Dak Prescott needs more weapons. Michael Gallup was uninspiring after his return from injury, and rookie Jalen Tolbert was a healthy scratch with regularity. Mingo could step in on three-receiver sets, allowing CeeDee Lamb to play in the slot somewhere he is ultra-effective.
Late Round Sleeper - Anfernee Orji (Linebacker, Vanderbilt)
Leighton Vander Esch and Anthony Barr will be free agents this offseason, leaving the cupboard somewhat bare for the Cowboys at linebacker. Micah Parsons is used as an edge rusher at times, and there will be hope that Jabril Cox can step up as a full-time starter, but that still leaves a large gap for rotational guys and depth pieces.
Vanderbilt’s Anfernee Orji will have plenty of appeal late in the draft. He is a tackling monster, logging 108 in 2022, putting him fourth in the SEC. While he may not have three-down value, he is a physical presence in the run game and will surely offer some special teams value at this point in the draft. On early downs, when Parsons switches to the edge, Orji has the potential to lineup in the middle of the defense.
Draft In Full:
Round 1 – O’Cyrus Torrence (Offensive Guard, Florida)
Round 2 – JL Skinner (Safety, Boise State)
Round 3 – Byron Young (Defensive Tackle, Alabama)
Round 4 – Jonathan Mingo (Wide Receiver, Ole Miss)
Round 5 – Chase Brown (Running Back, Illinois)
Round 5 – Connor Galvin (Offensive Tackle, Baylor)
Round 5 – Zack Kuntz (Tight End, Old Dominion)
Round 6 – Anfernee Orji (Linebacker, Vanderbilt)
Round 7 – D’Shawn Jamison (Cornerback, Texas)
