Pwalzer'S MOCK DRAFT

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  • Pwalzer DRAFTING FOR THE
    Cowboys
Draft Selections
Ashton Jeanty Head Shot
PICK: 12 RND: 1 (DAL)
Ashton Jeanty
RB Boise State
Alfred Collins Head Shot
PICK: 44 RND: 2 (DAL)
Alfred Collins
DT Texas
Jalon Walker Head Shot
PICK: 76 RND: 3 (DAL)
Jalon Walker
LB Georgia
Luke Kandra Head Shot
PICK: 148 RND: 5 (DAL)
Luke Kandra
OG Cincinnati
Jack Bech Head Shot
PICK: 168 RND: 5 (DAL)
Jack Bech
WR TCU
Kevin Winston Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 170 RND: 5 (DAL)
Kevin Winston Jr.
S Penn State
Zane Durant Head Shot
PICK: 171 RND: 5 (DAL)
Zane Durant
DT Penn State
Danny Stutsman Head Shot
PICK: 187 RND: 6 (DAL)
Danny Stutsman
LB Oklahoma
Jay Higgins Head Shot
PICK: 209 RND: 6 (DAL)
Jay Higgins
LB Iowa
Jonas Sanker Head Shot
PICK: 247 RND: 7 (DAL)
Jonas Sanker
S Virginia
Draft Grade — Cowboys
Overall B
ValueA- NeedB TradesB- FutureB-
Stutsman should have been long gone. The Cowboys pounced, and earned a B.

This is the pick they will still be bragging about in July: Danny Stutsman, the No. 86 name on the board, stolen at pick 187. It nets out to a B, which feels about right.

If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through cornerback. They will need Collins to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it.

Wide receiver was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job. Value over need was the throughline, for better and worse.

All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but cornerback.

Pick Analysis
Pick12 Rnd1 Ashton Jeanty
In pick No. 12 they get a featured back at a price that makes it sweeter. A clean fit for the roster.
Pick44 Rnd2 Alfred Collins
Alfred Collins in slot 44 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Pick76 Rnd3 Jalon Walker
You do not let a linebacker like Jalon Walker reach Round 3, Pick 12 and blink. They did not. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Pick148 Rnd5 Luke Kandra
Steal is underselling it; Luke Kandra at the 148th pick is a heist with the alarm still ringing. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Pick168 Rnd5 Jack Bech
Jack Bech in the 168th overall pick is a gift, value that borders on unfair. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick170 Rnd5 Kevin Winston Jr.
A safety of that caliber at the Round 5 slot is the definition of value, full stop. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Pick171 Rnd5 Zane Durant
By-the-book stuff, Zane Durant at pick 171 squarely in line with his ranking. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Pick187 Rnd6 Danny Stutsman
They barely believed it either: Danny Stutsman still on the board at No. 187. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Pick209 Rnd6 Jay Higgins
Taking Jay Higgins in pick No. 209 is close to grand larceny; a linebacker that good had no business lasting this long. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Pick247 Rnd7 Jonas Sanker
Circle this one: Jonas Sanker at the Round 7 slot is a fall that decides a draft. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.