We have spoken a lot before about how some NFL mock drafts carry more weigh than others. The science of creating mock drafts is unique to say the least. Analysts are tasked with predicting how 32 variables will unfold when each of them carries infinite possibilities. It is part of what makes this time of year so fun in addition to being so maddening.
While we certainly care about the analysis that is coming from mock drafts in general, the predictions are also valuable in terms of the information
that NFL insiders choose to share. Daniel Jeremiah often says that he builds his big board with his eyes (meaning how he sees players) and his mock drafts with his ears (they are based on what he is hearing around the league).
Remember that in looking at his latest mock which suggests that the Cowboys could trade their second first-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for an established veteran.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The Cowboys must fix their pass rush and secondary. I believe there’s a drop-off at cornerback after McCoy, so they address the position here.
20. Dallas Cowboys: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Mesidor
After taking a CB at No. 12, the Cowboys nab an edge rusher. Teams might have to get comfortable with Mesidor’s age — he will be a 25-year-old rookie — but he was dominant during Miami’s run in the College Football Playoff. Then again, if the Chiefs would take this pick in a trade for Trent McDuffie (entering the final year of his rookie deal), the Cowboys would solve their secondary issues in the blink of an eye.
To be perfectly clear here, Jeremiah has Dallas taking Miami’s Akheem Mesidor at number 20 overall. Pairing a corner and edge rusher is a pretty common thing these days for Dallas Cowboys mocks (when Sonny Styles isn’t involved), but Jeremiah specifically including the McDuffie hypothetical is interesting given that he doesn’t actually have Dallas pulling off the move.
It goes without saying that landing McCoy and McDuffie would help the Cowboys find stable footing in the secondary. They need a complete overhaul there, but then again they also need help at edge rusher and linebacker. A double up at corner would require helping those positions out in free agency which is not an avenue that this team generally explores.
While we are talking about things that run counter to the way that the Cowboys tend to operate, dealing with someone who is in a contract year is also hardly their specialty. Trading for McDuffie – sending a first-round pick to do so – would give the veteran serious leverage in negotiations with Dallas. The Cowboys would be signaling that they intend on him being a huge part of their future and his representation could use that to their advantage.
This isn’t said to think negatively or drum up scary thoughts, but given how the Cowboys have handled negotiations of this ilk it is fair to be hesitant about them diving into the deep end of the pool without a lifejacket on. This is certainly an interesting idea. Perhaps the Cowboys will genuinely explore it.
Would you want them to?
