For a team that finished 8-8 last season, the Cowboys have surprisingly few holes. Byron Jones left for Miami to become the NFL's highest-paid cornerback (for three days), Robert Quinn took his team-leading 11.5 sacks to Chicago and receiver Randall Cobb traveled south on Interstate 45 to catch passes from Deshaun Watson in Houston. Dallas also lost All-Pro center Travis Frederick to retirement but has Connor McGovern ready to step in.
If the Cowboys can add ready replacements for Jones and Quinn in the 2020 NFL Draft, then they should be right back in the thick of the NFC race. It's possible Dallas will be active on the first night of the draft and try to get those pieces by trading up or down from No. 17 overall. Another possibility is trading the pick for a proven player, such as safety Jamal Adams, who reportedly will skip the Jets' virtual voluntary workouts.
In Sporting News' seven-round mock draft, however, the Cowboys stay put and acquire in each of the first four rounds players who can contribute right away.
Here's a closer look at the Cowboys' mock draft:
NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD: Ranking the top 100 prospects in 2020
Dallas Cowboys mock draft 2020
Round | Pick No. | Player | Position | College |
1 | 17 | A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa |
2 | 51 | K.J. Hamler | WR | Penn State |
3 | 82 | Troy Pride Jr. | CB | Notre Dame |
4 | 123 | Albert Okwuegbunam | TE | Missouri |
5 | 164 | Brandon Jones | S | Texas |
5 | 179 (compensatory) | Yasir Durant | OT | Missouri |
6 | 197 | James Proche | WR | SMU |
7 | 231 | Kindle Vildor | CB | Georgia Southern |
- Round 1, Pick No. 17: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Epenesa would make an immediate impact opposite Demarcus Lawrence, who was second on the Cowboys in sacks in 2019 with just five. He is generally considered a high-floor player with a similar build as Trey Flowers or Frank Clark, but there is uncertainty about him. Former Cowboys executive Gil Brandt, for example, doesn't believe Epenesa is one of the five best pass-rushers in this class. Epenesa has seemed to drop on teams' draft boards since the start of last season, particularly after a rough performance at the Combine where he had the second-slowest 40 time among edge rushers. Without the speed to get around NFL offensive tackles, Epenesa will likely use his strength and length to power through them, or transition to an inside rusher. For a team that is looking for production in 2020, however, Epenesa fits the bill.
- Round 2, Pick No. 51: K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
Hamler is a dynamic playmaker who could give Dallas' offense an extra wrinkle as its new third receiver in place of Cobb. His quick-twitch ability makes him a threat to turn any play into a touchdown. He does come with concerns, however; he's only 5-8 and didn't work out at the Combine because of a hamstring injury. His production at Penn State was solid (98 catches for 1,658 yards and 13 touchdowns in two years) but his 12 drops last season were tied for the most in the FBS.
- Round 3, Pick No. 82: Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
Dallas' need at corner is such that taking one in the first round is a strong possibility. The Cowboys, though, have said that they'd be comfortable entering the season with Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis and Chidobe Owuzie as their top three at the position. That would allow them to take plug-and-play prospects like Epenesa and Hamler in the first two rounds. Pride won South Carolina high school sprinting championships in four events in 2016, and his speed is the first thing that stands out on the game film. He showed off that trait at the Combine when he ran a 4.40 40. Pride doesn't have great size (5-11, 193 pounds), but his ability to run could help him develop into a contributor.
- Round 4, Pick No. 123: Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
Jason Witten is headed for Canton when he officially retires, but in 2020 the Cowboys legend will be in Las Vegas after signing a one-year contract with the Raiders. Okwuegbunam would add depth behind Blake Jarwin. He battled injuries in college and was limited to 26 catches last season, all of which obscured his potential. Okwuegbunam is an athletic freak. He's 6-5 and ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at 258 pounds at the Combine. His route-running needs to improve a lot, but with 23 touchdowns on 98 catches during his three years in Columbia, "Albert O" could develop into a big threat.
- Round 5, Pick No. 164: Brandon Jones, S, Texas
The Cowboys signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix last month to play alongside Xavier Woods, which makes safety less of an immediate need. Dallas can now look to add depth on Day 3. Jones, a team captain at Texas, has the potential to go earlier because of his ability to make plays all over the field, but his size (5-11, 198 pounds) helped to push him into the fifth round of SN's mock, where the Cowboys would be happy to take him. Jones can be a powerful hitter, albeit an overly aggressive one at times. He could contribute on special teams right away while he attempts to crack the safety rotation.
- Round 5, Pick No. 179 (compensatory): Yasir Durant, OT, Missouri
The Cowboys take another piece of the Tigers' 2019 offense here with Durant, a three-year starter at left tackle. The Cowboys have had one of the best offensive lines in football for the past few seasons, but they've lost a main piece with Frederick retiring and need to add depth. Durant could come in as a swing tackle who can be used in heavy packages. He is raw after only beginning to play football in high school, but his 6-6, 331-pound frame gives him a solid platform on which to build.
- Round 6, Pick No. 197: James Proche, WR, SMU
This pick is a great example of how deep the 2020 wide receiver draft class is. Proche (5-10, 200) might be the most productive prospect at the position. The Cowboys took Hamler in the second round of this mock, but Proche, who tied LSU's Justin Jefferson for the FBS lead with 111 catches (in two fewer games) last year, would be too good to pass up here. He passed Emmanuel Sanders as SMU's career leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and all-purpose yards. He'd have big upside as a sixth-rounder.
- Round 7, Pick No. 231: Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern
The Cowboys can take a flier on Vildor here. He is undersized at 5-9, but he makes up for that with effort and intelligence. His nine career interceptions were enough to earn him an invite to the Combine, where he ran a 4.44 40-yard dash. Not much is expected of seventh-round picks, but it's possible Vildor could provide depth to Dallas' secondary.