FRISCO, Texas – Finally, it’s draft day.
A year ago the anticipation was greater because the Dallas Cowboys held the fourth overall pick. You knew they were taking Ezekiel Elliott or Jalen Ramsey.
This year, with the 28th pick, there is a block of players to pick from, however, none is as enticing as Elliott or Ramsey.
Over the last few months, ESPN Insiders Todd McShay and Mel Kiper have offered up six mock drafts apiece. In their 12 combined mocks, including their final mocks that came out on Thursday, they selected a defensive player for the Cowboys; four defensive ends were picked, four cornerbacks were picked.
They selected corners at No. 28 for their final selection. McShay went with LSU’s Tre'Davious White. Kiper went with Alabama’s Marlon Humphrey.
The good news: Both players visited The Star before the draft, which almost seems like a prerequisite these days. Both played in big-time games in big-time conferences with some big-time performances. Both have a good combination of size and speed.
There really isn’t any bad news with either selection, especially considering the pass rushers who were gone by the time the Cowboys picked.
But neither cornerback would be my selection. Since my Taco Charlton selection in the NFL Nation mock draft went over so well on Tuesday night, I’ll see if I can right the ship a little bit. In the McShay and Kiper mock drafts, Charlton was available but they passed. I fully believe Charlton will be discussed as a possibility at No. 28 in this scenario, despite Bill Polian’s protestations. By the way, Polian said I should have selected Kansas State’s Jordan Willis. After doing some digging, I can tell you Willis will not be the Cowboys’ pick at No.28.
But back to my best guess as to the Cowboys pick:
Southern Cal cornerback Adoree' Jackson.
Like White and Humphrey, he visited The Star. He doesn’t have their size (5-10, 186), but they don’t have his speed and ball skills. He had five interceptions last season. He is also the most dynamic returner in the draft, which is a big-time need for the Cowboys. He can also play on offense. If you think how the Cowboys have used Lucky Whitehead and Dwayne Harris the last few years, that is how they could use Jackson.
Ultimately, the Cowboys want to take a pass rusher, but that opportunity won’t come with the likes of Charles Harris or Takk McKinley off the board, so Jackson becomes the pick.
Here is a recap of the mocks provided by McShay and Kiper through the draft process
McShay:
Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Tim Williams, DE, Alabama
Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
Kiper:
Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
