The Dallas Cowboys entered the offseason with several questions on the roster, particularly in the secondary and along the offensive line. This mock draft focuses on addressing those issues early while adding speed, depth, and developmental talent throughout the rest of the draft. By the end of the seven rounds, Dallas walks away with help in the secondary, reinforcements in the trenches, and several athletic skill players who could develop into valuable contributors.
Pick 12 – Jermod McCoy – CB – Tennessee
Analysis:
Dallas starts the draft by addressing arguably its biggest weakness: cornerback. Jermod McCoy brings the kind of length, physicality, and competitive edge that the Cowboys need on the outside. With DaRon Bland already established as a playmaker, McCoy would give Dallas another long boundary corner capable of playing press coverage and disrupting receivers at the line of scrimmage. McCoy’s ball skills and instincts fit well in a defense that thrives on turnovers, and pairing him with Bland could immediately stabilize the secondary.
McCoy also impressed during the pre-draft process. At Tennessee’s Pro Day, he ran a 3.8 forty-yard dash, showing no ill effects from the injury that limited him previously. His testing numbers backed up what coaches expected to see. According to Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, McCoy looked exactly like the explosive athlete the program believed he was. He also posted a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-7 broad jump, demonstrating the elite burst and lower body explosiveness that translates well to NFL cornerback play.
Pick 20 – Monroe Freeling – T – Georgia
Analysis:
After shoring up the secondary, the Cowboys invest heavily in the offensive line by selecting Monroe Freeling out of Georgia. Freeling has the size, athleticism, and technical foundation teams look for in a starting offensive tackle. Dallas has long been at its best when the offensive line is dominant, and Freeling represents a long term investment in protecting the quarterback and keeping the run game productive.
Freeling’s athletic profile is also intriguing. At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.93 forty-yard dash, recorded a 33.5-inch vertical jump, and posted a 9-foot-7 broad jump with a 1.71 ten-yard split. Those numbers highlight the rare movement skills he brings for a tackle of his size. That combination of size and athleticism is exactly what teams look for when projecting offensive linemen to handle elite NFL edge rushers.
Pick 92 – Genesis Smith – S – Arizona
Analysis:
Dallas continues to reinforce the secondary with the selection of Genesis Smith. Smith is a versatile safety who can play deep, rotate into the box, and contribute on special teams early in his career. With the Cowboys needing additional depth and athleticism at safety, Smith brings physicality and range that could allow defensive coordinators to get more creative with coverage packages.
Smith also displayed impressive explosiveness during the pre-draft process. At Arizona’s Pro Day he ran a 4.48 forty-yard dash, one of the fastest times recorded that day. He paired that speed with a 42.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-8 broad jump, showing elite explosiveness for the position. Those athletic traits give Smith intriguing developmental upside as a coverage safety.
Pick 112 – Kaleb Proctor – DI – Southeastern Louisiana
Analysis:
In the fourth round, Dallas adds size and power to the defensive interior with Kaleb Proctor. Proctor is a disruptive presence against the run who has shown flashes of interior pass rush ability as well. Coming from Southeastern Louisiana, he may need time to adjust to the speed of the NFL, but his strength and motor make him an intriguing developmental piece.
At the NFL Combine, Proctor ran a 4.79 forty-yard dash, recorded a 33-inch vertical jump, and posted a 9-foot-5 broad jump along with a 1.68 ten-yard split. Those numbers show impressive explosiveness for an interior defensive lineman and suggest he has the physical tools to develop into a rotational disruptor at the next level.
Pick 152 – Caleb Douglas – WR – Texas Tech
Analysis:
The Cowboys turn their attention to the offensive side of the ball with the selection of Caleb Douglas. Douglas is a big, physical receiver who has experience in an aggressive passing offense at Texas Tech. His size and catch radius give him potential as a red zone target, and he could compete for a depth role behind Dallas’ top receivers.
Douglas also brings impressive straight-line speed. At the Combine he ran a 4.39 forty-yard dash, along with a 31.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-6 broad jump. His 1.55 ten-yard split highlights his quick acceleration off the line, giving him the ability to stretch defenses vertically and threaten defensive backs down the field.
Pick 177 – Jeff Caldwell – WR – Cincinnati
Analysis:
Dallas doubles down at wide receiver by adding Jeff Caldwell from Cincinnati. Caldwell brings a different skill set to the receiver room with his quickness and ability to create separation underneath. He projects as a potential slot option who could contribute on special teams while he develops.
Caldwell’s athletic testing was among the most impressive of the receivers available in this range. He ran a 4.31 forty-yard dash, paired with a 42-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. His 1.48 ten-yard split highlights his elite burst, giving Dallas another explosive athlete capable of creating big plays.
Pick 180 – DJ Campbell – G – Texas
Analysis:
The Cowboys continue reinforcing the trenches with the selection of DJ Campbell out of Texas. Campbell is a powerful interior lineman who thrives in the run game and brings a physical style of play that fits Dallas’ offensive identity. While he may initially compete for a backup role, his strength and size make him an ideal developmental guard who could eventually push for playing time.
At the Combine, Campbell ran a 5.01 forty-yard dash, posted a 26.5-inch vertical jump, and recorded an 8-foot-8 broad jump with a 1.76 ten-yard split. Those numbers demonstrate solid movement ability for a powerful interior lineman and reinforce his projection as a physical run blocker with developmental upside.
Pick 218 – Red Murdock – LB – Buffalo
Analysis:
In the seventh round, Dallas adds linebacker depth with Red Murdock from Buffalo. Murdock is known for his toughness, effort, and ability to contribute on special teams. Late round picks often need to earn their roster spot through versatility, and Murdock’s physical playing style gives him a chance to do just that.
Murdock also showed good speed before his Pro Day workout was cut short due to injury. He ran an unofficial 4.67 forty-yard dash before an ankle injury forced him to end his workout early. Even with the setback, scouts remain intrigued by his athletic ability and the resilience he has shown throughout the pre-draft process.
Final Thoughts
This mock draft focuses heavily on strengthening Dallas’ defense and rebuilding depth along the offensive line. By selecting Jermod McCoy early, the Cowboys take a major step toward stabilizing their secondary, while Monroe Freeling represents a long term investment in the offensive trenches. The middle rounds add explosive athletes at wide receiver and defensive line, while the later rounds provide developmental depth.
If these selections played out this way on draft weekend, Dallas would leave the draft with improved speed, better depth in key areas, and several young players with the athletic upside to develop into future contributors.
