Dallas Cowboys

2017 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys Post-Combine 7-Round Mock Draft

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:36 p.m. ET

Fansided, Randy Gurzi/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

A full 7-round mock for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2017 NFL Draft, how have things changed now that the scouting combine is in the rear view mirror?

The NFL Scouting Combine is now behind us and teams are peven more prepared to make their selections in the 2017 NFL Draft. For the Dallas Cowboys, the good news is this draft is stacked in two areas of need for them—defensive end and cornerback.

Of course, the biggest name for pass rushers will never get to Dallas at number 28. Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett has that title and despite his plea for the Boys to move up and draft him, he will be heading out of state, most likely to the Cleveland Browns at No. 1.

Still, options are out there for the Dallas Cowboys as they try and shore up their biggest problem area over the past three seasons. Outside of the edge rush, they can use a cornerback with two of their best at the position hitting free agency.

Like with defensive end, the best of the group will be long gone by pick 28, but Dallas has options. Armed with the information and measurables from the combine, this seven-round mock draft will attempt to play those options out.

Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA defensive end Takkarist Mckinley speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1, Pick 28: Takkarist McKinley

With the 28th pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select—insert pass rushers name. That's really all the fans care about, which pass rusher will they get? The team needs one badly and they have a chance to grab an elite guy here as long as they are okay with a small caveat—he won't be ready to play right away.

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That player would be UCLA defensive end Takkarist McKinley, and a shoulder requiring surgery is the reason for the delay in his availability. He still showed up to the combine, blew through the 40-yard dash with a 4.59-second showing and even held his own in the bench press with his injured shoulder. Interestingly enough, McKinley played through the pain for more than a year and had no clue how bad it actually was until recently.

While many don't like the idea of drafting an injured guy, it really won't matter too much to Dallas. They won 13 games without an elite pass rusher, so waiting until later for McKinley to get up to speed isn't the worst thing ever. Passing up on him and watching him record double digit sacks for years while they still look for pass rush help would be.

Oct 1, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) returns a punt against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2, Pick 28: Desmond King, CB — Iowa

With their second-round pick Dallas addresses another need with Iowa cornerback Desmond King. His stock may have been hurt slightly after measuring slightly under 5-10, but he's a solid 200 pounds and is willing to play slot, safety or on an island. He really doesn't care; he's just a football player from a school that produces solid prospects.

What makes King most appealing to Dallas is his 14 interceptions over the past three seasons. He had eight his junior season before deciding to return last year and added another three. The Cowboys haven't had that kind of turnover production from a cornerback in years.

Adding a smart player like King, who has great ball skills, would be a big plus to their secondary. He would also help offset the loss of either starting corner Brandon Carr or Morris Claiborn — both of whom are set for free agency this offseason.

Dallas hopes to have better luck fixing their secondary than they did during their last turnover at the spot. In 2012, they traded up to the sixth overall pick —spending their first and second picks to do so—and selected Claiborne. They also signed Carr to a huge deal in the same offseason. Neither lived up to expectations and Dallas is back in the business of rebuilding their secondary.

Dec 28, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Josh Reynolds (11) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3, Pick 28: Josh Reynolds, WR — Texas A&M

The Dallas Cowboys stay in-state with their third round pick and grab Texas A&M wide receiver Josh Reynolds. Listed at 6-3 and 187 pounds he has the height that the Cowboys love out wide, but could stand to add a few pounds to hold up in the NFL.

What makes Reynolds a great fit for Dallas is that he has really good deep speed. With number one wide out Dez Bryant and slot specialist Cole Beasley soaking up attention, Reynolds will have some room to operate and can take advantage deep.

He was originally a track star who excelled in hurdling, and had to take the junior college route to make it to where he is. By his senior season he had developed into quite the player, going for 1,039 yards on 61 receptions and had 12 touchdowns.

With both Terrance Williams and Brice Butler set for free agency Dallas finds themselves a great potential replacement with their second day two pick. Of course this also doesn't stop them from bringing one of their guys back. The most likely candidate there is Butler, as Williams could cash in this offseason. Butler is a deep threat like Reynolds and his re-signing could create a competition between the rookie and him—one in which Dallas would be the ultimate winner.

Sep 5, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21) reacts after sacking Bowling Green Falcons quarterback Matt Johnson (11) during the second quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4, Pick 26: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB — Tennesse

Dallas has picked up some injured linebackers in the past and the results have been mixed. Sean Lee was a second-round pick out of Penn State in 2010 while he was recovering from a serious knee injury. He has since played in 75 games for the Boys and has been credited with 566 career tackles and 12 interceptions.

The following season, and in the same round, they again drafted a guy with a knee injury, this time Bruce Carter from North Carolina. Carter went on to play 49 games for Dallas and was a regular starter by his last season with the team. He recorded 256 tackles in four seasons with them and had five picks in his final year. He left the team via free agency and while his play has diminished, he was a great fit for Dallas while he was there.

This past season they again used a second round pick on a hurt linebacker, taking the highly rated Jaylon Smith out of Notre Dame. Smith still has yet to play and there are mixed results about when—and if— he will.

Now in this 2017 mock, they again take a chance on an injured linebacker, but they do so in a later round. Tennessee linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin recorded back-to-back 100 tackle seasons for the Volunteers before injuries limited him to just four games in 2016. He could be a steal in the fourth round if he lives up to the potential he showed early in his career.

Dec 23, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Boise State Broncos defensive tackle Tyler Horn (69) works against Northern Illinois Huskies offensive lineman Levon Myers (71) during the third quarter in the 2015 Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6, Pick 27: Levon Myers, OT — Northern Illinois

Starting right tackle Doug Free gave the Cowboys a scare when the word "retirement" started floating around this offseason. While he is considered by some to be the weak link of the offensive line, he is still a quality starter and the options behind him are nothing to get too thrilled about.

To try and find a player who can develop into a potential replacement, they head back to the same school they found Free at—Northern Illinois. There they find a 6-5 tackle weighing 309 pounds by the name of Levon Myers.

While he is an untapped talent, according to his draft Profile on CBSSports.com Myers shows something that the Cowboys love "nastiness."

Myers shows some nastiness in his play, looking to knock defenders to the ground when he senses them off-balance, including those consumed with battling the left guard. With just two starting seasons under his belt, Myers potentially has untapped potential still to develop.

That tough style of play is what drew the scouts in Big D towards 2013 first-round pick Travis Frederick, who has served as their starting center since being selected. It has also been seen in how 2014 first-round pick Zach Martin throws people around from his right guard position. Myers has the skills, and Dallas has the players he can learn from. Could be a nice developmental pick.

Nov 26, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers running back C.J. Fuller (27) runs as South Carolina Gamecocks defensive lineman Darius English (5) attempts to bring him down during the third quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7, Pick 10: Darius English, Edge — South Carolina

With their first of two seventh-round picks, the Dallas Cowboys look for a late-round pass rushing gem. Again with the probability of first round selection Takkarist McKinley missing time, they need able-bodies to fill in. With that in mind, they grab South Carolina edge rusher Darius English.

English has incredible length for the position at 6-6. However, he is also incredibly thin and weighs in at around 245 pounds. He did, however, manage to perform well in the SEC and as a redshirt senior he recorded 60 tackles, 13 for a loss, and nine sacks.

Doing so in the SEC proves that he can handle matching up with some tough talent, but he is a project player. If Dallas is able to work with his raw skills, while also helping him add some muscle, he could end up being a real find for a team that's desperate for players to step up on the edge.

In 2016 the Cowboys had to resort to moving both David Irving and Tyron Crawford to defensive end due to their lack of bodies at the position. By selecting a couple of young players at the spot they may be able to use those two back inside where they are more natural fits.

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) leaps over Florida State Seminoles defensive back Marquez White (27) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7, Pick 28: De'Veon Smith, RB — Michigan

Dallas wraps up the 2017 NFL Draft by grabbing a backup running back in Michigan's De'Veon Smith with their second pick in round seven. At 5-11 and 223 pounds, Smith is a big back known his ability to finish runs. While he never had more than 846 yards in a season, Smith did record 10 touchdowns as a senior and displayed good vision when running with the ball.

Dallas had one of the best running back groups in the NFL last season led by Ezekiel Elliott, who was the top rusher in the entire NFL during his rookie season. Behind him they had Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris, both of whom have recorded 1,000-plus yards more than once in their respective careers. They also featured the speedy third-down back Lance Dunbar.

Heading into 2017 only Morris is under contract behind Zeke, and he's no guarantee to make the roster. They could elect to re-sign McFadden, who proved to be a great team player in Dallas and had 1,089 yards for them in 2015 when he started just ten games.

Adding the young Smith to the mix doesn't stop them from keeping, or re-signing, any of the guys they had last season. Instead, it gives them someone to look at during training camp and the preseason to see if they feel better about him than any of the veterans on the roster.