The Dallas Cowboys saw all kinds of talent walk in free agency, so if Dallas wants to continue to be competitive, they need to address the defense. With the top two corners and edge rushers off the board, the Cowboys decide to go with Bryon Jones’s replacement with the selection of Trevon Diggs out of Alabama.
Diggs is a converted wide receiver now playing corner which actually is an advantage for him because he has a very good understanding of route concepts and has plus ball skills. Diggs has great size and length at 6 foot 1 inches, 205 pounds, and just happens to be the brother of Buffalo Bills star wideout Stefon Diggs.
Brian Flores checked off one big need at quarterback with his first of three first round picks in this mock draft, now he needs to find some protection for his new franchise quarterback. With the top four tackles gone, there are differing opinions on who will be the next tackle to hear their name called in the first round on Thursday night.
Josh Jones made 45 career starts at Houston, all at left tackle, and is solid in pass protection. He had a very good week at the Senior Bowl which I think catapults him ahead of guys like USC’s Austin Jackson and Ezra Cleveland from Boise State.
This pick may come as somewhat as a surprise do to a huge need at cornerback for the Las Vegas Raiders. There are concerns with the health of Javon Kinlaw’s knees and hips, which is the reason for his slide down the draft board. Jon Gruden showed just two years ago that he is willing to take a risk on a player with a health concern when he took Maurice Hurst in round five of the 2018 draft.
If you listened to Mike Mayock’s conference call last week, you would have heard him say he thinks the biggest mistakes teams make is reaching for need. Kinlaw is a top-10 talent with some maturity and injury concerns but nonetheless he is the best player on the board. Expect Mayock to be aggressive and trade up into round two to address the need at cornerback.
Minshew Mania was all the rage for a minute in Duval last season, but is that sustainable? Nick Foles was traded in the offseason to the Chicago Bears, and in doing so, Gardner Minshew was named the presumed starter.
Utah State’s Jordan Love has traits similar to Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, and with the Jaguars in the midst of a complete rebuild, why not get yourself a new quarterback while you are at it. The splits between his 2018 and 2019 season are concerning, but there is no denying the pure talent this kid has. Proper coaching and development might be all his needs to unleash his potential.