Cowboys draft Downs, trade for Vikings' Greenard in perfect 7-rd mock
I love it when a plan comes together. Those were the famous words of A-Team leader Hannibal, whenever things would fall into place during whatever crisis the 80s TV show had cooked up. That's kind of how Cowboys Wire's final mock draft before the new league year worked out. With free agency descending upon the football world, mock drafts will soon have a much different look as teams fill their biggest holes with expensive veterans that will inevitably shift their priorities come draft time.
That includes the Dallas Cowboys, who have a ton of glaring needs on defense and seem prepared to acquire veteran talent to account for most of it. In our latest 7-round simulation conducted using Pro Football Focus' engine, Dallas was fortuitous in a way that doesn't normally happen this draft season.
One of the top-5 defenders ended up making their way to the Cowboys at No. 12. Then, the draft gods approved of a swap that in real life will likely have to take place well before Dallas hits the clock with their pick at No. 20.
1.7: Safety Caleb Downs , Ohio State
From everything that's been discussed for new DC Christian Parker's plans for Dallas' defense, Downs is the perfect fit as a safety who will play nickel and be moved all over the field. If concerns about his knee allow the player many feel sits atop this draft class works him down to Dallas at No. 12, they'd be crazy not to pounce on him.
Scouting Report: NFL.com
Productive, high-effort safety with three years of starting experience in big games at Alabama and Ohio State. Downs is an alpha who brings immense juice on each snap. He’s at his best when deployed near the line as a box safety or big nickel back. He’ll gamble a little bit as a run defender, but he makes more than enough disruptive plays near the line of scrimmage to make up for it. He’s fluent in man or zone over the first two levels and is rarely fooled by play-action or misdirection. While he’s quick to close and strike underneath, there are hints of caution that prevent him from making more plays on the football. Downs isn’t the biggest, fastest or most versatile player, but he consistently puts his stamp on games.
Trade: 1.20, 5.150 to Minnesota Vikings for edge Jonathan Greenard , 2.49, 3.82
The Cowboys' picks total 881.4 in value chart points, with the VIkings selections amounting to 590. That places Greenard's value around 291 points in this swap, around the No. 61 pick. That satisfies the rumor that Minnesota is looking for "a Day 2 pick" in exchange for the pass-rusher.
Greenard's sack totals were down, notching just three sacks in 12 games, but he had back-to-back 12-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024. Also, his Pass Rush Productivity score saw him pressure the QB on over 16% of his rushes, up from both his '23 and '24 numbers.
2.49: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
Scouting Report: NFL.com
Scheme-versatile cornerback prospect with average size and the ability to play inside or outside. Johnson is consistent in mirroring the release from his pedal and rarely labors when transitioning with route breaks. While many college corners lean on lax officiating to grab and maul, Johnson stays disciplined. He trusts his footwork and technique to remain tight to the route. He attacks the catch point with run-through force and is a tenacious wrap-up tackler who can quickly end plays. Big receivers can steal some high-points, but not enough to cause concern. Johnson’s coverage versatility, toughness and athleticism should make him an early starter for a coverage-hungry team.
3.82: RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
Remaining Day 3 Picks
4.112: Linebacker Taurean York, Texas A&M
5.172: Linebacker Harold Perkins , LSU
6.215: Safety Lorenzo Styles, Ohio State
7.221: DE TJ Guy, Michigan
7.225: WR J. Michael Sturdivant , Florida
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys draft Downs, trade for Vikings' Greenard in perfect 7-rd mock
