ESPN Mock: Cowboys Replace Dalton Schultz With Draft's 'Most Complete' TE
It has been a productive offseason for the Dallas Cowboys, as they have added key pieces to a roster that was already one of the NFL's best.
Trades for cornerback Stephon Gilmore and receiver Brandin Cooks added starters in complementary roles to Trevon Diggs and CeeDee Lamb, while they also retained players such as Leighton Vander Esch to help maintain the Cowboys elite defense.
With a roster that is, on paper, seemingly complete, drafting can become an interesting scenario that opens up the flexibility for Dallas to pursue the best players rather than specific needs with its picks.
As such, in Todd McShay's latest two-round mock draft for ESPN, he gives the Cowboys two premier prospects with their first two picks.
Rd. 1 No. 26 - Michael Mayer - TE (Notre Dame)
"Dalton Schultz out, Mayer in. The latter is the most complete tight end in this draft class and could be a plug-and-play starter as Dak Prescott's new security blanket. At 6-5 and 249 pounds, Mayer is a legit blocker who would provide Tony Pollard with more running lanes.
And while he's not much of a vertical threat, his excellent ball skills would open up the offense at the intermediate level. Mayer posted back-to-back seasons with at least 800 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, and he's a bulldozer after the catch."
Despite adding Cooks, the Cowboys lost their second-leading receiver from last season in tight end Dalton Schultz. As a fix, though, McShay has the Cowboys drafting arguably the best tight end in the draft.
In his final two seasons at Notre Dame Mayer was an integral part of the Fighting Irish offense, recording 1,649 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on 138 receptions. Mayer might not be a one-to-one replacement for Schultz, but he could step into the role he left behind and flourish in the offense alongside Lamb and Cooks.
As for their second-round pick, McShay goes defense and has the Cowboys selecting a linebacker.
Rd. 2 No. 58 - Trenton Simpson - LB (Clemson)
"Despite re-signing Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas could look to add to the linebacker corps. Simpson is a good value pick for the Cowboys here, and he brings versatility, man coverage skills and range against the run."
Simpson spent three years at Clemson and was productive in all three seasons, recording 165 total tackles, including 23 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, while also forcing two fumbles.
Linebacker might not seem like a sensible pick here, but adding Simpson to work alongside Vander Esch and behind a defensive line featuring Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence could further elevate an already productive unit.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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