The Cowboys are getting quality marks for their haul, but would they have been better off going a different direction?
Shadow drafts are always a fun exercise. I got the idea several years ago from Locked on Cowboys podcast host Marcus Mosher. The concept is simple; what other options were available to the team you follow instead of how they proceeded with things in reality. For the Dallas Cowboys, that means what if the they made a different decision than drafting Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker with the No. 12 overall pick?
The rules are straight-forward.
- At each draft slot, the only prospects available are ones who went later in the real-life draft.
- The team can only use drafted capital that was actually traded in order to move around. So the Cowboys were willing to trade 5.174 and 6.211; those are the only picks that could be used to move around with.
- When the team bypasses the position it picked in reality, assume the last prospect taken at that position before their next pick is now available. i.e. If the team took WR2 in reality, and WR5 last off the board before the club’s next pick, WR5 would still be “on the board” for them.
- Also, one doesn’t have to be married to the order that positions were addressed, but they do need to adhere to the spirit of the agenda.
Could there have been a better haul awaiting Dallas if they steered in a different direction, with hindsight being 20/20?
Edge Rusher First
1.12 – Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
2.42 (Trade 2.44, 5.174, 6.211) – DT Alfred Collins, Texas
3.76 – WR Savion Williams, TCU
5.149 – OG Marcus Mbow, Purdue
6.204 – CB Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
7.217 – RB Brashard Smith, SMU
7.239 – RB Phil Mafah, Clemson
7.247 – DT Zeke Biggers, Georgia Tech
Wide Receiver First
1.12 – WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
2.44 – OG Jonah Savalineaea, Arizona
3.76 – RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virgnia Tech
4.117 (Trade 5.149, 5.174, 6.211) – Edge David Walker, Central Arkansas
6.204 – CB Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
7.217 – DT Jay Toia, UCLA
7.239 – RB Phil Mafah, Clemson
7.247 – TE Luke Lachey, Iowa
Would the Cowboys have been better off with either of these two hauls?
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