Dallas Cowboys draft local in new three-round mock draft from ESPN

ESPN NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay completed their annual three-round mock draft this week. Unlike their other mock drafts, they joined forces to make alternating choices, starting with Kiper at No. 1 overall.

Along the three rounds, the draft gurus revealed their picks for the Dallas Cowboys, which include two local talents.

In round one, Todd McShay has the Cowboys reaching a bit on TCU star receiver Quentin Johnston. Dallas’ scouts are very familiar with the Horned Frogs product, however, some analysts believe there’s only one wideout with a first-round grade – Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That means the Cowboys grabbing Johnston with their first pick could get panned on Draft Day.

“This feels a little early for Johnston, but I played myself here a little bit by taking Michael Mayer — who would have been a perfect fit in Dallas — off the board two picks ago. Regardless, there’s no denying that the Cowboys need pass-catchers, and Johnston could be the true No. 2 behind CeeDee Lamb. Johnston has a big catch radius and can make plays downfield.”

Cowboys go WR, TE, RB in new mock draft

McShay also had the Cowboys’ second-round pick at No. 58, where he chose a tight end. He wanted to give the now Dalton Schultz-less team a tight end in round one but settled for round two with Iowa star Sam LaPorta.

LaPorta had two good seasons and then two great seasons in his four-year career with the Hawkeyes. He posted 670 and 657 yards in 2021 and 2022, respectively, on 111 catches.

At No. 90 overall in the third round, McShay selects another TCU product – running back Kendre Miller.

Dallas has had eyes on Miller since the beginning of the draft process. The team is looking to add another running back after the departure of Ezekiel Elliott.

After relatively productive seasons for TCU in 2020 and 2021, Miller went off in 2022 with 1,399 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He also added 116 yards on 16 receptions.

The 6-foot-0, 220-pound running back injured his knee in the Horned Frogs’ 51–45 win over Michigan in the College Football Playoff. The injury kept him out of the national championship game versus Georgia and hindered his pre-draft prep.

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event location this year is the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft broadcast runs throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

Following two trades that cost them two fifth-round compensatory picks (No. 161, No. 169), these are the seven draft picks left on the Cowboys board for April.

• Round 1, No. 26
• Round 2, No. 58
• Round 3, No. 90
• Round 4, No. 128
• Round 5, No. 176*
• Round 6, No. 212*
• Round 7, No. 243

*denotes compensatory pick