Todd McShay and Scouts Inc have completed their draft day mock draft, and this one projects J.J. Watt to the Cowboys at No. 9.
Dallas Cowboys
Record: 6-10 | Needs: DE, OT, S, ILB, CB
J.J. Watt, DE, WisconsinWatt’s size, strength, athletic ability and motor make him a good fit as a 5-technique in the Cowboys’ 3-4 defensive scheme.
So one consensus between Mel Kiper and McShay is that the Cowboys will take a defensive end. I both drafts, both Cameron Jordan and J.J. Watt are available at No. 9, so there is a difference of opinion on Dallas’ preference.
McShay’s mock draft is radically, almost shockingly different from the norm today. Most notably, Patrick Peterson falls right past the Cowboys to Houston at No. 11. There have been numerous rumors that Peterson is the top rated player on the Cowboys’ board, and with issues in the secondary it’s hard to imagine them simply passing on him. Among other surrpises, Aldon Smith is slotted at No. 5 to Arizona, and Cleveland takes the leap on Julio Jones at No. 6.