Dallas Cowboys remain defensive in 7-Round NFL mock draft post-first wave free agency

(Comp pick): Dallas added two defensive tackles with starting experience in Brent Urban and Carlos Watkins and also retained Antwaun Woods. Even so, they need to get some youth in the mix and that’s why they take Alim McNeill with their third-round comp pick.

McNeill is 315-pounds and is a pure one-technique, which is why he’s available so late in the third. While that’s true, he’s more athletic than it seems when you look at his size. He won’t offer much as a pass rusher but that’s not usually the job of the nose tackle anyway.

Had Mike Nolan played Bradlee Anae in 2020, this draft pick might be different. Dallas landed Anae in the fifth-round out of Utah and he was quite the steal. Or at least it seemed that way when he was picked up.

Unfortunately, Nolan was stubborn in his determination to keep some of the younger players sidelined and had to be forced to put Randy Gregory on the field. Anae got even less time so we don’t know how much he can bring to the table.

Because of that, the Cowboys take Patrick Jones II out of Pitt here. Jones won’t blow anyone away with his athleticism but he’s a solid defensive end who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 264-pounds. He should have no problem contributing, but could be in a deep rotation if Anae does take off.