Dallas Cowboys land elite cornerback in 7-round mock draft

Dallas Cowboys pick No. 44 overall: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

Tyron Smith and La’el Collins should both be back in 2021 and while Collins doesn’t have a long history of injuries to be worried about, the same cannot be said for Smith. The former No. 9 overall pick in 2011 hasn’t played a full 16-game schedule since 2015.

Smith missed three games in four consecutive seasons from 2016 through 2019 until finally missing 14 this past campaign. With him and Collins both out, the Cowboys offensive line was simply awful.

They did sign veteran Ty Nsekhe which was an underrated move but the 35-year-old is more of what they already had — someone to fill in when Smith is hurt. As good as Smith has been, it’s time to start thinking about a younger replacement who they can be more reliant on.

That’s why they take Jalen Mayfield at No. 44 in this mock. Mayfield does have his own concerns as he has very limited starting experience with the Wolverines but that could end up being a blessing for Dallas since it allows him to slide to the second round.

Mayfield could use a little grooming and landing with the Cowboys allows him to take his time learning the ropes at the next level. He should have no problem playing in a pinch in 2021, but this pick is about having a new left tackle for 2022 and beyond.