Dallas Cowboys trade back twice, stockpile defense in 7-round mock draft

Round 3, Pick 99: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan

Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch looked like two of the best linebackers in the NFL in 2018. Since then, they have trended in the wrong direction.

Last year, it was so bad that linebacker was arguably the worst position on the team. Of course, the Cowboys didn’t agree as they seem to think that Smith is still a building block. With that being the case, they’re unlikely to make a huge splash to try and replace either one of them.

That doesn’t mean they won’t add some depth — which they do here with the selection of Cameron McGrone from Michigan. A MIKE linebacker who was a monster in 2019, McGrone didn’t play as well in 2020 but there’s still plenty of reason to believe he can turn into a good pro.

Round 4, Pick 115: Alim McNeill, NT, North Carolina State

In 2020, Dallas looked to improve their nose tackle position with the signing of Dontari Poe. That ended up being a wasted signing as he lasted seven games and made almost no impact at all.

Looking forward to 2021, the Cowboys could look to invest in the position in the draft. Here, with their first of two picks in the fourth, they take North Carolina State’s Alim McNeill.

Another player who needs some seasoning, McNeill could work behind Antwaun Woods as a rookie and eventually develop into a starter in the middle of the defense.