After months of speculation, the 2020 NFL draft is merely a few days away, as the first round kicks off at 7 p.m. CST Thursday on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network.

After trading away last year’s first-round pick, the Dallas Cowboys welcome a return to the first round, where there are a ton of intriguing possibilities. In total, the Cowboys have seven selections in the draft, including two fifth-round picks but no picks in the sixth round.

The Cowboys did a good job of finding short-term solutions at most of their positions of need in free agency, though there’s still work to be done at defensive end and cornerback. Still, the Cowboys have positioned themselves so that they don’t have to reach for any player at a position of need.

Unlike my previous mock drafts, which were a combination of what I would do and what’s realistic for the Cowboys while exploring different scenarios, this mock will be my best and final attempt at predicting what the Cowboys will do with each of their picks.

With that in mind, let’s dive into my final Cowboys mock draft:

Round 1, Pick 17: K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU

At the moment, it appears as though Florida’s CJ Henderson and LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson are Dallas’ preferred options at No. 17. Many draft analysts believe neither will be available when the Cowboys are on the clock. However, Chaisson has the best shot of the two to still be on the board.

LSU EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson is shot out of a damn cannon on this sack vs Florida. Great surface area reduction as he corners as well. OL struggle to block below their waist. pic.twitter.com/2IO6upkOEZ — John Owning (@JohnOwning) March 3, 2020

It’s not often that a pass rusher with Chaisson’s burst, bend and closing speed is available at No. 17, but the LSU product’s injury history could suppress his value enough for him to fall to Dallas. A torn ACL ended Chaisson’s 2018 season early, and a right ankle issue hampered him early in the 2019 season.

While I would personally prefer Wisconsin’s Zack Baun, it’s tough to argue with the Cowboys liking Chaisson here. He’s a twitched-up pass rusher with a jetpack attached to his back when exploding upfield. Listed at 6-3, 253 pounds with 32 1/4-inch arms, he combines that upfield juice with rare lower-body pliability, body control and balance to bend around the corner while maintaining momentum to flatten his rush and close on the quarterback.

Still really early, but I'm a K'Lavon Chaisson fan. pic.twitter.com/S84XafnMRn — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 6, 2020

Chaisson’s hands and footwork are still a work in progress, but he has progressed steadily in that area. His long arm and two-hand swipe techniques have big-time potential, and Chaisson’s spin move will be a deadly counter off his speed rush in the NFL. He had at least four pressures in LSU’s final four games, which were against the highest caliber of competition. One good sign is that he’s been spending a lot of time with Dallas-based defensive line specialist Brandon Jordan, who will assuredly help Chaisson continue to improve technically.

Against the run, Chaisson does well to play with leverage (hands above eyes) when engaged with blocks. He doesn’t have the longest arms, but he knows how to use his length and does create the separation needed to hold his ground against bigger offensive tackles.

Overall, Chaisson is a high-upside pass rusher who is an appropriate replacement for Robert Quinn at right defensive end -- both from a skill-set and play-style perspective. Moreover, Chaisson could even fulfill the SAM linebacker/designated pass rusher role that Stephen Jones mentioned recently.

Round 2, Pick 51: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

If the Cowboys miss out on cornerback in the first round, there’s a high probability they will target the position in the second. After Ohio State’s Jeffrey Okudah and Florida’s CJ Henderson, who are first-round locks, there is a cluster of five corners -- LSU’s Kristian Fulton, Clemson’s A.J. Terrell, Alabama’s Trevon Diggs, Utah’s Jaylon Johnson and Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene -- in the next tier who can go anywhere from the mid-first to the second round. The Cowboys should be happy if any of the five are available once they go on the clock in the second round.

My best guess is that the team would prefer that Terrell or Diggs be the one to fall to pick No. 51. However, I believe Johnson is the one most likely to be available for Dallas in the second round. Johnson is an extremely talented corner who probably wouldn’t make it out of the top 40 if he had a clean injury history. Johnson’s had three shoulder surgeries in the last four years. Making matters worse is that he tackles like someone with three shoulder surgeries, as his willingness to stick his nose in the fray tends to wane.

Great quick jam by Jaylon Johnson vs Aiyuk. Love how understands when to press. With Aiyuk's vision inside, he's not prepared for Johnson to jump him at the LOS. Very impressed with Johnson's football IQ so far. pic.twitter.com/tfXH2p8s5a — John Owning (@JohnOwning) March 31, 2020

Still, even with that risk profile, Johnson would be a great get for the Cowboys in the second round. Listed at 6 feet, 193 pounds, Johnson is a bully at the line of scrimmage, using a strong jam to disrupt a receiver’s release and timing in the route. He’s not a burner, but Johnson does a great job of slowing vertical routes with his physicality and body positioning, as he forces receivers to play to his speed rather than vice versa. Among corners last year with at least 50 targets, Johnson led the nation in completion percentage allowed on passes 10-plus yard beyond the line of scrimmage, per Pro Football Focus.

Jump into the film room with Jaylon Johnson (@NBAxJay1). He breaks down how he studies film, what he looks for and how it helped him reel in an interception against Washington this year.



Link: https://t.co/2GKOHsx0xe



pic.twitter.com/Wju4nEDtGo — Cover 1 (@Cover_1_) April 4, 2020

The Utah product also displays football intelligence and anticipatory skills well beyond his years. He’s talked extensively about how is interception against Washington was because he recognized formation tendencies in order to jump an out route for a pick-six. While his physical tools are nice, his mental aptitude will be the biggest reason for his NFL success.

While it’s a dangerous game to select two players with scary medical histories to start the draft, it could allow the Cowboys to snag two players who typically wouldn’t be available at either of Dallas’ selections.

Round 3, Pick 82: Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming

This has been a common selection during my previous mock drafts, but it just makes so much sense that we are locking it in for this final edition. While we don’t know the long-term implications of Leighton Vander Esch’s neck injury or if Dallas is getting cold feet about Jaylon Smith’s big-money extension, it does appear as though the Cowboys are interested in selecting a linebacker relatively early in this year’s draft.

The team has shown a lot of pre-draft interest in Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray, as he was scheduled to be a top-30 visit before the coronavirus pandemic ended that possibility. It’s also been rumored that the Cowboys have done their homework on LSU’s Patrick Queen. The LSU linebacker is the better of the two, but given the needs elsewhere, selecting a traditional off-ball linebacker in the first round doesn’t provide the Cowboys with enough value (unless there are legitimate worries about Vander Esch’s future viability).

The much more palatable option would be selecting Wyoming’s Logan Wilson in the third round. As far as small-school prospects go, Wilson checks every box. Wilson has four straight seasons of 90-plus tackles and 7.5-plus tackles for loss. At the combine, he tested into the 60.8th percentile among NFL off-ball linebackers, per Three Sigma Athlete. Moreover, after an impressive showing during Senior Bowl week, Wilson proved that he could remain effective against a higher caliber of competition.

Another impressive play in coverage from Logan Wilson. Carries the slant initially, passes it off, reads the QB's eyes and sinks into the passing lane for the near INT.



This is the good stuff. pic.twitter.com/WNKqarDAgW — John Owning (@JohnOwning) April 17, 2020

Listed at 6-2, 241 pounds, Wilson can defend the run and pass with equal effectiveness. Wilson possesses notable instincts that constantly cause him to be around the ball against the run, and it also translates against the pass, as he posted 14 career pass breakups to go with 10 career interceptions.

If the Cowboys are dead set on drafting a traditional off-ball linebacker, then Wilson is a much more appetizing option in Round 3 than any other player in Rounds 1 or 2 (I graded Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons as a safety).

Round 4, Pick 123: Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA

Much like linebacker, tight end is another surprise position the Cowboys could target. Given Blake Jarwin’s extension, it doesn’t appear as if the Cowboys are looking for a bona fide starter at the position. Instead, the Cowboys probably want to find an in-line tight end who can complement Jarwin while being groomed by the new coaching staff. The team did sign an in-line tight end in Blake Bell, but that’s more of a short-term patch than a long-term solution, which is why it would make sense if the Cowboys targeted UCLA’s Devin Asiasi in the middle rounds.

He can also do stuff like this pic.twitter.com/M29D8PpaTc — John Owning (@JohnOwning) April 5, 2020

The Cowboys have shown a lot of interest in Asiasi through the pre-draft process, as he was also scheduled to be a top-30 visit before the pandemic, and it’s easy to see why. Asiasi is one of the few likable in-line tight ends in a disappointing class.

Listed at 6-3, 257 pounds, Asiasi has a good frame, but spending extended time in an NFL strength program should do wonders in transforming his soft physique. Though he’s not incredibly explosive, Asiasi is an NFL-caliber athlete and a smooth mover.

Asiasi isn’t there yet technically as a blocker, but he’s willing and has surprising pop behind his hands at the point of contact. Asiasi has the profile to quickly develop in this area under Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells’ watchful eye.

UCLA TE Devin Asiasi doing a nice job creating some separation down the seam versus a safety squatting in off coverage. Uses his eyes and an inside stick to move the safety off his spot, then a strong chop to clear contact and separate. pic.twitter.com/8qj9hMeKP6 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) April 5, 2020

As a receiver, Asiasi’s route running still needs refinement but there’s a lot of upside, as the UCLA product is relatively efficient getting in and out of his breaks. Asiasi’s best trait as a receiver is his reliable hands, as he comfortably makes grabs inside and outside his frame or in traffic. He had just one drop last season.

If the Cowboys don’t believe Dalton Schultz can develop into a legitimate in-line tight end to complement Jarwin, then Asiasi makes a lot of sense in the fourth round.

Round 5, Pick 164: Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU

Now, this is where things get really interesting. LSU’s Saahdiq Charles is valued by many as a top-60 talent based on his skill (I have him graded in the third round based on talent). However, character concerns could cause his stock to take a nosedive on draft day. While nothing specific has been put on the record, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had this to say about the LSU offensive tackle in his draft guide: “personal and football character is below average with multiple failed drug tests and a history of unreliable behavior, which led to a six-game suspension during the 2019 season for a violation of team rules.”

The reported character concerns certainly give you pause, but in the fifth round the potential reward for selecting Charles outweighs the risk. If Charles’ character concerns are legit, the Cowboys could easily do away with him during roster cuts, when Charles would be far from the only fifth-round pick put on waivers as teams cut down to their Week 1 rosters.

However, as one of the youngest prospects in this draft at just 20 years old, the hope is that Charles will mature once he reaches the NFL, which will allow him to unlock his considerable physical gifts. Charles has spent a lot of time with Dallas-area offensive line coach Duke Manyweather, who works with many of the NFL’s top linemen, including La’el Collins, who has worked out with Charles on occasion through the pre-draft process.

Charles played a lot lighter than the 321 pounds he weighed in at during the combine, but at 6-4 with 33-inch arms, he possesses a big enough frame to handle the extra weight. In fact, Charles proved that he’s still an outstanding athlete at the position despite the weight gain, as his 5.05 40-yard dash tested into the 90th percentile among tackles.

Another nice finish in the run game to barry the edge defender. Also impressed by his ability to adjust and still wall off the defender after he slants inside. pic.twitter.com/RC9QH8QATT — John Owning (@JohnOwning) April 8, 2020

Charles’ tape is marred with inconsistencies, but when he’s at his best, there are only a couple of tackles in this class who can match his play. By selecting Charles in the fifth round, the Cowboys would be hoping that those dominant flashes turn into consistent stretches of effective play in the NFL with some seasoning.

It’s risky, but it’s definitely a risk worth taking in this class given Dallas’ needs at swing tackle.

Round 5, Pick 179: John Hightower, WR, Boise State

Finding prospects with defining traits worth developing is one of the keys to success in the fifth round and beyond. Boise State wide receiver John Hightower is the type of incomplete prospect who has a couple of defining traits that are worth taking a chance on this late in the draft.

Given that Hightower will be paid to catch footballs in the NFL, it is worrisome that he doesn’t have the most reliable hands. Moreover, listed at 6-1, 189 pounds, Hightower is a thin receiver who struggles mightily with physicality in coverage.

One WR to keep an eye on in the latter rounds of the draft is Boise State's John Hightower. Legit field-stretching speed with impressive ball tracking ability to boot. pic.twitter.com/y6jXLHhcef — John Owning (@JohnOwning) April 17, 2020

Still, Hightower is worth taking a chance on because he has the deep speed to become an exciting field-stretching target in the NFL. With 4.43 speed, Hightower possesses the straight-line speed to run past defensive backs in coverage. His outstanding ball-tracking abilities enable him to consistently alter his route to run underneath passes deep downfield. On top of that, Hightower can contribute as a kick returner, as he posted a 24.6 yards-per-return average to go with one touchdown in 2019.

Overall, Hightower’s ability to take the top off a defense makes him a worthwhile selection in Round 5.

Round 7, Pick 231: Bravvion Roy, NT, Baylor

He wasn’t invited to the combine, but Baylor’s Bravvion Roy possesses draftable traits that would make him a worthwhile consideration for the Cowboys in the seventh round.

Listed at 6-1, 332 pounds with tiny 30 1/8-inch arms, Roy is a big-bodied nose tackle who lacks the desired length for the position. While the lack of length does inhibit Roy’s ability to get off blocks, he makes up for it with an electric first step that enables him to pinball his way into opposing backfields.

Roy’s quickness enabled him to generate a lot of backfield production as a senior, posting 5.5 sacks to go with an impressive 13 tackles for loss. For someone who plays predominantly between the A-gaps, that kind of production is noteworthy. The icing on the cake for Roy is that his motor continually runs pretty hot for a man his size.

Roy is exactly the kind of late-round developmental project who could pay off down the road.

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