The NFL draft may be six months away, but it’s never too soon to take a look at the next potential draft class.

With the Dallas Cowboys in their bye week, now is as good of a time as any to peruse potential prospects in the 2020 draft. It’s still really early and a lot will change between now and April, but it’s always a worthwhile exercise to study the players who could potentially be available at certain spots.

With that being said, let’s dive into this year’s bye week mock draft for the Cowboys:

Note: To keep things as realistic as possible, The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine was used to make this mock draft. So if you’re upset a player is still available when you don’t think he should be, take it up with them.

Round 1: Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State

It worked out well the last time the Cowboys plucked a pass rusher from the Boise State waters (DeMarcus Lawrence), so it makes sense that they’d go back to the well with highly-touted edge defender Curtis Weaver here.

Through the success of Randy Gregory and Robert Quinn opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys know the value of an effective pass-rusher opposite their All-Pro, which is why Weaver is a great option in the first round.

Weaver doesn’t see the same caliber of player as the other potential first-round edge defenders; nonetheless, that dip in competition has enabled Weaver to round out his repertoire while dominating the lesser competition on the field.

To draft a player from the Mountain West in the first round, it’s important that he routinely stands out above the rest. With 31 tackles, 12.5 for loss, and 9.5 sacks in seven games -- recording seven or more pressures in all but two -- it’s safe to say Weaver is holding up his end of the bargain.

Listed at 6-3 and 263 pounds, Weaver possesses the size that the Cowboys value off the edge.

One of the first things you will notice when studying Weaver is that Boise State loves to move him around to create mismatches and take advantage of his versatile skill set. Weaver will align in traditional defensive end alignments, expand to a wide-9 alignment, or even reduce inside to rush from the three-technique spot.

Unlike most pass rushers in this class, Weaver is actually quite refined with his hand technique and footwork. He understands how to keep offensive linemen guessing with a well-balanced plan. Weaver has a few moves in his repertoire but definitely leans on a two-hand swipe, or swat, to counter and beat a blocker’s punch on his way to the quarterback.

He’s not a freak athlete, but Weaver uses deceptive footwork to aid in his ability to win with speed or quickness on the outside. Much like Lawrence, Weaver does well to use stutter and inside jab steps to feint power or an inside move, causing the offensive tackle to freeze for a split-second, which enables Weaver to capture the corner and win on the outside rush track.

Weaver’s ability to defeat blocks as a pass-rusher certainly carries over against the run, where Weaver is an effective disruptor up front for the Boise State defense. Weaver still needs to grow in his ability to read and anticipate blocking concepts, and his pad level can swell at times, but, having said that, Weaver is still plenty disruptive, as his 8.6 run-stop percentage, per Pro Football Focus, illustrates.

With Quinn likely to get PAID this offseason for his productive season as a pass rusher for hire, and the uncertainty surrounding Randy Gregory’s eventual return to the team, the Cowboys would be smart to find Lawrence a potent partner off the opposite edge.

Round 2: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

This pick could certainly be used to fill another hole on defense, but the pass game is king in the NFL and it’s never a bad idea to give Dak Prescott more weapons.

With Randall Cobb and Tavon Austin on one-year deals, the Cowboys likely will be in the market for a third receiver to pair with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup next offseason. TCU’s Jalen Reagor would be a great complement to Gallup and Cooper while also giving the offense an added element of world-class speed.

From the moment he steps on the field, Reagor is a big play waiting to happen. The junior receiver and Waxahachie High School product is one of the best athletes in college football, ranking 21st on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” with a reported 4.29 40-yard dash time. Reagor’s track speed translates to the field as he outpaces defensive backs in coverage and effortlessly outruns pursuit angles. There’s no question that he’s a dangerous yards-after-the-catch threat, as well.

Reagor has had a slower start to 2019, as a result of mostly shoddy quarterback play. He has just 25 catches for 326 yards and four touchdowns through seven games. Still, even with less production, Reagor has shown the traits that would make him a great option in the second round for the Cowboys.

Jalen Reagor of TCU running a “Dino” route



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Post↖️ pic.twitter.com/9GFuFAPo4p — Receiver Life (@ReceiverLife_) May 21, 2019

Speed is the name of the game for Reagor, as it’s the foundation for most of his success to this point. Reagor uses his ability to accelerate out of a cut to help create separation out of his breaks at the top of his routes. Reagor is especially deadly on double moves, as any slight hesitation from the defensive back can lead to enormous separation.

The 5-11, 195-pound receiver won’t win with physicality, but that doesn’t mean he’s afraid to compete at the catch point when contested. Reagor still needs to be more consistent when attacking the ball, but it’s good to see he’s not as contact-averse at the catch point as most diminutive, speedy receivers.

Reagor has also proved to be an effective punt returner, as he’s averaged 19.3 yards per punt return this season – first in the Big 12.

With Austin and Cobb potentially on other teams next season, Reagor could fill slot receiver and return roles for the Cowboys’ offense and special teams. Reagor’s speed and elusiveness could make the offense even more dynamic than it already is.

Round 3: Leki Fotu, DT, Utah

The Cowboys’ disrespect for the nose tackle (one-technique defensive tackle) position has gone on for far too long, and that ends today.

Opting to throw the occasional seventh-round pick at the nose tackle position, the Cowboys would be wise to finally give it the attention it deserves by investing a third-round pick in the 6-5, 335-pound Leki Fotu.

Don’t let the heft fool you, Fotu is a much better athlete than his frame suggests, which enables him to make plays outside his responsibility – a rare trait for nose tackles.

Fotu possesses an electric first step for his size, which enables him to reset the line of scrimmage with power or penetrate the line of scrimmage with quickness and disrupt more than most 330-pounders. He bullies his way into the backfield with pure power while also flashing a nifty quick swim to beat blocks.

When teams opt to double Fotu as a means to take away his disruptive ability in the run game, he showcases an outstanding anchor to occupy the double without being displaced. In that sense, Fotu is a linebacker’s best friend, as his ability to demand and occupy double teams gives the second-level defenders more space to pursue ball carriers.

Unfortunately, Fotu’s quickness and power doesn’t lead to much in the way of a pass rush. With just four pressures coming into last week, per PFF, Fotu is a predictable rusher who relies too much on his power to condense the pocket from the interior. He desperately needs to deepen his pass-rush repertoire by becoming more diverse with his hand techniques.

Fotu’s athleticism and disruptive nature against the run signal that Fotu has the potential to develop into an above-average rusher, but he’s just not ready to contribute much in that area yet, which is why he can be found in the third round instead of the second.

Ultimately, Fotu has the size, power and girth to help upgrade the Cowboys’ interior run defense while possessing enough athleticism to convince Rod Marinelli that it’s OK to pull the trigger on a nose tackle in the third round.

Round 4: Chase Lucas, CB, Arizona State

The Cowboys are a team currently blessed with a ton of cornerback depth, but that could change next season with Byron Jones and Anthony Brown currently in the last year of their respective deals. On top of that, Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis are entering the final year of their contracts in 2020.

The Cowboys could see quite a bit of turnover in the secondary over the next few years, which is why it’s smart to invest a top-120 pick at the position in the 2020 draft.

One player who could be worth a fourth-round selection is Arizona State cornerback Chase Lucas, who at 6-0, 179 pounds possesses the height and length Kris Richard values in the cornerback position.

Right now, Lucas is an excellent athlete who seems to do his best work in zone coverage, as he understands how to take on and pass off receivers in his zone while maintaining proper depth and eye discipline. With 14 pass deflections and six interceptions in two-plus seasons at Arizona State, Lucas is no stranger to getting his hands on the ball.

Lucas has all the physical traits (length, speed, quickness, change of direction) to be effective in pure man coverage but is considerably lacking in terms of technique. Lucas will often lose at the line of scrimmage and cede separation on the top of routes on account of his raw, and oftentimes wild, technique.

In Richard’s secondary, tackling is a must, and even though Lucas isn’t a punishing tackler, he’s shown to be a capable and willing run defender when filling from space.

Even though Lucas is a bit raw with some of the details of cornerback play, his size, length and athleticism have to be enticing for Richard to mold, which is why Lucas is the type of cornerback to take a shot on in the third round.

Round 5: Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati

With Jason Witten potentially retiring (again) after the season, the Cowboys would be wise to invest in the tight end position once again.

Cincinnati’s Josiah Deguara would be a great addition to Dallas’ tight end corps, as he’s got the potential to develop into a real contributor with his well-rounded skill set.

As you would guess given that this is a fifth-round pick, Deguara isn’t really special in any particular area – he’s just solid-to-good in a bunch of areas.

Deguara isn’t an elite athlete but he’s not deficient in the area either. At 6-3, 240 pounds with good ball skills, Deguara is an effective threat down the seam for Cincinnati, as his size, hands and tracking ability make him a difficult cover for most linebackers.

Deguara doesn’t have much snap at the top of his routes, but he does have some subtlety to create separation at the top of routes. He’s also very good at selling the run-action before leaking to the flats on the play-action.

Deguara has been an effective secondary receiving option for Cincinnati this year, recording 21 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns in seven games.

Deguara competes hard in the blocking department but lacks the size and strength to hang with defensive ends at the point of attack. The Folsom, Calif. native does well to shield defenders with his body but won’t create much, if any, displacement along the line of scrimmage. Stronger edge defenders will bully him at the point of attack.

Overall, if Witten retires, Deguara could immediately step into the No. 3 TE role with the potential to jump even higher with some further development.

Round 6: No pick (Quinn trade w/ Dolphins)

Round 7: DeeJay Dallas, RB, Miami

After selecting a RB in the seventh round that failed to make the 53-man roster the last two years (Bo Scarbrough and Mike Weber), the third time could, in fact, be the charm if the team lands Miami RB DeeJay Dallas.

With a name like that, he has to be destined for a star on his helmet.

The Cowboys have proven to want a bell-cow style of a back as the No. 3 RB and Dallas -- listed at 5-10, 220 pounds -- definitely fulfills that requirement. Thus far this year, Dallas has 74 carries for 487 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and six touchdowns.

He possesses impressive contact balance to break through the arm tackles of would-be tacklers to go along with notable burst for his size.

Unfortunately, Dallas’ burst doesn’t translate to outstanding long speed, as he has often been chased down from behind when in the open field.

Dallas is a downhill runner who possesses likable vision to go with his power and burst as a runner. His upright running style makes it difficult for him to elude defenders -- he’s never going to be the type of back who layers jump cuts together while slaloming through a defense.

He’s not going to get confused with Alvin Kamara anytime soon, but he can be an effective receiver out of the backfield on screens, swing routes and check downs. Dallas has 11 catches for 82 yards and a touchdown this season.

Overall, Dallas has the play style and skill set to be an effective No. 3 RB for the Cowboys, making him a nice selection in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Enjoy this post? More film studies:

-- 3 changes the Cowboys need to make during the bye week, including CB Jourdan Lewis’ spot on the depth chart

-- 3 takeaways from the Cowboys’ domination of the Eagles, including how Kellen Moore got the offense back on track

-- Why DeMarcus Lawrence isn’t playing as poorly as his sack total suggests