INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 04: Trevor Penning #OL38 of Northern Iowa runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Some big names have departed from Dallas during the offseason, leaving the NFL Draft as a place the Cowboys need to find impact players.
Despite an offseason that has seen plenty of talented players move from the NFC to the AFC, the Dallas Cowboys feel like they have gone backward in the NFC’s hierarchy. Salary cap woes forced the Cowboys to trade Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns and cut starting right tackle La’el Collins, creating massive holes on offense that Dallas needs to fill.
The unexpected departure of Randy Gregory when it looked like a deal was done also adds more emphasis to Dallas’ need to add a pass rusher, creating more defined needs for Jerry Jones to address than there were when we did our previous mock draft for the Cowboys. Let’s take a post-free agency look at what Dallas may do with its nine picks in the 2022 draft.
Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft – First Round
24
Trevor Penning
OT Northern Iowa
Jones heavily implied that building up the trenches would be his priority with Dallas’ first-round pick. This makes the pick of Penning, a massive offensive tackle from Northern Iowa, a smart pick to try and fill Collins’ shoes at right tackle.
There will certainly be a jump in competition for Penning, who played collegiately at Northern Iowa, but the Cowboys can aid his development by putting him next to perennial All-Pro Zack Martin. Penning can be a tremendous asset in the running game, which will take on a bigger emphasis in Dallas with the departure of Cooper, since he knows how to use his imposing frame to maul defenders.
This pick would be a good long-term investment for the Cowboys as well since Penning can begin his career on the right side and slide over to left tackle in the future to succeed Tyron Smith. The odds of Penning lasting until Dallas’ second-round pick are slim so the Cowboys should pounce if he is available.