Fansided

2018 NFL mock draft: Saquon Barkley heads to Giants

By Brad Weiss

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the football 92 yards to score a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the football 92 yards to score a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
19 of 32
Next
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne (94) looks to make a tackle during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne (94) looks to make a tackle during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

19. player. 123. . Defensive Tackle. Alabama. Da'Ron Payne

The 2017 Dallas Cowboys were expected to continue to move in the right direction, after posting the best record in the NFC during the regular season in 2016. However, star running back Ezekiel Elliott was suspended for six games, and in the process, the Cowboys lost their footing in the NFC playoff race. As the team looks towards next season, they will have Elliott back for a full 16-game slate, and third-year quarterback Dak Prescott should continue to progress as an elite passer in the league.

The issue heading into last season was all the losses the Cowboys suffered in their secondary. With a bunch of young guys back there, the Dallas secondary actually played above expectation, and should be one of the better units in the conference next season. Getting better up front on defense has to be a priority for the team in April, and Da’Ron Payne from Alabama should be the first defensive tackle off the board.

Payne is super athletic, and helped the Crimson Tide to two national titles in the last three years. He has the ability to push offensive lineman with ease, and has enough speed to cause havoc in the backfield. This Cowboys team will likely find themselves back in the playoffs during the 2018 NFL season, and the hope is that they can finally get out of the Divisional Round. Payne can help them do just that.

Home/NFL Mock Draft