2018 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys 7-round mock
By Joe Romano
Round 2 – Pick 50
James Daniels, C/G, Iowa
The Dallas Cowboys had almost a historic offensive line during the 2016 season. Then Doug Free retired and Ronald Leary left in free agency. That shuffle caused ripple effects across the board. Confidence in the unit was still high as the 2017 season kicked off. Shortly into the season, star left tackle Tyron Smith re-injured a nagging back injury and missed games. Dallas never recovered and their line looked mediocre in his absence. The biggest hole in the unit is sandwiched between Smith and Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick at left guard. Grabbing a player that can plug into that spot should be a priority for this team this offseason.
Good news for the Cowboys in this mock draft as one of the draft’s best plug-and-play prospects was available at pick 50. Iowa center James Daniels is one of the better interior lineman in a talented guard/center class. He would bring that dependability to the position the Cowboys lacked a year ago. With him in place Dallas would again be the dominant unit it was two seasons ago.
Daniels is an impressive prospect. Standing 6-foot-4 and a svelte 295 pounds, he showed the athletic traits typical of most Iowa offensive lineman prospects. He is a candidate to put on weight and fill out his frame, strength is not the focal point of his game. What he lacks in strength he more than makes up for in intelligence, angles and foot work. Daniels puts on clinics getting to the second level, and when asked to zone block.
Fans will clamor for a receiver or defender in this position. Getting the line right will change the entire offense dramatically. A guard is not the flashy pick but Daniels has the tools to be a Pro Bowl player. Grabbing him, plugging him in at left guard and having that position set would be a steal for Dallas.