2015 NFL Mock Draft: Dallas Cowboys Select CB Jalen Collins at No. 27

With the No. 27 pick in the DBN 2015 NFL Mock Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select...

Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

The selection and write-up were made by Twilightcall06:

With Gurley and Gordon off the board in this mock, the heir apparent to DeMarco Murray in round 1 is out of the question. Moving along to other areas of need, Dallas is lacking defensively after losing Henry Melton in the offseason. At least on paper at the beginning of last year, the defense looked like a hot mess. In losing some players, and now losing their newly signed free agent, Greg Hardy, to a 10 game suspension, that defense is looking even worse than last year at this time.

Now, losing Hardy on an already depleted line would almost make me want to go with a DE to fill the void and bolster the line once he comes back from suspension. But the "best available" DE on the board at this point is Nate Orchard, which I think is a reach in the first round.  As such, I'm going with another need for the Cowboys at Cornerback and taking the best available in Jalen Collins from LSU.

Collins has the ability to change direction quickly and the size and speed to keep up with NFL level receivers, but is knocked for being raw in technique, relying more on his athleticism and natural talent. The Cowboys were ranked 22nd in overall defense last year, but only had 18 interceptions. Collins will likely be similar to Justin Gilbert of the Browns in that he's got high potential, but raw technique that will need developed, and CB's are notorious for being only so-so year one, so I don't expect him to come out and be a worldbeater, but he'll contribute probably in the slot until he gets adjusted to NFL speed. With time he could become a star CB for Dallas, which is something they need.

It'll be interesting to see if anything happens on draft day with the Cowboys and RB Adrian Peterson. You never know. With Gurley and Gordon gone, though, I agree that it's not worth investing a first-round pick in Murray's replacement here. If it's not a running back at No. 27 overall, though, I think it's tough determining what player is the right pick here. I don't value this year's cornerback class very high, but if Dallas knows only one is off the board when they are on the clock, I could see them pulling the trigger on one.

The Denver Broncos are up next, led by Maverick Hunter X.

2015 DBN Community Mock Draft Results (so far)