Four-round mock draft: Cowboys grab QB Wentz at No. 4

Published: Jan 29, 2016 at 08:37 AM

Chad Reuter

Draft Analyst

Putting together a four-round mock draft is like someone giving you 150 pieces for a 127-piece puzzle ... and you have to figure out which ones don't fit.

The reason I went through this exercise so early in the draft process is to display the sheer depth of talent in this year's class -- thanks mostly to the 107 high-quality players that submitted for early entry despite still owning one or two years of collegiate eligibility.

There is a good chance that some of the players I project in the second round will be picked in the first. Several prospects listed in the third or fourth rounds could wind up being second-round picks after the draft process has run its course.

Adding Laremy Tunsil will allow former first-round pick Taylor Lewan to man the right side, giving Marcus Mariota two excellent tackles to keep defensive ends off his back.

The Browns' new front office brings in Jared Goff to jump-start a moribund franchise with just three winning seasons since returning to Cleveland in 1999.

Philip Rivers needs to be protected if he is to compete for an AFC title before he retires, and Ronnie Stanley's just the man to do the job.

Tony Romo is undergoing surgery this off-season, and is already 35 years old. The Cowboys coached Carson Wentz at the Senior Bowl this week, so they'll find out all they need to know if they want to take him here.

Play Jalen Ramsey at corner, play him at safety ... he'll make an impact in either spot.

Terrell Suggs is near the end and Courtney Upshaw is a free agent. Joey Bosa might not be quite as explosive as Suggs once was, but he's a damn fine player who will wreak havoc and play assignment-sure.

Chip Kelly finds a superstar in Laquon Treadwell to help out Colin Kaepernick return to his early career form.

Miami struggled to get a consistent pass rush this season, averaging less than two sacks per game. Shaq Lawson can help in that respect, and could take Olivier Vernon's spot if he leaves via free agency.

The Buccaneers find a playmaker in the secondary ... throw Vernon Hargreaves III's way at your own peril.

Building talent up front is a hallmark of the Giants, so grabbing a versatile defender like DeForest Buckner here makes a lot of sense.

The Bears can play the athletic and tough-minded Myles Jack in any spot in their linebacking corps.

The Saints begin the revamping of their defense with Andrew Billings, a load in the middle who will also collapse the pocket as a pass-rusher.

If new coordinator Jim Schwartz changes the Eagles' defensive front to his typical 4-3, A'Shawn Robinson should bolster the unit's interior, even allowing the athletic Fletcher Cox to play outside on early downs.

The Raiders simply take the best defensive player on the board, betting that Jaylon Smith will return from injury without an issue.

A new town for the Rams (same as the old town) means the need for a new strong-armed, agile gunslinger at quarterback such as Paxton Lynch.

Taylor Decker joins fellow former Big Ten star lineman Riley Reiff on the Lions' O-line, with the hopes that it helps in pass protection (44 sacks allowed in 2015) and the consistency of the bottom-ranked rush offense in the league.

The Falcons had 19 sacks in 16 games, making them the least potent pass rush in the NFL. Kevin Dodd will be a much-needed shot in the arm.

Andrew Luck will see his team picking the tough-minded tackle in Jack Conklin and say, "yes, please."

Darron Lee's potential is sky high. With Nigel Bradham a free agent and Manny Lawson on the other side of 30, it makes sense for the Ryan brothers to add another athletic linebacker into the mix.

Demario Davis is a free agent, so if he doesn't return, the Jets would love to plug in Reggie Ragland next to David Harris in the middle of their defense.

Washington finds another playmaker for the secondary with Mackensie Alexander, who happens to be a former teammate of current starter Bashaud Breeland.

Since there aren't any quarterbacks worth the value of this pick, the Texans take Ezekiel Elliott as they look to replace the 30-year-old Arian Foster, who is coming off a torn Achilles and is due a large salary in 2016.

Josh Doctson's wrist probably won't keep him out of the first round, allowing the Vikings grab him as a legit deep threat for blossoming passer Teddy Bridgewater.

Braxton Miller's still learning the position, but his athleticism and natural hands will earn him high grades. Combining A.J. Green and Miller on the outside will only make Tyler Eifert more dangerous ... and Andy Dalton more comfortable.

Three of the Steelers' top four corners are free agents, and Cortez Allen is coming off an injury. Eli Apple, coming off his redshirt sophomore season, is just scratching the surface of his potential.

Sheldon Rankins' get-off and motor bolsters an interior defensive line in need of bodies right away, as free agents Ahtyba Rubin and Brandon Mebane may or may not return in 2016.

It's unclear whether the Packers will re-sign either of their free-agent nose tackles, B.J. Raji and Letroy Guion. Jarran Reed's power up front will be needed, and he's able to test guards with more quickness than you'd expect.

Jonathan Bullard gives the Chiefs a versatile performer on the defensive line, as he's able to hold his own between the A-gaps but also step outside to challenge tackles with a quick first step.

Leonard Floyd can help the Cardinals building the pass rush, which is crucial to stay ahead of the Seahawks in the NFC West.

A versatile defender in the mold of Pro Bowl linebacker Thomas Davis, coach Ron Rivera could use Darian Thompson to replace veteran free agent Roman Harper in 2016 and move him inside whenever Davis retires.

The Broncos' offensive line needs to be upgraded with a player such as Vadal Alexander if Brock Osweiler is to be successful taking over from Peyton Manning in 2016.

Prospects worthy of selection in Rounds 1-4

» Damontee Kazee, CB, San Diego State
» Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota
» Zach Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma
» Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State
» Kamalei Correa, DE/OLB, Boise State
» Antwaun Woods, DT, USC
» Matt Ioannidis, DE, Temple
» Charles Tapper, DE, Oklahoma
» Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford
» Tyler Matakevich, ILB, Temple
» Kyle Murphy, OG/OT, Stanford
» Rees Odhiambo, OG/OT, Boise State
» Yannik Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland
» Terrance Smith, OLB, Florida State
» Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
» Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
» Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
» Elijah Shumate, S, Notre Dame
» Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina
» Darion Griswold, TE, Arkansas State
» Kenny Lawler, WR, California
» Paul McRoberts, WR, Southeast Missouri State
» Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia
» Tajae Sharpe, WR, UMass
» De'Runnya Wilson, WR, Mississippi State

Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter _@ChadReuter_.

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