California quarterback Jared Goff passes against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
ESPN draft analyst is trying to play general manager for all 32 NFL teams in his latest “Grade: A” mock draft.
And when he gets to the Cowboys’ No. 4 pick, he has Dallas taking California quarterback Jared Goff off of the board.
Editor’s note: To view 10 more mock drafts all in one place, click right here.
“Tony Romo turns 36 on April 21 and he’s coming off a season in which he played just four games after suffering two collarbone injuries,” McShay points out. “It’s time for the Cowboys to start planning for their future at QB. … You can’t just ignore the game’s most important position, especially a season after seeing the true value of having a competent backup in place. It’d be the perfect situation for Goff, too. He’d get time to transition to the pro game after playing in a spread system at Cal, while also getting to learn from Romo and coach Jason Garrett.
In the Grade: A mock draft, McShay isn’t trying to project what each team is going to do. Instead, he tries to pick based on what’s best for each team at their draft slot.
In the second round, McShay helps clear up the Cowboys’ pass-rush picture by drafting Clemson defensive end Kevin Dodd. He takes Oklahoma receiver Sterling Shepard with the Cowboys’ third-round pick.
Other notable picks in McShay’s draft:
1. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
2. Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
3. San Diego Chargers: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
6. Baltimore Ravens: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
7. San Francisco 49ers: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
8. Philadelphia Eagles: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
22. Houston Texans: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
26. Seattle Seahawks: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
30. Carolina Panthers: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
31. Denver Broncos: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
37. San Francisco 49ers: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
72. Chicago Bears: Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas
77. Philadelphia Eagles: Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
90. Seattle Seahawks: Le’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech