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Calvin Watkins’ NFL mock draft 2.0: Will Cowboys go offense or defense with pick No. 26?

Dallas has made moves on both sides of the ball over the past month. How does that affect their first-round pick?

We’re a month away from the start of the NFL draft, scheduled for April 27.

After numerous pro days in which the top quarterbacks (C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young) were impressive and the top defensive prospect (Jalen Carter) struggled, some things were cleared up.

Other questions remain, however. Will Young’s size keep him from the No. 1 overall spot? Did quarterback Anthony Richardson move into the Top 5? We had Dallas taking a guard in Mock Draft 1.0. What about Mock Draft 2.0? Also, don’t forget Miami doesn’t have a first-round pick this season.

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We try to answer these questions by providing statistics about each prospect in Mock Draft 2.0.

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1. Carolina: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Ohio State football quarterback C.J. Stroud runs a drill at the school's NFL Pro Day in...
Ohio State football quarterback C.J. Stroud runs a drill at the school's NFL Pro Day in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)(Paul Vernon / ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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The stat: Stroud completed 44 of 51 passes at his pro day according to The Athletic. He completed 71.9% of his passes in 2021, but those numbers dipped to 66.3% in 2022.

2. Houston: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

The stat: Young was measured at 5-10 1/8 and 204 pounds. That’s nearly the same size as Kyler Murray (5-10 1/8, 207 pounds). But Eddie LeBaron, the Cowboys’ QB from 1960-63, was listed at 5-9 and 168 pounds.

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3. Arizona: Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama

The stat: Out of 675 snaps, he played a season-high 76 against Mississippi State and recorded four tackles, seven quarterback hurries and one sack according to Pro Football Focus.

4. Indianapolis: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

The stat: During the 2022 season, he had 17 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions and nine rushing touchdowns. The Colts might trade up one spot to get him.

5. Seattle: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

The stat: In 2022, he produced 36 solo tackles, 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks. His recovery from a foot injury prevented him from working out at Tech’s pro day.

6. Detroit: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

The stat: The Colony native picked up 118 return yards on four interceptions in the 2022 season. He should be the first corner taken.

7. Las Vegas: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

The stat: While going 17-7 as a starter, Levis had 43 career passing touchdowns and six 300-yard passing games.

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8. Atlanta: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

The stat: Carter’s stock is dropping because of off-field issues and a poor pro day. But in 13 games (nine starts) he had 32 tackles with 31 quarterback hurries.

9. Chicago: Peter Skoronski, T, Northwestern

The stat: The best tackle in the draft is a Week 1 starter. Skoronski allowed one sack, two quarterback hits and three hurries in 871 snaps last season.

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10. Philadelphia: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

The Stat: In the 2021 Orange Bowl, Smith had a career-high seven QB pressures and eight tackles vs. Michigan. Outstanding talent.

11. Tennessee: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs a drill at the NFL football scouting...
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)(Michael Conroy / ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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The stat: The Rockwall product produced a school-record 95 catches and set a Big Ten record with 1,606 yards in 2021 before a hamstring injury shortened his 2022 season.

12. Houston: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

The stat: Pro Football Focus charted Addison with 102 snaps from the slot and 422 outside in the 2022 season.

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13. NY Jets: Paris Johnson, T, Ohio State

The stat: The Packers might have this pick with the pending trade with the Jets for QB Aaron Rodgers. Johnson started 23 consecutive games at tackle.

14. New England: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

The stat: In three seasons, Mayer had 18 touchdowns and 2,099 receiving yards. He’s the first TE off the board.

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15. Green Bay: Broderick Jones, T, Georgia

The stat: Jones made 19 starts the last two seasons at left tackle, with 15 coming in 2022. The Packers could use a wideout as well if they get the No. 13 pick, too.

16. Washington: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

The stat: The talented Johnston produced four 100-yard games in 2022 and had nine for his career. He’d be a solid pickup for Washington.

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17. Pittsburgh: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

The stat: Porter set a school record with six pass breakups at Purdue, which also tied the Big Ten record set by the Cowboys’ Jourdan Lewis (Michigan).

18. Detroit: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

The stat: He averaged 32.3 yards per return on his three interceptions and also had 17 pass breakups in 2022.

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19. Tampa Bay: Darnell Wright, T, Tennessee

The stat: He didn’t allow a sack in his last 19 games and made 27 starts at right tackle and 13 at left tackle. He might be a reach at this spot.

20. Seattle: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

The stat: Last season, Smith had 23 solo tackles and in 2021 allowed 15 catches on 32 targets. Seattle might go for a wideout instead.

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21. LA Chargers: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

The Stat: Flowers set Boston College’s season record in receiving touchdowns (12) and tied its record for receptions (78) in 2022.

22. Baltimore: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Texas running back Bijan Robinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in...
Texas running back Bijan Robinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)(Erin Hooley / ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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The stat: He’s fourth in school history with 3,410 rushing yards, and his 314 receiving yards in 2022 is the eighth-most for a running back.

23. Minnesota: O’Cyrus Torrence, G/T, Florida

The stat: In 355 pass-blocking attempts he didn’t allow a sack or a quarterback hit. He did give up eight QB hurries according to Pro Football Focus.

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24. Jacksonville: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

The stat: Remember the 79-yard touchdown interception in the 2021 CFP title game that sealed the win over Alabama? He does. The Jags improve their defense with Ringo.

25. NY Giants: Brian Branch, S, Alabama

The stat: The back end of the Giants’ defense gets a solid player who ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at the combine with a 34 ½-inch vertical and 10-5 broad jump.

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26. Dallas: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in...
Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)(Michael Conroy / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The stat: The need to improve the interior of the defensive line is solved. In 10 games, Bresee played 329 snaps (seven starts) with 16 tackles, 5 ½ tackles for loss and 3 ½ sacks.

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27. Buffalo: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

The stat: Yes, the Bills have Dawson Knox but add Kincaid. He’s played 55 Division I football games, 24 at San Diego and 31 with Utah.

28. Cincinnati: Dawand Jones, T, Ohio State

The stat: His stock fell with a lackluster combine in which he came in at 374 pounds and ran a 5.35 40. He was the heaviest offensive lineman at the combine.

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29. New Orleans: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

The stat: Smith had 34 reps in the bench press at the combine. On the field, he had 14 starts at nose tackle, with 48 tackles and 2 ½ tackles for loss.

30. Philadelphia: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

The stat: In one of his best games at Florida State, Murphy had six tackles, 3 ½ tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble.

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31. Kansas City: BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU

The Stat: In three seasons (34 games with 24 starts), he had 79 solo tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 16 ½ sacks and two forced fumbles.

Note: The Miami Dolphins forfeited the No. 21 pick for violating the league’s tampering rules in relation to Tom Brady and Sean Payton.

Twitter: @calvinwatkins

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