2020 NFL Mock Draft: Dueling GMs mock sees Redskins make big move

Jacob: The Cowboys are likely to go defense with this pick. Because they had to extend Amari Cooper and tag Dak Prescott, the team let talented corner Byron Jones walk while Robert Quinn and Maliek Collins, an edge rusher and defensive lineman, also weren’t retained.

At this juncture, it makes sense for the Cowboys to target help on the defensive line. Two players stand out as options: K’Lavon Chaisson and Javon Kinlaw. The Cowboys could go with either but after adding Dontari Poe and Gerald McCoy in free agency and spending a second-round pick on Trystan Hill last season, I think they’ll go with Chaisson.

Chaisson has emerged as the second-best edge rush prospect in this class. He has a very high athletic ceiling and logged 6.5 sacks as part of LSU’s strong defense that led them to the national title. His bend and flexibility are great and he should be tough to contain off the edge as he continues to develop pass rushing moves.

An interesting note for the Cowboys: NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Chaisson’s skill set to that of Aldon Smith, who Dallas is giving another chance to play in the NFL after a few years away from the field. If Smith can help teach Chaisson the ins and outs of being a successful pass rusher at the NFL level — and let’s not forget that Smith once had 19.5 sacks in a single season — Chaisson could develop his athletic skill set quicker than expected.

I have no qualms about slotting Kinlaw here either, as both Poe and McCoy are getting up there in terms of age. But for the time being, I think Chaisson fills the bigger need for the Cowboys and his potential is just as great as that of Kinlaw.