You hear it all the time in the NFL world but rarely do we ask ourselves what it really means: Best player available. A Draft approach general managers preach about but in all honestly don't fully follow.
In this Dallas Cowboys mock draft, we're sticking to it. No. Matter. What. That's right, Kevin Costner style. Positional value and team needs be damned. Whoever is at the top of the draft board is the name we'll pick in this little general manager exercise.
And to celebrate the release of The Athletic's "The Beast" Draft Guide by Dane Brugler, we're using his Top 100 board to dictate who is the best available. The Cowboys are on the clock...
Round 1, Pick 12: LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
The Cowboys have many more pressing needs but Walker is the highest-graded player on our board and as such, it's time for Matt Eberflus to get a nice welcome gift. Walker can blur the line between off-ball linebacker and edge rusher and his talent needs developing. But if Dallas wants the best player on the board, Walker's traits justify the choice.
Brugler's take: Overall, Walker doesn’t have elite size for edge work, but he is at his best using his long, sleek athleticism to explode downhill and close at the top of his rush to affect the quarterback. There is projection involved with his evaluation, but his pass-rush upside and overall versatility make him one of the best talents in the class.
Round 2, Pick 44: TE Mason Taylor, LSU
Jake Ferguson will hit free agency in 2026 and picking Taylor would give the Cowboys some options financially speaking. Ferguson has been promising but he has yet to hit another level after a down 2024 season. Taylor is ranked 33rd in Brugler's board in large part because of his every-down value.
Brugler's take: Overall, Taylor was Mr. Reliable in the LSU offense — and can be the same for an NFL team, because of his his good-sized athleticism, reliable ball skills and competitive blocking. He projects as a solid NFL starter who doesn’t have to leave the field and has some similarities to Hunter Henry.
Round 3, Pick 76: WR Jalen Royals, Utah State
In focusing on the best player available, the Cowboys passed on their most urgent need for two rounds but the stars align in the third. Dallas needs to help CeeDee Lamb with a WR2 and though it might take Royals a while to fully develop into a starting role, the former basketball player showed out during Senior Bowl week.
Brugler's take: Overall, Taylor was Mr. Reliable in the LSU offense — and can be the same for an NFL team, because of his his good-sized athleticism, reliable ball skills and competitive blocking. He projects as a solid NFL starter who doesn’t have to leave the field and has some similarities to Hunter Henry.
