Clarence Hill NFL mock draft 1.0: Will Dallas Cowboys pick TCU standout Quentin Johnston?

The Dallas Cowboys have filled all of their obvious needs in free agency, especially at receiver when they traded fifth- and sixth-round picks to the Houston Texans in exchange for speedy veteran Brandin Cooks.

So the Cowboys can truly take the best player available, regardless of position, with the 26th pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, set for April 27.

Various mock drafts have them picking all over the board with Texas running back Bijan Robinson and Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer among the notable selections. But offensive line, defensive line, cornerback and receiver are all positions linked to the Cowboys in the first round.

The Cowboys options are wide open, but it must be noted the team continues to do its due diligence at receiver.

Three potential first-round prospects have already taken pre-draft visits to the team’s headquarters at the Star in Frisco, namely Quentin Johnston of TCU, Zay Flowers of Boston College and Jalin Hyatt of Tennessee.

Even with the addition of Cooks, the Cowboys will most certainly take a receiver in the draft, and don’t be surprised if it’s in the first round.

At 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds, Johnson has a unique size and speed package that might make him too enticing pass up if he still on the board.

Johnston would make a nice long-term complement to CeeDee Lamb for the Cowboys.

Here is the Star-Telegram’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0:

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

This has essentially been a no-brainer since the Panthers secured the No. 1 pick from the Bears.

2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Houston gets their man. There is no better prepared or ready to play quarterback in the draft.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama

The Cardinals may be getting the draft’s best overall prospect in Anderson.

4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

If the Colts don’t make a deal for Lamar Jackson, Richardson is their man.

5. Seattle Seahawks: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

Tyree Wilson may be the highest drafted defender coming out of Texas Tech.

6. Detroit Lions: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

The Lions need a dominant inside player to go with rush end Aiden Hutchinson, who was drafted a year ago.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Levis is a wild card here, as he is one of the biggest boom or busts in the draft.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Carter was a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick before character concerns caused him to fall.

9. Chicago Bears: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

The Bears have committed to QB Justin Field; now they must protect him.

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

This is too easy and makes too much sense, running back value theorists be damned.

11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

The Titans must rebuild their offensive line after releasing longtime left tackle Taylor Lewan.

12. Houston Texans: Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa

Texans’ first-year coach DeMeco Ryans knows the importance of building a defense and a strong pass rush.

13. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

The Jets have done a good job in free agency. If Aaron Rodgers is coming, the Jets need to protect him.

14. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

The Patriots still need help at cornerback, and Gonzalez is the best one in the draft.

15. Green Bay Packers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Green Bay is planning to go with Jordan Love at QB. A TE is a young QB’s best friend.

16. Washington Commanders: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Ilinois

Witherspoon is ranked by some as the best CB in the draft. He is big, physical and can cover.

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

This is seemingly a match made in heaven with Porter following in his father’s footsteps.

18. Detroit Lions: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson

Detroit continues to bolster the defense with an edge who can generate pressure and stuff the run.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

Tampa Bay has several holes to fill, but getting better in the trenches is a must.

20. Seattle Seahawks: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

Seattle hit it big with Fort Worth’s Tariq Woolen last year. Now they solidify CB for the future.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

Kellen Moore bolsters the receiver corps with a tight end who can stretch the field.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

The Ravens need weapons outside, and Smith-Njigba is the best route runner and playmaker in the draft.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

The Vikings’ biggest need is at cornerback, and Cam Smith would be a walk-in starter.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Branch, S, Alabama

Jacksonville has talent in abundance. Branch is a playmaker who can direct it all from the back end.

25. New York Giants: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

The Giants paid QB Daniel Jones. Now they get him a big-time pass-catching option.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU

The Cowboys traded for Brandin Cooks, but they could still use help at WR. Johnson is a big, fast playmaker.

27. Buffalo Bills: Jordan Allison, WR, USC

The Bills finally get some help for Stefon Diggs and another playmaker for Josh Allen.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Joe Burrow already has two of the best WRs in NFL. Now he gets a tight end to complement it all.

29. New Orleans Saints: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

The Saints lost Marcus Davenport, and Smith comes in as a situational pass rusher as a rookie.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

The Eagles lost T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White in free agency, and Nakobe Dean needs help in the middle.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

The Chiefs could use a pass rusher, but they give Patrick Mahomes another fast downfield threat.

Note: There are only 31 picks this year because the Dolphins had to forfeit their pick for violating integrity-of-the-game rules.