Mel Kiper's Latest Mock Draft Features Big Change for the Cowboys in the First Round

Though the Dallas Cowboys have quietly enjoyed a nice offseason thus far, fans will be the first to proclaim that the franchise needs to address its secondary at some point.

With the No. 17 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Dallas will have plenty of players to choose from. In his latest mock, ESPN draft prognosticator Mel Kiper feels that the Cowboys will replenish the safety position and select Alabama standout Xavier McKinney, whom he believes is the best "pure" safety in this year's class.

How are we feeling, Cowboys Nation?

Kiper had Dallas drafting McKinney in his second simulation, which was released in February, but he changed paths in his 3.0 version and had the team taking Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, which falls more clearly in line with the consensus.

SHOP NOW: Fanatics has released their 2020 NFL Draft Hats!

This time around, Kiper projects that the former Sooners star will land with the San Francisco 49ers, who possess the No. 13 selection.

Dallas lost starters Byron Jones and Jeff Heath in the secondary this offseason. Pairing McKinney alongside free agent signing Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could be a sneaky-good tandem at safety.

Drafting the former Crimson Tide product just makes sense for the Cowboys. As much as fans would love to see the team add another stud WR for Dak Prescott, that position just isn't as much of a need, with Amari Cooper locked down and Michael Gallup already running the show.