*Unlike other mock drafts, this is a “what I would do” exercise. Not what I think the team will do, but what they should do. So you can really rip me if you hate this pick.

2016 NFL “What I Would Do” Mock Draft

1. Tennessee Titans: OT Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi
2. Cleveland Browns: S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
3. San Diego Chargers: LB Myles Jack, UCLA
4. Dallas Cowboys: OTC

Has any team in the league had better first round picks than Dallas since 2010? The selections, in order:

2010: WR Dez Bryant
2011: OT Tyron Smith
2012: CB Morris Claiborne (meh)
2013: C Travis Frederick
2014: OG Zack Martin
2015: DB Byron Jones

With the exception of Claiborne, each of the franchise’s first round picks from ’10 to ’14 is among the best in the league at their position, while Jones is coming off an impressive rookie campaign. Say what you want about Jerry Jones as a person, but there is no question the man knows how to build a winning football team.

This year Dallas comes into the draft with a few clear cut needs at defensive end, running back, wide receiver, safety and a developmental quarterback to groom behind the oft-injured Tony Romo. Linebacker could also be a position the team looks to improve in preparation for when Sean Lee goes down with another long-term injury.

I think the Cowboys will target one of five possibilities with the fourth overall pick. DB Jalen Ramsey, LB Myles Jack, DE Joey Bosa, QB Carson Wentz, or RB Ezekiel Elliott. Jared Goff may get consideration as well, but I don’t think Dallas likes him as much as they do Wentz’s potential down the road. But the Cowboys get no say in this mock; this is what yours truly would pull off as GM of the ‘boys.

With Ramsey and Jack off the board, I can easily eliminate Wentz as my current QB4 with a second round grade. I don’t think Dallas is, or should be interested in taking a quarterback at no. 4, not in this class. There are guys with promise that you can find later in the draft, but Dallas’ roster is set to win-now if they can keep Romo healthy. You’ve got to find weapons to build around him and make a run at a Super Bowl title.

That leaves the decision between Bosa and Elliott, Ohio State teammates who even shared an apartment together at one point in college. Bosa offers day one starting ability and an incredibly high floor, filling a huge need for Dallas with Greg Hardy likely on his way out and Randy Gregory set to be suspended for the first four games of the season. The Buckeyes edge defender isn’t an overly dynamic pass rusher, but Bosa’s ability to win with quickness and power should be a welcome sight in Dallas. Think about passing downs with Gregory and Demarcus Lawrence coming off the edge and Bosa and Tyrone Crawford inside? Whew.

And then there is Elliott, a consensus top five player in the draft and one of the better running back prospects I’ve ever seen. Built for any scheme and every running style, Elliott is durable, tough, hard-working, athletic, shifty, and runs with the vision of an NFL veteran. His innate feel for the game allows him to find daylight quickly, bouncing off tacklers with his low pad level and well-muscled frame. There are no drawbacks to his game either, as Elliott is an exceptional receiver and blocker, and should instantly star as a three-down back in the NFL.

Dallas could explore trading down, but I’m not sure who their target would be unless they are in love with Vernon Hargreaves, Shaq Lawson, or Noah Spence. You can never rule out Jerry wheelin’ and dealing’, but I think the Cowboys will stay put at no. 4, barring something unforeseen of course.

I love Bosa’s fit in Dallas and think he could be an excellent player there, but even with Alfred Morris on board, there is no way I’m passing on a talent like Elliott at no. 4. The damage the Ohio State star can do behind the best offensive line in football cannot be overstated, as Elliott offers a greater ability to carry the Cowboys offense in Romo’s absence than any quarterback in this draft could. Stop telling me about how Dallas can grab a running back in the middle rounds and be fine. This is about putting the best possible team on the field around Romo, and Elliott’s addition makes Dallas an instant Super Bowl favorite.

Even if Ramsey and Jack are on the board, Elliott needs to be the pick. Don’t get me wrong, Bosa. Ramsey, and Jack would all probably excel in Dallas, but they won’t be able to offer the impact Elliott can every time he touches the rock. He’s a game-changer in a draft void of that kind of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Despite the plethora of tempting options, there is only one real choice for Jerry.

The Pick: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

The Jacksonville Jaguars are now on the clock. . .