Dallas Cowboys Perfect Draft Blueprint

Some of you may have read my Dallas Cowboys draft day one perfect scenario. After some consideration and the suggestion of my lead editor I decided to finish what I started by doing a blueprint for a perfect draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Mocks are running rampant at this time of the year so to break away from the monotony I would like to break this years draft down into rounds and would attempt to draft if in fact I could play Jerry Jones for the draft weekend. I will be using a combination of Gil Brandt’s 2011 top 100 and the cbssportsline 2011 big board.

Round #1 Gabe Carimi OT, from Wisconsin

In round one it was obvious from the previous article above that it would of been the top five offensive lineman. Getting out of the round with any one of them would of been a plus. Trading down three to four spots would be ideal picking u an extra third round pick along the way would be that much sweeter. This scenario is very likely given Jerry Jones history with the draft. The five top lineman would of been Tyron Smith, Anthony Costanza, Nate Solder, Gabe Carimi and Mike Pouncey. After trading down and still getting any of these athletes would be perfect. All of them will be starters for years to come. For arguments sake we’ll say the Cowboys trade down with the Rams at the 14th spot and they choose Gabe Carimi OT, from Wisconsin and picking up this years 78th overall pick in the third round.

#40 Round 2 – Adrian Clayborn DE, Iowa.

After shoring up the offensive line in round one with this years draft being so deep at the defensive line position. It was safe to pass on one in the first round because one of the top rated D-linemen will probably fall this year because they all can’t be drafted in the first round. In a seven round mock draft I’m currently involved with on twitter called #mockthree Adrian Clayborn fell to the 40th spot. Now for Clayborn to fall all the way to 40 probably won’t happen but if it did Dallas would almost have to take him on value alone aside from him being one of the top rated defensive ends in the draft. For arguments sake we will pretend he is the one that falls again due to the questions about his arm issues. Pick is Adrian Clayborn DE, Iowa. If Clayborn isn’t there then the Cowboys may want to trade down yet again and possibly target interior lineman Marvin Austin or Stephen Paea, DT Oregon St.

#71 Round 3 – Ras-I Dawling, DB Virginia

Now in the third round the Cowboys will have the 71st pick and the 78th pick and after addressing the tackle position and the defensive line the Cowboys could still use an interior lineman, defensive back and to stock up on the offensive line wouldn’t so our next pick will either be. I believe here they will have the possibility to target one of two conerbacks one that will fall and the other that is rated mid thrid round. Ras-I Dawling will fall some where close to the 71st pick so maybe engineering a move up a couple spots to acquire his services will be needed but it shouldn’t cost us much maybe our 5th or 6th round pick. Dowling entered the 2010 season as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks, but after playing in only five games due to injury, his draft stock may have taken a hit. He is a monster of a cornerback who seeks out contact in run support and is a sound tackler. He really excels in zone coverage with terrific instincts and has the ball skills to make plays on underneath routes. He does lack recovery speed but a good nickel at the very least for the Cowboys. If Dowling is not available then the Cowboys should be able to secure Johnny Patrick DB, Louisville which seems far more likely, but hey this is a perfect draft scenario.

#78 Round 3 – Will Rackley OG, Lehigh

Picking up this extra pick from the Rams will help out tremendously when it comes to rebuilding the offensive line this year via the draft. Rackley played tackle in college but is projected as a guard in the NFL which helps to shore up the interior part of the offensive line. Other names to consider here in case Thomas isn’t there could be Marcus Gilbert OT, from Florida.

#110 Round 4 – Jordan Todman, RB UCONN

Maybe the best running back in combine that you’ve never heard of. Todman is considered more quick than fast, Todman showed his speed with a 4.4 40 yard dash at the combine. Great production at UConn, Toddman ran for 1695 yards and 14 TDs in 2010. Jordan eclipsed 1100 yards in each of his final 2 years at UConn, running for 14 touchdowns in both 2009 and 2010. Toddman was also named the Big East 2010 Offensive Player of the year. Everyone knows that Marion Barber’s time in Dallas is just about up so expect the Cowboys to target a running back some where in the middle rounds.

#112 Round 4 – Colin McCarthy LB, Miami

With no one knowing how much longer Keith Brooking has in his tank and Sean Lee still developing linebacker could be an area of concern for the Cowboys later in the draft. Colin McCarthy led a Miami defense in 2010 that ranked #1 in tackles for losses. High motor player that has great instincts. Should rack up a lot of tackles in the NFL once he gets on the field full time.

#143 Round 5 – Robert Sands, FS West Virginia

Since Darren Woodson’s last season in 2004 the Cowboys have drafted fifteen defensive backs hoping to find his replacement but it has been Jerry Jones achilles heel. Each year Dallas drafts another safety or defensive back hoping that they will fill the hole vacated by Woodson when he retired due to back injury concerns. Expect this draft to be no different. Robert Sands is a hard hitter in the mold of ROy Williams but patrols the deep middle a lot better than Williams. Sands who is still raw and may take a year or two in order to become acclimated to a full time job in the NFL in the mean time he should be able to contribute on special teams nicely.

#176 Round 6 – Cecil Shorts III, WR Mount Union

Shorts has great hands and catches everything. Looking to improve overall team speed here and with the loss of Sam Hurd Dallas will try and get the fifth wideout spot filled here in the late rounds of the draft and picking up Shorts this late should be a steal. Mount Union is also the Alma Mater of Pierre Garcon of the Indianapolis Colts.

#219 Round 7 – Chris Rucker CB, Michigan St.

Chris Rucker has excellent and speed for a cornerback. He is however considered high risk high reward due to his off the field issues while enrolled at Michigan St. Its always a long shot for a seventh rounder to make the team so if he does then great and if he doesn’t then it only cost a late 7th round pick in the draft. Lots of upside with this Rucker.

#251 Round 7 – Greg McElroy QB, Alabama

The Cowboys will either draft a quarterback late in order to fill the needed five QB’s that it takes to get through training camp or sign an undrafted rookie free agent. Regarless what better QB to bring in than a Rhodes Scholar selection finalist QB who scored a 43 on the Wonderlic Test. Let’s not also forget he also won a national championship at Alabama also. I wouldn’t expect him to be here this late but it wouldnt surprise me either. maybe round sixis the earliest he goes. But this is my Dallas Cowboys perfect draft blueprint.

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