2012 NFL Mock Draft Round Up Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a talented team that just not has been able to figure out how to win big football games recently. Some will pin that on the quarterback, but there are more issues than that. The Cowboys have quietly been a team that has drafted best player available in the draft on their board and I expect that to continue this year. I was curious to see if other mocks around the web had a large variance of players for the Cowboys.
Selection: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Explanation:
The Cowboys have to be thrilled with both Kirkpatrick and Stanford OG David DeCastro still on the board. However, I see them opting for the big corner because of the overall priority of the position.
Nepatriotsdraft.com
Selection: David DeCastro
Explanation:
DeCastro is a Logan Mankins-esque blocker with few true weaknesses in his game. He is brutally strong, mobile, smart, and fills a huge need. Is probably a Top-10 talent, but the guard position is often undervalued
Selection: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Explanation:
Dre Kirkpatrick may slip a bit under suspicion of drug use, but I can’t see him falling past the Cowboys, unless someone else falls very unexpectedly. The Cowboys have taken chances of guys with minor character red flags and they desperately need cornerback help. If they can stop the Giants aerial attack late in the 4th quarter of their first game, maybe it’s them and not the Giants hoisting the Super Bowl trophy now…or they lose in the first round to Atlanta, but still, they would have made the playoffs. They ranked 24th in the league against the pass last season and will probably cut the overpaid and 34 year old Terence Newman this offseason. That leaves them with Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins. They need another cornerback in the mix.
Selection: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Explanation:
This is not as big a shake-up as it may seem, as the Cowboys simply flip-flopped positions for the 1st and 2nd rounds from last week’s CMD. Even though we do not include trades in the main simulation, this assumes a small trade down for Dallas in the 1st; although if questions regarding Konz’s durability are resolved, this may be appropriate value. Next to left tackle, center is the most important position on the OL. The Cowboys depth chart has starter Phil Costa (2nd year UDFA) and Kevin Kowalski (rookie UDFA): this “less than dynamic” duo were overpowered at the point of attack in 2011, leading to Tony Romo demonstrating his Houdini skills and HC Jason Garret calling a large percentage of outside running plays. Konz may be the only “sure-fire” center prospect in the 2011 draft class and is also highly rated as an OG, which increases the value of the pick over a prospect that can only play one position. A 3-year starter for the Badgers, he should be a Day One starter for Dallas
It’s interesting here everyone thinks the Cowboys will go cornerback or interior offensive linemen and while I agree that those are two possibilities I think there is one position that is being seriously underrated need for the Cowboys. Defensive End they have not had an impact defensive end in a long time and they are using role players at that position right now. I’m convinced that if Tyron Smith had been gone last year the Cowboys would have drafted J.J. Watt and I think this year too that Devon Still, Michael Brockers, and Fletcher Cox are three players to keep an eye out for the Dallas Cowboys even though I never see it mocked there.
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