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Format's a little jacked, but you hosers can figure it out:
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IRVING, Texas - The NFL Draft is just about two weeks out, so it's time for the staff writers at DallasCowboys.com to weigh in. Whether it's a wish or more of an educated guess, writers Rob Phillips, Josh Ellis and Nick Eatman have given their eight-pick mocks, trying to fill the needs for this Cowboys team.
In this first edition of the series, all three writers went defense, but took a different player and position. Alabama is represented well with both Dont'a Hightower and Mark Barron getting picked, along with Memphis' Dontari Poe.
ROUND
NICK EATMAN
ROB PHILLIPS
JOSH ELLIS
1st
(14th overall)
Dont'a Hightower,
OLB - Alabama
Mark Barron,
S - Alabama
Dontari Poe,
DT - Memphis
2nd
(45th overall)
Kendall Reyes,
DE - UConn
Ronnell Lewis,
LB - Oklahoma
Jayron Hosley,
CB - Virginia Tech
3rd
(81st overall)
Doug Martin,
RB - Boise State
Jamell Fleming,
CB - Oklahoma
Donte Paige-Moss,
OLB - North Carolina
4th
(113th overall)
Joe Adams,
WR - Arkansas
Trevor Guyton,
DE - California
Philip Blake,
C - Baylor
4th
(135th overall)
Leonard Johnson,
CB - Iowa State
Philip Blake,
C - Baylor
Cliff Harris,
CB - Oregon
5th
(152nd overall)
Mitchell Schwartz,
GT/T - California
Vick Ballard,
RB - Miss. St.
Greg Childs,
WR - Arkansas
6th
(186th overall)
Jonathan Massoquai,
OLB/DE - Troy
Marcel Jones,
OT - Nebraska
Andrew Datko,
OT - Florida State
7th
(222nd overall)
Matt Johnson,
S - Eastern Washington
Danny Coale,
WR - Virginia Tech
G.J. Kinne,
QB - Tulsa
Ellis' Mock Analysis: I've thought for some time that Dontari Poe is the defensive player who can best help the Cowboys in the years to come, not only because he has the physical tools to develop into a catalytic nose tackle, but also because drafting him would allow Jay Ratliff to slide to defensive end, which should allow him to age a bit more gracefully. I think cornerback is an underrated need, because the contracts to Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick could preclude the team from signing Mike Jenkins long-term. A rookie fourth cornerback in 2012 may be asked to start in 2013. I'm also on board with the strategy of drafting guys whose stock has slipped because of injuries, hence Childs, who should be fully recovered from a 2010 injury in 2012, and Paige-Moss, who is likely to miss the entire season. Blake could compete to start at center this year, and Harris might be a difference-maker in the return game.
Phillips' Mock Analysis: It's no coincidence these first four picks have a defensive flavor. I'm not convinced the Cowboys will wind up picking at No. 14, but Barron should be there somewhere in the middle of the first round. He's more of a strong safety, but he's got speed, he's a playmaker and he's a winner. All good traits to add to the secondary. The Cowboys are still looking for pass-rush help despite franchising Anthony Spencer, and Lewis is a starting-caliber prospect that fits as a stand-up linebacker. Fleming is an athletic, competitive corner who adds depth at a thin position. Guyton and Blake would ideally compete for playing time right away at defensive end and center, respectively. The offense has been inconsistent in short-yardage and goal-line situations, and Ballard is more of a smash-mouth back in the mold of Marion Barber.
Eatman's Mock Analysis: I like both of the other picks on these lists for the first round. I can see how Poe fits and I also think the Cowboys would love to get the best safety in the draft in Barron. But I just keep hearing how great Hightower is. Not sure where he will play right away, but eventually he's an outside linebacker. No one that talks about him says anything but how great he will be. That's good enough for me with a defense that needs playmakers. This might be too low for the UConn DE who has some first-round potential but if he slides, he could be a great fit on the line. Look for another RB to get picked and Martin has some return ability. Speaking of that, Arkansas' Adams is lethal as a punt returner and could be a great slot receiver. I've liked Johnson for a long time. I just think if you can cover well at Iowa State, you're NFL ready. Schwartz plays every spot on the line and his versatility is great. And why not take a stab at yet another pass-rusher from Troy, since it worked so well before.
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IRVING, Texas - The NFL Draft is just about two weeks out, so it's time for the staff writers at DallasCowboys.com to weigh in. Whether it's a wish or more of an educated guess, writers Rob Phillips, Josh Ellis and Nick Eatman have given their eight-pick mocks, trying to fill the needs for this Cowboys team.
In this first edition of the series, all three writers went defense, but took a different player and position. Alabama is represented well with both Dont'a Hightower and Mark Barron getting picked, along with Memphis' Dontari Poe.
ROUND
NICK EATMAN
ROB PHILLIPS
JOSH ELLIS
1st
(14th overall)
Dont'a Hightower,
OLB - Alabama
Mark Barron,
S - Alabama
Dontari Poe,
DT - Memphis
2nd
(45th overall)
Kendall Reyes,
DE - UConn
Ronnell Lewis,
LB - Oklahoma
Jayron Hosley,
CB - Virginia Tech
3rd
(81st overall)
Doug Martin,
RB - Boise State
Jamell Fleming,
CB - Oklahoma
Donte Paige-Moss,
OLB - North Carolina
4th
(113th overall)
Joe Adams,
WR - Arkansas
Trevor Guyton,
DE - California
Philip Blake,
C - Baylor
4th
(135th overall)
Leonard Johnson,
CB - Iowa State
Philip Blake,
C - Baylor
Cliff Harris,
CB - Oregon
5th
(152nd overall)
Mitchell Schwartz,
GT/T - California
Vick Ballard,
RB - Miss. St.
Greg Childs,
WR - Arkansas
6th
(186th overall)
Jonathan Massoquai,
OLB/DE - Troy
Marcel Jones,
OT - Nebraska
Andrew Datko,
OT - Florida State
7th
(222nd overall)
Matt Johnson,
S - Eastern Washington
Danny Coale,
WR - Virginia Tech
G.J. Kinne,
QB - Tulsa
Ellis' Mock Analysis: I've thought for some time that Dontari Poe is the defensive player who can best help the Cowboys in the years to come, not only because he has the physical tools to develop into a catalytic nose tackle, but also because drafting him would allow Jay Ratliff to slide to defensive end, which should allow him to age a bit more gracefully. I think cornerback is an underrated need, because the contracts to Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick could preclude the team from signing Mike Jenkins long-term. A rookie fourth cornerback in 2012 may be asked to start in 2013. I'm also on board with the strategy of drafting guys whose stock has slipped because of injuries, hence Childs, who should be fully recovered from a 2010 injury in 2012, and Paige-Moss, who is likely to miss the entire season. Blake could compete to start at center this year, and Harris might be a difference-maker in the return game.
Phillips' Mock Analysis: It's no coincidence these first four picks have a defensive flavor. I'm not convinced the Cowboys will wind up picking at No. 14, but Barron should be there somewhere in the middle of the first round. He's more of a strong safety, but he's got speed, he's a playmaker and he's a winner. All good traits to add to the secondary. The Cowboys are still looking for pass-rush help despite franchising Anthony Spencer, and Lewis is a starting-caliber prospect that fits as a stand-up linebacker. Fleming is an athletic, competitive corner who adds depth at a thin position. Guyton and Blake would ideally compete for playing time right away at defensive end and center, respectively. The offense has been inconsistent in short-yardage and goal-line situations, and Ballard is more of a smash-mouth back in the mold of Marion Barber.
Eatman's Mock Analysis: I like both of the other picks on these lists for the first round. I can see how Poe fits and I also think the Cowboys would love to get the best safety in the draft in Barron. But I just keep hearing how great Hightower is. Not sure where he will play right away, but eventually he's an outside linebacker. No one that talks about him says anything but how great he will be. That's good enough for me with a defense that needs playmakers. This might be too low for the UConn DE who has some first-round potential but if he slides, he could be a great fit on the line. Look for another RB to get picked and Martin has some return ability. Speaking of that, Arkansas' Adams is lethal as a punt returner and could be a great slot receiver. I've liked Johnson for a long time. I just think if you can cover well at Iowa State, you're NFL ready. Schwartz plays every spot on the line and his versatility is great. And why not take a stab at yet another pass-rusher from Troy, since it worked so well before.
