If the Cowboys don't mind drafting a player that has recently been arrested for possession of marijuana then Dre Kirkpatrick could be a draft day steal.
The Alabama corner is projected by many to be a top 10 talent but the drug charge is likely to hurt his stock. Rob Ryan had arguably the worst secondary in the league this season and the 6-3, 192-pounder could instantly improve the entire unit.
But would the Cowboys be too concerned with off the field issues to make the pick?
A few mock draft experts don't seem to think so.
Here is the latest gathering of predictions for what Jerry Jones and company will do with the 14th overall pick in April's draft.
SBNation.com’s Ryan Van Bibber
Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama.
Comment: "Another obvious fit for a team that tried to bluff its way through with Terrance Newman in the secondary. Kirkpatrick is a physical cornerback who excels in man coverage. He'll match up well in the NFC East against the Giants' receivers. Obligated to mention his marijuana arrest, it's nothing more than a reminder of how silly the draft stock game gets sometimes."
NationalFootballPost.com's Wes Bunting
Pick: Peter Konz, OL, Wisconsin.
Comment: "Center and guard are both needs in Dallas and the idea of adding a potential blue-chip lineman who has the skill set to play either spot is simply too good to pass up even at 14."
WalterFootball.com
Pick: David DeCastro, G, Stanford.
Comment: "The Cowboys have major issues on the interior of their offensive line. Left guard Derrick Dockery is a free agent after missing most of 2011 with a knee injury. Center Phil Costa sucks. Right guard Montrae Holland, meanwhile, can't really be relied upon.
"David DeCastro is one of the top interior linemen prospects to come along in years, and he's the highest-ranked prospect on the board. This is a perfect match."
DraftTek.com
Pick: Michael Brockers, DE, LSU
Comments: "After drafting the "People's Choice" OG David DeCastro last week, this CMD operates under the assumption that Cuzzin Jerruh opens his pocketbook and signs UFA Carl Nicks from the Saints to play OG. Any defensive backfield operates better when the opposing QB is pressured by the front seven; therefore, Dallas selects LSU Super Soph Michael Brockers (54 tackles, 10 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 int) to play DE on the opposite side of DeMarcus Ware (in front of OLB "Almost" Anthony Spencer ). Many Cowboy fans would like "Almost" replaced, but a comparative analysis of the top 12 strong side OLB34's in the league shows Spencer to rank 1st in total tackles, tied for 5th in sacks, tied for 1st in fumbles forced, tied for 2nd in QB hits and tied for 1st in tackles for loss. The Giants have demonstrated in their playoff run that down linemen can generate pressure - if Brent and Lissemore prove they can handle the nose, Ratliff and Brockers would form an excellent set of bookends."
NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler
Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick.
Comment: "The Cowboys have several holes to fill, but the greatest need is in the secondary, more specifically at cornerback. Kirkpatrick is a top-10 talent with an impressive blend of size, length and speed, but could fall a few spots on draft day because of his recent marijuana possession charge. His aggressive playing style coupled with Dallas' need at cornerback makes this an easy pick for Jerry Jones and company."
CBSSports.com's Rob Rang
Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick.
Comment: "The Cowboys' defense made gains under Rob Ryan, but inconsistencies in the secondary led to plenty of breakdowns. Kirkpatrick's recent arrest for marijuana possession could scare off some teams but Jerry Jones has shown a willingness to overlook off-field transgressions in the past. There is no denying Kirkpatrick's size and physicality would be a welcome addition to a defense in need of a shakeup in the secondary."
NFL.com's Steve Wyche
Pick: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama.
Comment: "Fans will be rightfully clamoring for a CB but Anthony Spencer has fallen off and the pass rush needs a major upgrade."
FOXSports.com's Peter Schrager
Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick.
Comment: "Kirkpatrick was caught with marijuana a few weeks back and that certainly doesn’t “help” his draft stock, but I don’t think it knocks him out of the first round, either. A 6-3 cornerback (think Patrick Peterson size) with top-flight speed (think Patrick Peterson speed), Kirkpatrick is the rare tall cornerback who can keep up with the game’s fastest receivers (like Patrick Peterson). The Cowboys are desperate for some depth and some young talent at cornerrback. Kirkpatrick — a guy I could see going in the top 10 — would be an absolute steal at No. 14."
The Alabama corner is projected by many to be a top 10 talent but the drug charge is likely to hurt his stock. Rob Ryan had arguably the worst secondary in the league this season and the 6-3, 192-pounder could instantly improve the entire unit.
But would the Cowboys be too concerned with off the field issues to make the pick?
A few mock draft experts don't seem to think so.
Here is the latest gathering of predictions for what Jerry Jones and company will do with the 14th overall pick in April's draft.
SBNation.com’s Ryan Van Bibber
Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama.
Comment: "Another obvious fit for a team that tried to bluff its way through with Terrance Newman in the secondary. Kirkpatrick is a physical cornerback who excels in man coverage. He'll match up well in the NFC East against the Giants' receivers. Obligated to mention his marijuana arrest, it's nothing more than a reminder of how silly the draft stock game gets sometimes."
NationalFootballPost.com's Wes Bunting
Pick: Peter Konz, OL, Wisconsin.
Comment: "Center and guard are both needs in Dallas and the idea of adding a potential blue-chip lineman who has the skill set to play either spot is simply too good to pass up even at 14."
WalterFootball.com
Pick: David DeCastro, G, Stanford.
Comment: "The Cowboys have major issues on the interior of their offensive line. Left guard Derrick Dockery is a free agent after missing most of 2011 with a knee injury. Center Phil Costa sucks. Right guard Montrae Holland, meanwhile, can't really be relied upon.
"David DeCastro is one of the top interior linemen prospects to come along in years, and he's the highest-ranked prospect on the board. This is a perfect match."
DraftTek.com
Pick: Michael Brockers, DE, LSU
Comments: "After drafting the "People's Choice" OG David DeCastro last week, this CMD operates under the assumption that Cuzzin Jerruh opens his pocketbook and signs UFA Carl Nicks from the Saints to play OG. Any defensive backfield operates better when the opposing QB is pressured by the front seven; therefore, Dallas selects LSU Super Soph Michael Brockers (54 tackles, 10 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 int) to play DE on the opposite side of DeMarcus Ware (in front of OLB "Almost" Anthony Spencer ). Many Cowboy fans would like "Almost" replaced, but a comparative analysis of the top 12 strong side OLB34's in the league shows Spencer to rank 1st in total tackles, tied for 5th in sacks, tied for 1st in fumbles forced, tied for 2nd in QB hits and tied for 1st in tackles for loss. The Giants have demonstrated in their playoff run that down linemen can generate pressure - if Brent and Lissemore prove they can handle the nose, Ratliff and Brockers would form an excellent set of bookends."
NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler
Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick.
Comment: "The Cowboys have several holes to fill, but the greatest need is in the secondary, more specifically at cornerback. Kirkpatrick is a top-10 talent with an impressive blend of size, length and speed, but could fall a few spots on draft day because of his recent marijuana possession charge. His aggressive playing style coupled with Dallas' need at cornerback makes this an easy pick for Jerry Jones and company."
CBSSports.com's Rob Rang
Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick.
Comment: "The Cowboys' defense made gains under Rob Ryan, but inconsistencies in the secondary led to plenty of breakdowns. Kirkpatrick's recent arrest for marijuana possession could scare off some teams but Jerry Jones has shown a willingness to overlook off-field transgressions in the past. There is no denying Kirkpatrick's size and physicality would be a welcome addition to a defense in need of a shakeup in the secondary."
NFL.com's Steve Wyche
Pick: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama.
Comment: "Fans will be rightfully clamoring for a CB but Anthony Spencer has fallen off and the pass rush needs a major upgrade."
FOXSports.com's Peter Schrager
Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick.
Comment: "Kirkpatrick was caught with marijuana a few weeks back and that certainly doesn’t “help” his draft stock, but I don’t think it knocks him out of the first round, either. A 6-3 cornerback (think Patrick Peterson size) with top-flight speed (think Patrick Peterson speed), Kirkpatrick is the rare tall cornerback who can keep up with the game’s fastest receivers (like Patrick Peterson). The Cowboys are desperate for some depth and some young talent at cornerrback. Kirkpatrick — a guy I could see going in the top 10 — would be an absolute steal at No. 14."
