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JON MACHOTA
Special Contributor
jmachota@dallasnews.com
11 January 2012 04:17 PM
In my third installment of the mock draft roundup it appears more Websites are jumping on the David DeCastro bandwagon.The 6-5, 310-pound junior guard started 39 games forStanford over the last three seasons, blocking for quarterback Andrew Luck, the likely first overall pick in April’s draft.Coming out of high school, DeCastro, who earned All-American honors in 2011, ranked as high as No. 3 nationally for centers by Scout.com and No. 11 by Rivals.com, according to Stanford’s official athletic site. Here are the latest projections for what the Cowboys could do with the 14 overall pick.
SI.com’s Andrew Perloff:Pick: DeCastro.Comment: "The Cowboys need help in the defensive secondary, but may not be in a good spot to get an elite cornerback here. Therefore they'll will go with the best player available.
"WalterFootball.com:Pick: DeCastro.Comment: "The Cowboys have major issues on the interior of their offensive line. Left guard Derrick Dockeryis 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.
"SportingNews.com's Russ Lande:Pick: Decastro.Comment: "Dallas' interior O-linemen struggled with injuries and consistency in 2011. Decastro would bring excellent pulling and trapping ability, as well as a nasty demeanor."
CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler:Pick: DeCastro.Comment: "The Cowboys need to take the best available defensive back or offensive linemen at this pick and DeCastro would be a natural fit for Dallas. He is a starter from the day he hits training camp and can line up at left or right guard. DeCastro will help keep Tony Romo upright and open holes for whomever is running the ball for the Cowboys.
"NationalFootballPost.com's Wes Bunting:Pick: DeCastro.Comment: "The idea of drafting an athlete like DeCastro and potentially playing him next to 2011 first-round pick Tyron Smith at left tackle has to sound mighty intriguing."
CBSSports.com's Rob Rang:Pick: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska.Comment: "The Cowboys' defense made gains under Rob Ryan, but inconsistencies in the secondary led to plenty of breakdowns. Sources tell me the Cowboys were very intrigued last year with Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara. Perhaps they'll pull the trigger on a Husker cornerback this time around with the short but physical Dennard, who many scouts are giving a higher grade to this season than they did his former teammate at this same time last year."
SBNation.com's Ryan Van Bibber:Pick: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama.Comment: "A misdemeanor arrest for marijuana got Jenkins exiled from Florida. He opted for obscurity in Northern Alabama, rather than a middle round pick in the supplemental NFL Draft. Most NFL teams shy away from a player who gets caught dabbling in the green stuff; they'll miss out on a talented cornerback. Dallas needs a cornerback so they can finally rid themselves of Terrance Newman."
DraftTek.com:Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama.Comment: “When you fall apart in December, you move up in the draft pecking order - anyone watching the Cowboys knows in 2012 the team must address the defense. Terence Newman will turn 34 at the beginning of next season (and looked much older against the Giants), Mike Jenkins is set as one starter, and Orlando Scandrick is best on the slot. Then there's Alan Ball and Frank Walker - that roll call targets CB as a position of need for the Cowboys.“Dre Kirkpatrick is one of the biggest, most physical CB's in this year's draft class, yet his athleticism and fluid hips allow him to excel in coverage. At 6'3" he has the height to match up with the taller receivers in the league and win his share of jump balls - his hands are not the best, but Dallas needs a physical attitude in their defensive backfield. The only CB currently on the Dallas roster that is at least 6' is Alan Ball ('nuff said!). This is a selection where value meets need.”
Special Contributor
jmachota@dallasnews.com
11 January 2012 04:17 PM
In my third installment of the mock draft roundup it appears more Websites are jumping on the David DeCastro bandwagon.The 6-5, 310-pound junior guard started 39 games forStanford over the last three seasons, blocking for quarterback Andrew Luck, the likely first overall pick in April’s draft.Coming out of high school, DeCastro, who earned All-American honors in 2011, ranked as high as No. 3 nationally for centers by Scout.com and No. 11 by Rivals.com, according to Stanford’s official athletic site. Here are the latest projections for what the Cowboys could do with the 14 overall pick.
SI.com’s Andrew Perloff:Pick: DeCastro.Comment: "The Cowboys need help in the defensive secondary, but may not be in a good spot to get an elite cornerback here. Therefore they'll will go with the best player available.
"WalterFootball.com:Pick: DeCastro.Comment: "The Cowboys have major issues on the interior of their offensive line. Left guard Derrick Dockeryis 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.
"SportingNews.com's Russ Lande:Pick: Decastro.Comment: "Dallas' interior O-linemen struggled with injuries and consistency in 2011. Decastro would bring excellent pulling and trapping ability, as well as a nasty demeanor."
CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler:Pick: DeCastro.Comment: "The Cowboys need to take the best available defensive back or offensive linemen at this pick and DeCastro would be a natural fit for Dallas. He is a starter from the day he hits training camp and can line up at left or right guard. DeCastro will help keep Tony Romo upright and open holes for whomever is running the ball for the Cowboys.
"NationalFootballPost.com's Wes Bunting:Pick: DeCastro.Comment: "The idea of drafting an athlete like DeCastro and potentially playing him next to 2011 first-round pick Tyron Smith at left tackle has to sound mighty intriguing."
CBSSports.com's Rob Rang:Pick: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska.Comment: "The Cowboys' defense made gains under Rob Ryan, but inconsistencies in the secondary led to plenty of breakdowns. Sources tell me the Cowboys were very intrigued last year with Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara. Perhaps they'll pull the trigger on a Husker cornerback this time around with the short but physical Dennard, who many scouts are giving a higher grade to this season than they did his former teammate at this same time last year."
SBNation.com's Ryan Van Bibber:Pick: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama.Comment: "A misdemeanor arrest for marijuana got Jenkins exiled from Florida. He opted for obscurity in Northern Alabama, rather than a middle round pick in the supplemental NFL Draft. Most NFL teams shy away from a player who gets caught dabbling in the green stuff; they'll miss out on a talented cornerback. Dallas needs a cornerback so they can finally rid themselves of Terrance Newman."
DraftTek.com:Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama.Comment: “When you fall apart in December, you move up in the draft pecking order - anyone watching the Cowboys knows in 2012 the team must address the defense. Terence Newman will turn 34 at the beginning of next season (and looked much older against the Giants), Mike Jenkins is set as one starter, and Orlando Scandrick is best on the slot. Then there's Alan Ball and Frank Walker - that roll call targets CB as a position of need for the Cowboys.“Dre Kirkpatrick is one of the biggest, most physical CB's in this year's draft class, yet his athleticism and fluid hips allow him to excel in coverage. At 6'3" he has the height to match up with the taller receivers in the league and win his share of jump balls - his hands are not the best, but Dallas needs a physical attitude in their defensive backfield. The only CB currently on the Dallas roster that is at least 6' is Alan Ball ('nuff said!). This is a selection where value meets need.”
ick: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska.Comment: "The Cowboys' defense made gains under Rob Ryan, but inconsistencies in the secondary led to plenty of breakdowns. Sources tell me the Cowboys were very intrigued last year with Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara. 
at walterfootballs analysis. "Phil costa sucks"
