The Anti-Mock

I hate mock drafts. They are never anywhere close to being right after the first 5-8 picks. In fact, I see them as just a show of love for players the mocker likes. This year, I wanted to try something new. I thought about the player rankings, Dallas’ areas of need and how the board might fall during the draft. Then I decided to list who I thought MIGHT be available at each slot in those areas of need.

‘Area of need’ is always a source of fan contention. Some would say we need a WR now that T.O. is gone, but others would vehemently disagree. I decided to use a Best Player Available (BPA) strategy overlaid onto areas of need (i.e. a RB is not an option at #51 regardless of whether or not he is the BPA) that I created, which again, is highly debatable. In line with my earlier point, some of these players absolutely won’t be where I have them, but every year, the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds roll around and people are shocked to see their favorite ‘name’ player still available. Anyway, here go my shots in the dark, along with personal preferences;

#51

Clint Sintim, LB; Ron Brace, NT; Jarron Gilbert, DE; Brian Robiskie, WR; Derrick Williams, WR; Brandon Tate, WR; Michael Johnson, DE/LB; Eric Wood, OC/OG; Darcel McBath, S; D.J. Moore, DB; Coye Francies, DB;

My take: I think you have to go with Brace here, despite my belief that Sintim is another Patrick Willis, because gambling that Scott will be around at #69 with all the 3-4 transitions taking place is too big a gamble. Brace may only amount to a serviceable rotation player, but Philly’s o-line now averages like 965 lbs. per player. I fear for Ratliff’s health.

#69

Jasper Brinkley, LB; Troy Kropog, OT; Jamon Meredith, OL; Dorell Scott, NT;  Cody Brown, LB;

My take: Meredith is light and looks like a Guard. Brown is an Anthony Spencer clone with a blazing first step. Kropog, even though he’s not quite ready yet, has a ton of upside. The thing I look for in LT’s is footwork, agility and smarts. He is 6’5” and around 320, so he has a good base, is intelligent, supposedly kick slides very well and (although I really like Brinkley) we need depth at tackle in a very bad way. I can’t see a scenario where Ciskowski passes him up. Besides, guys named Troy seem to do well in Big D.

#101

Chris Baker, DL; Andy Levitre, OG; Trevor Canfield, OG; Jason Watkins, OT; Mike Mickens, CB; Louis Murphy, WR; William Moore, S;

My take: after losing Henry and Pacrat, you have to find a DB here, although Jason Watkins is another guy with big upside at OT. Even though I am a fan, it’s just too early for Canfield. Between Mickens and Moore, Mickens gets on the field sooner, but Moore, if his Senior year was an anomaly due to injuries, is a better long term pick. Go with Moore and pray for boom, not bust.

#117

Scott McKillop, LB; Domonique Johnson, CB; Vaughn Martin, NT; Johnny Knox, WR; LaDarius Webb, DB; Louis Vasquez, OL;

My take: this is tough for me, because I feel pretty good that all of these guys should be here at #117. McKillop and Vasquez both have fiery passion for the game but are limited athletes, Johnson has amazing triangle numbers and Webb, despite his stature, is a playmaker. None makes the grade for me and so this comes down to Martin or Knox. As both are small school prospects and have a big jump ahead of them, I think the WR with 4.3 speed, explosiveness in and out of cuts and reliable hands, gets the nod over the very athletic big man, since we took Brace, and there are other big bodies available in later rounds.

#156

Antonio Appleby, LB; Augustus Parrish, OT; Gerald Cadogan, OT; Chip Vaughn, S; Frantz Joseph, LB; Cary Harris, CB;

My take: I like Joseph and Cadogan because they are warriors, but Appleby has played in a 3-4, is smart (which our team needs more of), very strong at the point and seldom misses a tackle (another thing our team needs more of). He’s the guy Wade will lobby for.

#166

Brannon Southerland, FB; Colin Brown, OT; Tiquan Underwood, WR; Michael Hamlin, S; Terrance Taylor, NT; Julius Williams, LB/DE

My take: I love Southerland and would be fine if they picked him, but think they won’t. Underwood reminds me of Todd Pinkston because he becomes invisible when he turns sideways. Taylor is fire-hydrant short. Hamlin would be fine if Moore wasn’t taken earlier. So, I like Brown because he is massive, tough, quick off of the snap and could be the future at RT and even play in a pinch as a rook if Colombo went down.

#172

Keenan Lewis, DB; Ramon Foster, OT; Garrett Reynolds, OT; Otis Wiley, S; Dave Philistin, LB; Roger Allen, OG;                

My take: Some people like Wiley here, I don’t. He lacks the deep coverage skills we need. Lewis could be a sleeper and Philistin fills a need for depth. I like Roger Allen not because he’s ready, because he isn’t, but because he has good feet and the ability to push the pile. Plus, won’t have to play immediately and can grow into the position after being coached up by Hudson Houck.

#197

Marko Mitchell, WR; Aaron Kelly, WR; Mike Reilly, QB; Tyronne Green, OL; David Bruton, S; Antonio Dixon, NT;

My take: Dixon is big, but dumb. Bruton just wasn’t a stud on the field. Kelly and Mitchell aren’t classic deep threats. After the Combine, I became a fan of Reilly’s. He showed off some great mechanics, touch and zip during all of the drills. I didn’t see one of his passes touch the carpet. He’s mobile and has a good head for the game. In addition, I believe you need duplicity of skill sets in your backup QB’s so that you don’t have to change your offense when your starter goes down. Reilly has a lot of the same skills as Romo. ‘Nuff said. 

#208

Jamarko Simmons, WR; Josh Mauga, LB; Stephen McGee, QB; Brian Hartline, WR; Brandon Hughes, CB;

My take: at this point, Ciskowski is looking for a home run and Brandon Hughes could be the one. He played well in the pass happy Pac 10 and showed he can easily change directions and mirror guys like 6’5” Patrick Turner and Mike Thomas who runs a 4.38 forty yard dash. I’m sold.

#210

Khalif Mitchell, NT; Tom Brandstater, QB; Graham Harrell, QB; Chris Kemme, OT; Brandon Swain, LB;

My take: another big body at NT would be a good (and safe) bet here and Mitchell is a beast, but is he a home run? If not, how about Brandon Swain, who had a boatload of plays in the backfield during his career at a small school. He’d be a good project. Still, I’d go with Mitchell, since our DE’s aren’t much more than pluggers and sliding Ratliff out to End could change the entire complexion of the front 3.  

#227

Andrew Gardner, OT; Bruce Johnson, DB; Tom Morstead, P; Brennan Marion, WR; Donald Washington, CB; Brandon Robinson, WR;

My take: Morstead could be good insurance if McBriar’s foot isn’t 100%. Washington has talent, but some off field issues. Otherwise, Brandon Robinson, who isn’t going to burn people deep, looks like a possible stud slot guy. I’d go with Washington, but I predict Jerry will say, “Take the wideout”.

So, if it all went like I laid it out, and I assure you it won’t, we’d end up with this;

Brace - NT

Kropog - OT

Moore - S

Knox - WR

Appleby - LB

Brown - OT

Allen - OG

Reilly - QB

Hughes - CB

Mitchell – NT

Robinson – WR

Even though it isn’t exactly who I would want in each round (remember there are 31 other teams picking too) because there’s only one CB and one LB in the bunch, this is what might happen if Dallas stayed on their board  based on BPA in the context of areas of need. So, I guess I’d be relatively satisfied with this haul and expect to see some spirited camp battles for roster spots with each of these guys.

What’s your take?