First Round Targets

by Lee Traylor on Feb 11, 2012 11:13 PM CST

Round 1, Pick 14 (14th overall)

Dallas could go several different directions with their first round pick. The 'Boys have several serious needs on their roster and the fourteenth overall pick should provide an impact player. After the jump I'll highlight six possible Dallas first round targets that are probably being talked about in Valley Ranch and are definitely being talked about around the web. I'll finish up with my thoughts and who I'd pick if I were turning in Dallas' draft card.

Quinton Coples
DE/OLB, North Carolina
6'6", 275 lbs

via www.nasorb.com

A classic boom-or-bust prospect, Coples is as physically gifted as any single player in this draft. Versatile and explosive, he's capable of being a real matchup problem. However, his consistency and work ethic have almost always been questioned. His strong showing at the Senior Bowl will help solidify his status as a high first round pick. Does not appear to be a RKG. Addresses an area of need (OLB).

David DeCastro
G, Stanford
6'5", 310 lbs

via www.alecdifrawi.com

Considered one of the best guard prospects in a long time, DeCastro is expected to step in for whichever team drafts him and be immediately (and highly) effective. DeCastro is a good pass blocker and devastating run blocker. Would help keep Romo healthy. Majored in Engineering at Stanford; definitely a RKG. This pick would be a signal that Jerry is fully committed to Garrett as the future, as it would be the second year in a row that Dallas makes a non-splashy, conservative first round selection. Addresses an area of need (G).

Whitney Mercilus
OLB, Illinois
6'4", 265 lbs

via i2.cdn.turner.com

Starting to emerge from under the radar. Tied Simeon Rice's single season record and lead the nation with 16 sacks. Forced 9 fumbles, the second most in NCAA history. Would play across from Ware and hopefully take advantage more effectively than Anthony Spencer has. Could be a long-term replacement plan for when Ware retires or moves on (Ware will turn 30 on July 21). High motor and relentless; RKG. Addresses an area of need (OLB).

Dre' Kirkpatrick
CB, Alabama
6'3", 190 lbs

via gridironfans.com

A talented player with several real red flags. A five-star recruit coming into Alabama, Kirkpatrick never lived up to the incredible hype that preceded him. A solid player for a very successful college team. Great size and range. Could possibly move to FS. Great athlete. Good cover skills, but has poor hands - should have more interceptions than he does. Could be the DB version of Dez Bryant - for better and worse. Recently made headlines for a possession of marijuana charge. Not a RKG. Addresses the area of most dire need (CB).

Janoris Jenkins
CB, North Alabama
5'10", 183 lbs

via timesdaily.static2.adqic.com

A similar prospect in many ways to Alabama's Kirkpatrick. Extremely talented, but has several red flags, too. Great in coverage and is not afraid to mix it up in run support, either. A small player that plays big - wants to line up against and shut down the best receiver. Really stood out at the Senior Bowl and answered questions about his ability to face bigger competition than what he faced at North Alabama this past year. Effort and commitment are not in question. Marijuana-related incidents at Florida raise legitimate questions about off-field decision-making. Addresses the area of most dire need (CB).

Mark Barron
S, Alabama
6'2", 215 lbs

via www.thejetsblog.com

Dallas has to find improved safety play from somewhere to take advantage of the pressure that Ware and the rest of the front seven creates. This may be a reach, especially considering Barron's recent double-hernia that will take some time from which to recover, but he also represents a potential major upgrade to the back end of Dallas' defense. Very physical and a heavy hitter. Pretty good ball skills. Started a ton of games at FS on a very good and complex NFL-style defense at Alabama. Had a monster sophomore year and solid junior and senior campaigns. Addresses an area of need (S).

Dallas has multiple areas of real concern on the roster and a lack of overall depth. If at all possible, I would trade back from #14 for additional picks and make athleticism in the defensive backfield the main priority for the draft. However, barring a trade, and if all of these prospects were available at 14, I would draft DeCastro; he's considered a can't-miss prospect at an area of need, while all of the other players mentioned carry a fair amount of risk.

Poll

The clock is ticking down in Radio City Music Hall on the Cowboys' first round pick. These six players are available. Goodell steps up to the podium. Whose name are you screaming at the TV?

Quinton Coples

74 votes

David DeCastro

149 votes

Whitney Mercilus

19 votes

Dre' Kirkpatrick

34 votes

Janoris Jenkins

39 votes

Mark Barron

9 votes

Trade back, we need more picks!

49 votes

Someone else. You suck at this, Mr. Traylor.

8 votes

381 votes | Poll has closed

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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Comments

Nice Post

1) I agree, David DeCastro is my first choice.

2) As far as Coples is concerned, I think he is a RKG. Butch Davis his former HC at UNC had his back big time at The Senior Bowl, dispelling any rumors about his commitment and work ethic. Coples when asked about his supposed “off-year” said the new coaching staff had him switch positions from 43 DT to 43 DE, a position he wasn’t used to playing. He didn’t make any excuses, he just said he played a different positon. Then when NFL Network had a chance to test the egos of both he and Melvin Ingram, asking each of them who the better pass rusher was, not only did Melvin Ingram say the other guy was better, but without hesitation, Coples turned around and said Ingram was the better player. Coples showed he was humble in the spot. To me it speaks volumes when your former head coach is willing to go to bat for you on the NFL Network while your in the middle of practice at the Senior Bowl.

3) Dre Kirkpatrick had the marijuana charges dropped against him earlier this past week. Whether or not he is a RKG depends on how he interviews at the Combine, private workouts, his pro day, etc.

Overall, nice job though.

"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."

by Rohpuri on Feb 12, 2012 12:00 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I agree, but I'd still have some reservations.

Especially about Kirkpatrick. His athletic ability and the talent on Alabama’s defense should have translated to a brilliant career if he was fully invested. Too often he appears to be just another guy when you watch Alabama’s defense. Barron jumps out on tape.
I’m willing to give Coples somewhat of a pass just because of the crazy situation that unfolded at UNC his last two years there. He, too, should have dominated a lot of the competition in college based on his athletic ability, though.

Thanks for the read!

by Lee Traylor on Feb 12, 2012 8:10 AM CST up reply actions

If all these guys are here when Dallas picks

I’ll explode, and then have Goodell anounce Coples as the newest Cowboy. Awwww yeeee

by BrickTop on Feb 12, 2012 12:16 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I think there's a shot

I think it’s probable that DeCastro, Kirkpatrick, Barron, and Mercilus are there at 14. I think Coples will go higher, and Jenkins may jump way up after the Combine and his Pro Day. I think there’s a good enough shot for all of these players to be available that Dallas has to do their due diligence, though.

by Lee Traylor on Feb 12, 2012 8:14 AM CST up reply actions

Butch Davis is

a patholigical liar, no one humble comes out of Chapel Hole, and if they take Coples they’d more than likely have to switch to a 4-3.

by Son of Pete Wright on Feb 12, 2012 6:33 AM CST reply actions

Correct me if I'm wrong,

but doesn’t BPA mean that we take the higher-ranked players when they fall?

On the one hand we have a solid top-20 pick (DeCastro) who is maybe even worth a 14. On the other hand we have a solid top-10 pick (Coples) who may fall to 14 because teams above us need help on offense.

Isn’t this a no-brainer?

by boyman on Feb 12, 2012 9:06 AM CST reply actions

Depends on your perspective

I think because Coples has some red flags, some teams will rank him lower than the 14th best prospect. On talent alone, he’s a top-five pick, but like every year, he’s one of the really talented players with questions about maturity and work ethic. Football intelligence has to be a consideration, especially with a high first rounder.
It certainly seems like DeCastro is considered more than a solid top-twenty pick; he’s being talked about as one of the best guard prospects in a long, long time. Last year’s interior O-line struggles really highlights how poor guard play can really be exploited.

by Lee Traylor on Feb 12, 2012 9:18 AM CST up reply actions

What are the questions with Coples?

I haven’t heard any negative.

President of the David DeCastro fan club.

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Feb 13, 2012 9:44 PM CST up reply actions

Great post

Excellent post. Question for the author: is the franchise situated to take the best player available, or must they reach for a cover guy or O-lineman? Have the Joneses shown a proclivity for drafting for need or best player available?

by Michael Traylor on Feb 12, 2012 12:12 PM CST reply actions

An excellent question

A very intelligent question. You must be from a damn good family. My draft strategy would be to draft the best player available at a position of need. In my opinion, DeCastro fits that strategy the best at 14.

by Lee Traylor on Feb 12, 2012 12:19 PM CST reply actions

Mercilus really looks the part

I love his physical makeup and lean muscular frame with the long arms, if he had the speed man I would be all over this guy, but I have questions about his Almost Whitney speed

"With the 14th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.........The Dallas Cowboys select..............Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina"

My card has been sent in

by Archie Barberio on Feb 12, 2012 12:23 PM CST reply actions

I question whether Mercilus is a one year wonder

Also be careful about liking person because they look the part. That’s what gets teams in trouble.

Wade took Spencer over Woodley because he looked the part. Also, Wade wanted Jason Williams and Victor Butler because “they looked the part.”

"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."

by Rohpuri on Feb 12, 2012 4:13 PM CST via mobile up reply actions