The world of mock drafts is like an open bazaar, with draftniks peddling their mock drafts from tightly packed stalls, one more garish than the other.
It's a treacherous place, full of dimly lit back rooms where supposed insider information is handed out for a fee. Where mocks way past their sell-by date are being touted as the dawn of a new era for western civilization. Where fake or improperly assembled mocks are being offered to you by click-junkies who'll hand out the picks one click at a time.
We have braved that lawless frontier to bring you only the good stuff: a wide selection of the freshest (less than one week old) and most satisfying (more than just Amukamara) mock drafts out there. After the break, you'll find choice mocks and who they like as the Cowboys No. 1 pick, as well as a couple of mocks of at least 5 rounds that you get to vote on today.
Drafttek.com (Long Ball), 3/8/2011: Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California
"Mr. Smith shows up at the Combine with a chiseled 307 lb physique, promptly takes the bar in his 11" hands and presses 29 reps with his 36-3/8" arms -- and has to take a pass on the rest of the drills due to fluid on the knee (after whetting everyone's appetites)! Old Long Ball has it on good authority from 2 different sources that the Cowboys have requested more game film from USC on Mr. Smith than any other team -- and they do have a need at OT. If memory serves me correctly, there's another Dallas OT that was a former TE with his bust in Canton . . . can lightning strike twice?"
Ourlads (Dan Shonka), 3/8/2011: Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California
"Did not workout at the Combine due to recent knee surgery. Long arms-36 3/8 Hands-11" Played right tackle at USC. Has left tackle feet and will start out there with any team that drafts him. Jerry Jones hasn't selected a 1st round offensive lineman..it's about time he does before Romo is on the shelf for good."
Football's Future (Robert Davis): 3/7/2011: Marcell Dareus, DL, Alabama
"The Cowboys would love to grab an offensive tackle or get help in the secondary, but the value does not lie at either position at this point. Also needing some help up front, Dareus would be a tremendous pickup at this point."
Weei.com (DJ Bean), 3/7/2011: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
"Dareus was the pick in earlier editions of this mock, and despite him being off the board here, the Cowboys shouldn’t fret. Jordan’s stock has been on the rise for quite some time, and he should be able to step in and make a bigger impact than someone like Stephen Bowen, who is a free agent anyway after starting nine games for Dallas last season."
Sporting News (Russ Lande), 3/8/2011: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
"Castonzo is a four-year starter for in 2010. He started at right tackle in his first year, before moving to left tackle for the next three seasons. He has exceptional size and growth potential to add for the position at the NFL level. Overall, he deserves top-10 consideration in April. He is an immediate starter at either tackle position."
Foxsports (Peter Schrager), 3/3/2011: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
"A host of second- and third-tier quarterbacks like David Garrard, Rex Grossman and Shaun Hill lit up the Cowboys in 2010. The Cowboys defense gave up an unheard 33 touchdowns last year. Cornerback and safety are the most pressing needs on the roster, and I think Dallas goes with a defensive back over an offensive tackle with this pick. Though he didn’t rack up the interceptions in 2010, Amukamara lived up to the hype: He was an All-American, Big 12 defensive player of the year and Jim Thorpe Award finalist. He'd be a welcomed addition to Rob Ryan's unit."
SB Nation (Brian Galliford), 3/7/2011: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
"The Cowboys' needs don't match up with talent at the top of the draft that's likely to be available; the one exception is Amukamara, who is likely to grade out highly on secondary-starved Dallas' big board. Cornerback is a big need for this team."
Rotoworld (Evan Silva): 3/6/2011: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
"Terence Newman is going on 33 and was abused in coverage last season, so it's hard to imagine the Cowboys paying his $8 million non-guaranteed salary for 2011. The secondary is Dallas' greatest weakness by a good margin, and Amukamara is by far the best defensive back available."
Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft overview (min. five rounds deep)
| Site |
Date |
1st Round | 2nd Round | 3rd Round | 4th Round |
5th Round | 6th Round | 7th Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draft Tek | 3/8 | Tyron Smith, OT, USC | Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State | Jerrell Powe, DT, Mississippi | Korey Lindsey, CB, Southern Illinois | DeMarcus Love, OG, Arkansas | Shiloh Keo, SS, Idaho | D.J. Smith, ILB, Appalachian State |
| Draft Site | 3/3 | Tyron Smith, OT, USC | DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson | Clint Boling, OG, Georgia | Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon | Chris Rucker, CB, Michigan State | Stevan Ridley, RB, LSU | Markus White, DE, Florida State |
| New NFL Draft | 3/9 | Tyron Smith, OT, USC | DeMarcus Love, OG, Arkansas | Justin Boren, G, Ohio St | Jeron Johnson, SS, Boise St | Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU | Ian Williams, DT, ND | Jason Teague, CB/FS, TCU |
| Walter Football | 3/9 | Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska | Aaron Williams, FS/CB, Texas | Jarvis Jenkins, DE/DT, Clemson | James Brewer, OT, Indiana | James Carpenter, OT/G, Alabama | Darren Evans, RB, Virginia Tech | |
| NFL Draft Blitz | 3/5 | Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska | Rodney Hudson, OG/C, Florida State | Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida | Jerrell Powe, DT, Mississippi | Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina | Willie Smith, OT, East Carolina |
Once again, you can now vote on which which mock you like the best. Last week Draft Tek walked away with with the win, garnering exactly half of the votes cast. Walter Football came in second with 20% of the votes and Draft Site finished third with 18%.