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Draft season has reached a point where mock drafts are beginning to become highly repetitive because of a lack of new data. For the most part, this week's mock drafts haven't factored in the impressions from the Senior Bowl practices. That will probably happen next week.
The next signifricant data input will come from the Combine and Free Agency, but both are still a long way away. As such, the draftniks are beginning to cycle through the usual suspects for the Cowboys, and this week is not much different
At this point, I'm waiting for some prospects to 'pull a J.J. Watt' and begin their late but steady climb up the boards to make these mock drafts a litte more interesting. Who could those candidates be this year?
Michael Brockers is making a push despite not having much production in college. Both Melvin Ingram and Courtney Upshaw impressed at Senior week, as did Janoris Jenkins. Could their stock rise further with solid showings at the combine?
For now, it's too early to tell with any degree of certainty who may be a late riser. After the break, we look at who some recent mocks like for the Cowboys this week and you can weigh in on who you think could be a late riser this year.
Don Banks, SI.com, 1/27/2012: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
The Cowboys' secondary was the reason the Giants won the NFC East rather than Dallas. Jenkins, the ex-Gators cornerback, has some maturity issues that will scare some teams away, but the Cowboys usually aren't too skittish about such things. Alabama safety Mark Barron is another solid option, but he doesn't have Jenkins' elite cover skills.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com, 1/27/2012: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
After watching the Cowboys' secondary give up big play after big play, Jerry Jones will look to the draft to find a quality corner. Kirkpatrick possesses the size, length and range to contend with the explosive receivers that rule the NFC East.
Drafttek.com, 1/26/2012: Michael Brockers, DE, LSU
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.
Walter Football, 1/25/2012: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
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.
Draftace.com, 1/25/2012: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
The Cowboys and Eagles picking back-to-back creates an interesting dynamic, as both could be interested in some of the same players, including Kuechly. Bradie James (31) and Keith Brooking (36) are both free agents and clearly aren’t part of the Cowboys long-term plans. The addition of Kuechly would give Dallas two of the best young interior linebackers in the game (along with Sean Lee).
Draftking.com, 1/23/2012: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
I'm not necessarily as high on Coples as some other prognosticators out there are, but there is no doubting his size and that he'd be an ideal fit as a 3-4 DE.
Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft overview (min. two rounds deep)
| Site | Date | 1st Round | 2nd Round | 3rd Round | 4th Round | 5th Round | 6th Round |
| Draft Tek | 1/26 | Michael Brockers, DE, LSU | Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina | Emmanuel Acho, ILB, Texas | B.J. Coleman, QB, Chattanooga | Nicolas Jean-Baptiste, DT, Baylor | Jaymes Brooks, OG, Virginia Tech |
| Draft Site | 1/26 | Alfonzo Dennard, CB Nebraska | Brandon Washington, OG, Miami | Brandon Lindsey, DE, Pittsburgh | Dearron Thomas, QB, Oregon | Duke Ihenacho, S, San Jose State | Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas |
| Walter Football | 1/25 | David DeCastro, OG, Stanford | Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama | Tank Carder, ILB, TCU | Kheeston, Randall, DE, Texas | - - | - - |
| Mocking The Draft | 1/23 | David DeCastro, OG, Stanford | Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State | Philip Blake, OC, Baylor | Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska | - - | - - |