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It's mock draft time, and boy, do we love studying mock drafts. Not because we believe they are relevant in any way - unless of course their picks match our own thoughts on who we should pick!
Some mocks you glance at and immediately start shaking your head in utter disbelief. Others you hold up and proclaim to be 32 commandments - like Moses with his two stone tablets on Mount Sinai.
Mostly though, they are mainly fun because they focus attention on players or positions that we can sit around and endlessly talk about. Because that's what we do, especially in the offseason with nine weeks still to go to draft weekend.
We already highlighted Mel Kiper's latest mock on Wednesday, and followed it up with Wes Bunting's newest offering on Thursday. And as we look through the remaining mocks published this week, the choices for the Cowboys have been narrowed to either a corner or an interior offensive lineman. Things could very well look different after the combine, but that's where we stand today.
After the break, we look at some of the latest mocks out there and who they have going to the Cowboys.
Drafttek, 2/15/2012: Peter Konz, OC Wisconsin
This is not as big a shake-up as it may seem, as the Cowboys simply flip-flopped positions for the 1st and 2nd rounds from last week's CMD. Even though we do not include trades in the main simulation, this assumes a small trade down for Dallas in the 1st; although if questions regarding Konz's durability are resolved, this may be appropriate value. Next to left tackle, center is the most important position on the OL. The Cowboys depth chart has starter Phil Costa (2nd year UDFA) and Kevin Kowalski (rookie UDFA): this "less than dynamic" duo were overpowered at the point of attack in 2011, leading to Tony Romo demonstrating his Houdini skills and HC Jason Garrett calling a large percentage of outside running plays. Konz may be the only "sure-fire" center prospect in the 2011 draft class and is also highly rated as an OG, which increases the value of the pick over a prospect that can only play one position. A 3-year starter for the Badgers, he should be a Day One starter for Dallas.
NEpatriotsdraft.com, 2/13/2012: David DeCastro, OL, Stanford
DeCastro is a Logan Mankins-esque blocker with few true weaknesses in his game. He is brutally strong, mobile, smart, and fills a huge need. Is probably a Top-10 talent, but the guard position is often undervalued.
DraftSeason.com, 2/15/2012: David DeCastro G, Stanford
Jerry Jones took an offensive tackle in round 1 for the first time, and liked the results so much he opts for a guard in round 1 this year.
Draft King, 2/13/2012: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
DeCastro is a very strong interior offensive line prospect, one of the best to come down the pike in years. This might actually represent a value pick for Dallas if you believe some scouts and analysts who see DeCastro as a top ten talent for the 2012 Draft. Leonard Davis, who made a nice transition from offensive tackle with the Cardinals to offensive guard with the Cowboys (becoming a three-time All-Pro during his stint in Dallas), was a cap casualty in 2011.
Real GM Sports, 2/17/2012: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama.
He has some character flags, but Jerry Jones knowingly overlooked similar drug and domestic violence issues with Michael Irvin and Nate Newton, among others. Bottom line--Jenkins has the talent to be a legit #1 shutdown corner, and Jones knows his team needs one of those very badly. I would not rule out the Cowboys in the RGIII derby.
Matt De Lima, FFToolbox, 2/16/2012: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Kirkpatrick almost makes too much sense for Dallas. A tall corner who can excel as a press man coverage with the size to matchup against Hakeem Nicks and just enough speed to keep up with Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson.
Rob Warner, FFToolbox, 2/15/2012: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Dallas missed out in the Nnamdi sweepstakes and will look to upgrade a subpar pass defense via the draft. Kirkpatrick is a physical defender who also has good speed. At 6-foot-3, 192 pounds, the Bama CB has the size and leaping ability to play against NFL WRs. He recorded 53 tackles with three interceptions and seven pass break ups in 2010.
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 | 2/15 | Peter Konz, OC, Wicsonsin | Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska | Jonathan Massaquoi, OLB, Troy | Matt Conrath, DE, Virginia | Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma | Kevin Koger, TE, Michigan |
| Walter Football | 2/15 | Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama | Ronell Lewis DE/OLB, Oklahoma |
Tank Carder, ILB, TCU | Ben Jones, OC, Georgia | ||
| Mocking the Draft.com Live Draft* | 2/17 | Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama | Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington | Brandon Brooks, OG, Miami (Ohio) | Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt | David Molk, C, Michigan | Malik Jackson, DE, Tennessee |
| NFL Draft Blitz.com | 2/17 | David DeCastro, OG, Stanford |
Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina | Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State | Trenton Robinson, S, Michigan State | William Vlachos, OC, Alabama | Nate Potter, OT, Boise State |
* Cowboys representative was CaliCowboysFan92