Dallas Cowboys Mock Drafts: DeCastro, Ingram or Kirkpatrick?

Earlier this week we asked the BTB community to help Dave Halprin select a pick for the 2012 SB Nation NFL Writers Mock Draft.

In the SB Nation mock draft, the top 13 picks had gone largely as expected, and the Cowboys had their pick from a number of interesting choices that we put to a poll. Almost 2,200 readers participated, and here are the results:

42%: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

15%: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

11%: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The mock has since been published on Mocking The Draft and Dave obliged the many voters by dutifully picking David DeCastro. Here's what he wrote about the pick:

The Cowboys interior offensive line was a problem last season, and with the release of Kyle Kosier at guard last week, the position is truly in flux. Dallas did pick up a couple of veteran guards in free agency, but the future of the position is still in question.

Enter David DeCastro, who many scouts have said is the best guard prospect to come along since Steve Hutchinson. He’s got every skill you need and is a fierce run-blocker. Blessed with agile feet, he’s extremely good on the move, and in the Cowboys run-blocking scheme the guards are often asked to pull. DeCastro is projected as the kind of player you pencil into the starting lineup for the next decade. Dallas picked up their tackle of the future last year with Tyron Smith, they could do the same at guard this year with David DeCastro.

More mock draft goodness after the break, where we review another 10 mock drafts that include a wide receiver and a guard not named DeCastro mocked to the Cowboys with the first pick.

Drafttek.com, 3/31/2012: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

For Cowboy Nation at BtB, this one's for you . . . if we're talking about replacing "Almost Anthony", there might be better options at the strong-side OLB. However, if the Honourable Jerral Wayne Jones wants pass-rush, there is no denying the explosion factor of Melvin Ingram . . . and even though HC Jason Garrett attended the Alabama Pro Day, there could be one of two Gamecocks at this choice: Ingram or Gilmore.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com, 3/30/2012: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Signing free agents Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau shored up the interior offensive line, but Jerry Jones might consider DeCastro the best player available -- and ensuring the health of quarterback Tony Romo should be a priority.

Walter Football, 3/28/2012: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Quinton Coples can easily fall on Draft Day. He's very talented, but there are questions about his work ethic and motor. When asked to evaluate his own effort as a senior in an interview with Charley Casserly, Coples gave himself a C, admitting that he didn't give 100 percent in 2011. I find that very troubling. What's he going to do once he receives a signing bonus?

Coples may not get out of the top 15 picks though. A team like the Cowboys could give him a chance. He's a natural fit as a 3-4 defensive end, and this is an area that Dallas needs to upgrade. If Coples puts in the effort, he and DeMarcus Ware will be a very dangerous pass-rushing duo.

Scott Wright, Draft Countdown, 3/30/2012: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

After addressing their needs at offensive guard and cornerback in free agency, Dallas is now free to look elsewhere with this pick. The Cowboys have had major issues at safety for nearly a decade and it might finally be time to do something about it. It looks like Gerald Sensabaugh is entrenched at free safety but they can do better than journeyman Abram Elam at strong safety.

Alabama’s Mark Barron is far and away the top safety prospect in this class and the only consensus first round talent at the position. Not only does Barron have a nice blend of size and speed but he also earns high marks for his football intangibles. Barron is definitely more of an in-the-box type but he has also flashed some playmaking ability in coverage. In many ways Barron compares favorably to LaRon Landry and he would likely be the best safety that Dallas has had since Darren Woodson. The Cowboys haven’t used a premium pick on a defensive lineman in five years now so don’t be surprised if they go that direction here either, with Fletcher Cox of Mississippi St., Dontari Poe of Memphis, Quinton Coples of North Carolina and Michael Brockers of LSU all possibilities.

Robert Davis, Fotball's Future, 3/23/2012: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Tyron Smith was a success last year, so the Cowboys look again to a high draft pick to shore up the offensive line. During their dominance, the offensive lines were as important as the skill players. Adding DeCastro to Smith will go a long way to bring that play back.

Extra-point.net, 3/31/2012: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys attacked Free Agency, adding a couple of depth pieces at Guard, a nice piece at Inside Linebacker in Dan Connor, a passable Safety in Brodney Pool, and a #1 caliber Cornerback in Brandon Carr. The Cowboys have made all the moves they need to in order to be flexible in the draft. Last year, Head Coach Jason Garrett made only one visit for a Pro Day workout, when he went to see his future first round pick Tyron Smith. This year, he headed to Alabama to watch ‘Dre Kirkpatrick. This may have been a smokescreen, but I have ‘Dre locked in here for future notice.

Buffalo Bills Draft, 3/29/2012: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Cowboys stay in state and take Baylor WR Kendall Wright. The speedster hasn’t timed as well as expected this offseason but that doesn’t change the countless hours of tape where you can consistently see him running by Big 12 defensive backs game after game. His ability to get deep and track the ball are among his best skill sets and could be a fit in an offense that already has its physical WR in Dez Bryant. Wright gives Jason Garrett that true deep threat that guys like Austin don’t quite offer.

Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com, 3/29/2012: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Interior offensive line is a need position for the Cowboys, and DeCastro is the highest rated interior offensive lineman on many draft boards. Dallas spent money in free agency to fill other need spots (CB, ILB) and franchised Anthony Spencer to maintain strength at OLB. Defensive line may be a consideration here at well, though there will be solid talent at that position on the board well into the second round. For the Cowboys, this represents the best player at a need position who could contribute right away.

NEPatriotsDraft.com, 3/27/2012: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

It is debatable whether Glenn will be a better pro inside or at tackle. What’s not debatable is that he has had the best "post-season" of all offensive linemen in the 2012 NFL Draft. Dallas could really use a versatile lineman to pair with Tyron Smith for the next decade.

Jeff Risdon, RealGM Football, 3/30/2012: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Even after signing the underrated Brandon Carr, corner remains a sore point in Dallas. I'm tempted to find OL help here, but Kirkpatrick is well-heeled from Bama and will help in run support on the edge. He has size and aggression that cannot be coached.

Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft overview (min. three rounds deep)