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It's Wednesday, and this is when a whole bunch of mockers release their newest mock drafts. And if you thought you'd heard just about every name possible mocked to the Cowboys, you'll probably have to think again.
Today, we look at six very recent mock drafts, who pack a surprise by adding names like OLB Andre Branch, DT Michael Brockers and OL Cordy Glenn to the already long list of candidates mocked to the Cowboys with the #14 pick.
Just how long is that list? After the break, we've assembled our own little BTB Mock Draft database, featuring 30 mock drafts - all of which we've linked to in the past - and look at who has the Cowboys taking which player.
As it currently stands, there are ten different names on our list of 30 mocks. The favorite for the 14th pick is Dre Kirkpatrick, who gets 13 of the 30 votes. David DeCastro gets four votes, Janoris Jenkins and Courtney Upshaw each get three votes.
All the mock draft goodness after the break.
Wes Bunting, National Football Post, 3/7/2012: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Brockers is as talented as any defensive lineman in the draft and is capable of maturing into a real game changer up front. He’s got the ability to play all over the Cowboys defensive line early and offers them a lot of versatility in their 34 front.
Drafttek, 3/7/12: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson
Cuzzin Jerruh says (boy, what a loaded 3 words to begin a justification of a draft selection) he wants more pressure on opposing QB's . . . how about Clemson's 2011 leader in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (17)? Branch signed with Clemson as an OLB and played that position as well as RDE (referred to as "Bandit" in the Tigers' defensive alignment).
The reason old Long Ball chose Branch over other available OLB34 prospects (Melvin Ingram or Bruce Irvin) to replace "Almost Anthony" Spencer is twofold: 1) he has the size (6'4", 259 lbs) necessary for the strong-side OLB, and 2) he demonstrated at the Combine he has the speed (4.7 forty, and his 10 yard increment was among the leaders) and explosion (vertical of 32", broad jump of 10') to rush the passer. Disregard the reach factor on this simulation as Branch will move up on our post-combine Big Board . . . this young man will be an excellent compliment to DeMarcus Ware.
Walter Football, 3/7/2012: 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.
Sportsagentblog, 3/7/2012: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Under Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan, cornerback play is at a premium, considering the amount of blitzing. Looking at the way Owner Jerry Jones does things I would not be surprised to see RB Trent Richardson here or even the quicker CB Janoris Jenkis go here. Kirkpatrick is a safer pick than Jenkins mainly because he hasn’t been arrested five times, or kicked off of a football team. I don’t like holding a player’s past against him forever, but Jenkins is an enigma in this year’s draft. Forget five arrests or pass? I would pass. Plus, Kirkpatrick offers some glitz in his arsenal that the Cowboys covet in their high draft picks; he measures 6’2", played against top notch competition, was a difference-maker for the deepest team in college football, and he’s a winner.
Weii.com, 3/5/2012: David DeCastro, G Stanford
Seventh-round pick Bill Nagy started the first four games last season as a rookie, then he went on IR with a fractured ankle. The question is whether he should have been starting in the first place. DeCastro is the best interior lineman in the draft, and he’s more of a sure thing than any of the corners the Cowboys could select in this spot.
NEPatriotsDraft, 3/5/2012: 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.
Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft overview (min. three rounds deep)
| Site | Date | 1st Round | 2nd Round | 3rd Round | 4th Round | 5th Round | 6th Round | 7th Round |
| Draft Tek | 3/7 | Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson | Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska |
Amini Silatolu, OG, Midwestern State | Kheeston Randall, DE, Texas |
Omar Bolden, CB, ASU |
Kevin Koger, TE, Michigan |
Devon Wylie, WR, Fresno State |
| New NFL Draft | 3/6 | Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama |
Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State |
Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss |
Brock Osweiler, QB, ASU |
Tydreke Powell, DT, UNC | Bob Hebert, OC, LSU | Roy Roundtree, WR, Michigan |
| NFL Draftblitz | 3/3 | Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa | Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska | Nick Foles, QB, Arizona | Emmanuel Acho, ILB, Texas | Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State | Adrian Robinson, OLB, Temple | George Bryan, TE, NC State |
| Walter Football | 3/7 | David DeCastro, OG, Stanford |
Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson | Tank Carder, ILB, TCU | Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State |
Janzen Jackson, S, McNeese State | ||
| Pro Draft Guide | 3/6 | Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama |
Amini Silatolu, OG, Midwestern State |
Audie Cole, ILB, North Carolina State | Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri |