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While there were many prospects who stood out at the Combine and possibly improved their draft stock, the mock draftniks this week are a conservative bunch, sticking to the names they've been mocking to the Cowboys for the last few weeks.
O-Line and D-Line remain the two positions mocked most frequently, with Jonathan Cooper and Sheldon Richardson seemingly emerging as the favorites. In fact, nine out of the 14 mocks we survey below have one of the two players mocked to the Cowboys. If both turn out to be available for the Cowboys with the 18th pick, the Cowboys would probably be very happy with their options.
In today's round-up, we look at the latest mocks published over the last three days, including mocks from Drafttek, Foxsports, NFL.com, USA Today, a whole armada of mocks from CBSSports and many others. All the mock draft goodness is summarized below, and there's a poll at the end as well.
| Source | Player | Update |
| Drafttek.com | Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri |
February 28 |
| Comment: "The top two 3-technique DT's in this year's draft are Sheldon Richardson and Sharrif Floyd. Richardson measured an inch shorter in height than Floyd but had almost 2" more reach at the Combine . . . both are explosive, but Richardson may come closer to HC Jason Garrett's definition of the "right kind of guy". Dallas recorded a franchise-low number of sacks in 2012, accumulating only 34.0 for the season . . . and 26.5 of those came from the LB positions. That will just not cut it for the new 4-3 "Tampa 2" defense that new DC Monte Kiffin will be installing. Richardson had 10.5 TFL and 4.0 sacks in 11 games for the Tigers, playing their first year in the SEC. His athleticism belies his size, as at the Combine he ran a 5-second forty (1.69 at 10 yards) and proved his strength with 30 reps from 34.5" arms (proving his school bench of 325 lbs and squat of 595 lbs. were no fluke) . . .. . . but don't take my word for it, just take a gander at what he did against Alabama, Florida and South Carolina (all teams with high-ranking NFL OL prospects). " | ||
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Foxsports (Peter Schrager) |
Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina | February 28 |
| Comment: " Tony Romo had a big statistical year despite playing behind a terrible offensive line. Doug Free hasn’t been the player the Cowboys thought he’d be when they rewarded him with a big contract, and he could be let go in the coming weeks. Tyron Smith seemed to be called for a false start on every other play from scrimmage this past season. Injuries stung, but there needs to be more good, young linemen protecting Romo. Cooper could be a great addition to the line. The 6-2, 310-pound road paver pumped out 35 repetitions of 225 pounds and impressed in interviews. Not the flashiest of picks, but I like it." | ||
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Draftseason (Will Lomas) |
Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina | February28 |
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Comment: "Cooper is currently rivaling Chance Warmack for the top guard to be taken in this draft, but being a finesse guard he will likely be considered the less impressive of the two standouts at the end of the day. Still, Cooper is a future longtime starter and will be a massive upgrade to a Dallas offensive line that lacks any NFL-starting quality aside from Tyron Smith at LT." |
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USA Today (Tony Pauline) |
Datone Jones, DE, UCLA |
February 27 |
| Comment: "DE Datone Jones, UCLA: Strongside linebacker is the priority, but Jones offers the athleticism to thrive as a one-gap tackle in Monte Kiffin's defense." | ||
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SI.com (Don Banks) |
DJ Fluker, ROT, Alabama | February 27 |
| Comment: "Based on need, the Cowboys could head in the defensive tackle direction, taking either Ohio State's Johnathan Hankins or North Carolina's Sylvester Williams. With the switch to a 4-3 defense, Dallas has to find a tackle or two in the draft. But offensive tackle is another issue that needs addressing, and Fluker is simply too highly rated to pass up in this offensive tackle-plentiful draft." | ||
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Rotoworld (Josh Norris) |
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri | February 27 |
| Comment: "Richardson’s talent likely exceeds this slot, but if he is on the board the Cowboys have found their 3 technique defensive tackle. The Missouri product has some Fletcher Cox to him and can be scheme versatile. Richardson ended his career with the Tigers on rocky terms, but he has plenty of talent." | ||
| Walter Football | Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas |
February 27 |
| Comment: "The safety position was a major weak point for the Cowboys this past season after Barry Church tore his Achilles' tendon. Church was extended prior to the injury, but he's owed less than $1 million next year, so that won't prevent Dallas from picking a safety early. Kenny Vaccaro is the top player available at this juncture." | ||
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Big Lead Sports (Jason McIntyre) |
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri | February 27 |
| Comment: "Are they going back to the 4-3? If so, Richardson would be an ideal fit. The secondary also needs help, and Elam or Vaccaro at safety could make sense." | ||
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BSO (Al Bruce) |
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri | February 27 |
| Comment: "Dallas gets a quick, gap-penetrating defensive tackle for Monte Kiffin’s new 4-3 defense. Richardson established himself as a force in Missouri’s debut season in the SEC. He also has the kind of attitude and swagger that will be a good fit in Dallas." | ||
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NFL.com (Gil Brandt) |
Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina | February 26 |
| Comment: "The strong Cooper (6-2 1/8, 311), who posted 35 reps in the bench press, could solve the Cowboys' offensive-line problems at either guard or tackle. " | ||
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CBS Sports (Pat Kirwan) |
Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama | February 26 |
| Comment: "The Cowboys have an issue trying to build a 4-3 defense, but they also have to protect Tony Romo and run the ball better. Warmack fits the mold of the great Cowboy linemen of the past." | ||
| CBSSports (Clark Judge) | DJ Fluker, ROT, Alabama | February 26 |
| Comment: "The Cowboys must -- absolutely must -- find more offensive-line help, and this is someone who could lock down their right-tackle position." | ||
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CBSsports (Dane Brugler) |
Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina | February 26 |
| Comment: "Will Jerry Jones really draft an offensive guard in the top-20 of the draft? Although it might seem like a longshot, Cooper is absolutely worth the pick and Dallas can't afford to pass on an interior lineman of his caliber, especially because he brings versatility at guard and center." | ||
| NEPatriotsdraft (Matthew Jones) | Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina | February 26 |
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Comment: "Doug Free could shift inside to guard; another option is to draft a cost-effective alternative such as Jonathan Cooper in the draft." |
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And now for a look at some of the prospects that might fall the Cowboys' way later in the draft. The table below summarizes a couple of mock drafts that go beyond just the first round. Let us know in the attached poll which of these mocks you like the most.
| Source | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
| Drafttek | Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri | Barrett Jones, OC, Alabama | David Amerson, CB, NC State |
Gerald Hodges, OLB, Penn State |
David Bass, DE, Missouri Western |
Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas- Pine Bluff |
| Draftsite | Barrett Jones, OC, Alabama | Baccari Rambo, S, Georgia |
Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas |
Jordan Hill, DT, Penn State |
Braden Hansen, OG, BYU |
Tom Wort, ILB, Oklahoma |
| Walter Football | Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas | Tank Carradine, DE, Florida St. | Brennan Williams, OT, North Carolina | Alvin Bailey, OG, Arkansas | - - | - - |
| NEPatriotsdraft | Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina |
Alex Okafor, DE, Texas |
David Bakhtiari, OT, Colorado |
- - |
- - | - - |