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Mock drafts, I love 'em. Hate on 'em all you want, they are a guilty pleasure of the draft season. OCC will be by with his full, weekly mock draft roundup later, but I wanted to jump on the Kiper/McShay mocks that just came out. Basically, they represent each side of the coin, at least where most are concerned for the Cowboys. OCC always talks about mocks reaching a consensus, but he's usually referring to a player. In this case, we are talking about two positions groups.
Everybody is on the offensive line/defensive line bandwagon for the Cowboys. And rightly so.
First, Mel Kiper, representing the offense:
18. Chance Warmack Dallas Cowboys (8-8) COLLEGE: Alabama AGE: 21 HT: 6-3 WT: 320 POS: G
Analysis: Follow my Big Board week to week and you're probably surprised I could fathom a situation where Warmack is still around at No. 18. But remember, the mock also takes into account where I hear teams are valuing guys, and in the case of a player like Warmack, the positional value aspect hurts him as a guard. Make no mistake, he's a stud, a dominant guard who makes your offensive line better the second he signs his contract. But he's staying inside, period, limiting his shot at the top 10. Dallas could certainly use an upgrade at guard, and I don't think the Cowboys can pass up Warmack at this spot on the board if he's available.
If Warmack fell to the Cowboys they've got to take him. That would be an unbelievably lucky break for Dallas, high-quality meeting need at pick #18. Going into the season with the same right side of the offensive line does not inspire confidence. Sliding Warmack into guard, and letting the rest of the crew (plus any additions) fight it out for the other two spots would be a nice move towards solidifying the line.
Now, Todd McShay, representing the defense:
18. Dallas Cowboys Record: 8-8 Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Richardson fills a top need and is a perfect fit as 3-technique in the 4-3 scheme of new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. He lacks ideal size and strength, but Richardson has elite first-step quickness, change-of-direction skills and range to penetrate and disrupt plays.
Richardson, along with Sharrif Floyd, have been mocked to the Cowboys for weeks. With the Jay Ratliff age/injury/off-field mess still hanging over Dallas, and with a lack of depth along the defensive line with the change to the 4-3, this pick makes perfect sense.
There you have it, a nice representation of the Cowboys needs/wants in the draft. Would you take a chance on Chance if he fell? Or would you rather shore up the defensive line?