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For their last few mock drafts, Dan Kadar and Matthew Fairburn have been alternating defensive lineman for the Cowboys in the form of Minnesota DT Ra'Shede Hageman and Notre Dame DT Stephon Tuitt. Tuitt drops all the way to 51st in this week's mock, while Hageman is picked by the Steelers with the 15th pick.
In their place Kadar picks Louisville safety Calvin Pryor for the Cowboys.
Barry Church and Jeff Heath, the Cowboys' two main safeties a year ago, wouldn't be able to beat Pryor out for a starting job right now. Isn't that what the draft is all about? Pryor is a good all-around safety. He's comfortable dropping back into coverage and breaking on the ball. But he's an aggressive run stopper as well and a sure tackler.
Having gone safety with the first pick, Kadar then addresses the defensive line with in the second round, this time with DT Tim Jernigan out of Florida State
If the Cowboys can sufficiently address safety in the first round, adding another playmaking presence in the middle of the defense should become a priority on Day 2 of the draft. Jernigan is a fringe first rounder because of his ability to split gaps and get in the backfield. He's the type of player who would improve Dallas' below-average sack totals.
Watching Earl Thomas doing his thing in centerfield for the Seahawks has got to have Cowboys fans excited at the prospect of a top-notch safety, but would Pryor have been your pick?