Valentines Day Mock

[JonJon]

Will Cupid be so kind as to strike the Cowboys with a draft class that the fan base, or at least JonJon, would love? Love is definitely in the air. Or is that just the smell of play-makers coming to Dallas? Anyhow, here is my updated mock with off-season moves:

Free Agency

Laurent Robinson WR Cowboys - His chemistry and ability to get open and make big plays should make him a priority this off-season. Hopefully, he gives Dallas a hometown discount to retain his services.

Anthony Spencer OLB Cowboys - It seems as if the Cowboys are at least considering tagging Spencer. Although the $9mil/yr price tag is tough to swallow, it at the very least buys time to find a cheaper replacement without sacrificing production.

Carl Nicks G Saints - Obvious move. The Cowboys need to get better in the trenches and Nicks is the best option available. His signing, along with Spencer, would occupy the bulk of our cap resources, but it will be well worth it.

Mike Adams FS Browns - There might be better, younger options available, but Adams should come at a favorable price, and also be an upgrade over Elam. Another stop-gap player until a better solution is available. His familiarity with Ryan and Henderson is a plus.

Allan Ball CB Cowboys - Probably will not be a popular choice signing, but still a good signing. If the Cowboys get a quality starting CB in the draft, Ball should remain at the 4th CB spot and provide affordable depth.

Mock Draft: 2/14

Round 1: Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama - I'm not relinquishing hope yet. The Cowboys have said they will take the best player available in round 1. More and more mocks are starting to slot DeCastro before the Cowboys pick, and Kirkpatrick might be gone as well. If that is the case, then I can see this pick. Jenkins has the shutdown skills and ball skills at CB that we have been dreaming for. He replaces Newman and instantly upgrades the defense. His interviews have given me confidence that his off field issues are a thing of the past.

Round 2: Jared Crick DE Nebraska - We need to get more pressure on the QB. Crick does just that. He started next to Suh where he wreaked havoc on opposing teams. He tore his pectoral muscle early in his final season, so his injury forces him to slide right into the Cowboys waiting arms.

Round 3: Alameda Ta’amu NT Washington - Ta'amu is a huge, quick footed NT that clogs the middle and often requires double teams. His middle push doesn't allow QB's to step up in the pocket, but often forces them outside into the arms of pass rushers. He also uses his size to clog running lanes and reroute RB's. With Ratliff and Crick providing pressure along with Ware and Spencer, QB's will not have all day to sit back and pick our secondary apart.

Round 4: Mike Brewster C Ohio State - Costa and Kowalski held up as best they could at center, but their position was a consistent weak spot all season. Brewster will be able to come in and start right away, providing a much needed upgrade to the line. He has the quickness and strength to excel at both pass and run blocking.

Round 5: Tramain Thomas FS Arkansas - This is my sleeper pick. The only thing the second-team All-SEC player did all his career was make plays. He lacks top end speed, but makes up for it with his coverage and ball hawking skills. He is a solid tackler as well. The best part, he isn't a project. He could be the starting FS for the Cowboys in a year or two.

Round 6: Darius Fleming OLB Notre Dame - Named to the 2011 Butkus Award Preseason Watch List for the 2011, Fleming has a very good combination of size, strength and athleticism, but he lacks explosiveness. He has enough athleticism to drop into coverage. He is a work in progress that has starting potential, but at the very least will be solid depth and a great special teams player early in his career.

Round 6: George Bryan TE NC State - Bryan has terrific hands, catching everything that comes his way, and does a great job as a blocker. His lack of athleticism and speed is the reason he will not be drafted higher. However, his skills are perfect for a limited role behind Witten where he would mainly be a blocker and be able to catch the occasional pass that comes his way.

Round 7: Chad Diehl FB Clemson - One of my favorite players in the draft. Diehl doesn't provide anything as far as running or catching the ball, but he is a powerful blocker that simply bulldozes running lanes and blows defenders out of the way as he consistently gets to the second level. Murray and Felix will love him.

[acer941]

Love it!! A+ if this happened...

[NeonDeion21]

I've seen Alameda's name being thrown around in the top part of the first round. I don't think he reaches the 3rd.

[Dash28]

Originally Posted by NeonDeion21

I've seen Alameda's name being thrown around in the top part of the first round. I don't think he reaches the 3rd.

You have?

First I have heard anything like this.

[Zimmy Lives]

I agree with all of it, including your free agents!

Yes Ball is not a great player but he is a nice supporting cast member (4th CB) who knows his role and the system. Keep him until someone beats him out.

[supercowboy8]

It's ok I like some of the signings and some of the draft picks. I am one of the minorities on here that like Janoris.

I hate that you have Ball coming back. If Ball plays anywhere our defense always suffers.

I do not like round 3 or 4.

Ta'Amu I don't see as a true 3-4 NT. I have seen him get owned to many times to like. I have seen him get over powered by smaller Centers or OGs. I don;t know if its that he isn't trying or he is just that weak but either way I don't care for him. Phillip Blake owned him in the bowl game.

Brewster sucks. I have pointed out many games during the season where he was owned and abused. Brewster also had a very bad Senior bowl week and game. Konz and Jones is the only centers I want drafted as of right now.

[RS12]

Only pick I like is Ta'amu and he'll be gone round 2.

[robert70x7]

Great picks, we still need linebacker depth though. If you could add Solai to that list, and replace Ta'amu with another ILB, I would love it.

Great job, you always post well thought out drafts.

[Zimmy Lives]

Originally Posted by robert70x7

Great picks, we still need linebacker depth though. If you could add Solai to that list, and replace Ta'amu with another ILB, I would love it.

Great job, you always post well thought out drafts.

I love your first three picks as well but, shamefully, I do not know enough about your remaining picks to comment one way or another.

[JonJon]

Originally Posted by supercowboy8

It's ok I like some of the signings and some of the draft picks. I am one of the minorities on here that like Janoris.

I hate that you have Ball coming back. If Ball plays anywhere our defense always suffers.

I do not like round 3 or 4.

Ta'Amu I don't see as a true 3-4 NT. I have seen him get owned to many times to like. I have seen him get over powered by smaller Centers or OGs. I don;t know if its that he isn't trying or he is just that weak but either way I don't care for him. Phillip Blake owned him in the bowl game.

Brewster sucks. I have pointed out many games during the season where he was owned and abused. Brewster also had a very bad Senior bowl week and game. Konz and Jones is the only centers I want drafted as of right now.

I respect you opinion. I admittedly am an SEC follower, with also some knowledge on ACC players, so most of my information on other players come from games I've seen here or there or scouting videos. I'll have to go back and examine Brewster, but he seemed fine in the games I've seen him in. As for Ta'Amu, I slotted him because I believe the better prospects will be gone by then, and we will need to find someone if Ratliff is indeed moving. Perhaps Kheeston Randall is an option, but I think he is too small for what we need. Hebron Fangupo is good, but he's already going to be 27 by the time the season starts.

Originally Posted by robert70x7

Great picks, we still need linebacker depth though. If you could add Solai to that list, and replace Ta'amu with another ILB, I would love it.

Great job, you always post well thought out drafts.

Thank you! I should have mentioned that OLB Darius Fleming would move inside in the 3-4.

[fortdick]

First off, I don't think we will get a shot at Nicks. Even if we do, it will take all the cap room we have to sign him.

That being said, adding a fourth round and a sixth round as the only offensive improvements is not good enough.

If we do sign Nicks, we have need at CB and OLB that can be met in the first round. I would prefer an Ingram or Hightower in the first over the available CB's. If Nicks doesn't come, we are compelled to look at Decastro as a must have, just like Smith last year.

I am not convinced any of the corners to be available are worth the 14th pick. Kirkpatrick may be a consideration, but Jenkins is small and stupid. I don't care what he has said after weeks of coaching, the guy made his bed, now sleep in it. Kirkpatrick bothers me too, even though the charges were dropped. Rothlesraper's charges were dropped too. If I go defense in the first, I go with Ingram.

Players like Barron and Konz and Kuechly are others that may see their stock rise or fall. All three would be great pick ups for us. Of course, all the prognostication and arguing mean squat until after the combine, when we will see what they actually are. Maybe that will help us in Barron's case.

Free agency will decide our draft strategy. If we pay Spencer franchise money, no drafting or signing a new OLB. If Robinson doesn't come back, we need a third (first?) WR. Many are assuming Newman leaving is a foregone conclusion, but is it? What are is the front office's opinion of players like Lissemore, Nagy, Arkin, Kowalski, McCray, etc.? This will impact both FA and the draft. Are they comfortable with Carter, or do they rely on James for another season?

Mock drafts are fun to play and discuss, but the bottom line is no one, even the people at Valley Ranch, knows what the hell is going to happen.

[NeonDeion21]

Originally Posted by Dash28

You have?

First I have heard anything like this.

Sporting News Russ Lande has him going 6th overall.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/stor...ine-approaches

Now I don't think he goes that high, but DT's and NT's always rise come draft day.

[overseas]

I like

Round 1: Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama
Round 4: Mike Brewster C Ohio State
Round 5: Tramain Thomas FS Arkansas
Round 7: Chad Diehl FB Clemson

theres now way we get a shot at Nicks IMO

and Ball god I hope he does not make it to Mini camps

I hate the Crick and Ta’amu picks think we can do better than those guys

could live with out Fleming I think if we go LB it should be a ILB

thats where we need depth

[robert70x7]

Originally Posted by overseas

I like

Round 1: Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama
Round 4: Mike Brewster C Ohio State
Round 5: Tramain Thomas FS Arkansas
Round 7: Chad Diehl FB Clemson

theres now way we get a shot at Nicks IMO

and Ball god I hope he does not make it to Mini camps

I hate the Crick and Ta’amu picks think we can do better than those guys

could live with out Fleming I think if we go LB it should be a ILB

thats where we need depth

What's a better option than Crick? I have him top 50.

[supercowboy8]

Originally Posted by JonJon

I respect you opinion. I admittedly am an SEC follower, with also some knowledge on ACC players, so most of my information on other players come from games I've seen here or there or scouting videos. I'll have to go back and examine Brewster, but he seemed fine in the games I've seen him in. As for Ta'Amu, I slotted him because I believe the better prospects will be gone by then, and we will need to find someone if Ratliff is indeed moving. Perhaps Kheeston Randall is an option, but I think he is too small for what we need. Hebron Fangupo is good, but he's already going to be 27 by the time the season starts.

Just see Brewster game vs Worthy, Kawann Short, and the bowl game vs Florida.

Also read about how bad he performed at the senior bowl