News: BTB: 2014 Mock Draft Tracker: 12 Mocks, 9 Different Prospects For The Cowboys

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Just two weeks ago, the mock draft consensus had narrowed down the Cowboys likely first round picks in the 2014 draft to two defensive tackles. Boy, has that changed since.

Two weeks ago, just before the start of free agency, 11 of the 13 mock drafts we reviewed in our mock draft tracker had the Cowboys taking either Aaron Donald or Timmy Jernigan as their top pick.

The Cowboys have consistently argued that they want to use free agency to close holes on their roster in order to have a maximum of flexibility on draft day. Three defensive line signings later, that strategy seems to have worked to perfection, at least according to the mock drafts published since March 19, the day the Cowboys signed Henry Melton.

The 12 mock drafts published since March 19 and surveyed below offer nine different names for the Cowboys to consider, and judging by the broad spectrum of positions mocked the Cowboys' way, it'll be a while yet before another consensus pick emerges.

Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh​

NFL.com (Jeremiah), Mar 20 Comment: "The Cowboys just signed Henry Melton, but that shouldn't scare them away from Donald. He is a dominant interior defender, but he has the quickness and athleticism to slide out to defensive end if needed. "
Yahoo Sports (Edholm), Mar 19 Comment: "This is a great fit for a Rod Marinelli defense, and Donald could be the godsend this gutted front needs. The one drawback would be that Donald struggles against double teams, and with few other notable talents (yet) on that Cowboys’ line, it could be a long rookie season. But Donald’s white-hot motor and interior penetration skills could pay off in the long term. This would be a pick that could help this defense regain some respectability."

Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State​

CBSSports (Prisco),
Mar 19 Comment: " I will continue to put him in this spot. It just makes too much sense."
Draftseason (Edlund),
Mar19 Comment: "The Cowboys need a defensive tackle who can penetrate and create ruckus in the backfield in order to make their Tampa 2 scheme work. Jernigan is coming off a sub par Combine, but he has some great tape showing what kind of destructive penetrator he is. He’d be a solid choice for the Boys here."

Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA​

CBSSports (Kirwan),
Mar 21 Comment: "DeMarcus Ware is gone and Mincey isn't enough of a replacement. Some see Barr as an outside linebacker but he will be big enough to play with his hand on the ground. He had 22 sacks and nine forced fumbles in the past two years."
Seahawks draft blog
Mar 19 Comment: "The Cowboys need to keep adding to the defensive line. After bringing in Henry Melton, now they need an edge rusher."

Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame​

Drafttek.com No comments from our friend Longball for this mock draft version.

Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame​

CBSSports (Brinson), Mar 20 Comment: "The Cowboys need big bodies on their defensive line after losing DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher to free agency. Few are as big bodied as Nix and he can step in and fill space for Rod Marinelli's line."

Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri​

The Draft Report, Mar 20 Comment: "As the Cowboys continue to overhaul their defensive personnel to fit the 4-3, better fits are needed along the defensive line. Ealy has the versatility to play outside or slide inside, and would help alleviate the loss of DeMarcus Ware."

Dee Ford, DE, Auburn​

Draftbreakdown (Mochal), Mar 20 No comments from the prospect video gurus.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama ​

NESN (Hyed), Mar 21 Comment: "The Cowboys have addressed their need at cornerback the last two seasons. Now it’s time to look for a versatile safety like Clinton-Dix."

Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville ​

Detroit Free Press (Birkett), Mar 19 Comment: "I slotted Aaron Donald here before Dallas signed Henry Melton on Tuesday. The Cowboys have a huge hole at safety and Pryor seems like a player Jerry Jones will fall in love with."​

So what do you think?

Should the Cowboys stick to bolstering the defensive line with their first pick, or is the team now open to look at other positions as well?

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