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Friday is mock draft day on Blogging The Boys, and today is no different as we review the latest, greatest mock drafts published over the last seven days.
It seems like much longer, but it was just two weeks ago that the Cowboys ended their season. Since then, mock drafters across the nation have been busy getting their ducks in a row for what could well be a defense-focused draft for the Cowboys.
In today's roundup of the freshest, juiciest mocks published in the last week, 12 out of 14 mocks have the Cowboys picking a defensive lineman for Rod Marinelli's Rushmen.
Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
Walter Football, Jan 8 Comment: "Despite having DeMarcus Ware on the roster, the Cowboys inexplicably finished in the bottom 10 of sacks this season. Ware playing hurt was a problem, but there's no one else who could consistently get to the quarterback. Kony Ealy makes sense for both the 4-3 and 3-4, and he fills a need across from Ware."
CBSSports (Rang),
Jan 7 Comment: "Tony Romo's issues in the fourth quarter pale in comparison to the full game bludgeoning that occurs weekly to the Cowboys' defense. Expect there to be significant turnover in personnel over the offseason should Dallas elect to keep their 4-3 alignment. Adding a versatile and athletic edge rusher like Ealy would go a long way towards adding some danger to the Dallas defense."
CBSSports (Brugler),
Jan 6 Comment: "The Cowboys almost have to go defensive line with this pick, addressing either end or tackle. Ealy isn't a "big name" but he's a talented pass rusher who has the tools to garner first-round attention."
Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
Drafttek.com, Jan 10 No comments yet from Drafttek this early in the season.
Si.com (Burke),
Jan 9 Comment: "With or without Monte Kiffin running the defense, the Cowboys would be wise to add someone like Nix. The massive 340-pound tackle simply plugs up the middle, be it from the 1-tech or directly over the center. Impending free agent Jason Hatcher may be on his way out, so finding Nix here could be even more of a boon."
NEPatriotsdraft (Sluis),
Jan 6 Comment: "The Cowboys will miss out on the postseason yet again, but there are patches of talent throughout the roster. One place they could improve upon is any position on the defense besides DeMarcus Ware. Nix is a beast up front who is massive, strong and also surprisingly quick. He would really sure up the defensive line regardless of whether or not Monte Kiffin’s Cover 2 scheme is retained."
Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
AZCentral.com (McManaman), Jan 9 Comment: "Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys trade up in the first round. Jerry Jones always loves to maneuver on draft weekend. Hageman, though, is a hulking disrupter up front and everyone knows Dallas needs to do something quick to fix the worse defense in the NFL."
Eat, drink and sleep Football (Hanson),
Jan 7 Comment: "It's unclear what type of defense the Cowboys will be playing next year. Although they switched from a 3-4 (2012) to a 4-3 (2013), their defense is so bad this year that it's hard to imagine Kiffin returning in 2014. Either way, Hageman has the versatility to play in either front, but the concern has been the (in)consistency of his effort. As one NFL personnel executive tells NFL.com's Albert Breer, "[Hageman] is big, athletic -- he flashes top-10 talent. He's just inconsistent with his motor and his overall play style." "
NFL Draft Geek,
Jan 5 Comment: "They have a massive need at defensive tackle, and luckily the 2014 draft has plenty to choose from. Playing at Minnesota, Hageman hasn't quite gotten the attention he has deserved this year. A former tight end, Hageman is an explosive athlete who can knife his way into the backfield, but at 6-6 and 310 pounds he is a major factor in stopping the run and is as nasty as they come up front."
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
Optimum Scouting (Galko), Jan 7 Comment: "The Cowboys boasted the worst secondary play in the NFL last season thanks to a poorly-designed scheme by defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and lackluster talent at safety. It looks like they may keep Kiffin around, so adding more talent to the safety position with the best in the class is a must-do."
Cleveland.com (Fedoer),
Jan 3 Comment: "The Cowboys defense was no laughing matter in 2013. It was carved up constantly, allowing five teams to have at least 450 total yards. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is coming off a strong Sugar Bowl. He has good range and the safety flies around the field with bad intentions. He would bring a nasty attitude to a defense lacking that this past season."
Timmy Jernigan, DT, FSU
Draftseason (Edlund), Jan 5 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 nothing, if not a disruptor and would be a great pick for Jerry Jones here.
Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo
The Footbal Expert (Clearwater), Jan 7 Comment: "I think Dallas would be very happy to get Mack here. He’s a potential top 15 guy so landing him here at 17 is great. He would be able to help their defense in many ways next season so they Cowboys would be wise to run to the podium to select him here."
Vic Beasley, OLB/DE, Clemson
All Funked Up, Jan 5 Comment: "Anyway you want to look at it, the Cowboys were a mess on defense. The only person that can get to the quarterback is DeMarcus Ware and that's not a good thing. When Ware isn't getting to the quarterback, this team struggles badly. Beasley is more of a 3-4 type player, but he still can get to the quarterback. If the Cowboys switch back to a 3-4, then Beasley is the ideal fit here. He could still play in a 4-3, but he's gonna have to be a LB at the next level due to being under-sized as a DE. But his pass rush skills would be most helpful to the Cowboys who need someone else who can do that besides Ware."
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