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Friday is mock draft day here on BTB and we have 21 of the freshest and juiciest mocks handpicked for your mock draft pleasure.
For months, Aaron Donald has dominated our mock draft roundups. Not anymore.
Of the 21 mock drafts we have assembled below, only three are picking Aaron Donald for the Cowboys, as most mock draftniks see Donald being taken ahead of the 16th pick in May.
According to the mock drafts below, Anthony Barr, Timmy Jernigan, Calvin Pryor and Zack Martin are the alternative candidates, should the Cowboys not be able to select Aaron Donald.
All the mock draft goodness from sites like Drafttek, SI.com, NFL.com, ESPN, CBSSports and many others is summarized below.
Anthony Barr, OLB/DE, UCLA
NESN (Kyed), Apr 10 Comment: "Pass rusher DeMarcus Ware is gone, and outside linebacker Anthony Spencer remains unsigned. The Cowboys desperately need pass rushers, and Barr has tons of upside at linebacker or defensive end."NFL.com (Jeremiah),
Apr 9 Comment: "The Cowboys are desperate for edge rushers and Barr would be an excellent value at this spot."
Seahawks Draft Blog, Apr 9 Comment: "I wouldn’t draft Barr this early, but the Cowboys are stuck without moving up or down. After bringing in Henry Melton, they need an edge rusher. They have no alternative."
Drafttek.com,
Apr 9 Comment: "The more I think about this selection, the more it makes sense to me . . . DeMarcus Ware is a Denver Bronco, Anthony Spencer is receiving nibbles but no offers on the Free Agency Market, Dallas signed Jeremy Mincey (whose former coach with the Jags stated his off-the-field activities seemed to take priority over football), and who knows how Tyrone Crawford will come back from his season-ending injury. George Selvie jumped off the sofa to perform well last year, but the 4-3 alignment requires 2 DEs to start. Although Barr played OLB in college, he is at his best rushing the passer . . . and with his quickness, draws comparisons to a young DeMarcus Ware. Could lightning strike twice? Before drawing your conclusions, watch the Bruin's highlights from last year."
Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
ESPN (McShay) Apr 10 Comment: "Jernigan would improve Dallas' defensive line depth, which is critical in defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli's defense, since he likes to rotate his D-linemen so that he can send four-man pressure on a high percentage of plays. Jernigan is a good fit for Marinelli's scheme, and in particular he's a good complement to free-agent addition Henry Melton, who is more of a 3-technique defensive tackle, as Jernigan can play either 3-technique or 1-technique. Other options here include offensive tackles Morgan Moses and Zack Martin and safety Calvin Pryor."CBSSports (Prisco),
Apr 10 Comment: "He fits what they do as a defense. It just makes sense."
SI.com (Banks). Apr 10 Comment: "The Cowboys will be tempted to take a safety with cover men like Clinton-Dix and Louisville's Calvin Pryor still on the board, and a pass rusher like UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr or Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy would look just fine with a star on their helmet. But with all that said, Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli usually starts building a defense with a tackle who can wreak some havoc. With Donald gone, that points to the disruptive Jernigan for me, with some thinking Notre Dame defensive tackle Louis Nix III is in the mix as well.
Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Optimum Scouting (Galko), Apr 9 Comment: "Like Darqueze Dennard, rumors are that Calvin Pryor isn’t as highly viewed by NFL teams as he has been recently in the media. Still, this safety class isn’t very top heavy, so teams in need of help may reach early on draft day. He’s still versatile enough as a free or strong safety to have value, and should fit the Dallas Cover-2 defense well enough."
NFL.com (Goodbread),
Apr 8 Comment: "Pryor gives Dallas much-needed help at safety and will bring an enforcer's attitude."
Football's Future (Davis),
Apr 7 Comment: "The addition of Henry Melton helps shore up the front, although they could still go in that direction here. The need at safety, and lack of depth at the position, pushes the Cowboys in Pryor's direction. His physical nature and aggressiveness at the safety position will add a much needed presence at the position. "
Zack Martin, OT/OG, Notre Dame
CBSSports (Brugler), Apr 10 Comment: "With Aaron Donald off the board, Martin might be Dallas' plan B with his ability to play right tackle if the Cowboys decide to move Doug Free inside or Martin can play either of the two guard positions."Shutdown Corner (Edholm), Apr 7 Comment: "I hate their options here but resist the temptation to force defense because Jernigan is not the 16th best player available (and because he's something of a Henry Melton clone), even with the defensive front being such a wasteland. Martin is a huge upgrade over both projected starting guards and can replace Doug Free at right tackle in a year."
L.A. Times (Farmer), Apr 5 Comment: "The Cowboys could play Martin at either guard spot during his rookie season, then move him to right tackle to replace Doug Free, who is in the last year of his deal."
Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
Real GM (Risdon), Apr 10 Comment: "What do you get a team with a decimated defensive line? How about a disruptive interior force that can collapse the pocket and make opposing quarterbacks stress. Donald is a perfect fit. Zero hesitation in running to the podium with this pick. "
NFL.com (Huguenin),
Apr 10 Comment: "Rod Marinelli tutored some big-time DTs when he was with the Bucs. Here's his next big-time DT."
CBSSports (Rang), Apr8 Comment: "The signing of defensive tackle Henry Melton helps fill the gaping hole in the middle of Dallas' defensive line but the Cowboys may want insurance that his surgically-repaired knee will hold up. Donald is a terrific fit in defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli's scheme and comes with the full trophy closet that Jerry Jones appreciates, as well."
Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
SB Nation (Kadar), Apr 7 Comment: "After DeMarcus Ware signed with the Denver Broncos, it opened somewhat of a need at pass rusher for the Cowboys. Even if Anthony Spencer is brought back, a player like Ealy would go nicely on the defense with George Selvie."DraftReport (Easterling), Apr 7 Comment: "The personnel overhaul continues on defense as the Cowboys look for better fits for their 4-3 scheme. Ealy has the perfect frame and skill set to play end, but could also slide inside on passing downs."
Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Star-Telegram (Williams), Apr 10 Comment: "Donald would be the pick if he was on the board, but he’s not. Lewan and Zack Martin likely are higher on the Cowboys’ draft board than Ealy, allowing Doug Free to move to guard."
Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
CBSSports (Brinson), Apr 10 Comment: "If you were creating a flowchart for the Cowboys draft it would basically ask "Is he a defensive tackle?" and if you answer "Yes" then "Draft for Cowboys." Or something. Nix might not be their top choice, but he's a big body that can plug in the middle of Rob Marinelli's line and hopefully make up for massive personnel departures on the line." Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
USA Today (Davis), Apr 10 Comment: "A defense designed to generate turnovers probably would produce far more with a playmaking center fielder."Continue reading...