NewsBot
New Member
- Messages
- 111,281
- Reaction score
- 2,947
Not too long ago, it seemed like everybody was mocking the same two players to the Cowboys. Boy, has that ever changed.
When the Cowboys signed DT Henry Melton on March 18, that threw a spanner in the works for most draftniks who had been mocking a defensive tackle to the Cowboys up to that point.
Now that the mock draft community has had some time to digest that signing, let's take a look at 14 of the latest mocks published over the last few days and see what they think the Cowboys will do in the 2014 NFL draft. All the mock draft goodness from sites like Drafttek, Yahoosports, NFL.com, ESPN, CBSSports and many others are summarized below.
Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
ESPN (Kiper) Apr 3 Comment: " I don't think Dallas can do enough to upgrade along the defensive line. Donald getting past the Bears at No. 14 is a surprise, and I draft him here with the belief that he can come in and start right away. He was the most disruptive defensive player in college football last year."CBSSports (Brugler), Apr 1 Comment: "Signing Henry Melton gives the Cowboys a little more flexibility with this pick, but if Donald is still on the board, he would be a welcome addition to the Cowboys lackluster front four."
NFL.com (Fisher),
Apr 1 Comment: "Some knock his size, but Donald leaves college as the most dominant interior defender since Ndamukong Suh."
Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
CBSSports (Brinson), Apr 2 Comment: "Nightmare situation with a run on defensive tackles prior to them picking. It wouldn't be surprising to see them move up and grab a tackle but instead they stand pat and nab Jernigan here."UT San Diego (Brown) Apr 2 Comment: "The Cowboys defense is horrific, so any defensive player is an upgrade here. The defensive line was especially porous, however, and Jernigan would fit Dallas' system perfectly."
CBSSports (Rang), Apr 1 Comment: "The signing of defensive tackle Henry Melton helps fill the gaping hole in the middle of Dallas' defensive line but doesn't necessarily eliminate it. Jernigan's burst and strength make him capable of handling either of the two defensive tackle roles in Rod Marinelli's scheme."
Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
Yahoosports (King), Apr 1 Comment: "After cutting DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys have a major void of pass rushers. Ealy should flourish under the tutelage of Rod Marinelli."NESN (Kyed), Apr 3 Comment: "Ealy is a slight reach at No. 16, but the Cowboys badly need a pass rusher. Ealy would fit well into the Cowboys’ 4-3 — even with Monte Kiffin [???] running the unit."
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
SI.com (Farrar), Apr 1 Comment: "He’s an aggressive tackler and a pass defender with a great deal of potential. Yes, the ‘Boys need a new pass-rush expert with the departure of DeMarcus Ware, but they can get that guy later if they’re smart. The safety class is more top-heavy, and that’s where Dallas needs to pounce."Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
NFL.com (Smith), Apr 3 Comment: "Signing Henry Melton helped the DL. Time to address a porous secondary that helped clear the way for Josh McCown to cash in this offseason. "
Anthony Barr, OLB/DE, UCLA
Drafttek.com, Apr 2 Comment: "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."
Dee Ford, DE, Auburn
The Big Lead (McIntyre), Apr 2 Comment: "The weakest defensive line in the league after the departure of DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys must address this in the draft, and early. Another option is Kony Ealy of Missouri but definitely don’t rule out Stephon Tuitt. He was considered a Top 10 talent coming into last season, but had an underwhelming junior year. After Clowney, I think Tuitt is the most talented defensive end."
Zack Martin, OT/OG, Notre Dame
CBSSports (Prisco), Apr 2 Comment: "This would make their offensive line the strong point of the team after having so many problems."
Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Walter Football, Apr 3 Comment: "This pick may not make much sense on the surface, but hear me out. Doug Free is coming off a solid season, but he has just one year left on his contract. He was also tried at the guard position before the 2013 campaign began, so perhaps Jerry Jones will want him to shore up a huge hole at one of those slots. Free would be able to move there with this selection.
Taylor Lewan has the talent to be the sixth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, but character issues could drop him some. Jones has proven recently that he's willing to take chances on players with concerns, provided they're not too egregious."
Continue reading...