News: BTB: 2015 Mock Draft Tracker: 21 Mocks, 11 Different Prospects For The Cowboys

[NewsBot]

Friday is mock draft day here on BTB and we have 21 of the freshest and juiciest mocks handpicked for your mock draft delectation.

In today's mock draft round-up, we look at 21 of the latest mocks published over the last few days, including mocks from SI.com, NFL.com, ESPN, CBSSports and many others.

With the Greg Hardy and Rolando McClain signings in the books, the ubiquitous defense ends and linebackers from previous mock draft roundups have almost disappeared. In their stead, defensive tackles are back en vogue with a number of draftniks, so we don't have the same old situation as we did last week.

Are these guys simply not very knowledgeable about the Cowboys and their defensive scheme, or is this year's battle cry really "Tackles, tackles, tackles?"

There certainly are more options for the Cowboys. So let's kickstart our mock draft roundup with the mötley collection of mocks below, all of which were published in April. And for a feelgood reading experience, the players who've been brought in for a pre-draft visit are marked in green.

Source Player Comment​

Cornerbacks​

E$PN (Kiper), Mar 9

Byron Jones​

This is one of the best athletes in the draft, but with Jones, it's not just about the workouts, because everything you see at the NFL combine is also evident on tape. He has great football instincts and star upside. There are going to be pass-rushers available in Round 2, and running back help is there well into the later rounds, especially with the offensive line the Cowboys have in place.
Draftseason (Falk), Apr. 9

Kevin Johnson​

The Cowboys have already shown serious interest in Johnson and adding a cornerback will be a must for Dallas. Johnson is a top 3 corner in 2015 and would be solid value at pick 27
Drafttek,
Apr 8

Kevin Johnson​

Dallas finished 26th in the league against the pass, allowing 250 yards per game; the basis of Marinelli's defensive philosophy is turnovers and the CB position as a group only accounted for 3 of the Cowboys' 18 total interceptions in 2014. Kevin Johnson brings size and run support, as well as coverage abilities, to the Cowboy defensive backfield.
Sporting News (Galko), Apr 8

Kevin Johnson​

Needing help across their defense, the Cowboys could go any number of directions with their first-round pick. Kevin Johnson has become the trendy cornerback shooting up boards, and his value as a nickel corner and potential outside starter should intrigue the Cowboys.
Ourlads, Apr 8

Jalen Collins​

Will the Cowboys take the bait on another LSC corner? Tall, lean, and very long. Great body awareness and control all over the field. Covers with an aggressive style, shows no fear or hesitation when squared off against elite-level receivers. Can get his hands on, redirect and disrupt his man at the point of attack. Long strider with good range underneath. Good instincts, reads the action well. Good eye-hand coordination. Very good acceleration to his top speed. Easy bender with good flexibility. Confident player who will compete hard every down.
CBS (Brugler), Apr 5 Marcus Peters Brandon Carr has disappointed and Morris Claiborne has been the one blemish on an otherwise flawless first round résumé for the Cowboys the last five years, making cornerback a need in this year's draft. Peters has his baggage, but the reward out-weighs the risk at this point.
Buffalo News (Skurski), Apr 1 Marcus Peters Adding another player with significant character questions (Peters was kicked off the team for clashing with coaches) might be tough after Dallas signed Greg Hardy (accused of domestic abuse ) but Peters might be the best cornerback available.

Defensive Tackles​

Sporting News (Clements), Apr 9 Eddie Goldman The Cowboys will draft a running back and quarterback at some point in the draft, but here they go with a 6-4, 336-pound run stuffer to help a defense that ranked 19th in the league last year. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli knows his defense needs an upgrade up front and his want won’t go unnoticed.
Houston Chronicle (McClain), Apr 9 Eddie Goldman A wide body who can help shut down the run and push the pocket.
NFL.com (Zierlein),
Apr 8 Eddie Goldman Goldman is a powerhouse interior lineman who might not rush the passer as well as defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli might like, but he can bring the ruckus against the run.
Cleveland.com (Fedor), Apr 7 Malcom Brown Stopping the run is paramount in the NFC East with Alfred Morris, and now the stable of running backs Chip Kelly and the Eagles are waiting to unleash. Brown, who can play all over the defensive line, would continue Dallas' off-season of improving its inconsistent front seven.
Rant Sports (Alcaraz), Apr 2 Malcom Brown While everyone is focused on the Cowboys’ need at defensive end, their bigger weakness might actually be defensive tackle. Brown would be a steal at 27, and could contribute from the get-go in Dallas.
SI.com (King), Apr. 1 Jordan Phillips Cowboys have needs all over the front seven, and Phillips is the best big body available.

Running backs​

SI.com (Banks), Apr 8

Melvin Gordon​

If I’m Dallas, and in win-now mode, I’m turning Gordon loose behind that superb offensive line, with his proven ability to run north and south and powerfully break tackles. Dallas does the deal because it had to be wary of the No. 24 Cardinals, and their need of a lead running back.
Detroit News (Katzenstein), Apr 7

Melvin Gordon​

Some analysts have knocked Gordon for needing holes to run, which is obviously true of most backs. In Dallas, he’d take full advantage of a stout offensive line.
SB Nation (Kadar), Apr 6

Todd Gurley​

The loss of DeMarco Murray and his 392 carries and 1,845 yards leaves a pressing need at running back for Dallas. Gurley might not be ready to go at the start of the season, but his long-term potential is vast. The Cowboys could also be looking for a replacement for defensive tackle Nick Hayden in the first round, and there will be options
NFL.com (Baldinger), Apr 6

Melvin Gordon​

It's imposssible to think any back can have the production that DeMarco Murray had in 2014, but Gordon helps ease the pain of the defection.
Baltimore Sun (Meoli), Apr 5

Melvin Gordon​

If an Adrian Peterson trade doesn't come to fruition for the Cowboys, Gordon is the workhorse back that Dallas needs in the absence of star running back DeMarco Murray. This offensive line could make anyone a star, but adding a star in Murray's place will only help.

Defensive Ends​

Draft King (Pickney), Apr 7

Bud Dupree​

This is lower than where I think Dupree should go, but quality players slip in the draft every year. There is a line of thought that the Cowboys will use this pick to draft a running back, and maybe they will. But they can also add a really solid defensive end in Dupree here while still having the opportunity to land a quality running back in round two.
Scout.com (Newberg), Apr 6

Owa Odighizuwa​

Sure they signed Greg Hardy but they need a lot more. Here, Jerry Jones lands former Bruin Owa Odighizuwa. This cat is super quick off the edge.
CBS (Rang), Apr 5

Owa Odighizuwa​

Odighizuwa's power and motor make him an ideal complement to Greg Hardy and last year's second round pick Demarcus Lawrence.​

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