News: BTB: 2015 Mock Draft Tracker: Going Two Deep With 11 Different Mocks On The Eve Of The Draft

[NewsBot]

With just over a day to go before the draft gets under way, we review 11 brand new Cowboys mock drafts, all of which go two rounds deep.

One more day to go. Pretty soon we'll be counting down the hours. Most of us have been waiting for the draft for close to four months now, a few of us have been waiting since last May.

In a little over 24 hours, the Dallas Cowboys will welcome seven or so young players into the family. Some of the names called over draft weekend will become key contributors. Some may become franchise cornerstones.

As it stands today, the Cowboys have seven picks to work with, and every single pick counts. The key for the Cowboys will be to hit on at least three, perhaps even four players. Where they play is out of Dallas' control, but as long as the Cowboys get some football playing dudes, they'll move in the right direction, even if some positions of need go unfilled. And let's be very clear, some will go unfilled, that's just the way the draft works.

Today we look at 11 different mock drafts, all of which propose two players they think the Cowboys will pick with their first two picks. Are they the right kind of players for the Cowboys? Judge for yourself.

Drafttek.com, April27

1. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington​

Comment: "Does talent (not to mention need) override off-the-field behavior in Jason Garrett's search for the RKG ("Right Kinda Guy")? If so, Marcus Peters' talent would place him above the safer selections of Kevin Johnson or Byron Jones; nevertheless, with the uncertainty surrounding the Cowboys' defensive backfield, the CB position will be addressed in one of the first two rounds unless a higher-rated prospect starts a fall of Mount Everest proportions."

2. Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi​

Comment: "Despite my best attempts to grab another prospect, for the 3rd consecutive simulation, Preston Smith is the selection; although the former Bulldog has not visited Valley Ranch, it makes sense (assuming Greg Hardy is available to play the weak side DE), as his size, strength and explosion factor makes him a strong side DE candidate. Smith excels in run defense and tallied nine sacks in 2014 while playing multiple positions, often occupying two blockers."
CBSSports (Rang), April 27

1. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington​

Comment: "The signing of defensive end Greg Hardy only reinforces that Jerry Jones is willing to take chances on players with character concerns if the talent is great enough. Peters is the most gifted cornerback in this class and would provide an immediate upgrade over disappointing veterans Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne."

2. Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana​

Comment: "The Cowboys aren't likely to wait long on draft day to supplement a running backs corps that currently is led by Darren McFadden."
CBSSports (Brugler), April 27

1. Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington​

Comment: "With the Cowboys' targets at cornerback and running back wiped out, Thompson gives Dallas an athletic linebacker they missed out on last year (Ryan Shazier) and insurance in case of another Sean Lee injury."

2. Duke Johnson, RB, Miami (Fla)​

Comment: "If the Cowboys miss out on Gurley and Gordon in the first round, this pick becomes the sweet-spot for a running back and Johnson is a good fit."
Scout.com (Newberg), April 29

1. Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest​

Comment: "The Cowboys have a number of needs but could very well go cornerback here. Kevin Johnson from Wake Forest gets the call if Dallas decides to stay at this spot. I believe this franchise will look long and hard to move up to grab one of the two elite running backs in Gurley or Gordon."

2. T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama​

Comment: The Cowboys score their running back here in T.J. Yeldon from Alabama. He can do a litle bit of everything and would be a nice addition to the Dallas offense."
Bleacher Report (Miglio), April 29

1. Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State​

Comment: "With Henry Melton and George Selvie gone in free agency, the Cowboys could sure use some help along that defensive line. Eddie Goldman certainly fills a need along the interior, even if he is better suited at nose tackle."

2. Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana ​

Comment: "Darren McFadden is a poor man's drawing of DeMarco Murray. The rushing champion is gone, and Run DMC isn't going to fix anything. Lance Dunbar and Joseph Randle might be able to tag team effectively, but adding a quality back like Tevin Coleman would go a long way toward plugging the massive hole Murray left behind."
Optimum Scouting (Galko), April 23

1. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington​

Comment: "Dallas has never strayed away from character guys in the past, and with needs in the secondary and Marcus Peters on the board, it’s a perfect match for the Cowboys. Peters won’t fall much further than this, if he lasts this long."

2. T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama​

Comment: "In the market for a starter at running back if they can’t land Adrian Peterson, Yeldon can be a power runner who can handle 20 carries a game for Dallas as a rookie."
E$PN (Kiper & McShay), April28

1. Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State​

Comment (McShay): "Goldman won't provide much as a pass-rusher, but he's an excellent run defender who will make the Cowboys better in that area."

2. D'Joun Smith, CB, Florida Atlantic​

Comment (Kiper): "I wasn't in love with Todd getting Goldman in Round 1. But I can get Dallas needed help at corner here. (Thank goodness I'm here.)"
Draft Season (Lupagus), April 28

1. Malcom Brown, DT, Texas​

Comment: "The Cowboys pass rush needs to get so much better, and Brown can help that from the middle. It’s a shock he’s still on the board and probably a mistake, but the Cowboys don’t mind. He can collapse pockets and really make their 4-3 defense click."

2. Jay Ajayi, RB Boise State​

Comment: "If the Cowboys don’t resign Spray Tan Murray and can’t land Adrian Peterson, then they could be looking at a back early. Ajayi is an excellent pass catcher as well as runner, and will produce immediately behind this offensive line."
Draft Ace, April 26

1. Jalen Collins, CB, LSU​

Comment: "The Cowboys secondary is a bit of a mess due to Carr and Claiborne failing to live up to expectations. Recent news of Collins’ drug tests isn’t news to the NFL. Collins has some risks, but he may have the highest ceiling of any cornerback in this class."

2. Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi​

Comment: "Smith provides some depth for the Cowboys front seven and a potential three-down lineman in the future."
Draft Countdown (Wright), April 23

1. Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington​

Comment: "Even though the defensive line is a more pressing need Washington OLB Shaq Thompson is simply too talented and too good of a fit for a Rod Marinelli defense to pass up at this point. Thompson is a linebacker / safety hybrid who also saw extensive action at running back for the Huskies. Now that is a versatile athlete! Thompson may need just the right set of circumstances in terms of scheme and role to maximize his potential at the next level but his best fit will likely come on the weakside in a 4-3 front. Regardless of where he lines up, Thompson has proven to be a playmaker with a nose for the ball. It will be interesting to see where a true ‘tweener like Thompson ultimately comes off the board but the game film is awfully impressive."

2. Michael Bennet, DT, Ohio State​

Comment: "Undersized but very quick with superb intangibles and is a perfect fit for Rod Marinelli's scheme."
Fox Sports (Schrager), April 29

1. Damarious Randall, S/CB, Arizona State​

Comment: "Randall’s my guy rising fast up draft boards and that’s because of his versatility. He played corner at Arizona State and had a lot of success. He is built like a safety. He also had a great workout in Arizona for many pro scouts back during the NFL’s Owners meetings. Buzz has been high on this guy for a while."

2. Mario Edwards, DE/DT, Florida State​

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