News: BTB: Week 13: CFB Open Thread And In-Season Mock #2

[NewsBot]

So who's in the sights for the newest version of Let's Fix The Cowboys? To the mock!

Welcome to Week 13 and our second installment of the Cowboys In-Season mock draft. What I'll attempt to do until we get to the actual draft season, is to highlight different players as much as possible. So while I might still feel like Rashede Hageman from Minnesota is the Cowboys best choice for a first-round pick, you won't see him here. You also won't see Jimmy Garoppollo, my pet cat QB from Eastern Illinois. I had him in the fifth round last time and he's already moved up to a third-round prospect according to CBS Sports.

So without further ado, let's look at this version of a Cowboys five-round draft.

ROUND Pick No. Prospect School
1 18
FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Alabama​

A safety? A safety! The Cowboys need additional help in the secondary and Clinton-Dix is the answer this go around. You might say, well the Cowboys gave Barry Church a recent deal and just drafted JJ Wilcox. I love Wilcox and think he will turn into a dynamic strong safety in short order. However, let's get him a true centerfielder to pair up with. Well what about Church? Move him to that hybrid LB/S role he excelled at prior. He's not a true centerfielder and the team would benefit from having him dedicated to the box where he can solve Dallas' issues of checking TEs and RBs out the backfield. I owe that idea to the braintrust of FPWs, led by discussion starter from Joey Ickes yesterday.

Clinton-Dix is the nation's top rated safety and has great change of direction and fluidity. He also has great hands for the interception. His one negative is his lack of a pop, and in today's NFL where hitting is almost completely illegal, that's not too big of a loss anymore.

ROUND Pick No. Prospect School
2 50
DT Timmy Jernigan
Florida State​

A stellar 3-technique prospect fueling the defensive resurgence of the Seminoles as a national power. Jernigan has a good chance of ending up a first-rounder, but for now, CBS has him right at No. 50. Jernigan's a 6'2", 290 lb force that might not be racking up sack totals, but is getting into the backfield.

ROUND Pick No. Prospect School
3 82
OG Anthony Steen
Alabama​

More help for the offensive line? Is it Christmas? Good size, combination of quickness and power and is a tremendous pass protector. Quality blocker on the pull, but of course always be a bit concerned about Tide linemen considering how good the entire group is.

ROUND Pick No. Prospect School
4 114
DE George Uko
USC​

Uko would be the replacement to Anthony Spencer at strongside defensive end, as he has experience both on the outside and on the interior. He's a natural pass rusher, and at 275 lbs has enough girth to set the edge. He's slowed down since a hot start to the season, with 4 sacks in his first four games.

ROUND Pick No. Prospect School
5 146
DT Calvin Barnett
Oklahoma State​

Another interior defensive lineman? Not in this century, KD. I know, but a man can dream. Imagine a world where Dallas was three deep along the defensive line with quality rotational guys. Yeah, it would look like the Giants from a few years ago when they were making their run. I expect Hatcher to walk, so not only will Dallas need a replacement, but they'll need someone to spell the replacement. Enter Barnett, a JuCo transfer that has been holding it down in the middle since becoming a Cowboy. Plenty of pass rushing upside. 6'2" 300 lbs.
​

After a few weeks with lackluster schedules, we have a series of games among quality, Top 25 teams today. The SEC takes center stage once again as them Aggie boys take on the dudes from the Bayou. Later in the evening, it's the only Top 10 battle of the day as the Big 12 takes center stage.

Today's Top Matchups:

No. 12 Texas A&M at No. 22 LSU, 330pm ET
No. 19 Wisonsin at No. 25 Minnesota, 330pm ET
No. 17 Arizona State at No. 14 UCLA, 700pm ET
No. 8 Missouri at No. 24 Mississippi, 745pm ET
No. 4 Baylor at No. 10 Oklahoma State, 800pm ET​

There are plenty of linemen to watch today, so grab your beers, recline your armchairs and let's talk some college football!

Continue reading...