Rick Gosselin's final mock draft: Dez Bryant to Cowboys

[cowboyjoe]

Rick Gosselin's final mock draft: Dez Bryant to Cowboys

12:29 AM CDT on Thursday, April 22, 2010
By RICK GOSSELIN / The Dallas Morning News
rgosselin@***BANNED-URL***


1. ST. LOUIS RAMS


Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Oklahoma

The Rams have passed on potential franchise quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez in the last two drafts. Both have started NFL playoff games. St. Louis must stop ignoring the quarterback position.

Other needs: QB, Pass rush, WR, DT


2. DETROIT LIONS


Ndamukong Suh, Defensive tackle, Nebraska

The Lions need defensive size to tackle Adrian Peterson, plus an inside pass rush to pressure Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler in the division. Suh fills both bills for the NFL's 32nd-ranked defense.

Other needs: RB, CB, DL, OL


3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS


Gerald McCoy, Defensive tackle, Oklahoma

The Buccaneers were one of the NFL's best teams throughout the 2000 decade on the strength of a dominating defensive front. Tampa Bay is no longer dominant up front. Time to reload.

Other needs: DE, DT, LB, WR


4. WASHINGTON Commanders


Russell Okung, Offensive tackle, Oklahoma State

If the Commanders can't protect Donovan McNabb, he will suffer the same fate as Jason Campbell (46 sacks and a loss of confidence). Incumbent Chris Samuels has retired at left tackle, so this pick becomes a walk-in starter.

Other needs: LT, QB, NT, RB


5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS


Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee

The Chiefs brought in Mike Vrabel for leadership a year ago. But he's 35 this season. Berry will be running the KC defense inside of a year. He's never not started in his football career and also offers corner cover skills.

Other needs: DT, LB, S, WR


6. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS


Trent Williams, Offensive tackle, Oklahoma

Like the Commanders, the Seahawks also need to find a blindside pass protector for their veteran quarterback. Seattle QBs were sacked 41 times last season, and Matt Hasselbeck couldn't stay healthy under that assault.

Other needs: OT, QB, RB, DE


7. CLEVELAND BROWNS


Derrick Morgan, Outside linebacker, Georgia Tech

The Browns need help across the board on defense. They traded their top pass rusher (OLB Kamerion Wimbley) to Oakland this off-season. Morgan is coming off a 12 ½-sack season at Georgia Tech.

Other needs: QB, S, CB, DE


8. OAKLAND RAIDERS


Anthony Davis, Offensive tackle, Rutgers

No quarterback – not JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski or Charlie Frye – has a chance until the Raiders start protecting him. Oakland allowed 49 sacks in 2009. Davis is the best athlete of any left tackle on the board.

Other needs: LT, QB, LB, DE


9. BUFFALO BILLS


Dan Williams, Defensive tackle, Tennessee

The Bills are switching to a 3-4 defense in 2010, and that scheme starts with a nose tackle who can attract double- and triple-teams. Williams is that guy. At 327, he's a space-eater who makes plays.

Other needs: QB, NT, OT, WR


10. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS


Brandon Graham, Defensive end, Michigan

Graham is the most polished pass rusher in this draft. He'll have the quickest impact – and a Jacksonville defense that ranked last in the NFL in sacks is in dire need of someone who can have an instant impact.

Other needs: Pass rush, LB, S, DT


11. DENVER BRONCOS


Rolando McClain, Middle linebacker, Alabama

The Broncos cut starting inside middle linebacker Andra Davis at season's end. McClain is a walk-in starter. He won the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football last season.

Other needs: MLB, DT, WR, Power RB


12. MIAMI DOLPHINS


Demaryius Thomas, Wide receiver, Georgia Tech

The Dolphins have a young quarterback in Chad Henne. The way to accelerate his development is to surround him with playmakers. With the arrival of Brandon Marshall and Thomas, Henne could be a Pro Bowler very soon.

Other needs: NT, RB, S, CB


13. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS


Joe Haden, Cornerback, Florida

The 49ers will look at RB C.J. Spiller – but he'd arrive as a backup to Frank Gore. Haden walks in as a starter and fills a void in an area of need. You can't win the NFC West unless you can cover Larry Fitzgerald.

Other needs: OT, CB, S, WR


14. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS


Ryan Mathews, Halfback, Fresno State

Mathews is better suited to be an every-down back than C.J. Spiller because he has the bulk at 220 pounds. Spiller is a Reggie Bush clone at 198 pounds. The Seahawks need an every-down back to improve the NFL's 26th-ranked rushing attack.

Other needs: OT, QB, RB, DE


15. NEW YORK GIANTS


Jason Pierre-Paul, Defensive end, South Florida

Pierre-Paul played only one season of college football but has the most upside of any pass rusher in this draft at 6-5, 270 with 4.64 speed. Osi Umenyiora (Troy) was supposed to be a project, too, and he became a Pro Bowler.

Other needs: MLB, Pass rush, CB, TE


16. TENNESSEE TITANS


Kyle Wilson, Cornerback, Boise State

The Titans need to improve the front and back end of their defense. But the D-line quality has vanished by this point of the draft. So the focus shifts to a very talented first-round cornerback board.

Other needs: DE, CB, S, KR


17. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS


Bryan Bulaga, Offensive tackle, Iowa

The 49ers need a right tackle to bookend Joe Staley on the left side, and the best right tackle in the draft slides to them at 17. They'd look again at C.J. Spiller, but quality tackles are harder to find than running backs.

Other needs: OT, CB, S, WR


18. PITTSBURGH STEELERS


Maurkice Pouncey, Center, Florida

With Ben Roethlisberger's future in flux, the Steelers are likely to revert to the power offense that won Super Bowls in the 1970s. But you need blockers, and Pouncey gives them flexibility at center and guard.

Other needs: Int. OL, CB, S, QB


19. ATLANTA FALCONS


Mike Iupati, Guard, Idaho

Like the Steelers, the Falcons need to get their run game back on track. They fell from first in the NFL in 2008 to 15th in 2009. Better blockers produce better runners. Iupati is the best drive-blocker in the draft.

Other needs: CB, S, Int. OL


20. HOUSTON TEXANS


C.J. Spiller, Halfback, Clemson

The Texans can't have another season from Steve Slaton like 2009. Maybe it was a sophomore slump. Spiller gives them insurance against that. He's also a fine complementary piece if Slaton does bounce back.

Other needs: RB, CB, Int. OL, S


21. CINCINNATI BENGALS


Jermaine Gresham, Tight end, Oklahoma

The Bengals need to give QB Carson Palmer a reliable safety-valve option. Cincinnati got fewer than 50 catches from its tight ends last season. Gresham can be to Palmer what Jason Witten is to Tony Romo.

Other needs: TE, DE, Int.OL, S


22. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS


Earl Thomas, Safety, Texas

The Patriots have defensive needs in this draft but also the luxury of taking the best player on the board. It's Thomas, who gives them a combination of a cover safety and ballhawk. He had eight interceptions last fall.

Other needs: TE, DL, Pass rush, CB


23. GREEN BAY PACKERS


Jerry Hughes, Outside linebacker, TCU

Dom Capers would like to give the Packers a version of the Blitzburgh scheme he ran in Pittsburgh in the 1990s. He has one elite pass rusher in Clay Matthews, and Hughes would give Capers pressure from the other side.

Other needs: Pass rush, OT, CB


24. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES


Devin McCourty, Cornerback, Rutgers

Not only is McCourty an elite cover cornerback, he may be the best special teams player in this draft. He blocked seven kicks and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in his career. He replaces Sheldon Brown.

Other needs: OL, DL, CB, TE


25. BALTIMORE RAVENS


Kareem Jackson, Cornerback, Alabama

The Ravens have always won with a physical brand of defense, and Jackson is the most physical corner in this draft. He goes from the No. 2-ranked defense in college to the No. 3-ranked defense in the NFL.

Other needs: DT, TE, CB, Pass rush


26. ARIZONA CARDINALS


Sean Weatherspoon, Outside linebacker, Missouri

The Cardinals have two huge holes in their defense with the departures this off-season of OLB Karlos Dansby and FS Antrel Rolle. Weatherspoon gives Arizona a linebacker with the same physical and athletic traits as Dansby.

Other needs: OLB, S, WR, TE


27. DALLAS COWBOYS


Dez Bryant, Wide receiver, Oklahoma State

Bryant won't slide to the Cowboys at 27, so look for Jerry Jones to move up if Bryant tumbles deep into the teens. Bryant has immaturity issues that are scaring teams off. Jones still regrets passing on Randy Moss.

Other needs: LT, S, WR, Youth on OL


28. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS


Jared Odrick, Defensive end, Penn State

The Chargers need help up front, and Odrick falls into the category of best player available. The Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year brings 304 pounds of run defense excellence to NFL's 20th-ranked run defense.

Other needs: RB, NT, Blocking TE, CB


29. NEW YORK JETS


Patrick Robinson, Cornerback, Florida State

There's a flat spot on this board from Nos. 29-32 where first-round talent runs out, and teams will be drafting what they consider second-round players. Look for the Jets to try to trade out. Failing there, give them Robinson.

Other needs: C, CB, Pass rush, RB


30. MINNESOTA VIKINGS


Jimmy Clausen, Quarterback, Notre Dame

The Vikings were hoping a cornerback would slide to them but instead hit the jackpot with the slide of Clausen. He gives them their QB of the future when Brett Favre finally does retire, probably in 2011.

Other needs: CB, S, DT, RB


31. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS


Rodger Saffold, Offensive tackle, Indiana

The Colts released a starting guard (Ryan Lilja) this off-season, so there's an immediate opening on the AFC champions. Saffold has value in his versatility. Scouts think he can play center, guard or tackle.

Other needs: OL, DL, 2 CB


32. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS


Brian Price, Defensive tackle, UCLA

If the Saints want to repeat as NFC South champions, they must bulk up the defensive front to slow down the elite running backs at Atlanta and Carolina. Price was the Pac-10's Defensive Player of the Year.

Other needs: OLB, S, DT, Pass rusher




Note: Carolina and Chicago, which follow, do not have first-round picks


48. CAROLINA PANTHERS


Chris Cook, Cornerback/Safety, Virginia

The Panthers don't pick until the second round. Cook is the biggest corner in the draft at 6-2, 212 pounds. Some teams project him as a safety. He can give the Panthers a physical presence at corner or as a cover safety.

Other needs: WR, QB, DE, TE


75. CHICAGO BEARS


Major Wright, Safety, Florida

The Bears don't pick until the third round. The offensive line, running back, quarterback and linebacker boards will be picked clean by then. So the Bears take the best player on the board – a playmaking safety.

Other needs: CB, S, WR, Int. OL

 

[DFWJC]

Whoa...D. Thomas at 12? Why reach for him at 12 when you just paid a ransom for Brandon Marshall? Maybe they go up and get him at the top of round 2 or vewry late rd 1, but not here.

Nice draft for SF, if this unfolds. Seattle's is not bad either.

Brandon Graham to a 4-3 team? hmmm

Spiller all the way down to 20? Uh, no.

LOL...and Goose has Earl Thomas falling only 2 slots higher than the CZ Mock Draft did. I bet he goes before then, but it shows the possibilites.

 

[Silverstar]

27. DALLAS COWBOYS

Dez Bryant, Wide receiver, Oklahoma State

Bryant won't slide to the Cowboys at 27, so look for Jerry Jones to move up if Bryant tumbles deep into the teens. Bryant has immaturity issues that are scaring teams off. Jones still regrets passing on Randy Moss.

Other needs: LT, S, WR, Youth on OL

_________________________________

Well, if Bryant won't slide to 27 then why put him there?

Jerry already said in his press conference, that he wouldn't move up for a WR....albeit jokingly.

If he did move up for Bryant or even Thomas, he would look pretty foolish considering what he gave up for Roy Williams.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I know. He has Bryant at 27 but says no way he last to 27 and then follows it up by saying the Cowboys will move up? What a joke.

Also, no way in hell I see Clausen lasting till 30. If he's still there at 27, I fielding trade offers big time.

 

[DFWJC]

I know. He has Bryant at 27 but says no way he last to 27 and then follows it up by saying the Cowboys will move up? What a joke.

Also, no way in hell I see Clausen lasting till 30. If he's still there at 27, I fielding trade offers big time.

Goose has a great track record, but I predict that he misses a lot more than usual this year...but still gets most of the names of the players going in round 1 correct (just not at the right spots).

 

[ShiningStar]

thank you all for saving me the time of bringing up the point about Dez, and yes if Clausen is there, you pick up the phone because a lot of teams could use him.

I return you back to your regularly schedule complaints of this mock.

 

[slotshot]

Goose has a great track record, but I predict that he misses a lot more than usual this year...but still gets most of the names of the players going in round 1 correct (just not at the right spots).

Agreed but I hope you are wrong. I submitted my mock yesterday to the Zone, ESPN and NFL.com and I am really surprised about the similarities to Gosselins...that is certainly bad news for him since I suck at mocking (but love it nonetheless).

 

[AbeBeta]

Goose has a great track record, but I predict that he misses a lot more than usual this year...but still gets most of the names of the players going in round 1 correct (just not at the right spots).

what Goose is likely basing this on is some combo of what he's heard about teams who have taken Dez off their boards vs. the needs to those who haven't - also you factor in that he'll likely do better in on a team with a stable structure and good internal leadership.. we've got that.. but so do teams like NE, GB, and Baltimore who pick before us.

 

[dmoore]

I just don't think this mock is very good. I'd like to get Dez at 27, but we're not moving up to get him. Maybe I've just been looking at mocks with the same picks for a couple months, but some of this just seems way off. I guess we'll find out tonight.

 

[Bigtommyb]

I just don't think this mock is very good. I'd like to get Dez at 27, but we're not moving up to get him. Maybe I've just been looking at mocks with the same picks for a couple months, but some of this just seems way off. I guess we'll find out tonight.

I agree this guys mock is horrible. I'd be upset if we got Dez,it makes absolutley no sense. Jerry has to pay Miles, already paying R.Will and now go out and pay a first round wr? We are good offensively, we have to sure up that secondary. We will win by stopping people. Scoring is not the problem for us.

 

[burmafrd]

Goose's top 100 is the best around. His mocks are pretty lousy.

 

[DFWJC]

Agreed but I hope you are wrong. I submitted my mock yesterday to the Zone, ESPN and NFL.com and I am really surprised about the similarities to Gosselins...that is certainly bad news for him since I suck at mocking (but love it nonetheless).

Well, they usually grade it two ways:
1) how many players did you pick to go in round 1 actaully went in round 1?
2) how many exact player/team/slot matches did you get?

My guess (I'm as clueless as anyone) is that Goose (and you) will do great at #1, but just above average at #2.
Good luck!

 

[SMCowboy]

Goose's top 100 is the best around. His mocks are pretty lousy.

If his mocks are so lousy, why is it that every year his mocks sit atop the 3 year average for NFL Mock Drafts?

Actually there is alot of logic to Goose's Mock draft. Keep in mind, that he is tring to get the team that the players end up on correct, not necessarily the pick that they are chosen at......

1. ST. LOUIS RAMS
Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Oklahoma - Everyone Agrees

2. DETROIT LIONS
Ndamukong Suh, Defensive tackle, Nebraska - Everyone Agrees

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Gerald McCoy, Defensive tackle, Oklahoma - Everyone Agrees

4. WASHINGTON Commanders
Russell Okung, Offensive tackle, Oklahoma State - Everyone agrees

5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee - The concencous on most mock drafts is either Eric Berry or a tackle (Trent Williams or Bryan Bulaga)

6. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Trent Williams, Offensive tackle, Oklahoma - Most people have OT going here

7. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Derrick Morgan, Outside linebacker, Georgia Tech - If Eric Berry isn't available, he is the most likely pick

8. OAKLAND RAIDERS
Anthony Davis, Offensive tackle, Rutgers - Personally I still think there is a good chance that the Raiders take Bruce Campbell here. Just because Al Davis still thinks that he who wins the combine wins on the football field. But, the Raiders need an OT more than anything. And Davis makes more since for an Al Davis pick than Bryan Bulaga does. Remember he Heyward Bey....

9. BUFFALO BILLS
Dan Williams, Defensive tackle, Tennessee - I would probably go Bryan Bulaga here. But, for a team that wants to play a 3-4 D, and has no NT, it is hard to argue with Dan Williams here either. Everyone has Jimmy Claussen going here, but supposedly Buffalo is looking harder at Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow.

10. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Brandon Graham, Defensive end, Michigan - Most people agree that Jacksonville with go with a pass rusher here, and you could make a strong argument that Graham is the best pass rusher available.

11. DENVER BRONCOS
Rolando McClain, Middle linebacker, Alabama - WR is a consideration, but after just getting rid of Brandon Marshall in part because of his off the field issues, I don't see Denver drafting anouther head case at WR. And McClain fits a huge need.

12. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Demaryius Thomas, Wide receiver, Georgia Tech - This is one pick that everyone is "out raged about", but keep in mind that Miami has made it clear that they want to trade down. And even with them bringing in Brandon Marshall, you could make a strong argument that WR is still a need in Miami. Remember they traded away Ginn. Leaving Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo at the #2 WR spot. Something that neither is truely equipted for. And before you say that #12 is way to soon for Thomas... Both Goose's top 100, and Gil Brant's top 100 have Thomas as a first round pick, and until this last update Brandt had Thomas as a 11-20 slot player.

13. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Joe Haden, Cornerback, Florida - CB is a HUGE need in San Francisco and Haden is viewed by many as the best CB in the draft.

14. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Ryan Mathews, Halfback, Fresno State - Seattle already filled their #1 need at OT with Trent Williams, and the second huge hole, is they have no running game. And Ryan Mathews is arguably the best on the board.

15. NEW YORK GIANTS
Jason Pierre-Paul, Defensive end, South Florida - MLB and Pass Rush are the Giants two main needs, and with McClain gone, no MLB is worth a first round pick. And Pierre-Paul is probably the best Pass Rush prospect left on the board.

16. TENNESSEE TITANS
Kyle Wilson, Cornerback, Boise State - They would probably rather draft a DE, but I am not sure that there is one on the board worthy of the #16 selection. And CB is also a HUGE need for them. And some feel Kyle Wilson is the best CB in the draft a good great value at #16.

17. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Bryan Bulaga, Offensive tackle, Iowa - It is odd to see Bulaga fall this far, but it seem like every Mock Draft I have seen has atleast one of the top OT's falling (because of number versus need), and the fact that Bulaga is viewed as for of a RT instead of ideal LT makes him the best bet to fall.

18. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Maurkice Pouncey, Center, Florida - Everyone agrees that Pittsburgh goes with either Pouncey or Iupati. Hard to argue with either selection here to me.

19. ATLANTA FALCONS
Mike Iupati, Guard, Idaho - I could certainly see the Falcons going Iupati or Pouncey here. They need OL help, not having any holes is a big reason that the offense struggled running the ball last year.

20. HOUSTON TEXANS
C.J. Spiller, Halfback, Clemson - You could make a strong arguement that RB is the biggest need on the team, remember how many starting RB's the Texans went threw last year. And remember that Gary Kubiak is an offensive coach.

21. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Jermaine Gresham, Tight end, Oklahoma - Everyone agrees that TE is the biggest need for Cincinnati. This could be an ideal spot for Dallas to trade up to with Dez Bryant falling. But if Cincy stays here, Gresham is the most logical choice.

22. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Earl Thomas, Safety, Texas - Hard to argue with Bill Belichick going BPA, and Earl Thomas is one of the best available. Sure If Dez Bryant is still on the board, he is BPA, but would a defensive mind like Bill Belichick pass on Earl Thomas with someone like Earl Thomas on the board? Becides where would Dez Bryant play? They still have Wes Welker, Randy Moss, acquired Torry Holt plus they have Brandon Tate from last years draft.

23. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Jerry Hughes, Outside linebacker, TCU - Green Bay is going to the 3-4, and they need pass rushers. And the two best left are Jerry Hughes or Sergio Kindle. And according to Goose's top 100, Hughes is the higher ranked of the two buy most teams.

24. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Devin McCourty, Cornerback, Rutgers - If the Eagles don;t trade up for one of the safety's the best CB left on the board is a good bet.

25. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Kareem Jackson, Cornerback, Alabama - Supposedly the Ravens are really high on Kareem Jackson, a good guess here

26. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Sean Weatherspoon, Outside linebacker, Missouri - Weatherspoon to the Cardinals is one I have seen quite a bit, no surprise here.

27. DALLAS COWBOYS
Dez Bryant, Wide receiver, Oklahoma State - First off, remember that Mock Drafts are not graded by who gets selected at what pick, but which team the player ends up with. And Dez Bryant to Dallas is one of the more logical stories of the draft. Jerry Jones still regrets passing up Randy Moss, and Jerry Jones loves to make trades on draft day. Remember the key isn't where, but to whom.....

28. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Jared Odrick, Defensive end, Penn State - The Jets definately need DL help, and Odrick is a great pick at #28, and fills a huge need.

29. NEW YORK JETS
Patrick Robinson, Cornerback, Florida State - This one is one, I don't understand... What use do the Jets have for anouther CB. They already have Revis and Antonio Cromartie.

30. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Jimmy Clausen, Quarterback, Notre Dame - More than likely, Clausen is not choosen at #30. But once again, it is not what pick but to what team. And everyone has been saying for a while, if Clausen does not go in the Top 10, he could slide to the 20's.... And with Brett Farve unable to make up his mind again look for Minnesota to move up to try and grab Clausen who to me seems destined to be the next Aaron Rogers....

31. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Rodger Saffold, Offensive tackle, Indiana - Saffold to the Colt's is a pick I have seen quite often, and it make since. A guy who can play either guard or tackle to a team that needs OL expecially guard help.

32. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Brian Price, Defensive tackle, UCLA - The Saints need DL help, and Price is probably the best DT left on the board.