2010 Cowboys-Only Mock Draft: Version 3.0, Post-Combine
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="270" caption="The Cowboys will likely value the versatility of C/G Maurkice Pouncey."]
[/caption]
In versions 1.0 and 2.0 of our Cowboys Mock Drafts, we had the team selecting Penn State DT/DE Jared Odrick and USC OT Charles Brown, respectively. While we would still guess Odrick will be the pick if forced to select today, drafts can take wild twists as the result of just one event.
In this version our our Cowboys Mock Draft, we will describe a path the Cowboys may take if they happen to sign an offensive tackle before April 22 (Marcus McNeil or Jared Gaither, for example).
Round 1- Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
A lot of mocks have Idaho guard Mike Iupati as the Cowboys' selection at #27, but we believe they will value the versatility of Pouncey. If Iupati is still on the board, it will be interesting to see who Dallas has rated higher. Some scouts believe Pouncey is a top 15 talent. He would likely come in and be the immediate backup to both starting guards and center Andre Gurode.
Round 2- Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
Spikes' size makes him a candidate to play inside in a 3-4. Keith Brooking and Bradie James played well last year, but the Cowboys must soon look for their replacements (particularly for Brooking). We still think a play-making return man is an option here, but because players such as Mardy Gilyard, Dexter McCluster, and Jordan Shipley had such poor 40-yard dash times, the Cowboys may be able to wait a round to grab someone.
FYI: Despite these first two selections, no, we are not Gators fans.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="220" caption="We still aren't sure why teams aren't high on South Carolina LB Eric Norwood."]
[/caption]
Round 3- Eric Norwood, LB, South Carolina
To play devil's advocate, we have assumed the Cowboys do not see any return man at this point as providing great value. So which direction does the team go? Jerry Jones said the Cowboys will take the best player available at each position, and we really like South Carolina LB Eric Norwood.
A lot of fans will be disappointed in yet another linebacker, but we all know what a key position the edge rusher is in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme . As we detailed in our profile of Eric Norwood, he is a an excellent pass-rusher who should transition nicely to OLB. Further, we are not sure Dallas is convinced they have proper depth behind starters Ware and Spencer (Curtis Johnson, Victor Butler and Brandon Williams).
Round 4- Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
The Cowboys' patience in this particular mock draft pays off, as Texas WR Jordan Shipley is still on the board. Shipley would come in and become the starting punt and kickoff returner, and also compete with Patrick Crayton in the slot. We see Shipley as an early second round talent, but his 4.57 at the Combine will surely drop his stock. Still, Shipley plays much faster than his time and displays excellent quickness and body control.
Round 6- Kurt Coleman, FS, Ohio State
Dallas may or may not upgrade the safety position before this spot, but we still maintain that the Cowboys' brass is more comfortable with what they have at the position than fans. Despite interest from other clubs in Gerald Sensabaugh, the Cowboys remain likely to lock him up long-term. Ken Hamlin struggled last season, but members of the organization like what they have in second-year man Michael Hamlin.
Coleman is a small, ball-hawk type safety which the Cowboys lack right now. He would be a project, but worth the risk at this point.
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="302" caption="Syracuse DT Arthur Jones would move to DE in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense."]
[/caption]
Round 7- Arthur Jones, DT/DE, Syracuse
The importance the Cowboys place on the defensive end position is reliant on the futures of Spears, Bowen, and Hatcher. The second round tenders placed on all three players means the latter two are not going anywhere in 2010. Spears, however, could garner some interest from other 3-4 teams. We detailed what Dallas might do with him here.
If the likely scenario of all three defensive ends remaining on the team comes to fruition, the Cowboys may look at a late-round prospect like Syracuse's Arthur Jones. Jones is a talented athlete who may drop this far due to knee surgery he underwent in November of last season.
Continue to check back for our ongoing “Potential Draft Picks” Series and ever-evolving Mock Drafts.
Short URL: http://thedctimes.com/?p=936
Posted by Jonathan Bales
on Mar 8 2010 Filed under All Draft, Draft, Mock Drafts, Recent, Top Posts.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
LOVE the possibility of Shipley!!! don’t think he’ll last that long, but it would be awesome if he did. Also really like the Spikes pick, i think he’ll be a force in the NFL, he played the toughest of tough competition in the SEC and still stood out.
Can’t wait for the draft!!
We are excited too, and also love Shipley. It will be interesting to see how far his poor forty drops him. Javier Arenas is also a possibility in that 3/4 range.
I have concerns with Spikes. For some reason I keep wondering about his character and how he would affect team chemistry. I also think Shipley has reached his ceiling and will has trouble getting seperation. I’m Not familiar with the 6th and 7th rd guys. I like Pouncey, but I really hope we get a LT in the 1st. In my mind there are about 20 guys at varied positions that should be available throughout. LT must be addressed early, if we get a guy that gets on the field this year. Otherwise happy drafting. I think this is a good draft class, especially for the big guys. QB and WR are really thin. Also CB is thin after the 1st few. I believe there are only 5 or 6 in the whole draft who will make teams as a CB.
I think Spikes is a risky pick as well, which is why we have him dropping to the back of two. I just see it tough for Dallas to pass up that sort of talent that late, but we will see how it plays out.
I still love Shipley, and I think if he is available in the 4th the Cowboys should seriously consider him to be a return man if nothing else.
LT is definitely a big-time need. If they keep Flozell, though, the backup position at guard and center could be more dire than that at tackle.
What do you think of Ravens’ LT Jared Gaither? What if Dallas could get him for a 2nd and 6th?
[...] our first Post-Combine Mock Draft, we had the Cowboys selecting Florida G/C Maurkice Pouncey in the first round. We anticipate that [...]
[...] had Pouncey as the Cowboys’ selection in our last mock draft, but in this particular version he won’t be available for Dallas. A lot of people may be [...]
[...] had Pouncey as the Cowboys’ selection in our latest Cowboys-only Mock Draft. In that mock, we said: “A lot of mocks have Idaho guard Mike Iupati as the Cowboys’ [...]
[...] had Pouncey as the Cowboys’ selection in our latest Cowboys-only Mock Draft . In that mock, we said: “A lot of mocks have Idaho guard Mike Iupati as the [...]
[...] has been mentioned as the Cowboys’ selection in a couple of our mocks: here and here. We like him better than Iupati, even at [...]
[...] 2010 Cowboys-Only Mock Draft: Version 3.0, Post-Combine Dallas Cowboys 2010 Mock Draft… [...]
[...] 2010 Cowboys-Only Mock Draft: Version 3.0, Post-Combine Dallas Cowboys 2010 Mock Draft… [...]
[...] had Pouncey as Dallas’ selection in Version 3.0 of our Cowboys-only mock drafts. He is a versatile player who could become the primary backup to all three interior linemen in [...]
[...] had Pouncey as Dallas’ selection in Version 3.0 of our Cowboys-only mock drafts. He is a versatile player who could become the primary backup to all three interior linemen in [...]