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Mock drafts: Should Cowboys choose pass rusher or offensive lineman in first round?
By Jon Machota / Special Contributor
9:47 pm on October 7, 2012
Making smart decisions during those seven rounds in April is the most critical element when it comes to adding talent to an NFL roster.
The Cowboys have several areas to address with their selections in the 2013 draft – offensive line, safety and pass rusher seem to be at the top of that list. But we’re focusing solely on the first round with this mock draft roundup.
My choice would be to grab the best pass rusher available. Although the offensive line is the weakest position group on the team, good talent at guard and center can be found after the first 32 picks are off the board. A game-changing pass rusher rarely falls that far.
My pick, as of Oct. 7, would be Texas DE/OLB Jackson Jeffcoat. A natural pass rusher who is quick and athletic sounds like a perfect compliment to DeMarcus Ware, especially if the Cowboys are unable to re-sign Anthony Spencer in March. Jeffcoat, whose father was a defensive lineman for the Cowboys, is capable of lining up at defensive end in a 4-3 scheme like he is doing with the Longhorns, but athletic enough to play outside linebacker in the Cowboys’ 3-4 defense. Jeffcoat (6-5, 245) recorded eight sacks last year as a sophomore. The Plano West product has 3.5 sacks this season and recovered a fumble for a score Saturday against West Virginia.
Here are what several mock drafts are predicting the Cowboys will do in the first round.
CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang:
Pick: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU.
Comment: “The Cowboys boast one of the league’s most feared pass rushers in DeMarcus Ware but with Anthony Spencer likely to only sign a one year deal after being franchised this season Dallas may want to look for a replacement. The long-armed 6-4, 245-pound Montgomery has the size and athleticism worthy of developing.”
WalterFootball.com:
Pick: Johnathan Jenkins, NT, Georgia.
Comment: “The Cowboys had the option of picking J.J. Watt at No. 9 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. They went with Tyron Smith, who was great in his rookie campaign, but they were hurting at the defensive end position as a consequence. In this scenario, they’d be able to move Jay Ratliff outside. It’s something they were thinking about when they were seriously considering taking Dontari Poe in April.”
WalterFootball.com’s Charlie Campbell:
Pick: Barrett Jones, C, Alabama.
Comment: “The Cowboys have to upgrade the interior of their offensive line. Tony Romo was almost pounded by Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Jones would be a no-brainer if he’s available.
“It would be an understatement to say that Barrett Jones is smart and versatile. He could actually start at any of the five positions on the offensive line in the NFL. Given his flexibility as an offensive lineman, Alabama moved him to center for this season. He was excellent at his new position against Michigan, Alabama’s first game of 2012. Jones looked like he had been playing center for years. He continued his strong play versus Western Kentucky and Arkansas.
“The 6-foot-5, 311-pounder was a potential first-round left tackle prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft. The Crimson Tide moved him to the blind side in 2011, and the junior excelled. He was named a First-Team All-SEC selection.
“In his first major test last year, Jones was playing very well against LSU, before an ankle injury in the second half. Early in the game, he was doing a phenomenal job of run blocking for Trent Richardson, and Alabama had a lot of success running behind Jones. He also wasn’t needing, or getting, any help with the Tigers’ speed-rushers on the edge.
“Jones was solid, not allowing a sack or pressure. The ankle injury seemed to rob him of the power to drive block, but he was a warrior who played through the injury and wasn’t a liability while playing hurt. Jones played well in the rematch, doing a good job of winning his blocks. He won the 2011 Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman on offense or defense.
“Jones started 14 games at guard in 2009 as a redshirt freshman when Mark Ingram ran his way to a Heisman. Jones stayed at right guard and started 11 games in 2010. He was also named as a First-Team All-SEC selection as sophomore.”
DraftTek.com:
Pick: T.J. McDonald, FS, USC.
Comment: “Barry Church (starting SS) had season-ending Achilles surgery (and who knows if he can come back), Gerald Sensabaugh (starting FS) missed last week’s game and is iffy for the Bears (and he’s better suited for SS duty), and 2012 4th round draft pick Matt Johnson cannot get off of the trainer’s table. So the starting safeties for this week may be Danny McCray and Mana Silva (Update: Silva’s released, which tells you how bad that idea was!), UNLESS Dallas plays their $50 million CB, Brandon Carr, at FS and Mike Jenkins (FA status next year) reclaims his starting CB spot. Yes, the OL needs to be addressed, but LOT is manned by Tyron Smith and interior linemen (and maybe even ROT) can be found later in the draft. T.J. McDonald (son of former 49′er Pro Bowl safety Tim) is equally adept at either safety position, a plus for Rob Ryan, who likes his safeties to be interchangeable.”
DraftKing.com:
Pick: Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB, Auburn.
Comment: “If the Cowboys lose Anthony Spencer to free agency (a distinct possibility) after the season, drafting a big, talented pass rush threat like Lemonier would make sense in this spot.”
DraftCountdown.com’s Scott Wright:
Pick: McDonald.
Comment: “Another offseason passed with the Cowboys failing to adequately address the safety position, which has been a problem area in Dallas for many years now. Even though Gerald Sensabaugh is a serviceable starter the spot opposite him is a mess and must be upgraded. …”
FFtoolbox.com:
Pick: William Gholston, DE, Michigan State.
Comment: “A 3-4 defensive line is predicated on occupying blockers and collapsing the pocket. Gholston is a huge defensive end (6-7 and 278 pounds) that is sure to get a look from every 3-4 defense in the NFL.”
RantSports.com:
Pick: Alex Okafor, DE/OLB, Texas.
Comment: “Potentially Anthony Spencer could be in his last season in a Cowboys uniform. Spencer is solid against the run, but offers nothing as a pass rusher opposite DeMarcus Ware. Alex Okafor is a tremendous athlete, who has the size and speed to wreak havoc opposite of Ware.”
By Jon Machota / Special Contributor
9:47 pm on October 7, 2012
Making smart decisions during those seven rounds in April is the most critical element when it comes to adding talent to an NFL roster.
The Cowboys have several areas to address with their selections in the 2013 draft – offensive line, safety and pass rusher seem to be at the top of that list. But we’re focusing solely on the first round with this mock draft roundup.
My choice would be to grab the best pass rusher available. Although the offensive line is the weakest position group on the team, good talent at guard and center can be found after the first 32 picks are off the board. A game-changing pass rusher rarely falls that far.
My pick, as of Oct. 7, would be Texas DE/OLB Jackson Jeffcoat. A natural pass rusher who is quick and athletic sounds like a perfect compliment to DeMarcus Ware, especially if the Cowboys are unable to re-sign Anthony Spencer in March. Jeffcoat, whose father was a defensive lineman for the Cowboys, is capable of lining up at defensive end in a 4-3 scheme like he is doing with the Longhorns, but athletic enough to play outside linebacker in the Cowboys’ 3-4 defense. Jeffcoat (6-5, 245) recorded eight sacks last year as a sophomore. The Plano West product has 3.5 sacks this season and recovered a fumble for a score Saturday against West Virginia.
Here are what several mock drafts are predicting the Cowboys will do in the first round.
CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang:
Pick: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU.
Comment: “The Cowboys boast one of the league’s most feared pass rushers in DeMarcus Ware but with Anthony Spencer likely to only sign a one year deal after being franchised this season Dallas may want to look for a replacement. The long-armed 6-4, 245-pound Montgomery has the size and athleticism worthy of developing.”
WalterFootball.com:
Pick: Johnathan Jenkins, NT, Georgia.
Comment: “The Cowboys had the option of picking J.J. Watt at No. 9 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. They went with Tyron Smith, who was great in his rookie campaign, but they were hurting at the defensive end position as a consequence. In this scenario, they’d be able to move Jay Ratliff outside. It’s something they were thinking about when they were seriously considering taking Dontari Poe in April.”
WalterFootball.com’s Charlie Campbell:
Pick: Barrett Jones, C, Alabama.
Comment: “The Cowboys have to upgrade the interior of their offensive line. Tony Romo was almost pounded by Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Jones would be a no-brainer if he’s available.
“It would be an understatement to say that Barrett Jones is smart and versatile. He could actually start at any of the five positions on the offensive line in the NFL. Given his flexibility as an offensive lineman, Alabama moved him to center for this season. He was excellent at his new position against Michigan, Alabama’s first game of 2012. Jones looked like he had been playing center for years. He continued his strong play versus Western Kentucky and Arkansas.
“The 6-foot-5, 311-pounder was a potential first-round left tackle prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft. The Crimson Tide moved him to the blind side in 2011, and the junior excelled. He was named a First-Team All-SEC selection.
“In his first major test last year, Jones was playing very well against LSU, before an ankle injury in the second half. Early in the game, he was doing a phenomenal job of run blocking for Trent Richardson, and Alabama had a lot of success running behind Jones. He also wasn’t needing, or getting, any help with the Tigers’ speed-rushers on the edge.
“Jones was solid, not allowing a sack or pressure. The ankle injury seemed to rob him of the power to drive block, but he was a warrior who played through the injury and wasn’t a liability while playing hurt. Jones played well in the rematch, doing a good job of winning his blocks. He won the 2011 Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman on offense or defense.
“Jones started 14 games at guard in 2009 as a redshirt freshman when Mark Ingram ran his way to a Heisman. Jones stayed at right guard and started 11 games in 2010. He was also named as a First-Team All-SEC selection as sophomore.”
DraftTek.com:
Pick: T.J. McDonald, FS, USC.
Comment: “Barry Church (starting SS) had season-ending Achilles surgery (and who knows if he can come back), Gerald Sensabaugh (starting FS) missed last week’s game and is iffy for the Bears (and he’s better suited for SS duty), and 2012 4th round draft pick Matt Johnson cannot get off of the trainer’s table. So the starting safeties for this week may be Danny McCray and Mana Silva (Update: Silva’s released, which tells you how bad that idea was!), UNLESS Dallas plays their $50 million CB, Brandon Carr, at FS and Mike Jenkins (FA status next year) reclaims his starting CB spot. Yes, the OL needs to be addressed, but LOT is manned by Tyron Smith and interior linemen (and maybe even ROT) can be found later in the draft. T.J. McDonald (son of former 49′er Pro Bowl safety Tim) is equally adept at either safety position, a plus for Rob Ryan, who likes his safeties to be interchangeable.”
DraftKing.com:
Pick: Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB, Auburn.
Comment: “If the Cowboys lose Anthony Spencer to free agency (a distinct possibility) after the season, drafting a big, talented pass rush threat like Lemonier would make sense in this spot.”
DraftCountdown.com’s Scott Wright:
Pick: McDonald.
Comment: “Another offseason passed with the Cowboys failing to adequately address the safety position, which has been a problem area in Dallas for many years now. Even though Gerald Sensabaugh is a serviceable starter the spot opposite him is a mess and must be upgraded. …”
FFtoolbox.com:
Pick: William Gholston, DE, Michigan State.
Comment: “A 3-4 defensive line is predicated on occupying blockers and collapsing the pocket. Gholston is a huge defensive end (6-7 and 278 pounds) that is sure to get a look from every 3-4 defense in the NFL.”
RantSports.com:
Pick: Alex Okafor, DE/OLB, Texas.
Comment: “Potentially Anthony Spencer could be in his last season in a Cowboys uniform. Spencer is solid against the run, but offers nothing as a pass rusher opposite DeMarcus Ware. Alex Okafor is a tremendous athlete, who has the size and speed to wreak havoc opposite of Ware.”
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