I’ve decided to publish my final 2011 mock draft on The Landry Hat for all of you dedicated readers to comment on and ridicule. Come draft day, we will see how good or bad my predictions looked.

With the Cowboys first round pick, I gave into conventional thinking and gave the team an offensive tackle. Some other players to watch for the Cowboys pick: Tyron Smith, JJ Watt, Cameron Jordan, Nate Solder, Prince Amukamara. There is also a strong possibility that Dallas will trade down.

While I did not include a second round to this mock draft, I have the Cowboys taking either Ras-I Dowling or Brandon Harris with their second round pick. Check out my entire first round after the jump!
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NFL experts use their inside knowledge from team executives and others to create very informed picks. So let’s look at where the NFL experts have the Cowboys going with the 9th overall pick this year.

The common pick is Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has had Dallas going that direction for some time now and he is not alone. Rob Rang, NFL Draft Scout, Don Banks from SI.com and Pat Kirwan of NFL.com all have the Cowboys taking Amukamara. The one man who has taken a different approach is Chad Reuter from NFLDraftScout.com who has Dallas taking USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith.

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay revealed his 2011 first-round mock draft on SportsCenter today. Revealed on the show was his first ten picks, which had Dallas picking at number three behind Buffalo and Carolina. Who did McShay have Dallas selecting?

McShay penciled Clemson defensive end Da”Quan Bowers in as the Cowboys pick. Bowers is a versatile guy who can play in either the 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Dallas has had trouble rushing the passer this year, despite having one of the most feared pass rushers in DeMarcus Ware.

Bowers is one of the best at attacking the quarterback in the NCAA this season and could end the year leading the nation in tackles for a loss. There is no question that Bowers could be a difference maker in the NFL.

While that is a solid pick for Dallas, I would like to see the team take one of the top corners — Patrick Peterson of LSU and Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara — or the top offensive tackle in the nation, Nate Solder of Colorado. Solder may be a reach if Dallas has a top three pick, but Peterson would be a great investment.

How does McShay see the rest of the top ten playing out?

1. Buffalo Bills: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Carolina Panthers: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

3. Dallas Cowboys: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

4. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

5. Denver Broncos: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

7. Detroit Lions: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

8. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

9. Arizona Cardinals: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

10. Cleveland Browns: AJ Green, WR, Georgia

Have a look at the direction McShay believes our NFC East rivals could go with their first-round selections as well:

15. Washington Redskins: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississipi State

27. New York Giants:  DeMarcus Love, OT, Arkansas

For the entire first-round mock draft, you can CLICK HERE. (You must be an ESPN Insider to view the entire round.)