Guest Post: Dallas Cowboys Team Mock Draft
By Josh Sanchez
Earlier in the week, I put out a call to Cowboys fans to email their team mock drafts to me at joshsanchez@gmail.com. The point was to gather from fans which direction they would like the team to go. As promised, I will start publishing the best of the best.
First up is an offseason plan and mock draft from valued reader Nate Trumble. Nate not only completed a team mock draft, but also involved free agency into his blueprint for Cowboys success.
I hope you all take the time to read the mock draft and let your feedback known. Also, if you’d like your mock draft to appear on The Landry Hat just like Nate, email your mock to joshsanchez@gmail.com with TLH Team Mock in the subject line. Check out Nate’s work after the jump!
1 (9) trade to San Diego for #18, 50 and 114
1 (18) Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin (rated:23)
Carimi’s strength is his run blocking and size, not his feet. Perfect for right tackle on Houck’s offensive line. Immediately replaces Colombo.
2 (40) Christian Ballard DE Iowa (rated:45)
The last of the top 3-4 defensive end prospects falls to Dallas at 40. Should plug in at LE next to Ratliff and be a staple on the D-line for years to come.
2 (50) DeAndre McDaniel SS Clemson (rated:59)
McDaniel is this year’s top SS prospect. With both safety spots uncertain and Moore and Carter expected to be off the board by now, it would make sense to go after a reliable tackler with impressive ball skills to fill the hole at SS.
3 (71) John Moffitt G Wisconsin (rated:82)
Moffitt needs a year to improve his core strength. He should be able to slide right into Kyle Kosier’s left guard spot if he also learns the mental part of the Cowboy’s o-line by year two.
4 (109) James Carpenter OT Alabama (rated:116)
Played the left side at Alabama but can swing inside or over to right tackle if needed. Projected to be a solid o-line starter in the future. For now, he backs up Free on the left side with Young backing up the right.
4(114) Owen Marecic FB Stanford (rated:120)
I just can’t say enough about this kid, other than he is exactly the kind of player you want on your team. Immediately upgrades the FB position as well as special teams. His attitude and work-ethic will spread like wildfire in the locker room.
5 (140) Jalil Brown CB Colorado (rated:141)
Was 1/2 of one of the country’s best CB duos last year. Often drew a team’s top receiver while trying to avoid Jimmy Smith on the other side. He has all of the physical tools to succeed at the next level, and with some technique work, could become a starter.
6 (171) Casey Matthews ILB Oregon (rated:163)
The Matthews name gets people who saw his brother Clay play in the Super Bowl excited. Casey has a solid motor and good instincts. Could be a starter in a year or two with the help of Rob Ryan’s genius right hand man, Matt Eberflus.
7 (209 from San Diego for Crayton) Lazarius Levingston DE LSU (rated: 250)
Basically a big body who played DT against top competition at LSU. He has the measurables to play end in an NFL 3-4. Will need a few years to develop if he can hang.
Undrafted Free Agents Signed:
Nick Bellore ILB Central Michigan (rated:264)
Ray Dominguez G Arkansas (rated:320)
Bruce Miller OLB UCF (rated:366)
Free Agents Signed:
Doug Free OT Dallas
Davin Joseph G Tampa Bay
Michael Huff S Oakland
Kyle Kosier G Dallas
Stephen Bowen DE Dallas
Eric Wright CB Cleveland
Abram Elam S Cleveland
Jesse Holley ST/WR Dallas
Igor Olshansky is traded to Houston for a 2012 5th/6th round conditional pick.
2011 53 man roster:
QB: Romo/Kitna/McGee
RB: Jones/Choice/L.Miller
FB/H-Back: Marecic
TE: Witten/Bennett/Phillips
WR: Austin/Bryant/R.Williams/Ogletree/Holley
RT: Carimi/Young
RG: Joseph/Dominguez
C: Gurode/Costa
LG: Kosier/Moffitt
LT: Free/Carpenter
Defense
LE: Ballard/Lissemore, Levingston or Geathers
NT: Ratliff/Brent
RE: Bowen/Lissemore, Levingston or Geathers
SOLB: Spencer/Butler
SILB: James/Bellore or L.Williams
WILB: Lee/Brooking/Matthews
WOLB: Ware/B.Williams or B.Miller
CB: Jenkins/Wright/Scandrick/Brown/McCann
SS: McDaniel/Elam
FS: Huff/Awusu-Ansah/McCray
ST
K: Buehler or Brown
P: McBriar
L.S.: Ladouceur
trade value chart used: http://walterfootball.com/draftchart.php
draft grades used: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/TSX/2011